Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 29

Has anyone seen this, or more imporantly, tried it. Using an overlay which allows you to "type" on it with your thumbs as opposed to using Graffiti. It looks interesting.

Here is a review: http://www.pdamd.com/columns/details.shtml?column_id=48

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

I saw the original mention of this thing back in November 99 (do a search on "Thumbtype")

It looks nice, but since I managed to master Graffiti, I didn't see the need.
And when I translated yen in to dollars it came out to around $60.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 165

If I wanted to type on a tiny little keyboard, I would have bought a PDA with a tiny little keyboard on it, y'know?

It's an interesting idea, but I don't get it. If you don't like the Graffiti input method, then don't buy a Palm OS device. If you need to enter large amounts of text, bite the bullet and buy a keyboard- at the current exchange rate, the 6,800 yen price for ThumbType = US $63.55 - almost as much as the GoType. Save yourself the Nintendo thumb!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

Usonian,
I'm not sure I agree with you.

1. I like PalmOS. I like the apps available, I like that M$ doesn't own it. The others aren't as widely supported as I'd like.

2. The non-MS PDAs I've seen with small keyboards are really too small for anything but hunt-and-peck.

3. Yes, I could get a GoType/StowAway, but that's one extra thing to carry around.

4. Beside, there's the coolness factor

Anyway, I went to the Microburst site(http://www.mburst.com/), since they are the supposed US distributor. When the site had no mention of ThumbType, I sent them an email. I'll let everyone know what I hear.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 219

FYI...ThumbType was originally developed for Japanese people who commute on crowded train. They have to hold on to strap (of the train) with one hand, so they have only one hand free. So obviously, you can't enter Graffiti with stylus. There's a guy who writes his homepage using ThmbType & DataDive!, and renews his page from pay phone(in Japan, there are public phones with IR port).

[This message has been edited by Taki (edited 05-23-2000).]

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 62

I don't know that Graffiti is the answer to all data entry problems. I find that FitalyStamp is the answer that I like.
http://www.fitaly.com

The newest version is FitalyStamp, which is a keyboard overlay to the Graffitti area. I can tap on the keyboard at about 35 wpm, and easily take notes at meetings using SmartDoc which I just backup to my PC and format, and print out.

You might want to look at it. You need to learn another keyboard, but it wasn't hard, and the results are GREAT!! Check it out.

larry

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

It looks like the ThumbType was recently posted for sale at Handango, here.

It doesn't say Visor, only PIII/VII or V.

Anyone know if either will work with Visor?

[Edited by PDAENVY on 12-19-2000 at 10:33 AM]

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Jeff

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: bright side of the moon.
Posts: 996

wow! thanks for the info MR. Envy, it was a quite the challenge to make sure we didnt' have 6 threads talking about the thumbtype going at the same time....i think i've managed to funnel it all to this thread.




and uh, oh ya! the link goes to a blank product page.

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Stealth-Mod.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

Multithreaded apps

I'm starting to get the vague impression that somebody out there is interested in ThumbType.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

Re: Multithreaded apps

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gameboy70
I'm starting to get the vague impression that somebody out there is interested in ThumbType.

---

LOL! Guilty! I guess I went a little overboard.

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Jeff

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

A much better one-handed text input method is to use Thumb Script:

http://www.thumbscript.com/

Granted, the Visor does not have a way to enter this through a hardware device, but I believe you can get this as an overlay for the graffiti area.

Oh...here it is: http://store.yahoo.com/thumbscripts...umforpalki.html

You still need the stylus, though.

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

I don't think ThumbType is meant for one-handed typing. It covers the entire grafitti silkscreen area and I don't know about you, but holding the Visor in one hand, there's no way my thumb reaches across the width of the screen.

It seems much better suited, in my estimation, for holding the Visor with 2 hands, fingers in back, thumbs on the "keys".

I already use Fitaly, but it's easy to make mistakes because the keys are so small.

__________________
Jeff

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 219

PDAENVY, you're right. ThumbType is meant to be used with both thumbs. This is the web page of the manufacturer, but unfortunately it is in Japanese.

http://www.osw.co.jp/

BTW do you think SHARP got the idea for their new Zaurus from ThumbType?

http://ezaurus.com

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Taki
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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

Has anyone bought one? It's now available from http://www.handango.com as well as at http://www.totalstrategies.com/thumbtype/

But $49.95 makes it awful close in price to a "real" keyboard.

Still, I may buy one for the "geek value".

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Jeff

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 1062

quote:

---

Originally posted by PDAENVY
Yes, I could get a GoType/StowAway, but that's one extra thing to carry around.

4. Beside, there's the coolness factor

---