Tap Strap review, typing without a keyboard
A Bluetooth wearable that turns finger taps into text.
- Answers
- Does the Tap Strap wearable keyboard actually work?
- Topics
- review · sensors
- Full article on willem.com
- https://willem.com/en/2021-04-15_enter-text-without-keys/
Summary
When I tried the Tap Strap in 2021, it paired over Bluetooth without any drivers, but learning it was hard. I see its real use in augmented and virtual reality, not in replacing a keyboard.
Full text
The Tap Strap is a strap of rings you wear on your fingers, with sensors that recognise taps and movement. It connects to any computer, tablet or phone over Bluetooth, just like a keyboard or mouse, and needs no special drivers. Mine paired with my iPad Pro without trouble. The device itself gives no feedback or instruction, so the learning curve is steep: you memorise different rhythms and chords, much like learning piano or guitar. There are apps from Tap for practising, and I have read of people reaching 20 to 30 words per minute. As a touch typist I would not replace my keyboard, since that would throw away years of training. The natural fit is augmented and virtual reality, where it digitises finger movements as subtle as a gentle tap. The elastic fabric is light and lets your skin breathe.