I love my iPhone and my iPad, and I do enjoy the fluidity and subtle control of a touch screen. But I think I speak for some when I say that touch screen keyboards are sometimes really finicky to use. In fact, whenever I try to type out long text messages or emails I often mess up multiple times. I hit keys I don’t mean to three or four times in a row, and I find myself incredibly frustrated. This isn’t necessarily an issue with the iPad, since it has a larger typing space, but the small area on the iPhone makes typing anything detailed a very difficult affair.
The remedies to this situation include a variety of bulky Bluetooth keyboards, or the occasional “slide out keyboard” phone case. Neither of these options are ideal, and to be honest, most of them aren’t exactly portable. But today, as I was browsing for an interesting solution to this issue, I came across a company named Cellulon and a creation that is as functional as it is futuristic. I’m talking about the “Magic Cube.”
This tiny rectangular object appears to be a simplistic little box, with a small lens in it that hints at the fact that it has some type of video. Is it a recorder? Or a Camera? Not exactly. The Magic Cube is actually a “projector” but not exactly in the traditional way. Turning on the device will give you access to the outline of a fully functional and pleasingly accurate (according to some reports) “red laser keyboard.”
This device can be placed on any flat “opaque” surface and will allow you to type with better accuracy and speed as you tap your finger gently against the “holographic image” of the buttons below. Bluetooth allows the object to hook up quickly and easily to your iDevice, via the Bluetooth function. And once you’re set up, typing is as easy as opening an applicable text box or application, and just rattling off a few words. The Magic Cube uses multiple layers and infrared technology to ensure accuracy and allows detection of up to 350 characters per minute. The device can be recharged using an included cord and promises up to 150 hours of use on a single charge.
This is an awesome tool and you can use it for more than just your iOS device. It’s also compatible with Android devices, other Bluetooth-capable products, and can even be hooked up with PCs and Macs using an included USB cable. The Magic Cube runs at a standard price of USD $169.99, which is well worth the investment if it helps you end your frustration. This is the perfect product for those of you who have to enact business practices on your phones and tablets. It’s still a “touch screen keyboard” when you think about it, but it’s a much more accurate, streamlined, and portable solution.
Photo Credit: Cellulon