The experience of typing on a mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone, can easily become frustrating when you're constantly missing the right keys. An Austin, TX startup found a way to alleviate the frustration. How about we have no keyboard at all? The AirType project eliminates the need for a keyboard. It's a “keyboardless keyboard”, if that makes sense. A set of wearable bands fit around the palms of both hands and work by detecting text. The invisible keyboard allows the user to type on any surface, or no surface at all.

It's the kind of thing we've seen in the movies. Like in Minority Report for example, when Tom Cruise swipes his hands back and forth to use his computer. Are we getting closer to using our brain to imagine all of our technology instead of it being physical? AirType isn't quite there. It sure doesn't tap into our brainwaves, but it can predict what keys our fingers want to type. Although the startup hasn't revealed how the technology works, we can guess it to be similar to the adaptive technology Leap Motion uses. It's kinda how you “teach” voice recognition software to recognize your speech patterns.

AirType works by “learning the finger movements you make to get the letters you want”. The company claims it really isn't different than typing on a keyboard. You’re just imagining the keyboard is there to help your fingers move where they normally would. Two wearable bands are worn on each palm, connect to your smart device via a connection such as Bluetooth, and work in conjunction with a an app that brings dynamic text prediction and correction. Its creators say this is in a very early prototype stage, therefore specifications are minimal and it is unknown when we could see this commercially. Here is something to think about before this option is even given to us: Do we want the future of typing to lack tactile feedback? For some, not having a physical connection to the keys could feel unusual.