Perhaps the craziest keyboard in the world should also be the fastest

Tap, tap and tap again until the papillary ridges crack? There is another way. (Image source: Video_StockOrg via Adobe Stock)

Do you already know the (supposedly) fastest keyboard in the world? If not, then get acquainted with the keyboard, the look of which is reminiscent of a medieval torture device. This comparison is at least made on TikTok, where a tech-loving user presents this unusual keyboard.

Of course, attentive readers of GameStar (Tech) have long known that we drew attention to the unconventional keyboard in 2020. What is new, however, is when users now express their enthusiasm for the device. But critical voices are also raised in the online networks.

Let’s approach Charachorder carefully with our fingertips. First the info: No, this is not a test, more a pointer according to the motto: Look here! Is not that crazy?

The keyboard has (almost) the same name as the US startup behind the keyboard: Charachorder One. The keyboard alternative should be able to type up to 300 words per minute. For comparison: The world record for fast typing with a standard ABC keyboard is just over 215 words per minute (t3n reported on Golem).

This is what the precious thing looks like: like two gaming controllers that a crazy ingenuity has plugged together.

The form of administration of the keyboard alternative resembles two gaming controllers connected via a rod. According to YouTuber Andre Veltens, you can use this connecting rod to adjust the distance between the two hand panels.

How does the keyboard work?

• shift sticks: 4 to 8 characters are assigned to each of the switching sticks (including numbers, special characters or the arrow keys).
• Maneuver cursor: Alternatively, you can control the cursor of your mouse using one of these joysticks.
• Alternate old-school tips: If you find out at some point that you type faster than you think, you can enter letters and characters one after the other – and not in parallel. Almost like an ordinary keyboard.

And how does it work in practice? Select characters at the same time and the desired word appears: The TikToker from above gives the little word as an example Fun (in German: Fun). If you operate the appropriate shift sticks in parallel to trigger the letters F, U and N, the word will appear Fun pronto on screen. Thanks to this type of input you shall incredibly fast Forming sentences, to use the words of the enthusiastic TikToker.

How do I learn how to use the keyboard?

• Steep learning curve: Just like with the ten-finger system of a conventional keyboard, you first have to learn how to enter with the characoder. So before you can get faster than ever at typing on the keyboard, you’d have to spend time getting a routine for the charachorder input method. Specifically, according to the manufacturer, it should take at least a month to get used to the unusual keyboard. Assuming you put in 30 to 60 minutes of training every day.

• We wonder: But which word does the keyboard recognize if anagrams can be formed from the selected letters? In other words: If I release the letters K, A, T, E and R, the fluffy one is created Male catwhich provides orientation Map or the Greek island Crete. All of these words are formed from the same letters. Who will ask Charachorder if we get a test sample – and if so, will report back to you afterwards.

How is the user community?

Criticism 1: The YouTuber Andre Veltens complains about the charach order that the so-called chord modifier cannot handle German as the language. Andre gives the word as an example must. If Andre now must in must want to convert, then this does not work via the chord modifier. At least not immediately. Because the modifier makes up in the example must the English progressive form with -ing-ending. So it becomes: mussing. Ergo: As long as you don’t want to create language, you can’t write properly.

According to Veltens, a workaround is to create a separate chord modifier and put it on a key as a command. This then means that you have to press this button in addition – which is slightly cumbersome. If you want to type a German-language text with the charach order, this requires additional finger acrobatics.

Criticism 2: Another point of criticism concerns the perceived spongyness. This means typing with the charach order. The design of the shift sticks, which could be improved, and the unsatisfactory firmness of the hand panel mean that the input device slips out from under the hands of some users. In some places it is said that the current version of the charach order has more stable shift sticks.

In the picture you can see which characters are assigned to which joysticks ex works.

In any case, more than three years have passed since the launch of the Charachorder One – and there can be no talk of penetration by Charachorders or comparable input devices. The device seems to remain in the niche for the time being. Albeit a fascinating one. The keyboard is priced at 200 US dollars.

Have you ever put your fingertips on the charach order? Or do you use a different keyboard that surpasses Charachorder One in terms of unusualness? Tell us about it in the comments if you like.