Touch&Type: a novel pointing device for notebook computers

Journal article, 2006

The widespread use of the mouse as an input device for notebook computers indicates that many users are reluctant to use alternative built-in pointing devices. We present a novel input method called Touch&Type™ which is meant to overcome some of the drawbacks encountered with conventional built-it pointing devices. Touch&Type™ combines a conventional keyboard with an extended touch pad whereby the touch pad’s sensitive area is formed by the surface of the keys themselves and thus can be made as large as the whole key area. A comparative study of pointing operation is presented with a Touch&Type™ prototype in comparison with the mouse and the conventional touch pad. While the mouse outperformed its two counterparts, Touch&Type™ was found to be superior to the conventional touch pad (after a short learning period) with a confidence level of 73%. The study investigated pointing operation only, not taking homing time into account.