GKOS keyboard

The GKOS keyboard or "SixBack" is a proposed open standard for small portable devices. It is intended for replacing the QWERTY where there is not enough room for a large number of keys but still all QWERTY functions are required. Typical applications are small wireless devices, cellular terminals/browsers and tablet PCs. As of 2006, it is not used in any commercial applications except Crichton barcoding audio PDAs.

The GKOS keyboard has 6 keys (3 for each hand) located on the back of the terminal, each representing one of the letters from A to F. Simultaneously pressing two keys on one hand produces the letters G, K, O and S. Other letters are produced by pressing one key with the other hand while one of these combinations is held down. Other combinations of keys produce different functions such as space and backspace. Pressing all six keys at once toggles between letters mode and numbers mode (which operates similarly). The thumbs can be used to control the mouse functions on the front panel by using a Pointing stick-type device. Consequently, most of the front panel can be reserved for the display (e.g. wide screen shape).

As the GKOS typing system is unfamiliar to most people, there is a learning curve before considerable text entry speeds can be reached. But with practice, speeds of 50 WPM (= 250 characters per minute) have been reported. Practical limit has been estimated to be around 60 WPM based on studies made on other physical two-hand chording keyboards. Recently, new capabilities have been introduced to GKOS for quicker text entry: shortcuts to enter complete words with one or two keystrokes as well as the "GKOS chordon technique" where common keys between consecutive characters need not be released. These new capabilities of the GKOS system can be used, if supported, during typing when desired.

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