Chorded keyboard (sometimes called chording keyboard or simply chord keyboard) is a computer input device. Instead of using one key for each character, such as in a
QWERTY keyboard, the user presses multiple key combination to enter input. It is similar to playing the chords on a guitar. Such technology has been around for many years. It is little known to the public because special training is needed to use it. Imagine each finger control one key which corresponds to one
bit in a
byte, one to eight fingers can enter any
character in the
ASCII set if one remembers the binary code of the character set. There are many different designs based on the same concept, some only require one hand operation.
Due to the small number of keys required (the minimal design only needs one key for each finger), it is easily fit within a grip such as on the bicycle handle bar. It is a good replacement for the regular keyboard especially in application such as wearable computer. On the other hand, the failure of touch-typing to penetrate the world after a century of availability leads buyers to question their ability to remember the chordings necessary.
One example of a chorded keyboard is the GKOS keyboard which is intended for tiny tablet PCs and wireless mobile terminals.