UniTap - Area of Application

Mobile Internet and messaging are considered to be the engine of the next generation of mobile devices. New smart telephones from leading manufacturers will provide full pocket computer functionality. They will allow users to browse the Internet, send and receive email and SMS, and handle personal data and information. Thus, they will provide all services to mobile users. However, one of the most important issues that could slow down or even prevent such devices from being widely used is the awkward user interface for text input.

As soon as SMS became popular, traditional 12-button multi-tapping for alphanumeric input was considered to be a major drawback. Many companies explored different approaches to solve this problem. Some of the solutions are based on predictive input using existing 12-button alphabet legend (Tegic Communications, Motorola, Zi); some others are based on voice recognition. These solutions are helpful, but still limited in practical use.

Using a common keyboard has always been considered to be the most efficient way of alphanumeric input. Therefore, some manufacturers of mobile devices have embedded compact keyboards into their devices (BlackBerry, Handspring). Other manufacturers designed electronic keyboard add-ons (Ericsson, Alcatel). Such keyboards provide a simple and familiar interface, but they are small. Because of the size the keys on these keyboards are difficult to press without pressing adjacent keys. Advanced passive chorded keyboards (DigitWireless, Intel) increase usability of a compact keyboard, but they are far form being ideal, because they have a non-uniform, unfamiliar layered interface and they still do not have an optimal size.

Thus, a technology that would preserve ergonomics of a full-size conventional computer keyboard, but allow for its use in small mobile devices, is still demanded. UniTap is the right technology to satisfy this demand, since it allows a full Latin alphabet keyboard in about one square inch only (other layouts are also possible). Numbers, letters, symbols and other functions are available by a single finger stroke.