While Apple has been attracting all the press for its iWatch vapourware, it appears that Microsoft has solved some of the serious design problems for wearable computers.
One of the biggest problems for wearables is an interface which people with normal sized fingers can use.
Microsoft might have come up with the most logical solution for typing on small size displays running Google’s Android Wear platform.
Volish boffins have built an analogue keyboard prototype for Android Wear that eliminates the need to tap at tiny letters and has you write them out.
The method involves using the entire screen which is important if you are using a 1.6-inch smartwatch with a software keyboard that has 10 keys across.
A spokesVole said that using the whole screen allows each letter to be entered rather comfortably, even on small devices. Some handwriting systems can be used without even looking at the screen. Finally, handwriting interfaces require very little design changes to run on round displays.
Microsoft is making the software public to receive feedback from users.
It’s free and should work with any Android Wear app that uses text input, though it needs to be side loaded using Android Debut Bridge.
You can see it in action here http://msrvideo.vo.msecnd.net/rmcvideos/230860/230860.mp4
