Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Samsung has an invisible keyboard that you can use with your phone

By

Keyboards come in all shapes and sizes, you can fold them, use them across multiple devices, and even enjoy their ergonomics. At CES 2020, though, Samsung has an interesting conceptual take on the keyboard. It’s one that you can’t even physically see — an invisible A.I. powered keyboard dubbed the SelfieType.

Recommended Videos

Although the concept of an “invisible” keyboard isn’t new, Samsung’s conceptual SelfieType looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie. Though existing products like the Celluon Magic Cube Laser Projection Keyboard need to be connected up to a device, Samsung’s conceptual keyboard is a bit different. Instead of using lasers or projection, SelfieType uses your phones’ existing front-facing camera to track your hands as you type on any surface. It is powered by machine learning and can turn the individual movement of your fingers into keystrokes.

The concept is apparently available for private demos at CES, but this isn’t something that the general public can test. For the rest of us, a promotional video also shows how it works.

SelfieType

You can simply place your phone on a table and begin typing. You’ll see your device’s onscreen keyboard pop up and the letters will be highlighted on the screen as you move your fingers on your table in the real world. Samsung’s video also shows how it works with a tablet, for those times when you’re in a meeting and wouldn’t want to drag in a physical keyboard with your device. However, SelfieType may only be compatible with Samsung products. The demo video showcases a Samsung Galaxy Fold phone as well as a Samsung tablet.

It’s unknown how accurate the SelfieType keyboard actually is, but it looks to be pretty promising. If it holds up to become an actual product, this would also mean that you no longer need to travel around with a physical keyboard if you want to type on your phone or tablet.

According to The Verge, the conceptual product was developed in Samsung’s C-Lab, its Corporate Startup Incubation Program. GameSpot reports that the experimental products as part of this program have eventually launched, so there is hope you may get to try it yourself at some point.

Follow our live blog for more CES news and announcements.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
This is the best gaming keyboard I’ve ever used — and you’ve never heard of it
The Meletrix Boog75 keyboard on a pink background.

I've covered a lot of gaming keyboards over the past couple of years. In most cases, they're standout offerings from mainstream brands like Asus, HyperX, and Corsair. And in most cases, these companies bring some premium, enthusiast-level features to products you could find in your local Best Buy. The Meletrix Boog75 isn't in the same class.

This keyboard has enthusiast blood running through its veins. It doesn't come with dense RGB software, endless connection modes, or dedicated keys for media and macros. But it's the best damn keyboard I've used by a mile, both for typing and gaming, and it's cheap enough that it can go toe-to-toe with more mainstream offerings.
The Hall Effect

Read more
How your boss can spy on you with Slack, Zoom, and Teams
Good Morning GIF in Slack on a laptop.

Virtual workspace tools like Slack and Teams can be incredibly handy, both for those working in the office who need to send a quick message or arrange a meeting, and especially for those working remotely who need to stay in contact with their co-workers. With the rise of remote work, more and more office workers are spending a significant chunk of their day on these tools. However, if you use these then you should be aware that what you do in these systems isn't private -- most likely it can be seen by your boss. Even private conversations may not be as private as you think.
Slack

Apps like Slack, Teams, and other common business collaboration platforms are structured via admin permissions. In other words, with the right permissions, your boss can have a large amount of control over the platform and what’s happening on it. And if a manager goes to IT -- well, they can ask to see just about anything that happens on the app.

Read more
Samsung adding Auracast and 360 Audio to more TVs, phones, and earbuds
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.

Samsung today announced a series of updates for some televisions and a trio of earbuds that will add features across the board, and also allow everything to play together that much more.

Auracast is one of the more interesting features on the way. It essentially allows one device to pick up a signal being broadcast by another, not unlike a radio. Samsung has had Auracast on select TVs for a while now, and it's been available on multiple Galaxy Buds earbuds. Now, it's expanding to phones and tablets. The ability to broadcast will hit the Galaxy S24 and S23 phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5, and the Tab S9 series. (They'll all need to have One UI 6.1 or newer.) And the ability to listen to an Auracast broadcast is coming to the Galaxy S24 series, S23 series, Z Fold5, Z Fold4, Z Flip5, Z Flip4, A54 5G, M54 5G, Tab S9 series, Tab S9 FE series and Tab Active 5 5G with One UI 5.1.1 or above.

Read more