Thread

Google Japan shows off conveyor-belt keyboard with keys that move to fingers

37 points · 12 comments · thunderbong

jasona123 · 1791145394 · focus · HN ↗
I love Google Japan’s annual[1] tradition of releasing wild/wacky keyboard designs.
[1] Sidenote: anyone know if there’s a specific significance to September 30 or October 1 in Japan à la April Fools’ Day?
1. jasona123 · 1791146013 · focus · HN ↗
  Welp, (part) answered my own question:
  Translated from Japanese from the announcement^:
  Q. Today is October 1st, isn't it?
  A. Yes, today is October 1st!
  Q. What is the significance of today?
  A. When we were considering the perfect day to announce the keyboard, we noticed the widespread use of the "101-key keyboard"—a type featuring 101 keys. So, we decided to launch it on October 1st as a nod to that standard.
  ^ <a href="https://blog.google/intl/ja-jp/products/android-chrome-play/gboard-2026/" rel="nofollow">https://blog.google/intl/ja-jp/products/android-chrome-play/...
2. xnx · 1791165705 · focus · HN ↗
  Google banned April 1st jokes in 2020. October 1st is as far away as you can get on the calendar from April 1st.
  I'd like to think that the Japan office was allowed to keep doing it because they are just so good at it.
  There were a lot of good Googe April Fool's jokes, but way too many confusing/weird/lame ones: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Google_April_Fools%27_Day_jokes" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Google_April_Fools%27_...
  1. aix1 · 1791175767 · focus · HN ↗
    This one from Google Netherlands is my favourite: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSZPNwZex9s" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSZPNwZex9s
    (Gosh, it's been a decade already.)

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