Google Japan's conveyor belt keyboard is a sad reminder of the sense of humour the whole company used to have long, long ago

Google Japan recently unveiled a novel keyboard concept called the Gboard Conveyor Belt Version. The keyboard features keys that glide along a rotating belt in front of the user's fingers, eliminating the need for hand movement. Google Japan has previously experimented with unconventional keyboards, such as a rotary design and a keyboard with a single, long row of keys. However, the conveyor belt keyboard appears to be their most innovative offering yet.

The idea behind the conveyor belt keyboard is to streamline typing by having keys delivered directly to the user's fingertips. According to Google Japan's Japan team, the innovation aims to increase typing efficiency, much like how conveyor belts revolutionized factory productivity. The keys moving under the user's fingertips create a new era of touch-and-go typing, as explained by the team.

Google Japan is also exploring further developments for the conveyor belt keyboard, including various color options and a high-speed mode to improve hand-eye coordination. They are even considering swap-in cardboard key caps for daily nail care and a voice guide mode, where the keyboard will read out the passing keys aloud.

The conveyor belt keyboard is positioned as a glimpse into the future of typing technology. However, reflecting on Google's history, it seems like a poignant reminder of the company's lighthearted spirit in the past. The once-playful and humorous Google Japan team now seems to have transformed into a more serious, money-focused entity, as the team humorously concludes.