What is a Virtual Keyboard

Advanced technology has taken over most of the conventional methods. We already have mouse cursors which can be moved by moving our eyeballs. The rate at which we are developing, is bound to have a few more awe-inspiring gadgets added to the long list. The latest addition to the world of cutting-edge technology is a virtual keyboard.

What is a Virtual Keyboard
A virtual keyboard is an on-screen keyboard, wherein you can type by point and click method using pointing devices such as a mouse, graphic tablet or a trackball. The user has to simply click on the keys of the keyboard displayed on-screen and the function is sent to active application. Virtual keyboard can also handle various key combinations. The virtual keyboard is considered to have an edge over conventional computer keyboard, as it wipes out the possibility of hardware breakage related issues as well as infection transfer. As virtual keyboards don't have sophisticated wires or switches, it doesn't require thorough cleaning like its conventional counterparts. There are various types of virtual keyboards. Some virtual keyboards are available in the form of touch screen keyboard layouts while some work on the basis of optical detection of human hand and finger motion. Some JavaScript virtual keyboards also facilitate the translation of the data input. These JavaScript keyboards which allow the users to type in their own languages are also available online on the web.

There are several programs available in the market which can be added to your desktop computer to create a virtual keyboard. Virtual keyboard software loading is similar to loading other software programs. Once downloaded, the keyboard can be activated and stored on the desktop for easy access. Different packages use different input devices to operate the virtual keyboard. In some packages, the conventional keyboard is used to operate virtual keyboard whereas some packages use the mouse to operate it, wherein the users type by right clicking on the key of the displayed keyboard. Other than the keyboards and mouse, various alternative devices are also used to operate the virtual keyboard software. It is even possible to operate this keyboard with the hands, eyes and head using advanced laser technology. Movement of mouse pointers, according to the movement of eyes and head has proved to be useful for people with physical constraints.

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard
The latest addition to the list of virtual keyboards is the bluetooth laser virtual keyboard. The inbuilt laser in this device projects a virtual keyboard on a flat surface. This keyboard, featuring 63 keys, and is available in the QWERTY layout. The keypress on this keyboard is backed by a simulated key click sound which gives it the feel of a conventional computer keyboard. The light-weight projecting device can be used with any bluetooth compatible smart phone or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The device has to be just connected to the smart phone or PDA via bluetooth, and the virtual keyboard will be projected.

Today, virtual keyboards are not just limited to computer keyboards. We have a whole list of keyboards which are used in digital formats and have direct resemblance to their conventional counterparts. A noteworthy example is the virtual piano keyboard, which produces simulated key press sound, to produce musical notes. At the rate at which we are going, the day is not far wherein all the conventional keyboards will be replaced by virtual keyboards, thus making our life much more easier.