TAPWITHUS TapXR - Wrist Worn Keyboard & Controller

I have had my TapXR for 10 days or so now, purchased directly from Tap Systems, as part of a Crowdfunder going back a couple of years.I have previously had the original TapStrap, and the TapStrap2. Prior to that I also had a MicroWriter Agenda, so I have had some experience with 'chorded' keyboard. I have been using the TapXR mainly with my Android phone, but have had no issues connecting it to Linux and Windows PCs, and to my Chromebook.The TapXR device is about 3cm square and 1cm thick. This simply clicks or slides into place into a soft plastic wristband. You get both small and large bands with the device. You also get a docking charging station, fitted with a cable that terminates in a USB Type C plug. There is a propriatory connector on the dock to the TapXR device, so you cannot plug a cable in directly, you need the dock.Once the device is mounted in the strap an optical sensor recognises Tap 'key strokes' from your fingers in front of it.I have found the TapXR to be more useable than the TapStraps - the form factor of wearing on the wrist is less obtrusive in use, and easier to put on and take off. This could not be said for the original TapStraps - which had to be laced onto fingures. That would only be a 15 second task, but a task it was, and so they spent much of there time in a drawer unused.The TapXR, on the other hand (no pun intended - though it does simply work on the other hand if you wish) has been used by me daily, and used it to type this review. I am not yet 'fully at one' with the TapXR, and will use GBoard also if I consider it more convenient for my immediate use though, so still have the best of both. I am much more hopefull though that it will become my main daily device to use than I ever was with the original TapStraps.The Tap device can be swiftly removed from, or put back into, the wristband so this you can wear the band for much of the day with no inconvenience. The device is held fairly securely in the band, so you might leave it in the band. I only take mine out if I know I will be flexing my arms in such a way that might dislodge it, carrying boxes, etc, or if I know I am going to get wetter than the 'splash resistant' protection on the TapXR would allow for.I have also found the TapXR to be much more reliable in use - whilst my speed may only currently be 25-30WPM, the accuracy is always close to 100%, which is more important to me, and the speed is quicker than I can manage in GBoard on a phone anyway.The original TapStraps relied on vibration for this, so needed a fairly positive contact the a typing surface - with much practice you could Tap on something softer, like an arm or leg, but never felt reliable to me to use to any great extent. The TapXR does work so very much better on soft surfaces, so long as you are mindful not to obscure the optical sensor from you figure tips. Do learn on a solid surface to start with though.To help yourself become accustomed to the Tap keying chords, if not already, you will want to download some training apps. TapManager will be your first, this is mainly used to configure you Tap device, but it does also include some guidance on how to tap. TapGenius is the training app to help you become fully confident on the Tap alphabet, and TapAcadamy helps you to build speed and accuracy after that.You can also program your own Tap alphabet in TapMapper, so this allows for alternative language keyboards, and other special use cases.At some point next year the promise of using the TapXR as an Air mouse should come true, so not ready out of the box yet. There is a growing user base, with Facebook and Discord channels, and Tap Support have always been quick to reply.

This is an amazing little device. The tracking and accuracy for finger taps is almost unbelievable. A new update has improved battery life and given us air mouse. There is a learning curve for 'tapping' but once you get used to it it's like second nature. Great for when you are trying to be discrete and type or hate the keyboard in VR *like me. Might draw a few stares when tapping in public but who cares right? It's cool. I'm glad I got one.