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Google Japan creates Gboard keycap that actually types
A Japanese company has come up with a funny cap under its Gboard CAPS project. The keycap or a key-shaped cap that can be worn like a headgear can be used as a keyboard. The innovative keyboard is not only a showpiece with some features but also has the ability to protect the user from rain as well.
While many could be confusing this to be a Google product, this is not made by the search engine giant. Instead, the Gboard CAPs project is a funny keyboard ideas project of Google Japan.
This company previously introduced a 5.25-foot-long stick version of Gboard last year. The company comes up with such prototypes that can be quirky, interesting and useful as well.
While announcing the device, Google Japan shared an introductory video on YouTube which has garnered over 1.9 lakh views on the platform.
The two-minute and 19-second-long video elaborates use of the keyboard in different possible ways, including to use of the cap in different looks. While briefing, one of the team members said, “Aiming for the top we’re always brainstorming for better text input. As I was racking my brains for a way to make keyboards more portable and fashionable, I had an aha moment. That’s when we developed this wearable keyboard.”
Following its introductory video, many curious viewers commented about the product and its functionalities. One of them said, “Japan never disappoints in terms of something crazy like this.”
Another wrote, “Google Japan taking the word ‘cap’ in every form and level seriously.”
“Now, I want to see this in a graduation cap”, said the third viewer.
In a blog post, Google Japan explained that the device is a wearable that the user can wear on the head and rotate from side to side, which would help in entering characters according to the angle of rotation. Additionally, pressing the device from the top will work as clicking on the ‘Enter’ button. The keycap connects with a device through Bluetooth and works on a 3.7 V 120 mAh battery.
Besides, the blog also mentioned that the company is planning to get several other suit options for different occasions in future, which might include a reversible red and white version of the keycap; a version with a built-in display, and another solar-powered variant.
However, the company also clarified that there are no plans for the sale of this product, but they have released a blueprint as an open source so that anyone can make their own similar device. Alongside, a production guide has also been prepared that can help to make the device.
注释：
headgear: n
表示" 盔；帽"，means "clothing for the head"，如：When riding a bicycle you should wear the proper headgear. 你骑车时应戴上合适的头盔。
garner: v
表示"收集；得到"，means "acquire or deserve by one's efforts or actions"，如：The facts are garnered from various sources.这些资料是从各种渠道搜集到的。
中文简要说明：
日本人有不少恶搞创意，既匪夷所思又让人不得不佩服。继去年推出一款长达165公分的键盘之后，近期日本Google团队再研发出可以戴在头上的「键帽」（Gboard CAPS），外形是一顶方形的帽子，内建微型陀螺仪，透过旋转角度来决定要输入的字符，再按压一下帽顶，即可输入文字。Google工程师也特地拍摄影片，介绍这顶帽子的使用方式，发表短短5天以来已吸引26万人次观看、1万2千人按赞。
据《纽约邮报》、美国CNBC新闻台报导，日本Google在今年10月1日发表这款可以随身配戴、外型也相当时尚，还能实际使用的键帽。使用方式是透过旋转不同角度来选择要输入的字母或符号，再敲一下头顶，文字便能透过蓝牙传输到计算机、手机等装置上。
工程师解释，这种打字方式称为AI输入（Atama Input，脑袋输入），按压下去会出现喀喀声，就像平常使用键盘一样逼真。工程师开玩笑表示，随着敲打的次数变多，或许会让脑袋充满更多智慧。
在影片中，凡是实测过Gboard CAPS的用户都给予这款键盘很高的评价，认为外观简直潮到出水，加上必须不断敲击头顶，让人打字时能保持冷静，每次考试都一百分。
开发团队也针对帽子准备了各种扩充模块，像是可以防止变塌的网状支撑架，以及不至于让帽子飞走的安全系带。不过这个产品尚未计划量产，团队在网络上释出相关的制作资料，让有兴趣的网友可以动手制作专属于自己的「键帽」。
未来Google还会为帽子加入更多功能，像是写诗、告白、用来庆祝纪念日等，目标是为键盘业界的霸主。
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