TREWGrip Mobile QWERTY Keyboard – Brings Mobile Typing To A Whole New Level

Mobile is the way of the future, hell, it’s the way of now. We bring our smartphones and tablets everywhere we go. Yes, laptops and desktops still play a big part in the way we interact with the internet, but mobile devices are truly where it we are headed. And with this comes the pain or dumbed down typing speed we are used to. Don’t get me wrong, I am a wiz at typing on my iPhone and my iPad and speeds that will make a teenage girl run for cover, but that doesn’t mean I am close at all to what I can accomplish at a full fledged keyboard at my desk at home.

TREWGrip, LLC set out to create a mobile device that assists you in making sure you can keep your mobile way of life as quick as you would with a laptop or desktop. The TREWGrip Mobile QWERTY dock gives you just that, a way to type quickly and comfortably without sacrificing a truly mobile environment.

The TREWGrip is a handheld “rear-type” device that has tactile keyboard keys for typing, but on the back-side. The keyboard is split and rotated so the hands gripping the TREWGrip can also do multi-finger text entry. This layout makes sure the typist can quickly transfer competencies from a traditional keyboard to TREWGrip without having to learn an entire new skill, although from what I’ve read and their video, it seems to take 5-10 hours of re-learning how to type to adjust yourself to this style of grip and typing. But, if you aren’t a touch typist, there is a front-side visual keyboard that lets you see exactly the keys that are being hit, so this aids those that have a lower level of typing expertise.

The handgrip and curved keyboard area allow for a comfortable typing experience giving the user a quick way to type away in a mobile setting. A mobile dock without actually having to dock your device in a stationary setting is actually a really good idea. I use my iPad with a bluetooth keyboard wherever I go. I sold my laptop and cut that chord for a mobile way of life. A way to dock my device and type while not having to be stationary or sitting down is a great idea.

From the images, the design is actually quite nice to look at, although watching the video of it in use, you do seem somewhat of a douche for using it. That isn’t a diss on the product itself, it is just out of the norm of what you would see someone using.

The TREWGrip Mobile Dock will also be available with a Bluetooth USB dongle and integrated gyroscope, allowing users to connect the TREWGrip to a standard desktop computer or smart TV for entering text and controlling mouse movement. This configuration will give users an ergonomic alternative to a traditional keyboard and mouse as an added benefit.

What do you think, is spending a new 10 hours of re-learning how to type worth the added mobile enhancements the TREWGrip can bring you? I am honestly torn. I’d like to see what this could do for me and my mobile way of life, but having to learn how to type 90% as fast as I do now – possibly – after 10 hours is a huge risk for the Kickstarter price of $249. I would like to take the challenge, but I probably won’t get the chance. But, at least I can see it is a neat looking product, even if I would look like a weirdo in the coffee shop with this giant video game-like accessory.

The Kickstarter campaign has been live for 2 weeks, and they’ve only raised around $14k of their $100k goal, with 16 days left of funding, we are anxious to see if the TREWGrip team can reach the goal and begin production. Head on over to the campaign and see if any of the Pledge packages are right for you!

More: TREWGrip Mobile QWERTY [Kickstarter]

Video