HP announces Kannada keyboard

BANGALORE: HP Labs India today unveiled a new pen-based technology that allows the Kannada script to be recorded and stored directly on the computer.

Unlike existing keyboards in the market that use bilingual keyboards, HP's technology called “gesture-based keyboard” (GKB) allows users to input the data with a pen.

Senior executives at HP Labs said that field trials of the product had proved successful.

“There is a strong correlation between people speaking English and PC-literacy. We believe that is that we need to break this correlation in India for the market to grow because of the language barrier,” said Ajay Gupta, director, HP Labs India.

He said the product, developed at HP Labs is one of the initiatives aimed at emerging BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) economies.

Besides Kannada, the company plans to introduce the keyboard initially in two other languages - Hindi and Tamil. The commercial launch of the keyboards is expected within a month's time.

The company is in discussions with PC vendors who would bundle the keyboard along with PCs.

The company is working with partners in Gujarat, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to develop language keyboard in those states. The device is expected to be manufactured and distributed by a third party, based on technology licensed from HP.

Dick Lampman, senior VP, research and director, HP Labs said that the gesture-based keyboard would help in bridging the digital divide by simplifying the use of IT. HP expects demand for the keyboards from the government sector.