Qwerty Goes Infrared

Li Ka-shing is playing Santa Claus this year with a master stroke of a product: a Bluetooth virtual keyboard. The pocket-sized device - produced by i.Tech Dynamic, a unit of Hutchison Harbour Ring - projects an infrared image of a qwerty keyboard onto a flat surface, registering keystrokes with the movement of a user's fingers. A version lacking Bluetooth connectivity released in Britain earlier this year was well received, picking up the 'PDA Genius' award from trade publication PDA Essentials. The virtual keyboard will work with PDAs, mobile phones, laptops and PCs. It is available for US$199 in Hong Kong and Southeast Asian markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.