kiosk keyboards
One size rarely fits all and when it comes to
deciding between a physical and virtual keyboard,
it could be one option or both that wins the day
By Kioware
The TransAct Slim from URway Holdings offers both virtual and
physical keyboard options. (Shown with Physical Keyboard).
Self-service kiosks, interactive digital
signage, and customer facing devices
serve a variety of purposes. One such
goal of interactive kiosks is to collect
user information. Sometimes the kiosk
interaction is as basic as choosing
between two options or touching the
screen to proceed in one direction or
another. Some applications require
end users to enter a limited amount of
information – filling in a few numbers,
a name, or an email address. Other
interactions require a substantial volume
of data entry.
The amount of information being
gathered will directly determine the
best and most user-friendly method for
entering information. The primary two
options for entering information on a selfservice kiosk or customer facing device
are touchscreen virtual keyboards, and
physical keyboards mounted on the kiosk
enclosure.
Touchscreen virtual keyboards
Virtual keyboards are largely dependent
upon the quality and sensitivity of the
touchscreen. Touchscreen technology
has advanced significantly in the past
15 years, going from older capacitive,
resistive, and surface acoustic wave
touch to the easily manipulated,
sensitive, accuracy of today’s projected
capacitive touch standard on even
low cost touchscreens available in the
current marketplace. While touchscreen
responsiveness was once a limiting
factor to the effectiveness and viability
of virtual keyboards, this
factor has been mitigated
through improvements in
technology. In addition,
users are now much
more familiar with the
touchscreen process
and functionality than in
previous iterations. Smart
phones and tablets have
created unprecedented end
user familiarity with touch
screen keyboards.
Some of the most
serious initial downsides
to the use of virtual keyboards are so
irrelevant now, that previous concerns
with touchscreen responsiveness & lack
of familiarity have been addressed.
keyboard functions, are
the best of today’s physical
keyboard options. Once quality
has been addressed, there are
other benefits to the physical
keyboard over a virtual one.
Physical keyboards have the
advantage of allowing users to
quickly and easily enter a large
amount of information. They also
have the advantage in situations
where multiple lines of text are
needed and/or the goal of
the kiosk includes obtaining
lengthy descriptions or
encouraging robust explanations.
For Frank OLea, CEO of kiosk
manufacturer Olea Kiosks, selecting
between a virtual and physical keyboard
"Users are now much more
familiar with the touchscreen
process and functionality thanks to
smartphones and tablets"
Physical keyboards
Like the quality of virtual touchscreens,
physical keyboard user experience
is also subject to the quality of the
keyboard being used. Industrial
keyboards constructed of metal with
non-removable keys, and limited
is primarily a question of volume of
information. “Is the information being
submitted limited to a few lines or is it
more extensive? One rule of thumb is –
if entering a full address for a purchase
or filling out a job application on an HR
kiosk, then a keyboard is needed."
KIOSK solutions 31