Getting Started - CharaChorder One

FAQs

Yes! You can view our complete list of compatible languages here.

CharaChorder is compatible with macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android. All the intelligence and processing is built into the device therefore no special software is required to use it. Your computer, tablet, or smartphone reads it as if it were any other keyboard.

CharaChorder is compatible with macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android. All the intelligence and processing is built into the device therefore no special software is required to use it. Your computer, tablet, or smartphone reads it as if it were any other keyboard.

Yes! You can access function keys by selecting left num + right num + corresponding number.

We provide fulfillment estimates on the product pages and on our Shipping Policy page.

No, all the intelligence and processing is built into the device therefore no special software or network is required to use it.

This is determined by your chord library. Each set of letters is mapped to only a single output. For example, “thing” and “night” have the same five letters. However, the default chord for night is n+i+g+h, while the chord for thing is n+i+g+h+t.

Context is taken into account for some combinations, though this is not yet fully customizable. For example, chording 'out' after 'with' will produce without rather than 'with out’.

The layout is designed based on the most common bigrams/trigrams in the English language. The layout also maximizes the number of left versus right hand as well as finger versus thumb alternations—factors known to improve typing speed.

Chorded text entry is indeed much faster than typing on a keyboard. This is enabled by skill and the laws of physics. Fewer, shorter movements of the fingers result in larger outputs of words.

Even without chorded entry, CharaChorder is still potentially faster than a QWERTY keyboard for most people. The fingers move far less than in a normal typing experience on the CharaChorder One, and on a layout that is more optimal than a QWERTY keyboard setup. It does require practice and coordination to achieve extremely high speeds with character entry alone. But, being able to interweave chords and character entry allows newer users the benefit of any text input method they are comfortable with, which helps smooth out the learning curve.

Since CharaChorder only started shipping to the public in late 2021, we haven’t seen exactly what the learning curve is like for the average user.

Many users reach 30-40 wpm in a one month timeframe, fast enough to use their CharaChorder for everyday tasks and type faster than the average person (30-40 wpm). However, most of these people can also type 60-100 wpm and will therefore need to keep practicing to beat their own speeds.

With more frequency of use, motor memory develops more quickly from there on. However, if the idea of 50-150+ hours of practice to reach 40 wpm sounds unreachable, you may want to order a CharaChorder Lite, which gives you the power of chording on a standard QWERTY layout. Your maximum speed potential on a CharaChorder Lite may be lower, but the learning curve will be shorter.

We are currently looking closely at people’s average learning speed and ideal practice schedule. As more users surpass their regular typing speeds, we’ll have more to share. Stay tuned.

65k chords up to 247 actions (eg characters) in length can be stored in the memory, but due to SRAM limitations, only around 12k can really be addressed. We’re continually optimizing our SRAM usage in order to increase the number of chords that can be accessible.

Getting Started

Connect Your CharaChorder One

Learn how to connect your CharaChorder device.

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Types Of Keystrokes

Learn the various ways you can type using CharaChorder.

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Mouse Functions

Your CharaChorder One has mouse controls on both hands.

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Update Firmware

Learn how to check your firmware version and update it.

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Punctuation & Shortcuts

List of Special Characters, Keys, and Keyboard Shortcuts.

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References

Starter Chords

Quick Reference Guide

Glossary

Compatible Languages

Settings

Tips and Tricks

Deciding Keys For Chords

Tips for choosing the keys for your own custom chords.

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Learning To Chord

Learn how to chord some starter words.

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Troubleshooting

Hardware Troubleshooting

Firmware Troubleshooting