Science & Technology

Entering text with 5 keys on the smart glasses system that changed my life.

📚 Main topics

A different way to use computersBen Vallack explores using Even Realities G2 display glasses, voice input and a custom five-key macro pad to work without being tied to a desk, screen or conventional keyboard. 0:00
A custom text-entry systemThe macro pad maps five keys, using taps, holds and a modifier, to a nine-position letter grid inspired by the MessagEase keyboard. Vallack says he can type around 30–40 words per minute with it. 3:40
A custom software stackHis app combines the glasses, phone and a Mac-based server to handle dictation, text entry, email, messages and other workflows, with low latency. 7:16

✨ Key takeaways

Voice and keys complement each otherVoice dictation works well for much of his work, but a physical input device is faster for tasks like navigating, deleting emails and entering difficult text such as URLs and file paths. 1:34
The glasses are a lightweight displayTheir waveguide projection places text in the wearer’s view while leaving normal vision clear, and Vallack describes them as comfortable enough to wear for long periods. 7:46
The setup extends beyond typingHis custom app can show text and images, including doorbell-camera pictures and updates from a 3D printer’s camera. 8:48

🧠 Lessons learned

Ergonomics means being able to moveThe setup lets him walk around, do household tasks or sit in the garden while working, avoiding the discomfort of staying in one position. 2:05
Dictation alone isn’t enoughA practical voice-first workflow needs other input methods for corrections, navigation and actions where speaking commands would be awkward or slow. 3:40
The software layer mattersBuilding a dependable workflow required more than transcription; it involved custom scripts and working around Bluetooth and firmware limitations. 1:03

🏁 Conclusion/next steps

More demonstrations are plannedVallack plans future videos covering the software stack and other features, including how the system works with his phone turned off in his pocket. 6:45
Software access for membersHe says he intends to make the software available to channel members, with access to future versions and a starting point viewers can adapt to their own workflows. 10:20

Transcript excerpt

0:00 So, you're looking through the lens of my display smart glasses. This is the Even Realities G2. Um, you know, you probably noticed there the screen was out of focus. That's because the camera's focusing on the glasses up close. The actual kind of virtual focal distance of the display is more like 3 to 5 m away from the lens. So, these are incredibly comfortable to use for long periods of time. And this is just something that I've I've been exploring a lot. I' I use a 55 in computer monitor uh you know over a meter away from me just as my normal display when I am using the computer. This has kind of changed the game again. And of course,

0:31 we have really accurate voicetoext uh whisper models that can run on our own machines now as well. So, we have this voice as a text input method. And now, obviously, o over the years, I've I've just been super interested in the idea of exploring how to improve the ergonomics around working with computers. So, the idea of removing the keyboard completely from the mix and replacing it with a reliable voice input uh at the same time as removing the need to sit in front of a computer screen at all. You know, this is why I bought these. There just seems to be such a huge potential here. And over the the

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