Comfort On-Screen Keyboard 4.0
Recently, Comfort Software released an updated version of their Comfort On-Screen Keyboard 4.0, which includes Windows 7 support. Billed as one of the premier gaming on-screen keyboards, this one has many features that are beneficial to multiple disabilities.
- Word auto complete function completes words you are typing on the on-screen keyboard. - Excellent for those with difficulty typing
- Gestures function support (fast entering of capital letters, spaces, etc.). - Automatically typography correction, how great is that
- Auto-repeat function (when a key is pressed and held, virtual desktop keyboard enters and continues to enter the appropriate symbol at regular intervals until the key is released). - Allows you to play video games using the arrow keys
- Customizing on-screen keyboard look (the position, size and number of keys, the color and the skin) with the possibility to select it from a large number of available templates (without having to buy a new keyboard) - excellent for the visually impaired, vast number of premade templates plus the ability to make your own custom template with the buttons as large as you like.
- Color areas originally intended for fingers. It is convenient because when you press a key, you can see it pressed on the onscreen keyboard. However, colorblind players can use the coloring areas as easy to find keyboard shortcuts and cognitively impaired players can color code particular shortcuts for easy recognition.
The comfort on-screen keyboard allows individuals with physical impairments to use the keyboard to play some video games. Although, not ideal, the automatic repeating of keys while holding the mouse over (Dwell) or clicking on and holding a particular button, allows for the on-screen keyboard to be substituted for the basic movement of the arrow keys, in some games.
Compatibility issues are less frequent with this particular keyboard then most. More mainstream game titles recognize this keyboard than any other than the default Microsoft on-screen keyboard, which does not have as much functionality. Not to mention, the comfort on-screen keyboard has built in shortcuts that change the letters on the keyboard to the shortcut of the current active window.
For example, when using Firefox, Microsoft Outlook, Adobe Photoshop, the keyboard automatically detects the program and displays tiny symbols of what the keyboard shortcut will do.
While holding control, one can notice X, C, and V become symbols for cut, copy, and paste.
There is a free 30-day trial for the comfort on-screen keyboard Pro, which normally retails for $19.95. In addition, the company sells a version known as lite, which offers less in the way of bells and whistles but still provide the same functionality for most disabilities. However, purchasing the Pro version is advised because the purchase of this OSK comes with free updates for life.
If you're looking for a new on-screen keyboard, check out the one AbleGamers prefers from the people at Comfort Software. For information on other on-screen keyboards, check out the AbleGamers review of the top on-screen keyboards.
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