google introduces double-sided, twisted Gboard so multiple people can type or code at once

Google japan’s Gboard team reveals double-sided keyboard

Google Japan is back with a reiteration of the Gboard. This time, or year since it’s annual, they’ve designed it as a double-sided, twisted keyboard so that multiple people can type or use it for coding at once. Back in 2022, the team created a single-row keyboard that became so long it could be used as a fishing pole. This time, the designers came up with this twisted look after realizing people can’t type when they turn their keyboard upside down. They don’t want that to happen again, so voilà, a double-sided Gboard.

It has keys on both the front and back, and users can choose where they want to put specific buttons or commands. There’s a catch here. On the downside, the double-sided keyboard isn’t up for commercial release since it’s more of a Gboard team project. On the plus side, they liked it so much that they’ve also released the open source of the device, so users can make their own using a 3D printer, complete with interwoven key switch modules.

all images and video stills courtesy of Google Japan

Open source for users who want to make their own Gboard

Front, back, up, and down—Google’s double-sided Gboard has all the keys users need. If they don’t want it for typing functionality, the team has thought of fun ways to use it, including an oversized bracelet or as a substitute for the Christmas wreath hung outside the front door. For crafty users, they can go through the open source of the Gboard and make a paper version of the twisted keyboard without the tactile feel.

In this case, it’s just for decorative purposes (or maybe to prepare themselves for when they want to print their own). For the specs part, it seems that Google’s double-sided Gboard needs to be connected to the computer using USB-C. There are 208 keys all over the device, and the total weight of the 3D-printed variation can amount to around ‘20.8 donuts,’ as per the Gboard team’s description. They also call the shape the Möbius strip and hope that by using their double-sided device, users can finally ‘say goodbye to the stress of not being able to input data.’

view of the Google double-sided Gboard

multiple people can use the device at once

the keyboard has 208 keys in total, placed both at the front and back

users can also use it for decorative purposes

the Gboard Japan team has even created its own 3-axis dial stand

the team has published the open source for those who want to make their own

users can even customize the color of their keyboard as well as where they keys are placed

project info:

name: Double-sided Gboard

company: Google Japan (Gboard) | @googlejapan