Every time I try to convert someone our age to a smartphone from their ordinary cell, I get a litany of reasons why they can’t type on a keyboard that doesn’t have three dimensional keys. I get startled by their remarks, because quite frankly, I can’t believe there are sophisticated people out there who still use traditional cells. Sort of like meeting a very sophisticated CEO who calls his mother, “Mommy”. Whoa! What the heck is going on here?

The same thing happens with a tablet or even an e-book. People will make all kinds of excuses why they can’t operate these units. I don’t know if they are afraid or just want to annoy me. I find it frustrating that I am willing to help them, or get someone else to help them, and they still put up a wall.

I want to convert them because I know they will love the smartphone or tablet once they get over the hurdle. Most of the time, they start teaching me things after a few months of using these units themselves. I think I have a solution. I am buying a virtual keyboard that will get them one step closer to getting comfortabe. The laser projection keyboard, housed in a compact, keychain design, lets you type on flat surfaces. It really is awesome and a lot of fun.

When I first heard about this technology I thought it was magic. Simply put, the advanced optics track your fingers so when you type on the virtual keyboard, it is registering through a Bluetooth wireless transmitter. The keyboard works with a smartphone, tablet and even a laptop.

I can’t wait to start. Send a few neophytes my way.