Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein provide an input mechanism that allows a user to select characters for input to a text area of a computing interface. The technology can be implemented as a virtual keyboard. Selecting a single output for the keyboard requires a user to provide two inputs. Each input is provided with reference to a different layer. Providing the first input to the first layer activates a second layer specific to the key selected with the first input. Each key in the first layer can be associated with a unique second layer. The output (e.g., a character) is determined from the second layer by providing a second input. The combination of the first and second input selects the ultimate output. In one aspect, the first input and the second input only have a directional component.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein provide an input mechanism that allows a user to select characters for input to a text area of a computing interface. The technology can be implemented as a virtual keyboard. Selecting a single output for the keyboard requires a user to provide two inputs. Each input is provided with reference to a different layer. Providing the first input to the first layer activates a second layer specific to the key selected with the first input. Each key in the first layer can be associated with a unique second layer. The output (e.g., a character) is determined from the second layer by providing a second input. The combination of the first and second input selects the ultimate output. In one aspect, the first input and the second input only have a directional component.