Bangalore: Hewlett-Packard today announced that its Gesture Based Keyboard [GKB], an original pen-based input device developed by HP Labs India, was recognized for its ability to make technology more accessible for emerging markets like India, by the Wall Street Journal’s 2006 Technology Innovation Awards. In the Consumer Electronics category, the Gesture Based Keyboard (GKB) was declared the runner up for its potential to reach areas of the Indian population neglected by the technology boom. GKB was declared the runner-up in the Consumer Electronics category for its potential to reach vast sections of non-English speaking people in India and surrounding countries

GKB is a pen-based technology that allows Indic languages to be recorded and stored directly on the computer. Unlike other prevailing Indic language entry methods which either use bilingual keyboards or display the Indic keyboard layout on a monitor, the HP GKB is a low-cost and rugged solution that helps solve the phonetic language entry problem by allowing users to input data the way most people learn to write – with a pen. This simple but intuitive data entry method could make it easier to communicate for people who may not understand English or know how to type.

Mr. Ajay Gupta, Director HP Labs India said, “This award is a recognition of HP Labs India’s commitment towards developing products that are tailored for the needs of emerging markets like India. GKB has the potential to reach over 1.5 billion non-English speaking people, including Indian, Nepalese, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and other phonetic script users.”

The Wall Street Journal received over 600 applications from two dozen countries for the 2006 Technology Innovation Awards, now in its sixth year. The panel of judges, representing industry as well as research and academic institutions, selected award winners across categories like consumer electronics, medicine and medical devices, wireless, security, semiconductors and others.

HP Labs India was established in 2002 to focus on the needs of emerging markets. Emerging markets are rapidly growing segments of the global economy where a combination of economic liberalization and a young population is fuelling rapid demand. The primary motivation for HP Labs India is to understand the unique needs of these new and rapidly emerging markets.