Typing on a TV can be frustrating. The long and often scrambled on-screen keyboards are not only a nuisance but also a significant hurdle for anyone trying to create content on their television.
At CES 2025, I discovered a more efficient solution developed by Direction9. This innovative typing system draws inspiration from T9, an old yet effective method created for cellphones that only had number keys. (Here’s a demo for those unfamiliar with it.) Similar to cellphones, many set-top boxes and smart TVs have limited typing capabilities, often restricted to a directional pad.
The Direction9 system is designed to simplify typing: all letters are arranged in a three-by-three grid, with multiple letters assigned to each number, just like T9. The keyboard opens with the cursor defaulting to the center of the grid, allowing you to easily navigate to the letter you need. Each time you select a letter by clicking the middle button, the cursor jumps back to the center, ensuring you’re always just a click or two away from your desired letter.
Additionally, the keyboard features a “smart” mode that predicts the word you’re trying to type, enhancing the typing experience even further.
