Saturday marks International Left-Handers’ Day, a 24-hour period designed to celebrate anyone who doesn’t write with their right.
Created back in 1992, it has seen every 13 August used to raise awareness of the problems faced by left-handed people.
The day also encourages right-handers to try using equipment with the wrong hand, just so they understand how hard it can be.
So to mark Left-Handers’ Day, here we take a look at some of the must-have electronic gizmos most people take for granted but for lefties on the other hand, prove a struggle.
Computer mouse
The humble mouse is a staple of computing but it usually has its buttons on the right edge rather than on the left or top. After all, the PC term ‘right click’ sums it up perfectly. One alternative is the Logitech Trackman Marble. It is an ambidextrous – which means it can be used left or right handedly - mouse with swappable buttons on both sides and a large ball that’s moved easily from any direction. Corded mice are often an issue too. The lead isn’t always long enough to reach around the computer, so it can be placed on the left. Any wireless mouse could solve this specific problem but may still have button issues. Apple’s Magic Mouse with its touch control surface is one perfect replacement for Mac users while PC owners can try the Microsoft Arc Touch.
Computer keyboard
Traditional keyboards with a separate numeric pad on the right are an absolute pain for those who don’t want to be crossing over their arms all the time. So the Left-handed keyboard is an option putting the numbers and arrow keys on the opposite side. The wired device is not cheap though at £91. The Dvorak App is nifty as it provides a reversed virtual keyboard layout for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch and is just 69p.
Digital cameras
Whether still snappers or movie-making cameras, when the main controls are usually on the right hand side, it can be hard to capture the action. With viewing screens also on left as standard, it means your left hand will obscure this when pressing buttons. The Samsung Q10’s motto is “Even when you’re a lefty, it records just right” by allowing the whole device to be flipped over. Reversing this grip means the button is by your left thumb and the screen is on the right. It’s a top piece of tech kit creating high-definition movies and five megapixel still shots. Other options include The Flip, which has the screen and controls in the centre or a Kodak PlayTouch, which can change the screen orientation to be on the right with the main button to the left.
TV remote
It’s one of the most-used gadgets in the world and generally capable of suiting left-handers. But sometimes buttons will be placed along the right-hand edge making them difficult to access with popular controls such as Standby positioned furthest away from the thumb. One wizard way around this is the Kymera Wand, which can be programmed to change channels, turn up the volume and learn many other functions of your remote by pointing the two at each other.
Nintendo DS/3DS
It’s not the buttons causing problems for left-handers using the massively popular handheld console – it’s the stylus. Trying to control a game that requires holding this stick while pressing the D-Pad or action buttons can prove impossible. While there’s no decent replacement for the DS itself, and the issue only affects a few titles, touchscreen gaming on iPhone or Android smartphones is an alternative along with tablets such as the iPad. Some DS games do though provide left-handed support.
iPhone 4
Problems with the Apple iPhone 4’s antenna were widely reported when the must-have handset was launched last year. Having its reception technology in the left side of the phone meant many people claimed they lost signal strength when their hand touched this area. The new iPhone 5 – said to be due out next month – should solve that, but in the meantime covers, Apple’s plastic ‘bumpers’ and a software update have successfully mitigated the problem.
Created back in 1992, it has seen every 13 August used to raise awareness of the problems faced by left-handed people.
The day also encourages right-handers to try using equipment with the wrong hand, just so they understand how hard it can be.
So to mark Left-Handers’ Day, here we take a look at some of the must-have electronic gizmos most people take for granted but for lefties on the other hand, prove a struggle.
Computer mouse
The humble mouse is a staple of computing but it usually has its buttons on the right edge rather than on the left or top. After all, the PC term ‘right click’ sums it up perfectly. One alternative is the Logitech Trackman Marble. It is an ambidextrous – which means it can be used left or right handedly - mouse with swappable buttons on both sides and a large ball that’s moved easily from any direction. Corded mice are often an issue too. The lead isn’t always long enough to reach around the computer, so it can be placed on the left. Any wireless mouse could solve this specific problem but may still have button issues. Apple’s Magic Mouse with its touch control surface is one perfect replacement for Mac users while PC owners can try the Microsoft Arc Touch.
Computer keyboard
Traditional keyboards with a separate numeric pad on the right are an absolute pain for those who don’t want to be crossing over their arms all the time. So the Left-handed keyboard is an option putting the numbers and arrow keys on the opposite side. The wired device is not cheap though at £91. The Dvorak App is nifty as it provides a reversed virtual keyboard layout for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch and is just 69p.
Digital cameras
Whether still snappers or movie-making cameras, when the main controls are usually on the right hand side, it can be hard to capture the action. With viewing screens also on left as standard, it means your left hand will obscure this when pressing buttons. The Samsung Q10’s motto is “Even when you’re a lefty, it records just right” by allowing the whole device to be flipped over. Reversing this grip means the button is by your left thumb and the screen is on the right. It’s a top piece of tech kit creating high-definition movies and five megapixel still shots. Other options include The Flip, which has the screen and controls in the centre or a Kodak PlayTouch, which can change the screen orientation to be on the right with the main button to the left.
TV remote
It’s one of the most-used gadgets in the world and generally capable of suiting left-handers. But sometimes buttons will be placed along the right-hand edge making them difficult to access with popular controls such as Standby positioned furthest away from the thumb. One wizard way around this is the Kymera Wand, which can be programmed to change channels, turn up the volume and learn many other functions of your remote by pointing the two at each other.
Nintendo DS/3DS
It’s not the buttons causing problems for left-handers using the massively popular handheld console – it’s the stylus. Trying to control a game that requires holding this stick while pressing the D-Pad or action buttons can prove impossible. While there’s no decent replacement for the DS itself, and the issue only affects a few titles, touchscreen gaming on iPhone or Android smartphones is an alternative along with tablets such as the iPad. Some DS games do though provide left-handed support.
iPhone 4
Problems with the Apple iPhone 4’s antenna were widely reported when the must-have handset was launched last year. Having its reception technology in the left side of the phone meant many people claimed they lost signal strength when their hand touched this area. The new iPhone 5 – said to be due out next month – should solve that, but in the meantime covers, Apple’s plastic ‘bumpers’ and a software update have successfully mitigated the problem.
207 comments