Optimus LCD Keyboard

Submitted by cel4145 on August 2, 2005 - 21:50.

This is a neat new technology which one of my students this semester pointed out. The Optimus keyboard, to be released in 2006, doesn't have writing on the keys to denote which key is which; rather, it uses LCD technology to display the key. Your computer applications will be able to change the key display on the fly. The pictures do a better job of explaining it than I can.

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Bob's picture

Looks pretty cool, but . .

Submitted by Bob on August 4, 2005 - 13:13.

I wonder of the designer isn't trying to shake off some sort of vaporware bias? Statements like "It will be real" on the "answers" page

http://artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/answers/

seem pretty defensive. They must have been peppered with questions at some point. Not sure what the price will be . . . they say the price will be less than "a good mobile phone." Let me know when you get yours, Charlie! I want one too.

platypus matt's picture

Optimus

Submitted by platypus matt on August 4, 2005 - 13:17.

Geez. I'd posted a reply earlier but I guess it didn't go through.

I had said that this looked like the next logical step for keyboards. I know I'd love to have this model--think about how much easier it would make to learn Dvorak or work with non-American character sets. I also love the idea of being able to put little pics on the keys.

The keyboard I have now has a nice blue backlight, but, sadly, the light doesn't shine through the keys (which would have made it much cooler). It's not that I need to see the keys to type, though.

cel4145's picture

great for xml tags

Submitted by cel4145 on August 4, 2005 - 13:39.

I could see how this would be really cool for Emma or some other xml application. Imagine if the function and extra keys were encoded with xml tags. Then combine CTRL or ALT with the key to close the tag. Would make it much easier to produce XML docs.

cel4145's picture

or how about browser-based applications?

Submitted by cel4145 on August 4, 2005 - 13:41.

I saw somewhere on the site that the intention is to use open standards for the keyboard to interact with the computer. I'd love it if those standards included an API for browsers to communicate with the keyboard so that links/functions in Drupal and other web-based applications could be mapped onto the keyboard.