Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Check out this - its a keyboard that changes depending on what your using it for - the idea is great and could save you forever wondering in games and apps what the heck is the key for this and that again...

It uses small screens in the keyboard to display what the key is for and can change the icons in the keys depending on what app your using.

Cracking idea...

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


Wonders what the price is though.. :scratch:

Looks cool too :D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

The trouble with technology is that the more complex it is the more likely it is to go belly up when most inconvenient and at an even more inconvenient cost. ;)

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

another flabber.nl reader?.. literally just looked at that :D

and yes, I do want one

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

That's cool.

It's also (geek mode on) the same principle as they used in Star Trek. The idea is that the panels that you seem them using (from The Next Generation onwards) configure themselves to the individual user/role.

You set it up as you want it and then when you log in it changes to show you your own unique setup, tailered to engineering/weapons/comms/navigation or whatever.

I have to have one of those keyboards :D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

I like it, but would my wallet like the cost?

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

I used to have a keyboard many years ago that came with several overlays for various games and applications together with blank ones for you to name the keys to your requirements. Can't remember which computer this was for but the keys were rectangular with the letters / use printed under them.

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

I have to have one. I do not care how much I HAVE TO HAVE ONE.

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

:LOL:

The thought occurs that it might not have been such a good idea to post it here.....

What happens when the Team get hold of a few?

They'll be able to program one of the buttons so that it's permanently set to "ban" :rofl:

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Wow that looks pretty coool, yet pretty expensive too.

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Say it was 100 quid?
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Actually - its a slashdot reader... Try to keep that quiet though.. :D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Same here mate, same here. :D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

What would be the dead pixel cover on it.

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Did you take a look at the mouse? :erm:

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

What mouse? :confused:

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

I'd say that's bloody cheap.

I bet something like that would be nearer 200 - 300.
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http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/mus/

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

The one making your brain work? :erm:

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Whats wrong with the good old dos/cpm days whne you just had a peice of card that you plonked over the keyboard to show what functions the buttons had depending on app used...

[nerdmode]but saying that... this is like so much cooler.....[/nerdmode]
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Also looking at it, I can imaine it will be expensive at first but there will be cheap rip offs, with mono lcd displays etc.... watch the trust product pages :)

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

I bought one of these the other week, its called a ZBoard, it has overlays for different games etc..... pretty cool too :)

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

This is a proper keyboard:
http://www.scoutingaround.com/comput...d/Model_M.html

(I wish id thought to get a bundle of these when IBM were chucking them out en mass

Although I know use a Model 6326
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index...id/0/id/119967

Much nicer than these flimsey modern things and without lots of silly buttons puttiing out of place all the normal ones :)

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

I think it's a stunning idea and it looks gorgeous. But I agree with other posters who have said it would be expensive and possibly prone to failing at inopportune moments.

Also, how would you programme the keyboard? Unless it can automatically detect the key set-up, anything other than your normal QWERTY format would require defining the appearance of each key.

A great idea though. :)

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

wouldn't be hard to do, i imagine it would come with a number of standard key sets for games and applications, and probably a simple tool to let you create your own bitmaps.

how long you reckon before someone puts pr0n on it? :D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

As its only a picture I guess several ways.

My idea would be to have it have its own processor of sorts, that when just plugged into a usb port with no driver software, it would act in dumb mode and display standard keys and send standard key commands to the machine.. you could then have software to allow it to be programmed, to display different things.. just a plug in for many apps would reprogramme it..

From a programmers point of view imagine how it could expand on your apps, and how much you could change the way a computer is used...

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Bloody Hell that is nice :D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

moving the cursor, fine, but only one button still isn't terrbly useful. doesn't look very comfortable either!
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it's not clear on that site whether it's a working prototype or just an artists' rendition of the idea...

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

I can see it now, Press the Caps lock key and all the letters change to the Upper case versions, then back again once you have finished. So cool, I hope it gets made and released, I will definatly buy one!

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

I want one i want one,

If any of you have seen Tron, i want the keyboard the Mr dillinger has in his office desk.

all you do is tap the glass to push the key...

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

£100 for that keyboard? Very good price. I want one! :D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

1 button no wheel OMG what am I to use to club my foe with the butt of my gun??? and no wheel how else am I to select my nades when I wanna be a noob???

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Look - all you need to do is stand still facing away from me!!!! you only need one button for that ;):D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Personally I think it would need an automatic 'ooops I didn't mean to push that button feature'... :D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

:rofl:

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

That reminds me of something I read. It was an article by Jeff Minter (yes, the Games Programmer). He was explaining his view of the office of the future. It was, basically, that desk running with a gui.

Oh well, we will have to do with Touch screens, and virtual keyboards (http://www.gomogear.com/detail.aspx?ID=6705)

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Apparently its going to cost a minumum of $200 to $300 dollars when its eventually made.

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

sounds about right... shame tho.. would be cool...

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Try $1500 :disturbd: :D

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

:Yikes: Judging by those production volumes it's probably the only way they're going to make any money.

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

i think they would of done better with a lot more at about $100 .... i would of ordered one for $200 max.... Its not worth it for more than that IMO

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

unfortunately those oLED displays are still quite expensive so it's highly unlikely they could make it for 100 quid

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

im sure they could if the built the quantity....

I bet building one PS3 would cost a huge amount compared to building a few million.

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

It's not just a case of deciding to build more. They have to work out a way to build more without failiure rates increasing.

Look at the 108" Panasonic Plasma. Panasonic can't currently build these in any great quantity (a few each year), so where they are selling them, the price is around £50,000. However, they are currently working to increase their production rate, so the price will fall.

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Do you know about recouping developement costs? why do you think stuff thats just being refined and not redesigned is so cheap??? My first external cd rw was 180 quid 4 x 4 x 2 x my first internal 12 x cd rw was 100 quid. You have to pay for developement before prices drop its standard business practice. The keyboards are specialist and therefore will only appeal to those in the money and willing to pay for such technology.I do not think there is much of a market for £100+ keyboards when I can get a fair enough internet board for < £4

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Yet in time those fancy keyboards will be sold by Logitech as their new top end model for £79.99 with a fancy mouse.

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

waste of money imo, how often do you people look at your keyboard anyway?

Re: Superb idea for a new keyboard - Its more interesting than you think
 

Ive been watching the Optimus keyboard developement for over a year now and as expected, the actual reality of it is quite a way from the initial prototypes (limited screens, key size, cost etc - but that's all to be expected).

At the end of the day, who is going to be willing to buy a PC, then spend the same amount again......... on the keyboard lol

Would be nice if/when OLED displays become more mainstream and possibly cheaper, but i wouldn't get too excited about this keyboard. I lost interest ages ago :P

(if you ARE interested, the best place for info is their blog: http://community.livejournal.com/optimus_project )