Optimus Keyboard going to market next month!!!

[Elie]

The Optimus Keyboard will most likely be available next month, WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

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

[Tjalfe]

any hints at the pricing yet?

[ZokesPro]

Check out the FAQ on that page.

Frequently Answered Answers about the Optimus keyboard

It’s in the initial stage of production.

We hope it will be released in 2006.

It will cost less than a good mobile phone.

It will be real.

It will be OS-independent (at least it’s going to be able to work in some default state with any OS).

It will support any language or layout.

Moscow is the capital of Russia.

Each key could be programmed to produce any sequence.

It will be an open-source keyboard, SDK will be available.

Some day it will be split (and made “ergonomic”).

It will most likely use the OLED technology (e-paper is sooo slow).

Our studio is located two blocks from the Kremlin.

It will feature a key-saver.

Keys could be animated when needed.

It has a numeric keypad because we love it.

There’s no snow in Moscow in summer.

It will be available worldwide (why not?)

OEM is possible (why not?)

[Wombat]

Elie, you're nuts. It's not going to market next month. That's just a marketing release, I'm sure they'll just change the website.

That keyboard, if produced right now, would be $1,000 or more.

[Helevitia]

http://forums.murc.ws/showthread.php?t=53413&highlight=oled+keyboard

[Elie]

Hehe, I saw Februay and well got a bit excited

But seriously though, it's going to happen I think only time will tell. Regarding the $1000 or more? I doubt it.

[Wombat]

But seriously though, it's going to happen I think only time will tell. Regarding the $1000 or more? I doubt it.

Doubt all you want, but like I said, if produced right now. Those keys have backlit OLED displays in them, and even tiny ones would cost a couple bucks each. There's roughly a hundred of them on the keyboard. OLED prices will come down with time though.

[Mehen]

Well how much does a "good mobile phone cost?" and what is considered to be a good mobile phone?

I think I would CONSIDER purchasing one if it is placed around a maximum of ~$200 CAD. Anything more than that, I would rather spend the money on a new CPU etc. I would LIKE to see it placed around $120-140 CAD.

But to buy a "good" mobile phone - thats what - three or four hundred?

[Jammrock]

Doubt all you want, but like I said, if produced right now. Those keys have backlit OLED displays in them, and even tiny ones would cost a couple bucks each. There's roughly a hundred of them on the keyboard. OLED prices will come down with time though.

Nope. Kodak had a digital camera, KODAK EASYSHARE LS633, out a while ago that had an OLED display for a view finder. Back in 2003 it ran $400 USD, and that was with a big 2.2" (5.5 cm) display. Plus one of the big pluses of OLED is that you don't need a backlight. They are naturally that bright.

The down side is, the current OLED technology only lasts around 10000 hours (around 1.25 years of continuous use, thus the keyboard has a screensaver). So if you shell out $300 USD for the OLED keyboard and use it a ton, you'll be replacing it in 2-3 year because the OLED will start to die.

It will be a great enthusist item though.

Jammrock

[Elie]

Right I can imagine the SDK going to Adobe, Ulead and all game companies to produce the art work and character set for every game or application.

Pretty cool I would say, even if would last 2-3 years

[Wombat]

The down side is, the current OLED technology only lasts around 10000 hours (around 1.25 years of continuous use, thus the keyboard has a screensaver). So if you shell out $300 USD for the OLED keyboard and use it a ton, you'll be replacing it in 2-3 year because the OLED will start to die.

Statistically, some of the letters will go much sooner than that. I hope they'll be user servicable, but I doubt it.

[Claymonkey]

I still want one of these but I don't feel like being a guinea pig thank you. Of course if it's around $100 (which it won't be) I'd seriously consider it.

[Jessterw]

I remember when various applications and games came with keyboard overlays. Then we got all fancy with keyboard layouts

$100-$300 keyboard that I'll have to replace in about 2 years... no thanks. Even if the keys are easily replaceable I imagine they shall be rather pricey, much like ink cartridges in printers.

Love the idea, but there will need to be a few generations before I'd consider it.

[az]

If you consider that a good ordinary keyboard costs 50+ EUR, I can't see this being just 100-300 and being high quality. But the shape of the keys would make typing uncomfortable anyway.

[Jessterw]

Well it won't be the full-size keyboard for sure, but they've got this now:

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