Newest nerdgasm necessity...
 

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

Every key of the Optimus keyboard is a stand-alone display showing exactly what it is controlling at this very moment.

Program Keys
http://exit3.i-55.com/~suit/kbd/keyb_002.jpg

Photoshop
http://exit3.i-55.com/~suit/kbd/psd.jpg

Quake
http://exit3.i-55.com/~suit/kbd/qua.jpg

me likey

Me likey as well, but me thinkey it is just a a mockup, and not a real product.

I hope it does go into production, though.

What I'm concerned about is how you get the graphics for the buttons. I mean do you have to create and map the images for each game keymap you want represented?

Someone does. And you would if you wanted a map that nobody had made yet. But if this product ever made it into distribution, I bet it would come with maps for as many apps as they could include, downloadable maps would be made by enthusuasts very quickly, and a simple editor would ship with the keyboard. I wouldn't worry about it.

What I would worry about is finding another free power socket. I doubt something like that could run on USB.

Me likey, but probably not for the reasons that most other folks do. I mean it's certainly cool that the keys can be changed for languages, and game settings and all ... but you know what I'd really be excited about? Letters that don't wear off the keys.

Yeah. It's stupid, but it's actually the first thing I thought of.

Then I realized what a horror it would be to dump a 24 ounce Wawa Dark Roast Coffee with Lots of Honey into. Not that I have ever actually done this.

But with a keyboard that cost as much as that would? Guaranteed.

Can you imagine how bad you could freak out the stoners if you could animate each key's display?

In particular, have the letters slowly wander around from key to key...

man, this would be incredible for pro audio software. One of the frustrations of moving between applications is that Pro Tools and Logic (or any other two apps) have totally different key commands, and when you're flying through a session, everything is key commands.

This would rock. I'd hit it.

This is why I had to have a Mac keyboard connected to our KVM switch. It was a hell of a fight convincing my husband I absolutely NEEDED a command key. :)