Newest nerdgasm necessity...

Troubleshooter • Jul 14, 2005 4:20 pm
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
Image

Photoshop
Image

Quake
Image
Perry Winkle • Jul 14, 2005 4:22 pm
me likey
Happy Monkey • Jul 14, 2005 4:42 pm
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.
Perry Winkle • Jul 14, 2005 7:04 pm
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?
Happy Monkey • Jul 14, 2005 7:26 pm
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.
wolf • Jul 15, 2005 2:33 am
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.
Elspode • Jul 15, 2005 12:26 pm
Can you imagine how bad you could freak out the stoners if you could animate each key's display?
Happy Monkey • Jul 15, 2005 12:30 pm
In particular, have the letters slowly wander around from key to key...
smoothmoniker • Jul 15, 2005 12:31 pm
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.
Clodfobble • Jul 15, 2005 4:45 pm
sm wrote:
...when you're flying through a session, everything is key commands.


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. :)