Optimus wireless keyboard wears its functions on its keys

Yeah, and it's about time someone shook up this stagnant keyboard market, already. Good old QWERTY day in, day out — we love ya — but this wireless offering from Optimus gets a little funky on us. Designed by Art Lebedev Studio in Moscow, the device's keys light up to indicate each associated function. There's a dedicated bank of keys on the left for switching applications and modes, and the keys in the regular QWERTY bank can change to display any number of languages as well as numbers, symbols HTML codes and mathematical functions. Unfortunately, this doesn't look like actualware quite yet as they're still waiting on a patent. Ain't it always the way?

[Thanks, Andrew and pseudo]

[Nate MC @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Thats cool and all but I need a keyboard that takes up less desk space in length, move them keys above the F keys or jsut amke the F keys switchable to the program keys.

[anon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

sweet...could use a buddy(mouse)

how come you don't see alot if those natural keyboards?...are they less comfortable?

[Eli @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

This seems like it would take a lof of power to run for a wireless device. Unless the keys are transflective or something, and you're in a well-lit room. Either way, it seems like it would cost at least a thousand dollars (if the only other product I can find (http://lightbolt.com/lcd.html) is any indication).

Maybe I'm just missing something, but I can't imagine something like this becoming a consumer-priced product any time soon. That's 100+ little LCDs that need to be powered, controlled, wired, and probably lit.

[Jargon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Looks like they will have to fight with Nintendo for a patent... Hehhe

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Holy sh*t thats so f*cking cool. If it was under $200 and had a decent typing feel, i'd be all over that.

[Spyke @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I tihnk we've just found another use for those Fujitsu flexible "no-power" displays ;)

[shiftis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

That's really cool.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

F***ing cool as, i gotta get meself one of those!

[Dov @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Would you be able to change the key configuration to something like a Dvorak layout?

[Melis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Well it uses OLEDs so there's no need for a backlight, and OLEDs use less power. The thing is, if it would wind up being wireless it would probably need a descent size rechargeable battery, and if they were really smart have it charge over USB so you can even use it while charging it up. I think it would be really cool for stuff like gaming and Photoshop, but it feels a bit like a novelty...It would probably be really cool for 2 weeks and then I'd just use it like my current Bluetooth keyboard.

[Anton Swartz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Where do i sign up this could bring alot to the computer industry or even the Commerical Resturant Market
Regardless of cost i want one ... As of last week

[Anonymous Coward @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Bit of a fallacy that OLEDs are lower power, in fact. Yes, an OLED can beat a backlit LCD to some extent, but you're heavily, heavily reliant on how many lit pixels you're talking about. The more lit pixels, the more power (as it's an emissive display). Don't display stuff with too much white in it, is what I'm saying - even a 1" display can take over *one watt* of power when showing a white screen.

With an LCD and backlight, power is almost totally determined by how bright you have the backlight on - they take pretty much zero power without the backlight, and a decent transflective LCD is perfectly readable in that state. An OLED needs ~4-10x what an LCD does even in low-brightness "standby" mode with minimal lit pixels.

OLEDs also burn in pretty easily with the current generation of technology, so you have to be careful to orbit static elements of a UI, for example.

Just a point of view from an engineer who is at the pointy end of integrating both display types...

[Erik @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

*sigh* Yet another decent innovation marred by the fact that they'll only put them on standard flat keyboards. Gimme that kind of functionality on a natural keyboard, and I'll buy.

Let's hear it for anti-carpal tunnel syndrome...

[PacoBell @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

mercury81 on Digg.com found the English version of this page here: http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

[Stubbs @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

What's the Donkey logo?

[Giggles of Doom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Wow. If they make it work and only cost an arm instead of both an arm AND a leg, this would be so, so cool. Like ZBoard on steriods. But I too have a hard time seeing it as wireless, so much glowing! But, having my keyboard automatically reconfigure itself when I launch applications (does it switch back if the app looses focus, like when I jump out of PS to reply to an email?) would be hella cool.

[jc @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I wonder if this is PC compatable.

Another neat feature would be a 'screen-saver' mode where all the keys act together to form one display.

[Erik @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

> What's the Donkey logo?

That's eMule (http://www.emule-project.net), a p2p sharing tool popular among russians.

[otakucode @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Stubbs: eDonkey

Man I want a keyboard like this. The wireless bit disinterests me greatly (my keyboard is usually right in front of my PC... I know, I'm a total freak in that respect, my mouse sticks right by there too!) and gives me concerns about battery life and junk, but it's a sexy idea. Keyboards just don't get enough love in the gadget world!

And for those pining for a natural keyboard... it is time for you to accept your fate. Your genetics did not prepare you for a future in our electronic world. Your genepath is a dead end. It's harsh, but it's true. A properly evolved human can use flat keyboards and not have a problem. I, myself, am one of the lucky ones and have been using a flat keyboard for about 14 or 15 hours a day for the past 15 years. No carpal tunnel. Ganglian cysts now and again, but that's nothing to do with keyboard use (I don't think). Some of us are lucky, some are not...

[addictive @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

@Stubbs: The donkey logo is the icon of the P2P-file sharing program called 'eMule' (see: www.emule-project.net)

The keyboard looks awesome! Very bright keys :) I love it!

[Kamalot @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I came up with this idea in 1996. I bet I can find my diagrams of it. I'm glad someone went ahead and bit the bullet to bring keyboards into the 21st century.

[keith coutinho @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

i want one!!!!!!!!!! i think it will be around $105, hmm how long till it come out in the uk?

i'm going to buy a 19in LCD, this keyboard, and a cool mouse (suggestions welcome)? minimalistic feel welcome..

then plug my out of site laptop into them.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Damn, that looks awesome. The longer length does seem like an issue, but I'd definitely be willing to make some changes to my desk layout for something like that.

And look at the pics on http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/ The keys can change for different languages and even different programs. Kind of like the zboard (http://www.zboard.com/us/) idea, but taken to the extreme.

#3 - I'm not sure if that site you found can be considered very reliable. They sell subliminal advertising services to stores.

I really hope this thing makes it over here.

[Researchking @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

This keyboard is an intersting concept and has applications all over the place. For one, the need for creating different keyboards for every country would disappear. The OS would just redeploy the images needed for that language. Imagine the improvement for typing ina foreign language like, Thai, Chinese, or Japanese. It could even be configured to change the keyboard as you type.

Also, instead of using LED or OLED what about ePaper. That would reduce the need for so much power.

[Suntiger @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

That is such a beautiful keyboard....

My life's goal is now to either make one of these out of a Model M, or to retrofit one of these to be buckling-spring.

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I'd give up $300 for one. This is awesome.

[Wyatt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I'd pay $500 for one. Seriously. This is the coolest thing I've seen in ages. I wonder if you can play video across the keys?!

[eMONKe @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I'm sold! I would pay out for one.

[Brett @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

That is so ridiculously hot. I wonder if they plan to use an ePaper system, the images look like they only change every so often, not all the time. (that would sadly make animations or 'screensaver mode' on the keys impossible.)

The default layout shown there is obviously Macintosh (command key and whatnot) but with the ability to change the appearance and the mapping of every key, I'd be shocked if it didn't work in Windows too.

[Mattdogg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I wonder if you could use your own ttf as the keyboard letters... and when you hit the shift key it automatically changed to the uppercase versions of letters/symbols??

[hafa @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

i still have the habit of smashing keyboards when my box crashes

mmm.. i want one of this

[Dmitry Kitsov @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

It is all nice and dandy, BUT it is just a mock-up design. Artemiy Lebedev is a designer not an actual manufacturing company. The images are fake. There is no actual product. It is a vaporware.

[Samuel Lago @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

This is exactly what I was talking about in the Channel9 forums, a keyboar with keys that can change their pictures!!

I got the idea from that film 'Hackers' (yea yea I know, but it did have a good soundtrack and in 1993 I was about 14/15, so), anyway the pictures on 'their' laptop keys were wired, all part of Hollywood I know, but for a young kid...

[Nuke @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

quite cool, although its just a concept photoshop. The side features tonz of other concept ideas.I have no dobt this product will come out in some time, although at first it will have a HEFTY price tag, not so much beacuse the oleds, but how complicated is the wireing, and mfg process. I think the targeted market at first will be Image/video Editing.
Ohh an I also remember the Hacker movie laptops, besides having custom kb's, they had custom OS's, with animated boot screens. But then again I wass a brat at that time, and didn't think about how Hollywood turned hakers, into freaky clothes wearing script kiddies, that hacked mainframes that came straight out of tron.

[Eli @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I don't think that's photoshopped in any way. Doesn't really look rendered either. I think it's just a mock-up.

People still make those, believe it or not.

[Kyle Maguire @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

That is a really good inovation. I want to congratulate you on it. This is one thing I think I will actually purchase.

I find no flaws in it and love it. The game thing is really awesome.

[Samuel Lago @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Hey don't think I made this, I meant the idea I had before someone brought this to market. :)

"Hack The Planet"

[Tony Roberto Zorzi Silva @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

i just loved i baddly need one of those .... is this keyboad bluethoot ??? imagine a keyboard like that in fcp , changing the keys in every app hahah im dreaming in a thing like that ... awesome !!!!

[Tony Roberto Zorzi Silva @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

i just loved i baddly need one of those .... is this keyboad bluethoot ??? imagine a keyboard like that in fcp , changing the keys in every app hahah im dreaming in a thing like that ... awesome !!!!

[blop @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Fantastic thing! I write alot in japanese but that's most easliy done with writing roman characters which automatucally convert to kana/kanji (95% of the japanese do so them selves). BUT when I want to write in korean (they use their hangul for writing, not romanized prenunciation) I could just let my keyboard show the characters instead of changing between say word and a picture of the layout. Me wants. Now. Sadly it'll probably take a while until it hits the shelves, if at all...

[SuperFunkyMunky @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Wireless? Hoho...the laptop thieves are SO going to love that. Maybe when the com's on screensaver the keyboard can spell out "Touch on risk of death by Fagstreet Boys".

[silex @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Pretty cool. But it's only prototype...

[Jason Anderson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I would pay a lot for one of those. But I've killed about 4 keyboards in the past 5 years with liquid of some sort, so it would have to be waterproof or have some sort of warranty that could protect against spillage. Either way, I would probably give up drinking anything just to have this.

I so hope it gets made one day soon.

@ #2, stop spamming, moran.

[Papasik @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

I asked about such a keyboard a senior Logitech engineering guy a year ago. He said they keep trying to do it for years, and at present day tech level, it either screens - or typing. It just cannot be done, period.

[what? @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

"I asked about such a keyboard a senior Logitech engineering guy a year ago. He said they keep trying to do it for years, and at present day tech level, it either screens - or typing. It just cannot be done, period."

So they are incompetent.

Anyway, this keyboard is nice. Finally I could easily switch to Dvorak easily.

I'm very said most of the population of computer users are using QWERTY keyboards.

[fromjosh2u @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

THIS IS SO COOL! I would def pay $200, be tempted up to $400 depending on features.

This is what I would want to see:
-Multiple customizable/downloadable game templates
-Downloadable keysets themes (diff fonts, colors, animations, etc.)
-Each keystroke temporarily can change a keys color, image, animate, etc.
-Auto changes keyset based on upfront application on screen
-Jukebox mode: Turns keyboard into a flashing multi-color light show while playing tunes
-Video-Sync: Turns whole keyboard into full motion synched video display. (allbeit strange looking, this would be very cool!)
-Molten Template: All keys slowly fade off and on in red color, like its breathing/glowing red hot.
-Ice Template: All keys represent sheet of ice. When you press keys, they crack, then slowly melt back to normal.

The sky's the limit with this baby (esp if open source)!! Someone needs to make it!

[Daniel Downing @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Could someone please explain what on earth Dvorak is? Is it related to Splinter Cell Chaos Theory that the only other place ive heard it mentioned.

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Dvorak is a keyboard with a different key laout.
http://www.mwbrooks.com/dvorak/

#44: It is hard to call someone stupid when you mispell words while doing so.
mo�ron n.
1. A stupid person; a dolt.

[hafa @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

lol on 49, best post yet

[Audie Collins @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM]

Can you find and send me information on where I can get these? Who will be selling them? Where and When? I sell PC parts, and this is a high ticket Item I could sell like a Drug Pusher selling Cocane to a junkie!