Infinium is producing the Phantom (keyboard) goods!

Infinium Labs -- our fav gaming company evar -- is busting out a rad new entrant into the peripheral space: a keyboard. Due Q2 next year, the Phantom Lapboard is targeted at from-the-couch gamers, who might still be waiting around for a relevant console for using this thing come next year (or 2009 for that matter), but that won't stop them from lounging around and looking way hip with this sleek little number across their laps. We've already commandeered a few local whiteboards for use as a countdown calendar because this Phantom thing is going to be the dealio, yo.

[Via Techdirt]

[Shashwat @ Dec 29th 2005 6:39AM]

OMG i cant wait..these are awesome. if anyone has seen them being used in the phantom labs video. they look great and are really practical. i really like the design and idea. any word on price???

[Craigy @ Dec 29th 2005 6:46AM]

Wow, can't believe they are still around. Seems like vaporware to me...

[GameFreak @ Dec 29th 2005 7:09AM]

I agree with Craigy, I'm not sure I can trust a company whose stock is valued at $0.024 (as in 2 pennies per share).

http://www.phantom.net/investors/news_watch.asp

[Shashwat @ Dec 29th 2005 7:30AM]

wht u ppl say is true...the actual console and company are dodgy but the keyboard is wht is good. thats all i care bout...not the phantom console nor the company..as long as the product is good im happy

[GameFreak @ Dec 29th 2005 8:12AM]

Fair point, that keyboard does look pretty sexy :)

[TZK @ Dec 29th 2005 8:51AM]

Actually, thats a pretty neao(o) design. Make it for a PC and Ill buy it. :)

[. @ Dec 29th 2005 9:13AM]

I'm torn between my love for the lapboard idea and hatred of Infinium management. I think I'll just find out what vendor they use when someone else buys one and purchase directly from their source ^_^

[Gr1zz @ Dec 29th 2005 9:53AM]

I wouldent invest my toe lint into that company. This is probibly a move to sucker in new investors.

"Hay-Guyz look we do make real products, give us more moolah.....so i can buy a 3rd house in New Zeland!"

[TZK @ Dec 29th 2005 10:25AM]

Edit:



Isnt the PSP, at this point, more powerful than the Phantom console?



Just look at the graphics! WoOoO00OoO0oo



:-P

[Cem @ Dec 29th 2005 10:44AM]

Nice keyboard. I think that's the only hardware they will ever produce.

[Derek W. @ Dec 29th 2005 10:54AM]

It won't happen. I'll buy 2 of the lapboards if they ever do show up just as a bet. Look at their income statement (http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=iflb.ob). They spent exactly $0 on R&D, so they aren't developing or researching anything. Also, their SEC quarterly report (22-Dec-05) has gems like this:



"We do not have sufficient cash to continue operations for the next 12 months and are in immediate need of additional capital to fund our plan of operation. We presently have no commitments for additional financing and may not be able to obtain such financing."



and this:



"In their report on our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, our independent auditors expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern."



To put the final nail in the coffin, they are $62mil in debt and plan to be $73mil in debt shortly enough. Maybe I am wrong, maybe they *will* finally come out with the keyboards / mice... who knows? Any reasonable person though, would have to laugh at their plans to remain open in Q2 2006.

[Michael @ Dec 29th 2005 12:11PM]

They're still showing a photo gallery dated 2004 on their web site... Do they ever update?

I concur that the lapboard looks really cool, but...

[Denis @ Dec 29th 2005 12:57PM]

Main Entry: phan�tom

Pronunciation: 'fan-t&m

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English fantosme, fantome, from Middle French fantosme, modification of Latin phantasma

1 a : something (as a specter) apparent to sense but with no substantial existence : APPARITION b : something elusive or visionary : WILL-O'-the-wisp c : an object of continual dread or abhorrence : BUGBEAR

2 : something existing in appearance only

3 : a representation of something abstract, ideal, or incorporeal

(courtesy of Merriam-Webster Online dictionary)

[BlueLightBandit @ Dec 29th 2005 1:06PM]

"We do not have sufficient cash to continue operations..."



That's the difference between a business school eductaion and the real world education. This is just a ploy to boost funding through private backers who have already paid most of the cost for the phantom thingy.



I'll call you on your bet (two keyboards), and I'll raise you one. I'll buy exactly $3.00 US in stock (that's quite a few shares at 2.5 cents per) and then pay my $7.00 fee for buying penny stocks, for an even $10.00 investment. If by the end of 2006 this company turns a profit and I can sell my total shares for more than $10.00... you'll send me one of those nifty keyboard things.



Deal?



[e-mail]

[Nobuyuki Idei @ Dec 29th 2005 3:17PM]

Looks like a Commodore 64.

[Steve @ Dec 29th 2005 3:23PM]

Hey, is that really a picture or is that computer generated?



My guess is that they are only trying to raise more money to support their lavish lifestyles. I don't think they ever really had intentions of releasing any *real* products (though, that's only my personal opinion based on what I've read about them on the Internet - maybe they actually did.)



----------------

http://software.skylimitproductions.net
Hey, is that really a picture or is that computer generated?



My guess is that they are only trying to raise more money to support their lavish lifestyles. I don't think they ever really had intentions of releasing any *real* products (though, that's only my personal opinion based on what I've read about them on the Internet - maybe they actually did.)



----------------

http://software.skylimitproductions.net

[rocko @ Dec 29th 2005 3:25PM]

what are they calling it? a keyboard? what type of periphial is that? It'll never sell.

[Steve @ Dec 29th 2005 3:29PM]

Sorry, I don't know how my post got messed up.

[Mu Doggy @ Dec 29th 2005 4:34PM]

I played with this system (and this awesome keyboard mouse combo) at E3 2 years ago and the first thing I said was "is this keyboard and mouse deal for sale?" and they laughed and said everyone's been asking them that, and if they were to produce just that right now it'd cost around $120 each. But maybe they're taking it in the rear to headstrong these in the market. I have been dying for one, it was so perfect and with all these computers being placed as media center on living room tv's, it's perfect for having a quick game of Quake 4 on the big screen.



yum.

[Alice Wolf @ Dec 29th 2005 5:12PM]

The keyboard is actually pretty slick. I got to handle one at E3 two years back, and it's really well designed.



As for whether it'll actually hit market or not... well, I'm skeptical. According to an article on Gamasutra, the company doesn't have the funding to produce the keyboards at the current time, and with current investors considering lawsuits, it'll be tough for them to get the requisite $2 million.

[Ryan Lane @ Dec 29th 2005 5:47PM]

that's a real keyboard and not 3D model. I have the original photos from the photographer if anyone wants to see them. The keyboard in the photo is an early prototype though. I think the commercial release will be a little bit different.

[Andrew @ Dec 29th 2005 6:01PM]

FINALLY!!!!!

[shawn @ Dec 29th 2005 8:12PM]

i like their idea for the phantom center (whatever its called), a good company shoudl take this idea and make it work. I would love play computer games on my big screen, it would jsut be like a console except a very different controller.

[chelkitty @ Dec 30th 2005 12:42AM]

Ooooooooo, pretty...



...I want.

[CraigD @ Jan 1st 2006 6:43PM]

Yes. @ first, it'll come for PCs. The service will be subsequent, hopefully later, this year.

E3? check it @ http://news.gaminghorizon.com/media/1084404020.html

[Paul Crisp @ Jan 6th 2006 6:57PM]

Guys,



The new CEO is a good friend of mine (colleagues at 7th Level Inc many moons ago) and I think you'll find the company in better hands now. They do plan to sell the keyboard and it will also be wireless which is cool, not state of the art but cooler than cable nonetheless. RRP approx �99.



I hope they get the finances to actually launch the gaming service, my fear is that XBox live etc are too well established now. Time will tell.

[Andrew Lenahan @ Jan 12th 2006 6:19PM]

It does look the part, but do a lot of people really use a keyboard whilst on the couch?

[James Pickard @ Jan 20th 2006 12:18PM]

its been a long time coming, but for those of who fight for the underdog....get all the shares now while you can afford a couple thousand....this is really gonna be big..