Microsoft teases with wireless backlit keyboard

It's not often that you see a teaser campaign for the utilitarian keyboard, so it's safe to assume that a wireless backlit model Microsoft has in the pipeline must be something pretty special. Although not many details are revealed in the flash demo for what is only known as the "ultimate keyboard," it looks to be a Bluetooth-based system that includes a pointing device on the 'board along with a mouse for desk work, with both components seemingly getting their juice through induction from a SplashPad-like mat. Even the illumination system sounds pretty high-tech, as it not only contains a sensor to detect ambient lighting conditions, but actually shuts itself down when it realizes you've stepped away from the keyboard. Like we said, Microsoft is pretty light on the deets here, so you'll have to wait on specs, pricing, and availability until Redmond is good and ready to give them up.

[E @ Jun 29th 2006 1:48PM]

Looks nice. I like this as much as that minimalist Logitech setp.

[Chris @ Jun 29th 2006 1:48PM]

Ultimate Keyboard? I think not. I like to use a number pad.

[Ben Bethel @ Jun 29th 2006 1:51PM]

Finally!!! I've been waiting for something like this for a long time - I just wish the keyboard was even more ergonomic as I really notice the reduction in wrist strain from using my ergo Microsoft Natural keyboard.

I'm also still waiting for the totally split keyboard where the left and right sides attach to the arms of your aeron chair... I'd totally *love* that!

[cookiemonster @ Jun 29th 2006 1:57PM]

ambient light sensor? backlit keyboard?
[ominous]i sense a disturbance in the mac-fanboy force....
[/ominous]

[James @ Jun 29th 2006 2:02PM]

Proximity sensing? Sounds interesting.

[Lee Gibson @ Jun 29th 2006 2:09PM]

No numeric keypad? GoofyAngle(tm) key locations? Looks nice, I guess, if you're into that sort of thing...

[Kumar @ Jun 29th 2006 2:22PM]

Wonder what is will be the price and date of availability..

[John G. @ Jun 29th 2006 2:22PM]

if it has the same godawful pointer that the M$ MCE Remote Keyboard has, then forget it. Its truly horrible.

[solSketch @ Jun 29th 2006 2:24PM]

I can't really tell from the shots... does it have that stupid Function-Lock key?

[Zacky V @ Jun 29th 2006 2:26PM]

I hope its not bluetooth because I want to use this for my 360

[Craig @ Jun 29th 2006 2:29PM]

This could be really sweet, though they need to price it right, aka. low.

[Revrant @ Jun 29th 2006 2:31PM]

I love Function Lock but the fact that it's Backwards pisses me off, I'd like it if when it was OFF I'd have normal key functionality.

I

[Jesse @ Jun 29th 2006 2:33PM]

no_Num_pad = 'worthless';

[Michael La Framboise @ Jun 29th 2006 2:34PM]

...If only Windows would be as good as their keyboards.

[Bob @ Jun 29th 2006 2:40PM]

I have a Mac, and I want one.

[atomicfounder @ Jun 29th 2006 2:45PM]

agreed, need a numpad

[George @ Jun 29th 2006 2:47PM]

This looks like the next-gen version of the Media Center keyboard they introduced last year... which required the eHome IR receiver to function, and therefore was returned en masse. That was actually a great keyboard, from a HTPC standpoint. This one looks better.

[LittleJoe @ Jun 29th 2006 2:50PM]

why would it need a num pad? its not like its an office keyboard.

I doubt the lack of a number pad will affect you when youre lounging on the couch with it and such.

[master_of_fm @ Jun 29th 2006 2:54PM]

i can see using this for a media system that takes the place of a tv in a room, but i will stick with my deck keyboard for gaming

[Andy @ Jun 29th 2006 2:57PM]

I say good riddance to the numeric keypad.

It increases the distance from keyboard home position to the mouse (assuming mouse on the right), and so the cost of switching from keyboard to mouse and back is higher, i.e. everything is slower.

[Brockmoore @ Jun 29th 2006 2:58PM]

"Proximity sensing? Sounds interesting."

Ya, they need to know when you are afk so they can send data back to Redmond.

[Paul @ Jun 29th 2006 3:01PM]

My thoughts are that while I like all of the features, the layout is what i dont think Icould get used to. No number pad for one, and that funky V shape... Good specs, bad form.

[blah @ Jun 29th 2006 3:01PM]

Hm... I've been looking for a replacement for my piece of shit Gyration keyboard/mouse combo whose transceiver kicked the bucket recently (and never worked right from day one, with its keys that wouldn't activate when you pressed them. Garbage...).

I'll be watching for this.

[saboola @ Jun 29th 2006 3:06PM]

There are already plenty of wireless keyboards out there with a number pad. I personally dont want a keyboard with a num pad while sitting on the couch (trust me I tried it, it sucks). Cant wait to get me one of these.

[Eion @ Jun 29th 2006 3:17PM]

Well, it looks like my dinovo's days are numbered now.

I need this.

[Nate @ Jun 29th 2006 3:20PM]

They have a word for things like this: "Kipple." Light-sensing and motion detection in a keyboard? The only motion sensing I want it to have is when I make a downward motion on a key.

Plus, if you don't know where the keys when you're blindfolded, you shouldn't be typing in the dark.

I won't knock the wireless stuff, though. I loves me my wireless keyboard.

More money lining their pockets. More things to divert your attention away from their critical flaws.

[Brad @ Jun 29th 2006 3:27PM]

Add me to the "hooray for no numpad" camp. I know they have their uses for gamers and accountants, but for me it just means my mouse is too far to the right and causes discomfort.

Man, first a Microsoft mouse, now a Microsoft keyboard? They're going to kick me out of the Mac fanboy club.

[Shaun B @ Jun 29th 2006 3:35PM]

I say 100+$...

[afroloop @ Jun 29th 2006 3:54PM]

I like my backlit G15 Logitech keyboard a lot, plus it has that nifty LCD on it that will show how much proc and RAM I'm using or a clock, etc.

[James @ Jun 29th 2006 3:54PM]

I got a MS keyboard provided for work, and threw it out and got a cheaper, "lighter" keyboard that worked much better. They are just bad quality. Why can't MS just stick with what they _think_ they do well at? Software, not hardware/peripherals. And personally, I hate the style of keys where it's separated or "turned".

[Ferny @ Jun 29th 2006 3:57PM]

I like the idea of no number pad but the only thing I don't like is the positioning of the mouse dock. It gives the keyboard an ugly look it should of been where the number pad is currently.

[geoff @ Jun 29th 2006 4:05PM]

"I'm also still waiting for the totally split keyboard where the left and right sides attach to the arms of your aeron chair... I'd totally *love* that!"


http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/evolution.htm

Your wish is their command. Actually, that's been discontinued recently and a newer replacement is coming.

They offer a few other "hardcore ergonomic" products as well.

[Brian Spence @ Jun 29th 2006 4:18PM]

I ONLY use my computer from the comfort of my couch. What I've done is cut a nice board so it has rounded edges (won't poke the furniture), and voila, instant desk from my couch.

There are drawbacks though. I have to keep my hand on my mouse or else it could slide off when the board is at an angle. Also, it gets awkward to handle when my feet are stretched out on the couch. What happens is my right leg will be against the couch cushions, so the mouse are is basically over my right leg. The right side of the keyboard ends over my left leg. So the whole "desktop" is moved to the left. It's annoying.

But I do love it.

One thing that's really annoyed me, however, is that my Sony PC came with a wired (boo) keyboard that had great buttons to go directly into "My Music", "My Photos", etc in Windows Media Center (bypassing the opening menus). Microsoft's keyboard will only take you to the opening screen. I've called and written tech support, and they have no idea how Sony was able to create those buttons. THAT would be a great feature, and I don't see buttons for "My Music", "My Photos" or anything on this keyboard.

[pedro @ Jun 29th 2006 5:23PM]

This is the keyboard I've been waiting for years for apple to make. They have those fantastic lightup laptop keyboards, and it would just be P E R F E C T if they made their wireless bluetooth one light up as well!!
This is simply perfect. I can't wait for it to come out!!

[Rymix @ Jun 29th 2006 5:25PM]

Utterly, utterly desirable.

[Jazzay @ Jun 29th 2006 5:30PM]

To Brian Spence:

um, I have a Microsoft Elite Wireless keyboard, and it has "My Docs" My Pictures" and "My Music" keys right on it. as well as Mail, Web, Messenger, and 5 "favorites" keys, all of which are programmable to do whatever you want. however, this is WinXPPro, never tried it with MediaCenter

pretty nice, but it has the F-Lock, eww, I never use the 'help, undo, redo, new, open, close' that the f-keys go to when f-lock isnt turned on, I just use shortcuts, I dont have to move my hands.

[T @ Jun 29th 2006 5:51PM]

Is any one else seeing what I am seeing....

This keyboard has 6 months-old design/concpet from Apple and Logitech. When can I see MS coming up with something by their own?

[Miguel Menchu @ Jun 29th 2006 5:58PM]

Redmond's photocopiers are late ... as always. Apple started doing this long time ago... actually right now as I type on my PowerBook G4 the backlight of my keyboard is on, and the sensors re-adjust both the brightness of my screen and that of the backlight. Microsoft ... bunch of loosers.

[Scott Johnson @ Jun 29th 2006 6:11PM]

Really nice looking keyboard, but the number pad just isn't dead yet.

[Deezee @ Jun 29th 2006 7:13PM]

This thing looks pretty damn great to me. I would buy one.

[pedro @ Jun 29th 2006 9:48PM]

ummmm Miguel, unless apple has come out with a rechargable DESKTOP lighted keyboard in the past two years, I don't think you can accuse microsoft of copying... I WISH that apple had come out with a backlit desktop keyboard!!

[jackchance @ Jun 30th 2006 12:46AM]

I'm in the good-riddance camp for the number pad. as others have said, it makes the distance to the mouse annoying. I actually like having that little nipple joystick in the middle of the keyboard, as on the dell laptops. not for photoshop but for just minor mouse tasks.

And like others, my question is: will it sync with my mac?

[distantbody @ Jun 30th 2006 6:08AM]

NEVER buy microsoft hardware! I went thru 4 keyboards and 3 mice over a period of five years! Backlighting with sensors, shiny buttons and futuristic look get tired very quickly when keys only work half the time, they get stuck, the whole thing creaks, slips around the desk, the included software hogs system resources then crashes it, wireless doesn't connect and/or (probably and) the battery lasts 3 days

Ultimate indeed!

I now have a inexpensive but good brand wired kb and mouse that both work perfectly and that DIDN'T come in a box the size of a small car to try to make you think that it must be good quality.

[Dave @ Jun 30th 2006 7:58AM]

Make a regular full sized keyboard like this for gamers, wired and wireless versions and I think you'd get a hit. As it is, being a Win MCE keyboard, not so interested. Nice design though. And backlighting is quite the rage these days.

:)

[notbeinguseful @ Jul 2nd 2006 11:13PM]

I've thought about this long and hard. Should the mouse steering be on the left or the right? Although most of us use the mouse in our right hands, many people ages 30 and under grew up using the NES-style D-pad on the left side.

[Ross @ Jul 4th 2006 1:34PM]

Proximity sensor eh? I guess we'll need an RF implant to make sure we're a licensed user.

[Bryan @ Jul 4th 2006 8:51PM]

I like the Microsoft Natural Keyboard. I think this is the best keyboard they've done. I also have the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer USB (but no side scrolling). I have a nimber pad. It is not a showy design. I think this is where it's at. I use a Mac normally but unfortunately the 12" PowerBook never had backlight keyboard so I can't comment on how much I'd prefer that. I figure if it's available why not? Keyboards and mouse from the generation I use show Microsoft's good design skill.

[Zero Cool @ Jul 15th 2006 7:24PM]

Get the flock (key) out of there and I will be happy. I've been waiting for a desktop keyboard like this for many years. I've got the Wireless desktop elite set from M$ and it works great aside from taking up all of my space on my desk and the Flock key is pretty annoying. I don't care about a number pad.