Waterproof, rollable keyboard from Kimura

So we haven't really seen a whole lot of people unfurling those rollable keyboards in public -- not because they look rather silly, but because they're almost as much of a pain in the ass to type on as those almost unusable virtual laser keyboards. Well, a Japanese company known as the Kimura Metal Industrial Corporation thinks that it may have just the 'board to overcome people's aversion to these products in the form of the waterproof eMARK Super Mobile Keyboard, whose vinyl coating should ward off even the nastiest coffee spills. Ranging in height from just one millimeter to five millimeters at its thickest point, the eMARK SMK features a retractable USB cable and comes in your choice of black or white. Again, we'll take a folding Bluetooth 'board over one of these models any day of the week, but if you're looking to get your roll on, you can pick one of these up later this month --in Japan, at least -- for the bargain basement price of only 2,980 yen (about $26).

[Little Guy on the Box @ Aug 14th 2006 12:48PM]

"nooooo! don't step on mee!!!!"

[neXus @ Aug 14th 2006 2:31PM]

It might go well with one of those ToughBooks... though it already has a keyboard. Still, I can't find another practical use, other than typing underwater.

[catboy17 @ Aug 14th 2006 2:51PM]

They already sell things like these all over the place. http://www.grandtec.com/vik.htm for example

[Guruboy @ Aug 14th 2006 5:09PM]

I got one of these last summer in Thailand. They're really hard to type on.

[nick @ Aug 14th 2006 6:17PM]

yeah i have one a vik, its alright but its not the best to type on.

[rickm @ Aug 14th 2006 7:29PM]

I tried one of the originals, it was a pain. No feel in it. Looked cool but try leaning back to type in your lap. It's not happening.

[JFJB @ Nov 16th 2006 6:42PM]

I don't know about you guys but I've been using these rubber things, err... KB things for years without any carpal syndrome nor any blisters on my fingertips, no broken bones, no articulation dislocation, no noise in the middle of the night or whenever.
My wife was hard to press (accountant & yoga teacher) but she gave in and I don't hear anything when she's working in the room.
BTW, I'm a writer and that's no storytelling here.