Upravlator inbound and Optimus update from Art Lebedev

Art Lebedev, creator of the Optimus concept device, Optimus mini three, etc. has had some news to churn in the past couple of days, so let's get started: the big Optimus is still on track, but will no longer use OLEDs. Instead, it will use 32 x 32 displays (presumably LCDs), and they're aiming to keep the cost "within the range of a good mobile phone" (i.e. presumably under $1000). Art also showed off the Mac version of the mini three configurator, which we'll be happy to give a go when it's ready. Finally, Art. Lebedev Studio is preparing to announce the Upravlator this week. "A completely new kind of input device," it will apparently plug into a second VGA port and "will be a single best friend of any music engineer or video editor." Confusing as to how it'd be an "input device" per se, but stay tuned for more info on this mystery device.

[Thanks, Daniel P]

[mkjellman @ Oct 16th 2006 2:41PM]

i can't believe they are gong to expect that many LCD screens and backlights are going to continue to work with people pounding on it...wow

[Alcaron @ Oct 16th 2006 2:46PM]

Regardless of whether or not I'd ever buy any of their stuff, I gotta say, the nature of their products generates more interest and curiosity in me than pretty much any other company out there.

And p.s.: since when is $1,000 the cost of a good mobile phone...? jesus, I spent $500 on mine and got what I considered to be a relatively high end phone. Twice that much and it better performs "favors".

[Pete @ Oct 16th 2006 3:00PM]

Haha, calm down buzzaw :D

In the last interview it says it will be over $300 or so.. i wouldn't really expect it to go up to $1000 though. Btw, the first link's got an extra htpp.

[HughJass @ Oct 16th 2006 4:54PM]

I don't know about the rest of you kids, but I'm more concerned with why Engadget still can't get the hand of properly typing in their URLs than how much this keyboard will cost.

[HughJass @ Oct 16th 2006 4:55PM]

hang*, rather.
And now that I think about it, why doesn't the comments board have an edit feature?

[snafle @ Oct 16th 2006 4:57PM]

Can anyone say FTIR Multi touch? I reckon this is that.

[Sean @ Oct 16th 2006 5:31PM]

My guess for the Upravlator is something like the Wacom Cintiq.

[Jeff @ Oct 16th 2006 6:46PM]

I hear they showed the Upravlator to Steve Jobs and he was so impressed he said entire cities will be built around it.

[gadgetmike @ Oct 16th 2006 7:55PM]

I'm still waiting for the f'ing Optimus mini-three I paid for ages ago.

[Court Kizer @ Oct 17th 2006 3:59AM]

Hmmm, are they planning on paying Apple for the patent it holds on "keys" that contain displays, such as LCDs or any type of display technology allowing configuration, motion, or adjustatable keyboards on the fly?

Apple has had a PATENT on this technology for some time now... funny that it's just ignored.

[John Laur @ Oct 17th 2006 10:15AM]

Here's the thing:

There is nothing hard about making the keyboard, but here's the kicker: It would cost a few thousand bucks and the keys would burn out after a year. If that sounds like your cup o' tea then be my guest.

LCD's really are the awnser here; it will keep costs smaller and you could probably also centralize the backlight and display controller using lightguides or fiber optics. It would be expensive but arguably worth it if the display will actually last you a long time.