Amex's TSK-VX7 Windows Vista Keyboard with Touch Senses keys

Sure, we get the whole touch-sensitive keypad on phones. Nevertheless, we still prefer to slather on the tactile feedback when it comes to our full-sized keyboards. That being said, touch-tech still might have a niche for limited QWERTY action while driving your Media Center from the couch. So check it Vista boy, that's the TSK-VX7 Windows Vista Keyboard up there sportin' Amex's new "Touch Senses Keys" spotted earlier on their dual-mode Skype handset. It uses 2.4GHz RF technology for 30 feet of wireless travel away from the USB dongle. Fine, but what really caught our attention is Amex's claim that their new take on the touch-sensitive keyboard is so good that it "delivers the ultimate in feel and response." Doubtful, but we'll be sure to go hands-on with this one in Hannover Germany where it'll be on display for the big CeBIT show starting March 15th.

[Via Akihabara News]

[seaotter @ Mar 5th 2007 9:57AM]

Why suddenly the touch sensitive panels from star trek comes to mind when this news came up?.....

if we can re-configure the buttons...think of the endless possibility...

[Scabies @ Mar 5th 2007 10:15AM]

im thinking $1200 possibilities...
wait, thats the Optimus
If it had a feedback technology like Alpine (car audio)'s LCD screen "pulsetouch" then keys that dont physically press in might not be so bad.

[Tim @ Mar 5th 2007 11:13AM]

wow, "Touch Senses Keys", it just made my old non-touch sensitive keyboard obsolete, I mean, it can't even detect my keystrokes! oh wait...

[Tavis Veighey @ Mar 5th 2007 11:39AM]

No more spilled pop in keyboards...
No more crumbs causing problems with keys...
No more "Where did that key go?" when someone removes a key!

No more teck support calls to go over to someone's house, charge them $40.00 to blow dirt and crumbs out of a keyboard with a $4.00 can of compressed gass...

[NHAnimator @ Mar 5th 2007 11:56AM]

My first PC - an Atari 400 - had something like this.

http://oldcomputers.net/atari400.html

[Gordon @ Mar 5th 2007 1:08PM]

Whoa, Atari 400 membrane keyboard flashback...

[joemono @ Mar 5th 2007 1:19PM]

So if you hit the key harder, does it turn into a capital letter?

[Roland Rohde @ Mar 5th 2007 6:54PM]

I'm not really sure we need this kind of tech. It#s certainly more appealing than one of those expensive Optimus things, but what's the point with any of this? As long as you have fixed keys (be they physical ones or printed ones) it's just messing around.

Even if you take the huge amount of money and time it must take to fully customize an Optimus, you still have all the same keys in all the same places just with other pitures on them.

Either leave the keyboard as is or go the fully-configurable StarTrek stile (although it remains to be seen how well that would work in reality).

[Asher Pat @ Mar 6th 2007 6:10AM]

Another iPhone ripoff, Engadget?

[Tim Hackett @ Dec 12th 2007 9:48PM]

Actually it reminds me of the Fingerworks Touchstream LP. If it had the same capabilities as that keyboard (gestures etc) then it would be worth $1000+

[Russell Wallace @ Jul 18th 2008 12:04PM]

Roland - perhaps no point for those of you lucky enough to be blessed with perfect health, but for us RSI sufferers, this would be a godsend.

Does anyone know how to get a TSK-VX7 if you don't live in Japan? Any contact address for mail order? Or anyone reading this personally own one they'd be willing to sell?

[Todd @ Dec 12th 2008 3:24PM]

Hello Russell. Did you find out where you can order one of these? What is the retail on it? Thanks, Todd

[Russell Wallace @ Dec 12th 2008 3:53PM]

No, but I found a similar product which is for sale, which I'm happily using now:
http://www.specialneedscomputers.ca/kb-100tkb.htm