http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
the question is which one were you more disappointed with when you found out the price?

I mean $1,490.00 is some serious change, like build a new computer change. Like build a new high end machine change.

No thanks artlebedev.]]>Mar 14th 2007 2:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
Fishes,
narco. ]]>Mar 14th 2007 2:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
Umm, I think I'll laugh at both! :-D]]>Mar 14th 2007 2:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
This way, they only get people with far more money than sense. It is a sad day.]]>May 20th 2007 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 7:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/May 20th 2007 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
1) conceive cool product
2) bring it to market to prove product exists
3) sue any other company that infringes on concept and is able to deliver on it at a lower price point.]]>Mar 14th 2007 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 3:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Um... isn't that how most keyboards work?

"Also, all the keys will in fact be OLED with an expected life span of only 5 years, depending upon use of course."
Five years? Sounds like they need to ramp up the quality control. That's pathetic.]]>Mar 14th 2007 3:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 4:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
Regardless, this kind of keyboard might eventually happen uppon some kind of common use, but it'll be a while before they're at all commonplace I guess.]]>May 21st 2007 2:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 3:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 3:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
The only semi useful reason I can think of to have an OLED keyboard is so that your favorite software companies (Adobe etc...) can develop code to display certain shortcut commands on the keys. Push the control key and other keys with imagery will then be visible on the keyboard to help you choose which ever shortcut you want (if you have trouble remembering Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S) for example.

If it cost under $200 then consumers may start to consider purchasing this product.

Optimus must be related to Phantom.]]>Mar 14th 2007 3:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
A very cool idea initially, it's now been distilled down to nothing resembling the original. Static keys? WTF? We were initially promised dynamic keys, 103+, a decent price, etc

I agree with previous comments, the sooner some Chinese company brings out a cheaper better version the happier we'll all be.]]>Mar 14th 2007 3:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/13/the-red-one-60p-cam-gets-a-price-list/ . Whats going on why is everything becoming so damn expensive? I bet the MacPro 8 core will retail at £24,000 with a maxed out configuration - somebody stop the madness!

Engadget, you've probably done this already but can we have a poll for who's gonna get this beast (with brand new reduced features)?]]>Mar 14th 2007 3:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 3:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 3:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 3:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/isn't such a name a bit over the top, don't you think]]>Mar 14th 2007 3:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
I would much rather have a nice bunch of computer upgrades, or a giant monitor, or hell, HDTV's are getting cheaper by the day, you could buy a pretty damn nice one already for that much.

I don't picture anyone who would want a $1500 keyboard both needing/wanting to look at the keys and then also passing up any of the things listed above.

Maybe if it was $200, MAYBE, by a longshot, $250. But $1500 for a 5 year keyboard. Hell no.]]>Mar 14th 2007 4:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
I am a heavy computer user (yet i am actually under weight, imagine that!). lol..]]>Mar 14th 2007 4:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
Also - Consumers won't be buying this keyboard, but graphic design, photo, audio, and video firms will likely be plunking down the change. What's a $1500 keyboard in a $90k audio workstation? I'm tired of everybody bitching and moaning about tech that's actually bold and innovative, but "is too expensive" despite not even being designed with the $200 consumer in mind.]]>Mar 14th 2007 9:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 4:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
Right. So even before the OLED's need to be replaced at $10 a pop, your keys will look terrible because dust will have infiltrated the keyboard, coated the interior of every single clear plastic key, and obscured those tiny displays you paid so much for. Fantastic.]]>Mar 14th 2007 4:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 4:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 4:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
No argument there.

"..and when you have to make so many, it's going to be VERY expensive."

Yes, they will be very expensive... if you look at it from a total cost standpoint. I find it hard to believe that the company didn't get a discount on buying a whole truckload of these things. And cost is based on fixed and marginal cost. Anyone who's shopped at Costco knows that as quantity increases, price/unit decreases. Unless they made a run of 15 of these things or believe that people will pay to feel good about being early adopters, I can't find a justification for the price.

It just seems to me that they totally overshot the market on this one.]]>Mar 14th 2007 4:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Who the hell sells a keyboard for $1000+? A complete moron.
]]>Mar 14th 2007 4:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 4:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 4:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
*This idea is copyrighted 2007* Engadget has my back on that.]]>Mar 14th 2007 4:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
http://www.cybernetman.com/default.cfm?DocId=602
]]>Mar 14th 2007 5:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
Also, as Kev said, the people who will buy this keyboard are the kind of people who upgrade computer parts regularly. I pretty much replace every part of my computer every year, two at the most (just one part at a time every couple months), so I don't see the problem with a 5 year lifetime. In 5 years there will be a newer one that is much better anyway, that's just how the world of technology is, and the people who do spend this money to get this keyboard will be exactly the kind of people who won't sit on a keyboard for 5 years.]]>Mar 14th 2007 5:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
I value my health, so I buy new monitors, keyboards, chairs and mice when technology improves. I, and my clients, also appreciate improved productivity, which is enhanced by new technology. For example when I do graphic design work, an accurate mouse is a must; the more accurate it is, the more accurate I can be in a shorter amount of time. Having more than one monitor also works dramatically. Upgrading to the latest hardware allows me to run the latest software, which is also obviously a requirement for web and print design and coding. The quicker APS is at intensive functions, the quicker and more productive I am.
There are dozens of valid reasons why people like me upgrade constantly. I suspect a lot of people who frequent this website agree with me, after all this site is all about new technology.

What I'm trying to point out is that people like me (and there are a lot of us out there) are the target audience for this keyboard as far as individual users go.
I would find it very productive to have the keys change for each program I use, especially considering Adobe's programs have an abundance of quick-keys. It would save having to press four keys simultaneously just to select a function.

Does that clear it up? I realise it would be excessive for you to do it, but different people lead different lives and I hope this has given you a better understanding of why "excessive" isn't a universally accurate term.]]>Mar 14th 2007 6:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 5:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
On a sidenote that thing is sweet!]]>Mar 14th 2007 5:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/keep Art Lebedev investors happy.


*5 year plan]]>Mar 14th 2007 5:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 5:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
On a sidenote yeah, i would like one as a portable pc(for travel and such).]]>Mar 14th 2007 5:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
It's obviously not for everyone and if you just want this keyboard for the cool factor, then it's not for you. If it offers something really useful to you (or your business), I think it's worth the cost.]]>Mar 14th 2007 5:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
Don't fool yourself. Real professionals remember keyboard shortcuts by muscle memory, and don't need a $1400 keyboard to produce their best work. In case of real professionals, the feel and speed of the keyboard are paramount, not the little shiny displays.

I know you are trying to justify the usefulness of this keyboard to yourself, but this thing is a gimmick with no target audience, just accept it.]]>Mar 15th 2007 3:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/People like me also use the new programs when they come out (for example trying out Soundbooth to replace Audition for simple audio tasks). Even top professionals still need to learn new programs and don't automatically know them. So while it does become automated after a while it isn't at first.

I currently use a program called AutoHotKey to turn 3 or 4 keystrokes into two, but this keyboard would make it possible to have them all one key each. You make some good points and I agree with all of them, but not to the absolute degree you do. I still see usefulness here.]]>Mar 15th 2007 4:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
I don't blame Art Lebedev - they're an art/design studio, not an electronics manufacturer. They've never made any sort of powered gadget, let alone something crazy new like this. I'm surprised they didn't just have some Asian company engineer these for them, but that just proves that they're in over their heads.]]>Mar 14th 2007 8:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 9:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/
Paying that much for something that's been commodotized as much as keyboard has is like paying 1,500 for a box of pens that light up.]]>Mar 14th 2007 9:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/Mar 14th 2007 9:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/14/optimus-maximus-the-god-of-keyboards-unveiled/There are people out there that purchase $90k VideoCameras for doing Indie/Documentary work.. Red.com comes out with a BETTER VideoCamera and it only costs $17.5k base plus addons, so about $25k for a decent working camera. Regular Prosumers look at that price and say.. OH MY GOD RED I CANT BELIEVE YOU ARE CHARGING so much.. People who don't have a true use for this keyboard are going to say its expensive..because it is..TO THEM..to a design studio with 20-30 employees, they may purchase 25 of these and not think twice about it..People will use it as a BUSINESS EXPENSE..things change just like the price of this keyboard from when it was originally announced. if you dont like it, dont buy it. ]]>Mar 14th 2007 11:25PM