First Optimus Maximus prototype key revealed

There it is, the first prototype key for Lebedev's Optimus Maximus keyboard. Unlike a typical dome-switch style keyboard -- the mushy but quiet type which collapses a rubber dome to close the circuit -- a key press on Lebedev's $10 key moves a transparent cap around the OLED display to throw a mechanical cherry-switch. This has the benefit of protecting those tiny OLED displays while potentially kicking back a healthy dose of tactile feedback. Reports are that "key-press is nice" although the first prototypes have yet to arrive in Moscow. Certainly, haptic considerations are incredibly important. But we're wondering about the level of optical distortion caused by the gap between the cap and OLED. After all, these keys will be used as informational widgets so they need to be visible from a variety of angles. When you're paying $1,490 for an OLED keyboard, the "look" is just as important as the "feel."

[akintz @ Mar 30th 2007 8:10AM]

I don't care if the keys are made of solid gold... a $1500 kb is ludicrous.

But maybe that's just me.

[Zut @ Mar 30th 2007 8:14AM]

They're only just getting prototypes? What century is this thing being released in?

Plus looking at this image makes me wonder if it will look or function ANYTHING like I imagined!

Frankly though, when I think of what I could get for £1000 (I think thats the expected price in the UK isn't it?) I wouldn't get one of these even if I could afford it!

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 30th 2007 8:17AM]

There will of course be some kind of a keyboard to support this radical new keyboard eventually, right?

That buzz you're hearing isn't buzz over this thing, it's the buzz of it sinking into the noise level.

When you want to shoot someone shoot, don't talk. -Tuco

[Cap2501 @ Mar 30th 2007 8:40AM]

Eh, its nitpicking but keyboards don't "short the circuit" they work off varying capacitance due to the change in distance between the key and the board.

[J @ Mar 30th 2007 10:19AM]

That explains why my keyboard didn't work even *after* the run and coke dried ...

[Jeffrey @ Mar 30th 2007 10:22AM]

I think I just got the greatest business idea, find a manufacturer in China, create an open source community based API, make a keyboard called the Optimus Prime, sell the damn thing for $499.

[Cute Seal Pup @ Mar 30th 2007 10:34AM]

I thought the dot com boom is long over, why do people still believes in vapourware technology that will never see the light of day.

[gentian @ Mar 30th 2007 10:36AM]

Wow, that key with the plastic thingy looks EXACTLY like the rendered versions. It's uncanny. Exactly the same. It's so gorgeous.

Sorry, couldn't resist the stream of sarcasm. I am really enjoying tracking the Optimus project. Keep up the coverage engadget.

[sockatume @ Mar 30th 2007 11:36AM]

I think you mean "Cherry switch" rather than "cherry-switch", as in a switch made by arch switch-makers Cherry, rather than a switch made from the delicious fruit, a cherry. Note that the keycaps may be swappable, without having to replace the whole OLED key at $10-a-go, if your cat attacks your $1000 monstrosity.

It's not amazing-looking, but it's not bad for a prototype. Those who insist this is all vapourware seem to forget the various prototypes that keep cropping up. Arguing that the Optimus doesn't exist is hilarious considering the number of genuine concerns someone could choose to express regarding the machine.

[snowglyder @ Mar 30th 2007 12:03PM]

I just realized that the sales tax alone for this keyboard is $120. That's how much I paid for my Logitech MX 5000 Bluetooth Keyboard AND Laser Mouse.... and I thought $120 was hard to swallow...

[adam fuller @ Mar 30th 2007 1:07PM]

why do you continually keep posting about this terrible company? wait until something actually newsworthy happens, like for example them going out of business because no one in their right mind would ever buy this over prices piece of trash. IF, and that's a big if, i ever buy this thing, i will use it to wipe my ass.

[Nick @ Mar 30th 2007 3:17PM]

So... Instead of paying $1600 for a keyboard, can we just purchase the keys at $10 a pop? I could think of a couple fun uses for those, and I know a couple kids who could get them up and running...
I still think the best use for these would be designing entire displays out of them, integrating them as seamlessly as possible. Maybe Diebold will make new voting machines a la Optimus.

[digitalh @ Mar 30th 2007 3:17PM]

Am I missing something here? Whether it costs $20 or $2020, why all this fuss over a keyboard? This is a serious question: if it DOES materialize, what makes this keyboard so hype-worthy? I don't get it...

[Pc_Madness @ Mar 30th 2007 9:17PM]

Errr. the keys have screens in them? Allowing them to change what is written on them depending on the running application? I'd say it makes it quite hyper-worthy.


As for all those calling it vaporware.. thats pretty harsh, they did release the Mini 3 or whatever it was called showing the technology was possible, and these things do take time. :\


As for paying $1500.. I'll pass, but I'll definitely grab one if it ever gets cheaper. :)

[Anonymous @ Mar 30th 2007 6:32PM]

The real question is; Why does Engadget keep reporting on this vaporware? NONE OF YOUR READERS CARE. None of us will be buying one, and frankly we don't mind if it indeed never comes out.

[Tim @ Apr 4th 2007 5:39AM]

As cool as the concept behind it is, by the time this thing comes out Multi-Touch displays will be in full swing and make all keyboards mostly redundant.

[Sushimeister @ Apr 6th 2007 5:02PM]

Also visit the Optimus Forum:
http://optimus.freshsite.de

Now with incredible OM3-"Animated Starter And Monitor" - Plugin - contains animated gif support!