iKey intros rugged, mobile keyboard with LED-backlit keys

Sure, we've seen our fair share of rugged input peripherals, but iKey's FT-86-911-TP hits a niche that isn't often covered. This ruggedized mobile unit is resistant to spills and sealed to IP55 specifications, and the universal mounting holes make it ideal for placement in "police, emergency, transport, service, and marine vehicles." Notably, this here device also boasts a built-in trackpad, a one-touch emergency key, and LED-backlit keys in case you're left typing after hours. No word yet on pricing nor availability, but considering just how expensive one of its rebadged siblings is, don't count on it coming cheap.

[AR Posted Aug 16th 2007 1:17AM]

Damn. And I was thinking this would make a good all-in-one design for an HTPC.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2007 1:34AM]

Big Keys. Big good. Big price no good.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2007 1:54AM]

Can anyone say UGLY?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2007 2:06AM]

I'm getting real tired of all the "ugly" comments around here... Not everything is specially designed to make the user look cool, all right? It's not an iPod, it's a keyboard. Sometimes it's about functionality, and I think this thing does the job it was intended to do.

If you were being sarcastic and I just didn't pick on it, feel free to ignore all that...

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2007 3:33AM]

When you're typing in the dark who cares what it looks like?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 17th 2007 1:20AM]

ugly!!

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2007 2:20AM]

this keyboard has been around for ages. tg3 (makers of the deck keyboard btw) have had it for years.

http://www.tg3electronics.com/

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2007 12:14PM]

You can type "Will it blend?" with it, yeah, just before you blend it.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 17th 2007 9:10AM]

I have experience with iKEY from my job, and I would never use their product personally. Not only were they unusable for anything but hunt/peck input due to the design of their key and mouse components, they leaked water into their "sealed" cases due to faulty product design.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2007 12:49PM]

omg!!! THEY COPIED THE POWERBOOK KEYBOARD!!!

APPLE FTW

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 16th 2007 10:56AM]

But will they sell it at iKeA?