First Optimus Maximus hits Moscow

It's been a long time coming, but the first Optimus Maximus OLED keyboard has finally shown itself in Moscow and, as you can see in the picture above, it's already being put to good use. Of course, the lucky few that got in on the first batch of orders will still have to wait a while longer to get a taste of all that excess first hand, with the keyboards apparently still on track for a release by the end of the year. We somehow suspect there will be plenty more pics to whet the appetites of the rest of us in the meantime though, and if you just can't wait for that inevitability, you can hit up the read link below for a slightly larger version of this one.

[Shane @ Sep 14th 2007 11:09AM]

How many interface devices can one person POSSIBLY need?

I see a standard keyboard, the Optimus Maximus, what looks like it may be a mini 3, an X-Keys USB keypad, a tablet of some sort, AND just for good measure, a Griffin PowerMate!

Wow...

[shaun @ Sep 14th 2007 11:34AM]

...but he can't afford a mouse

[Shane @ Sep 14th 2007 11:40AM]

Maybe with all of those magic keys on the Optimus you don't need one?

[Jesse S @ Sep 14th 2007 11:41AM]

Tablets come with a mouse...

[Shane @ Sep 14th 2007 11:43AM]

@ Jesse S
It was a joke...Ha ha...

[Jesse S @ Sep 14th 2007 11:48AM]

Sorry, long day, hard to detect humor on tubes, etc...

[Glazun @ Sep 14th 2007 12:28PM]

there's a mouse there.. the ultimate gaming mouse.. its at the top left of the keyboard. http://gamingmouse.com/

[Glazun @ Sep 14th 2007 12:29PM]

there's a mouse there.. the ultimate gaming mouse.. its at the top left of the keyboard. http://gamingmouse.com/ At least. I think that's it.

[Jean-Michel Decombe @ Sep 14th 2007 12:54PM]

Yeah, but check out that noncordless phone too! So old school and classy. Anyway, I have to say this lighted keyboard looks awesome in the dark. But I will miss the Optimus jokes once it ships... :::sniff:::

[fontendet24 @ Sep 14th 2007 3:23PM]

I'm from Russia, Moscow.

And i haven't see this here!

It's a joke! Fools.

This design company - "Art Lebedev" - they're selling air and nothing else... making some stupid projects and criticized any and everyone, like they're design gods.
If it really exist - they will sell 20 items and then take this idea to some rich company, like Logitech or even worst - Griffin for $100K.

Duraki chertovi. Poka, kakashki.

[fontendet24 @ Sep 14th 2007 3:37PM]

mistake - not Griffin - i mean Genius company - taiwanese based company that produce bulky peripherals.

[Joe @ Sep 15th 2007 9:06AM]

The closest input device to him is a $3 ink pen.

[fontendet24 @ Sep 14th 2007 8:38PM]

Just look closely!
He's put the desk lamp to the behind.
SO YOU CAN'T USE IT WITH DIRECT LIGHT, or in the lighted room - only in the dark!!! (if it's real prototype).
Your eyes doesn't thank you for this.

[Nonono @ Sep 15th 2007 2:28AM]

I don't see any second keyboard.

[Shane @ Sep 15th 2007 2:35AM]

@Nonono
Look underneath the LCD monitor. That is the second keyboard...Looks like a Microsoft natrual keyboard or some other "ergonomic" keyboard.

@Glazun
That is not the Ultimate Gaming Mouse, it is a Griffin PowerMate. I see no "traditional" mouse in this picture. One poster commented on the bar above the monitor being some sort of retinal tracking system...I'm guessing that may have been sarcasm but if not that would be extremely cool and would fit well with the rest of this guy's input gear.

[Riley @ Sep 15th 2007 2:41AM]

i'm assuming the reason he has 2 keyboards is because he just plugged in the optimus and just pushed the old one back, i've done it

[Phil Perman @ Sep 14th 2007 11:09AM]

Well that looks like all kinds of awesome. I can't wait for the prices of these sorts of things to hit a normal level, it'll become the coolest of computer accessories.

[Alan Partridge @ Sep 14th 2007 11:22AM]

Is this really a working version? Why is it Tetris mode? It just looks like a more complete version of their test pad http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/10/optimus-maximus-gets-a-numeric-keypad-test/

[Xzavier @ Sep 14th 2007 12:40PM]

It's only 1 picture, and its not even a close up!

They have a long way to go if they are trying to reproduce the hype that Apple produces. But ya-know... I do enjoy any news coming from these guys. Keep it coming Engadget!

:D

[bazza @ Sep 14th 2007 11:10AM]

has anyone else commented that all these recent things showing the optimus or the building of it shows the keys in solid colours, rather than the wonderful logos and custom icons/text shown in the pre-production things? when are we going to see them looking as they should?

[Juaquin @ Sep 14th 2007 7:22PM]

Yeah - great, there's a far-away shot of a "keyboard" with solid color keys. I could make a fake like that myself in a few hours with parts from Home Depot. Until I see keys with changing logos actually inputing text to the computer and changing context based on programs in use, I'm still calling vaporware. At best, it's "seriously delayed, seriously overpriced"-ware. I'm surprised a Chinese company hasn't caught on and created a better knockoff by now, they've had years.

[NG @ Sep 14th 2007 11:10AM]

1250 Euro .... crazy

[Pablo @ Sep 14th 2007 11:12AM]

LMAO...the keyboard is more expensive then that huge monitor :o

[Phil Perman @ Sep 14th 2007 11:12AM]

Just noticed, hes reading Engadget too

[Gus @ Sep 14th 2007 11:25AM]

yup... and just for the sake of it, this is the article on the screen :D

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/03/optimus-maximus-oleds-finally-tested/

yay go me! dorks rule!

[chris @ Sep 14th 2007 11:14AM]

pretty lights *eyes glaze over*

[oshean @ Sep 14th 2007 11:51AM]

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

[Todd @ Sep 14th 2007 11:17AM]

That dude needs to sit back into his 'spensive chair. Gonna mess up his back.

[Xavier Gill @ Sep 14th 2007 11:19AM]

On paper I envy this guy..then I look at him...I'm Ok.

[Crystal Alvarez @ Sep 14th 2007 11:20AM]

where is the final 100 gadget contest?

[Archietype @ Sep 14th 2007 11:22AM]

In it's current state with flat colours on the keys, that keyboard reminds me of the prop computers they had in 60's sci-fi shows.

[Baby-G @ Sep 14th 2007 11:26AM]

lmao... full thrusters ahead... beam me up scotty... sir our sheilds are down.... we can only take one more magnetic photon blast and were space dust.... will they make it throught the final battle?.. Tune in next week...

[tantheman @ Sep 14th 2007 11:25AM]

I just clicked on the larger pick (I think) and it led me to all these fantastic pics of the trial & error construction process:
http://community.livejournal.com/optimus_project/

[Homeboy @ Sep 14th 2007 11:34AM]

It looks like a new verions of the Rubiks Cube!

[Jared @ Sep 14th 2007 11:36AM]

That keyboard doesn't make you leet. But this one does. http://www.daskeyboard.com/

[charlie @ Sep 14th 2007 12:03PM]

I've got it, i'm leet right? riight?
/broken smile

[Mjuboy @ Sep 14th 2007 11:43AM]

Looks sweet but its just too expensive for me.

I guess I'll stick with my keyboard for now.

[Gaspode @ Sep 14th 2007 11:51AM]

That really makes me want to buy a clear keyboard and put multicolour LEDs under each key.

[Frank @ Sep 14th 2007 11:52AM]

Straight up Star Trek!

[Dan @ Sep 14th 2007 11:55AM]

Looks like he's typing on a Lite-Brite.

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 14th 2007 3:54PM]

With extra keyboards he can do Bugs Bunny or Bozo the Clown!

[Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 11:59AM]

With all those damn colors it looks like a space ship interior from a 60's sci fi.

[manos @ Sep 14th 2007 12:02PM]

Looks like the project is very close to completion.
Congrats to the guys at art lebedev.

[Boynamedsue @ Sep 14th 2007 12:17PM]

finally the future, combined with the 60's idea of what the future should look like.

hail the klingon ship miss uhura.

[wilkmd @ Sep 14th 2007 12:19PM]

Forget the keyboard, I want an lcd like that.

[John Laur @ Sep 14th 2007 12:38PM]

It is reasonable to assume the display controlling hardware and/or software is not yet complete. The solid colors for testing are probably surrogate hardware that simply gives them something to look at. This is arguably going to be the most complex part of the project though, so hopefully it won't hold it off too much. They have had some experience with the Mini-3 though so that will help I'm sure.

[Rob Ferguson @ Sep 14th 2007 1:00PM]

The next version turns in a MAC Truck! Prime...!!!!

[jroc @ Sep 14th 2007 1:04PM]

This guy needs to get laid.

[b_a_boone @ Sep 14th 2007 1:49PM]

Hey baby check out my keyboard.. Thats right sit on my laptop!

[fr4nk @ Sep 14th 2007 1:57PM]

I'm sure he does with this keyboard...