Brando's illuminated, flexible keyboard ain't too pretty

We'll admit, we can't recall seeing a rollable silicon keyboard that deserved to be called gorgeous, but Brando's iteration isn't even close. 'Course, those enamored with glowing lights and plastic-y gizmos may not find much room to grumble, but all aesthetics aside, this thing is reportedly "strong, silent and indestructible." Moreover, the $27 device is said to be dustproof and water-resistant, can be connected via USB or PS/2 and comes in white, pink, blue and green.

[rwfu666 @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:20PM]

...this actually looks kinda cool

[sbrown @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:21PM]

Just remember your shades when typing.

[DickHardknocks @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:21PM]

Who was this designed for?

A Covenant Elite?

Cortana?

[ssuk @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:53PM]

Ravers, dude. They're the new glow sticks!

[JoeStalin @ Sep 23rd 2007 5:46PM]

Porn. This thing is for 30+ year old men still living in their mother's basement who need it for watching porn. Easy to see in the dark, and wipes clean.

P.S. Having a separate entrance does not make it an actual apartment.

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 23rd 2007 5:55PM]

Joe, I have a feeling the light from this thing would illuminate allt he semen in a room like a bad tv police investigation.
perhaps this might not be good for pr0n-ers.

[Joe_Templeman @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:24PM]

If anyone has EVER typed with one of the "rubber key" variety of the flexible keyboard they would know how GOD DAMN AWFUL they are!

[Daryl Herbert @ Sep 23rd 2007 4:06PM]

That's my big question: what is the feel of the keys? Is it a pleasure to type on? It sounds like the answer is no, so I will pass.

[Joe_Templeman @ Sep 23rd 2007 6:38PM]

Yeah they really are terrible. pretty much unusable as a keyboard

[Alexander @ Sep 23rd 2007 7:10PM]

They aren't 'awful' but at the same time they are not an IBM Model-M or anything...

I have to use the flexible ones at work. Dust filled-envrioment, wrecks keyboards in less than a month. I don't write long reports on them, but they work.

[derek @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:25PM]

While it does look...blinding, I do like the other features.

[anderesp @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:26PM]

this would look awesome...


under my bed.

[john @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:44PM]

If this was from Apple the keys would be disabled.

[chefjoeardee @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:54PM]

Nah, only the Enter key would be disabled. But every other button would be synced with your iPod or integrated into a motion sensing, wireless headset you'd wear that would control you iEquipment with your thoughts, but only if you had iTunes installed.

And it would sell like hotcakes-- hotcakes I tells ya.

[Tristan @ Sep 23rd 2007 8:26PM]

No, if this was from Apple, Engadget wouldnt be calling it ugly.

[Ddot @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:44PM]

Engadget : why all the hate? This looks kind of cool.

[Jeff @ Sep 23rd 2007 4:04PM]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to order a dozen and build a home-made Tron suit.

[jamesc @ Sep 23rd 2007 4:19PM]

yay! you see everything except the actual keys. cool until you try to use it.

[Tony @ Sep 23rd 2007 4:22PM]

I was thinking the same thing, shouldn't the keys be the thing thats illuminated?

[hoob @ Sep 23rd 2007 5:36PM]

If you actually clicked the link and went to the site, you might see that the keys are actually very visible in the dark. But checking for these things is too much, no?

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 23rd 2007 6:27PM]

Things like this don't often inspire one to look into them.

Besides, it's a rubber glowy keyboard, who cares?

Go make a graph or something.

[Grant @ Sep 23rd 2007 8:37PM]

NEW!
Perfect for teaching touch typing!

[mrj @ Sep 23rd 2007 4:58PM]

Is this site positive about anything other than smartphones?

[dustandechoes91 @ Sep 23rd 2007 5:12PM]

it actually looks really cool in blue, and would maybe be nice in red or green too. I could see the problem though if the keys weren't lighted too.

[John Doe @ Sep 23rd 2007 5:42PM]

What is with the tech industries outright fetish with blue LEDs? I've got enough fracking LEDs in my living room that I need to close my bedroom door at night to sleep. My Wii has a few blue LEDs when it goes off. My DVD player has a blue LED. My router has a blue LED that flashes enough to make someone with epilepsy go into a seizure. My scanner has a blue LED. My VCR has a blue LED. My PS2 has a Blue LED. My external HD has a blue LED. My well you get the picture. Why can't we have someone put in something else like a nice white or red with a filter in front. Blue blue blue blue blue. Gah. Good god man. Mix things up a bit!

[Shadowise @ Sep 23rd 2007 5:52PM]

It does come in blue... and white... and pink... and green.

[Andreas @ Sep 23rd 2007 5:56PM]

Isn't illuminated keyboards supposed to shine to make it easier to see specific keys in low light conditions? This looks like the other way around. Smart thinking mr designer.. Smart..

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 23rd 2007 5:57PM]

it's clear they should have coated the base in tinted rubber to block light everywhere except the keys, it would have worked a lot better.
this just looks like ti will hurt your eyes

[Patrick Milroy @ Sep 23rd 2007 8:22PM]

I bought one months ago, but not from this manufacturer. It must be a Chinese knock-off. So be it.
While I am not the world's best typist, this is a nightmare to type on. Unless you hit the keys dead centre, they tilt, and you have to go back to hit each dead centre.
It may be great for children, or as temporary fix for a portable computer with a small keyboard, but I can't think of any other reason to put yourself through this agony.

[LEXX911 @ Sep 23rd 2007 8:44PM]

They have it all wrong. The keys should be glowing not the board.

I have try using this similar type of keyboard before. Totally not recommonded if you use your keyboard for fast typing or gaming. This thing needs more pressure than your normal keyboard.

[Austin @ Sep 24th 2007 12:48AM]

I've owned one of these before
they are really awful. You have to bang on the keys like an antique typewriter...and even that doesn't guarantee success. Not recommended if you like stress-free typing and you prefer to touch type..rather than 'hammer' the keyboard.

[moondy @ Sep 24th 2007 8:02AM]

That looks pretty mad i have to admit, i mean dust proof and water proof...it would be cool for a small computer device that happens to have a USB hub.