Optimus Popularis prototype hits the web

Watch out, everybody, the Optimus Popularis has gone from foam mockup to proper-looking prototype. (We're really digging that full-length display in the space bar.) With any luck, we won't have to watch this one develop over the course of 2-3 years like we did the Maximus -- and with a little more luck, this one will be easier to type on, too.

[Syren @ May 30th 2008 4:11PM]

Soon as we get pricing information, I may have to buy one. Looks surprisingly sexier than I'd imagined...

[Terc @ May 30th 2008 5:58PM]

Here's hoping they'll be changing the enter key to a bar, I absolutely DESPISE "L" shaped enter keys.

[Viakenny @ May 30th 2008 8:13PM]

@terc: remember, there's no room for a bar-shaped Enter/Return key in keyboards that may carry a "Ç".

[Raymond @ May 31st 2008 1:42AM]

Looks wonderful! Hopefully they'll have fixed up all the kinks from the Maximus with this one. I'd rather have a good typing experience than having mini LCDs in each key that are stiff to type on.

[Chuckles McGee @ May 31st 2008 5:18PM]

Nothing says sexy quite like a rainbow of OLED cancer awareness ribbons above the F keys.

[Kaiser-Machead @ May 30th 2008 4:11PM]

I read somewhere that these Optimus keyboards are actually suboptimal for typing for long periods of time due to harsh keystroking feel and noise. Can anyone confirm that?

[Syren @ May 30th 2008 4:13PM]

I've heard the same thing - but you just can't match the eye candy factor, and you never know what they'll end up doing with keystroke and such. The Maximus is an entirely different product - and with any luck, Lebedev (spelled right?) will have learned from his mistakes with the last one.

[Zak @ May 30th 2008 4:15PM]

That complaint was for the Maximus keyboard - this is the Popularis, and we don't appear to have any info on whether it's easier to type on or not. Hopefully it is, I'd love to get one of those. And hopefully it's not $1k.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ May 30th 2008 4:54PM]

I confirm, because my friend owns one himself, and don't you post on Giz?

[ScooterDe @ Jun 1st 2008 4:08AM]

this looks much like a laptop keyboard, with short key travel (and limited tactile response) and closely-spaced keys. I won't be buying.

[IT-Accountant @ May 30th 2008 4:12PM]

If it feels good to type on and costs less than a new computer, (read: unlike the "Maximus") I'll take it!

[CUBSWILLWIN @ May 30th 2008 4:14PM]

looks much cooler too me. It better come out quick and for cheaper, 'cause my dell keyboard is getting uglier by the day.

[farfisa @ May 30th 2008 4:20PM]

Actually the complaints weren't from people who bought the Optimus Maximus but from the people who were hired to type for them.

[Vidit Bhargava @ May 30th 2008 4:21PM]

wow...thats the sexiest keyboard ever

[Kaiser-Machead @ May 30th 2008 4:33PM]

I may just play the waiting game and wait for manufacturers to start including OLED-equipped keys in laptops of the hopefully-not-too-distant future.

I'm under 30, so I got time :)

[Dave @ May 30th 2008 8:17PM]

Not necessarily. I'm over thirty--but there's still a good chance you'll die first. Lots of fat out-of-shape twenty-somethings out there. Plus, you could have some unknown genetic defect or get cancer or hit by a bus!

[Bunson @ May 31st 2008 2:45PM]

Double touchscreen should be on more laptops, like the new OLPC's going to have.

[Leroy Vargas @ May 30th 2008 4:41PM]

Are all keys OLED-enabled, or is OLED limited to just those top ten keys?

[naz @ May 30th 2008 4:54PM]

i think it's just limited to mainly the left hand side of the keyboard (function keys, the characters plus the top colored row of keys)

[telepheedian @ May 30th 2008 5:14PM]

Actually, the reflections of light in the keys suggest to me that they will all be equipped with displays. The finish on them also looks like the finish on the Maximus keys, transparent plastic.

[antgeth.adorian @ Jun 1st 2008 7:11PM]

i really hope it is all of the keys - it would be really cool to be able to change your keyboard font whenever you felt like it... or even better, later on down the line, have it automatically adjust to whatever font you are currently typing in. _that_ would be awesome.

[Hoos @ May 30th 2008 4:50PM]

There are no yellow-ribbon keys.

They are colorist.

I won't buy from colorists.

They also need a rainbow-ribbon key.

[silverblackvoid @ May 30th 2008 4:57PM]

dude you get 9000 points for generating maximum lulz.

[DigitalSciGuy @ May 30th 2008 4:56PM]

Ah! Yes! Keys that are nearly flush with the keyboard! I'm quite tired of looking at keyboards and *feeling* like I have carpel tunnel. Now to see how thin it is!

[kev @ May 30th 2008 4:58PM]

the only reason why we had to watch the last one develop over 2-3 years was because places like engadget posted every time art lebdev sneezed out another thought.

now that you've covered the announcement and first mockup, how about saving us from the bs and hype until it's a real product.

please?

[Luke. @ May 30th 2008 5:13PM]

Didn't they say that this is meant to be based on a 'radically different concept' (or something to that effect)?

I don't see how this is really 'different'.

[Mike Smith @ May 30th 2008 5:22PM]

You are aware that they are aiming to do this by using transparent keys and using a single display underneath helping to reduce cost.
Quoted from Optimus
'"It is obvious that 100 small displays are more expensive than 1 big display. So we're concentrating our attention on designing a keyboard based on Upravlator idea.

Our goal this year (besides starting production of the new Mini) is to create a prototype of a keyboard with transparent keys overlayed on a single display. Production should start later this year, or in the beginning if 2009.

First real thing will most probably be based on a TFT-display. Hopefully, this full-color keyboard will retail for under U$800."


Should of included this in the post.

[Phoenix @ May 30th 2008 5:40PM]

I actually like it...

[Dan @ May 30th 2008 7:36PM]

Their "cheaper" keyboard is still $800?!? How do these folks stay in business?

[TavisJohn @ May 30th 2008 10:13PM]

The drool factor!

They would rather make a large proffit on a small number of devices, than a small proffit on a large number of devices. And they can get away with it because nobody else has anything like it available. Monopoly means they can charge whatever they want to. So untill someone else makes a competing device, it will remain unaffordable.

[lanejasper69 @ May 30th 2008 6:18PM]

Nice looking keyboard, but still not a fan, WAY to much moolah for me, I'd rather buy a whole new computer or gaming console and stick with my BT wireless MX duo.

My 2¢

Faslane

Damn Sexy though I'll admit!!!

But...will it ble.....ahhh forget it...that's been done far to many times ;-)

[Sean @ May 30th 2008 11:29PM]

Sorry, where did you see the price for it?

[TheCow5 @ May 30th 2008 7:09PM]

is this guy still trying to peddle his 1000$ keyboard.
I am thinking its not selling as he would like to, so he has come out with the 500$ version LOL

[allanrubin @ May 30th 2008 7:23PM]

I'm going to buy one as soon as it is available and sell it for $2,750 to some dumbass on eBay just like I did with the Optimus Maximus. If Art can keep this up I might be able to cover college for all three kids!

[The Dude @ May 30th 2008 7:33PM]

Huge-ass Enter key and shrunken Backspace ruin it for me. I thought I could justify dropping more bills than usual on a keyboard like this, but I won't be able to with that fudged key layout.

[TTX1 @ May 30th 2008 9:36PM]

flush keys + no spacing = ouch.

[Intelligence @ May 30th 2008 9:39PM]

The strange looking symbol at every key over the F-keys represents ХУЙ (Russian for 'dick') as if you combine three letters together.
Those guys at ArtLebedev are pretty rude, considering such photos will be seen only by non-Russian speakers.

[peayq @ May 31st 2008 3:02AM]

artemiy (or just 'tema' as he likes to be called) lebedev is well known in russian design community for his rudeness and arrogance. that ХУЙ symbol is his patented creation and he wears a t-shirt with it quite often (he did an optimus presentation at ces wearing it, there's a video on engadget somewhere).

[happy_penguin @ May 30th 2008 9:44PM]

It doesn't matter how cool it is, (and it is cool) until it's in the $200 or below range it will be one huge, fat, massive FAIL.

[Kip HT @ May 31st 2008 2:58AM]

I'll ask again, why should we care about these keyboards?

I don't get it. Sure, they look cool, but... What's with that crazy price tag etc...?

[Chris @ May 31st 2008 4:52AM]

Lets hope you can swap out the alt for cmd and vice-versa, its lovely for new mac users to have cmd where the windows key used to be, but if you've used a mac for over a month you instinctively go for cmd in the apple layout config.

[Phoenix @ May 31st 2008 11:16AM]

Well... yes... the keys are screens... just change them...

[Juan @ May 31st 2008 9:15AM]

No F12?

[Phoenix @ May 31st 2008 11:17AM]

redefine something else...

[tekdroid @ May 31st 2008 5:59PM]

One big LCD display is being used for this thing instead of tiny little displays on each key. So I'm assuming the keyboard will need its own power supply (USB provides only 2.5W).

[Phoenix @ Jun 1st 2008 3:21PM]

The Maximus already needs its own power supply

[punster @ Jun 1st 2008 4:41AM]

You pay this much for a cool keyboard but you get carpel tunnel in return. What gives? Art Lebedev is known for design awesomeness but he can't figure out basic ergonomics?

[KClaisse @ Jun 1st 2008 10:57AM]

What is up with that backspace and enter key?! Why can't keyboard manufactures just phase it out already.

[KilgoreTrout @ Jun 1st 2008 12:49PM]

I would never consider buyng a non wireless keyboard (or mouse) (or anything that exists in wireless form)