Optimus Aux OLED keypad reveals first skin

Oh sweet prototype of our financial doom, bring forth yon OLED luster and sheen into the physical form of the Optimus Aux. Wait, where are the programmable OLED keys? Ah well, nobody said that the art-to-part process was quick, especially when we're starting with an Art Lebedev part. Backside-front snap after the break.

[Anghell @ Nov 5th 2008 5:30AM]

This is actually something I think I'd be able to use. In a, you know, useful way.
Any ideas on pricing yet?

[j_g_puff @ Nov 5th 2008 5:33AM]

Full pricing details will be released in 8 years, when it's finished.

[legs @ Nov 5th 2008 5:42AM]

Knowing them, about 6k

[Akhan Almagambetov @ Nov 5th 2008 12:09PM]

And, of course, if you can't quite afford it, you can buy the case for $500 and every individual key for $35.. one key at a time... :)

[Diaska @ Nov 5th 2008 5:40AM]

It's thicker than an Alienware...

[absinthe party @ Nov 5th 2008 7:13AM]

I don't think this is what you think it is.

[suhag @ Nov 5th 2008 8:39AM]

is that what she said?

[corgilabsG @ Nov 5th 2008 10:39AM]

inconceivable. inconceivable.

(ah... Princess Bride ... gotta love that movie)

[ArcticFox @ Nov 5th 2008 6:42AM]

Is it just me or does anyone else not really care about the overpriced overdesigned tosh that these idiots put out now?

[Shannin @ Nov 5th 2008 7:23AM]

I actually think that this would be useful. Being able to have shortcuts on one button instead of having to remember 4 or 5 key combos like many useful tools have in Adobe and other programs.

Such as in flash you have to hit command + shift + F12 in order to publish, instead i could just hit one of the keys and boom, it would publish.

Same as dreamweaver you can have one of the keys open the page in one of the browsers for testing.

You also get more then three keys like the Mini 3.

[coffee @ Nov 5th 2008 12:58PM]

except that we've had customizable and programmable macro keys like that on regular $45 keyboards for roughly 5 years.

[Intrepid @ Nov 5th 2008 7:39AM]

And the prize for 'the world's ugliest logo' goes to...

Seriously... couldn't they have at least placed it better?

[Tom @ Nov 5th 2008 11:07AM]

This is a mock-up. I'm sure they'll fix everything before production. They make beautiful products - I don't think they'll make a flub like this logo placement in the production model.

[ssoltero @ Nov 5th 2008 2:25PM]

Lame. I'd much rather have the OLED keyboard, but whatever. I'm never going to end up spending more than $40 for a keyboard so it's just fancy shit too me.

[avester @ Nov 5th 2008 4:40PM]

Art Lebedev makes art, hence the ART part.

I don't see you guys going to auctions saying "$50,000 FOR THIS IMPERIAL CHAIR?!?! I CAN GET A NEW ONE FOR $20 AT IKEA!"

[Tom @ Nov 5th 2008 8:52PM]

It's no more art than any other consumer good. The difference is that this keyboard does things that other can't, using new tech and in small production runs by a small company. Every product is art, thanks to industrial designers and the likes.

Also, Art Lebedev is the guy's name. Well, Artemy Lebedev, but I don't go by Thomas and my roommate doesn't go by William.