Econo-Keys EK-76-TP portable keyboard packs a touchpad on the flipside

It's not all that easy to make a keyboard that stands out these days, but the folks at Econo-Keys have managed to do just that with their new EK-76-TP model, even if they may not have gotten the whole "usefulness" thing down pat. As you can see above, this one's claim to fame is a trackpad on the underside of the keyboard, which the company says can be "conveniently" used if you flip over the keyboard, or "used from underneath while typing." The keyboard also looks like it'll hold up well to life on the road, with it conforming to IP67 standards for dirt, dust and water resistance, and able to hold up to hospital-grade cleaning agents. Just don't expect it to come cheap, as Econo-Keys is asking $146 for this little wonder.

[Via OhGizmo!]

[TRS @ Jun 10th 2009 3:10PM]

O rry?

[ImaYam @ Jun 10th 2009 4:14PM]

looks like youd be fingering yourself with one hand while using the keyboard and mouse.

[Saad Rabia @ Jun 10th 2009 3:10PM]

bbmmmmmvvvvbbbbvmmmvbmvmvmmvvmvmmvvvcvbbvmmb

Opps.

[2l4te @ Jun 10th 2009 3:15PM]

the cable on the side simply makes it an epic fail. you would always get into trouble with the cable while flipping the keyboard. but even without a cable or a cable in the middle it would still be a stressful input device.

[General_Trelane, (retired) @ Jun 10th 2009 3:18PM]

I cannot see 1 situation where this would be convenient... over a touch screen...

This reminds me of that FAIL handset the Samsung Upstage that tried to take away from the iPhone... you had to flip the phone on one side for the screen and the other for the keypad...

Oh noes!

[Idlemind @ Jun 10th 2009 3:23PM]

There is no way that this can be useful to humans....

I'm sure if you goto Econo-keys office, they are not using these...

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jun 10th 2009 4:08PM]

Or, they're all using two, one for keyboard, one for touch pad.

[Mike @ Jun 10th 2009 3:25PM]

why would anyone pay $146 for something that makes your life a pain in the a$$???

[mian @ Jun 10th 2009 3:26PM]

Is there a button to disable the keyboard keys while its flipped over to touchpad so you don't JNFSDJSFN:KJFN:WOEKM"WKEMCWJNCE:W?

[Lloytron @ Jun 10th 2009 3:44PM]

There are raised pieces of plastic on each corner of the keyboard so that if you put it on a table then no, you won't press the keys at all.

However it looks like they might get in the way of actually typing, andif you don't put it on a flat surface you will be buggered. Hopefully not literally.

[mian @ Jun 10th 2009 4:14PM]

I see them now. Still a problem if using it on the road with no table.

@ Saad Rabia, sorry, didn't notice you beat me to the joke.

[Barbaric @ Jun 10th 2009 4:50PM]

I was wondering something similar... for $146 it should have an accelerometer in it (everything else does these days) so it knows when flipped, or some sort of sensor.
And I agree with the above comment about the cord being off center. I was thinking this might be good for an HTPC setup, but only if it were wireless. And a lot cheaper.

[Matt @ Jun 10th 2009 3:28PM]

Ironic brand name?

[Joshua @ Jun 10th 2009 3:35PM]

I was just about to post that! A product with the word "econo" in its name shouldn't be so overpriced.

[John @ Jun 10th 2009 3:31PM]

The constant flipping is just beyond annoying. Plus, using the touch pad from underneath would make you look like a pervert.

[DirtyVegas @ Jun 10th 2009 3:32PM]

WTF? Did they test this thing before releasing? No firmware update will help this...

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Jun 10th 2009 4:05PM]

a firmware update that bricks it might help.

[doorwayboy @ Jun 10th 2009 3:32PM]

I can think of one way to use the touchpad on my lap. (hint: my junk)

[scott @ Jun 10th 2009 3:44PM]

thank you mister obvious. because we didn't know what you were implying before you used your parenthesis.

[Derry Quinn @ Jun 10th 2009 4:02PM]

I know of something you could come over to my house and have sex with from above by inserting it into your genitalia. (Hint: My Penis)

[Richard @ Jun 10th 2009 4:33PM]

@Derry, drop the subtlety. What's the punchline of your joke?

[NXTwoThou @ Jun 10th 2009 3:49PM]

149 and not bluetooth? I could see it used as a keyboard for my N800, but not a whole lot more.

[Cookie Monster @ Jun 10th 2009 3:54PM]

NOM NOM NOM

[mian @ Jun 10th 2009 4:13PM]

I see them now. Still a problem if using it on the road with no table.

@ Saad Rabia, sorry, didn't notice you beat me to the joke.

[Brian Dizon @ Jun 10th 2009 4:46PM]

Touchpads suck!

[Marty @ Jun 10th 2009 6:11PM]

I think a trackpoint style nipple would have been much more useful. Trackpads do suck.

[AboveUnrefined @ Jun 10th 2009 6:31PM]

I see no use for this. I have had a touchpad on my usb keyboard for a while now, and I don't need to finger it underneath to use it. What a flop.

[Juanito! @ Jun 10th 2009 7:36PM]

i'll try it..