Miyoshi rolls out wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad
By Donald Melanson 
posted Jul 13th 2009 3:14PM
posted Jul 13th 2009 3:14PM
Well, it may not quite match the likes of Logitech's diNovo edge in either form or function, but this new wireless keyboard from Miyoshi does nonetheless pack all the basics, and a slightly lower price tag than some of its competitors. That includes, as you can see above, a somewhat curiously placed touchpad, along with all the usual media-specific keys, a slider control of some sort, and full 2.4GHz wireless capabilities to make it a bette fit for your HTPC setup. No word on a release 'round here just yet, but it looks like folks in Japan can pick this one up now for ¥9,980, or just over $100.
[Via PC Launches]
[Via PC Launches]
Mac friendly?
You traitor. The macbook©™'s multi©™-©™touch©™ trackpad©™ should be the only touchpad you ever need.
What's the big deal with this keyboard? Logitech has the same thing, but in Bluetooth flavor. It looks nearly identical to this $100 model.
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/gaming/playstation_3/devices/3616&cl=US,EN
They used to sell a 2.4GHz model that used a USB dongle. They discontinued that model.
i have that ps3 media keyboard for my "htpc" (essentially a old computer i have hooked up to my hdtv to watch the occasional youtube video that has hds for my xbox) and got it for $30 a while ago. its perfect for its purpose but not great for everyday use.
Why put it at the side, why not just put it below like on a laptop?
and why doesn't apple make such a keyboard? one of steve job's weird and arbitrary aesthetic dictates? i've never understood how you're supposed to use a bluetooth mouse from the couch (for example).
I agree what is the big deal. Interlink made a wireless keyboard with trackpad back in 1996. I fitted out my business at the time with them, very useful for webbing from the couch with a few friends.
This thing looks big, uncomfy and with bad ergonomics.
IMHO, it looks too big, I'd like to use a wireless keyboard with tracking device on my knees, not on the desk.
If you're looking for a mac wireless keyboard, go for the dinovo edge. I use it on my mini thats hooked up to my tv and my god, best decision ever.
Second on the DiNovo. I have one as well (for Windows), but the Mac version is less expensive (I think it doesn't come with a bluetooth dongle, but iirc all Macs currently manufactured have bluetooth). Mine's lasted well over a month on one charge without ever being turned off, and it's a wonderful keyboard for my HTPC. This doesn't appear to have the scrolling features of the dinovo either, which are incredibly nice considering what a pain it is to scroll with a trackpad.
That seems doable. You like it small and want to be able to use it while on your knees. I'm sure someone here can help you out with that.
looks like my diNovo
Sexy looking. Once you pick up that girl from the clubs in your Ferrari, you can take her back to your place and show her your keyboard, yeah baby. :)
I've had one of them for about 6 months, only it has a Toshiba badge on it, and I got it from PC World! :)
The trackpad on right is really ugly.
It may be ugly, but I bet that eliminates the problem of accidentally touching the trackpad with your wrist and accidentally moving the cursor around while you type! Biggest trackpad annoyance ever!
Nothing works better than a Fiero and a trackball.
Oh my effing god.
A keyboard.
This is almost better than the new LG Black Label.
Beats the iPhone for sure.
i almost caved in and got one of these trackpad keyboards for my HTPC when I discovered the Air Mouse app for the iphone, which accomplishes the same task for about 2% of the cost
I hate, hate, HATE the Logitech diNovo edge. We have it in one of the meeting rooms in my office and although people always coo over how sexy it looks (which it does) it is a huge pain in the arse to actually use. The touchpad is too small to do any real mousing, so you have to continuously move the cursor a little bit, touch off the pad, touch it again and move the cursor a bit more, touch off...
Not really sold that this new product will be much better to be honest. And if you do just want to impress people, try using the Bluetooth on your phone instead. In my experience, it goes down pretty well.
I actually just peeped the DiNovo...I gotta say, why is it that with all of that real estate they've decided to make the touchpad so small?
I just keep the mouse sensitivity way up on my dinovo. I think the real shortcoming of the trackpad is the left/right buttons that are too far down below the pad to be easily used without taking your hand off the pad in the first place. But, I use it for my HTPC, and it's more than good enough.
Can someone tell me why the space-bar is so small for a full sized keyboard ???????????????????
Because you don't need to make it any larger than it is? I just wish with that extra real estate, they placed an escape key in there. That way, it would be an emacs friendly keyboard.
its an ugly ripoff/wannabe dinovo edge.
Weird key placements. I hate big fat return keys. I'll stick with the diNovo Edge. Also can't guarantee that the keys will type like the Edge. I love how the Edge keys feel. You KNOW you hit the damn key!
The advantage of a trackpad centered below the keyboard is to minimize hands motion, putting it all the way to the right is pointless... especially for left-handed people.
Uh.. has anyone noticed how similar to the DiNoVo this one looks?!
Nope, not a one...
wow... i think i want one! :D
anyone else notice ginormous enter key?
Yes,. and it's terrible. Why would they ruin the keyboard by doing substandard layouts?!?!
I have a love hate relationship with my Dinovo Edge. It is deinitely the bet keyboard I've ever used, but it could be so much better:
Good:
Trackpad is awesome...if it take more than 2 swipes to go across a 1080p screen then you need to up the senstivity.
Scrolling is the best in class....spin scolling kicks mac multitouch in the tush. The touchpad is designed perfectly for a thumb to use.
Beautiful and great key stroke
Bad:
The volume slider is not sensitive enough
Battery Life does not last...I get 3-4 days on mine now. Not replaceable.
Stand up charge: WORST DESIGN DECISION EVER....ok...I can't use my keyboard because it needs to charge in a vertical position?
NO MEDIA KEYS...people saying this is an HTPC Keyboard...where are the media keys? Oh I have to press 2 buttons? lame...
So this new keyboard:
Doesn't have the dedicated media keys
no idea on volume slider sensitivity
doesn't have touch disc scrolling
is cheaper
may have replaceable recharging batteries?
IMO Logitech needs a revision of the DiNovo Edge that addresses this stuff. And the mini was a huge disappointment...way to big for how it is meant to be used ...like a cell phone keyboard...and no touch disc scolling? WTH
Yeah, the space bar key is ridiculously small!
Is it though? My thumb presses the space bar nearly all the time, and nearly all the time it does so in about exactly the same place. I suspect this is the case for most people too. So, I don't see the space bar being too small. In fact, all these years I've been wondering why space bars are so large.
Doesn't matter how good they are. As long as they price about/above Logitech (world leader), they are doom to fail.
ugh, more shiny stuff...
One of the problem I've encounter most is the driver for keyboard with extra buttons. Once a new OS, sometimes SP upgrade, the extra buttons don't work anymore. Most of the time the manufacturer deem the product end of life.
The one thing i don't like about about laptops, now built for a desktop!
The standard Japanese keyboard layout has a reduced-size spacebar (you may notice the extra keys adjacent the spacebar which consume the space).
They didn't just make the spacebar smaller because they wanted to...
For some of you complain the weird layout and small spacebar, this is an Japanese layout keyboard. All keyboard in Japan uses this layout.
I have the dinovo edge. I has one comment, needs backlit keyboard. DUH.
That keyboard is not new. It is just a rebrand. I bought a toshiba branded version of it 2 months ago in PC World in Dublin see: http://yfrog.com/9e14072009014j for pic
Toshiba PA3705D-1 wireless keyboard copy
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/1418/cf291.jpg
Looks like it will work great for lefties! Oh wait...
Seriously though, why can't we have a KB/touchpad combo where the touchpad is detachable and can be placed on either the left or right side?
The lightweight and stylish wireless keyboard offers mobility and comfort wherever you type.
http://www.ergonomicsmadeeasy.com/store/category/wireless/
I found this keyboard available at www.ergogeek.com
http://www.ergogeek.com/2-4-ghz-long-range-mini-wireless-keyboard-with-touchpad-mouse.html