Eclipse Litetouch wireless touchscreen keyboard clears the FCC, on its way to retail (video)
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted March 25th 2010 6:59PM
posted March 25th 2010 6:59PM
OK, dudes -- we don't want to freak you out or anything, but the Wireless Litetouch Keyboard has cleared the FCC. Brought to you by Mad Catz, this bad boy (and its wired companion) was first unveiled at CES this year. Featuring an programmable LCD touchscreen with three different sets of "buttons" (number pad, media mode, and the user configurable MyEclipse mode) the latest entry to the Eclipse line has is sure to get admiring looks from the drone in the cubicle across the aisle. Compatible with Mac OS X as well as your many flavors of Windows, this bad boy will be out soon -- wireless for $129, or wired for $99. Jaw-dropping video after the break.
Seems a bit inflexible for an LCD-touchpad.
Will I be able to design my own interfaces for it? What options do I get in regard to gadgets? RSS, weather, emails 'n such...?
They should have made the whole thing touch keys.
um correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the best part of a keyboard.. you know.. the keys?
I don't understand the fascination with back lit keys. How long have we been using qwerty? The keys don't move (although the placement of the home/delete keys is annoying/wrong on this keyboard).
I like the concept of this keyboard - but think the number pad is too important to...umm...!@#$% with. They should have just put a row of programmable touch buttons above the function keys and down the left hand side of the keyboard. Laptop manufacturers are doing it right now-a-days by placing their wifi/bluetooth/etc switches in a touch panel above this area. Expand the idea...
I'd like to see a keyboard that will have programmable keys change based on the application running. If I'm in Media Player Classic - I want media keys. In Word, I want a list of macros; maybe a zoom panel. Cubase, I want to have a scrub panel, transport controls, and an option to select different tracks. I want these touch keys to be programmable to the point where I can design what is displayed on the key (monochrome is fine). I want a small LCD that will let me pick different "scenes" manually if needed - or an app in the sys tray that will let me switch quickly.
...but, please, don't mess with my number pad.
I'd be willing to pay $200 if it looks nice and works across all platforms (win/linux - don't really care about apple). $225 tops.
@doctah
totally on the app sensing programmable keys. i don't mind the placement on this, i barely use the number pad (other than paying bills once a month or whatever) though.
if that space turned into transport controls in cubase and media keys in itunes and macros/file menu in word, and just a number pad with a flick that would rule all keyboards.
above that, customized layouts with "clear" spacers would just be the gravy on top.
having used my xps gen 2 desktop replacement for so many years, i find i LIKE laptop keyboards better. my fingers don't have to move or exert themselves as much. i type much faster and accurately. right now i'm using one of those clear mac g4 keyboards (while i'm figuring out what i want) and i HATE THE SQUISH factor! and the key travel is ridiculous.
I like the EEE keyboard better.
How is that keyboard a good idea?
I'm sorry but perhaps I'm missing the wireless part because there sure is a wire coming out of the back side of that keyboard in the picture and video.