Microsoft Adaptive Keyboard prototype debuts at center of UIST Student Innovation Contest
By Donald Melanson 
posted August 12th 2010 4:02PM
posted August 12th 2010 4:02PM
No, it's not the mystery device that Microsoft has been teasing as of late, but we have a feeling that plenty of folks will be wishing that the company's so-called "Adaptive Keyboard" was it. Unfortunately, it's just a prototype, and Microsoft apparently has no plans to turn it into an actual product. It will, however, be landing in the hands of a few lucky students participating in this year's UIST Student Innovation Contest, who will be given free reign to do whatever they like with the keyboard and possibly be rewarded with a $2,000 or $500 prize for their hard work. As for the keyboard itself, it's basically Microsoft's take on something like the Optimus Maximus, and consists of a large touchscreen display on top that "extends" to the keys below -- opening up a whole range of possibilities for different configurations and other shenanigans (no further technical details just yet, unfortunately). Head on past the break for a pair of demo videos and, if you're a student, hit up the source link below for the complete contest details -- act fast though, the deadline for applications is August 17th.
want...
@briguy266
ME TO!!! seriously i love the idea. It's great!
@briguy266
nerdgasm for sure! I don't care what fanboy you are, this is AWESOME!!!!!!
@briguy266 y is it that microsoft never brings some of their best ideas to market
I'm in high school. Can i please count as a student?
@ChronoSapien
Seriously! It's like they hate us or something.
Better than Optimus!
@ChronoSapien I know this is amazingly convenient.
@briguy266
yea, stop fucking with us and mass produce it Microsoft! or don't show it at all if you're not gonna make it. FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUU
@ChronoSapien Because they like to show people the crap ones. A good example: Vista.
@briguy266
I'd love to be able to edit waveforms in pro tools just using that touch screen area, would fit perfectly!
@briguy266 Cambridge Z88 emulator!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambridge_Z88
This would be great for people who are used to the software keyboard, that is available on the ipad, and other android devices, but maybe its just too big.... that would also create alot of confusion....
This would be sweet if it ever came out as a consumer product and wasnt under $200.
@dotCARBON wasn't under $200? why does it need to be super expensive? damn
@rmbrown09 Sorry, typo. Thanks, fingers. WAS under $200.
@dotCARBON
Under 200 i'll buy!
Slick!
That looks an awful lot like the Art Lebedev Optimus Populiaris...
Why does Microsoft keep teasing us with incredible ideas and possible products, only to announce they'll never be mass produced?
WHAT THE HELL!
@Prevacator
1. Take Microsoft concept
2. Add i in front of name
3. Market the crap out of said product.
4. Profit!!!
@Prevacator
seriously that keyboard would be awesome for every usage type, from Working to editing video to gaming.
lets say for WoW(big modding community), they make it so you can put more quick acess moves on the keyboard instead of moving to mouse, or make it so that Vent is open on the keyboard while WoW is up on the screen........that is just an easy example
chad vader commands microsoft to release this to the public
@Chad Vader If you're issuing commands, can you please command them to release the Courier?!
Damn, this thing is awesome!
" no plans to turn it into an actual product"
OMG familiar tune WTF!
@Darkroom I might be wrong, but cant you just plug in the Apple keyboard into a PC?
@Darkroom The HP Wireless Elite is a great keyboard. My brother and I both use one.
Microsoft Hardware are insane if they don't bring this to market. Not kidding.
@LANjackal Absolutely! I've loved every piece of Microsoft Hardware I've ever owned (especially my Explorer Mini Mouse). I say we bug the crap out of them on Twitter and make them release it!
@carlosol Not the same layout though.
With all the advances in every other peripheral, why are keyboards still largely the same as they were back in the 90's?
Awesome video. The only thing they didn't demonstrate is if you could actually 'type' with it. And if it makes popcorn..
@68Charger Yeah its pretty odd they didnt show typing... i have a hard time imagining how typing on this would work hardware-wise... it would be pretty hard getting any mechanics under the keys (being see-through and all). ofc they could use transparent mylar and then maybe some weird transparent conducting material too create a standard capacitive keyboard, or possibly a resistive keyboard (which would be awesome). then again it could just be a "simple" multitouch overlay (or should we maybe use the term underlay, or maybe sandwich lay in this case?) and the keys could have rubber padding underneath corresponding to the resistance/capacitance of a human finger (or whatever it would calibrated for).
Still that wouldnt make the keys bounce... and they cant use springs... an option could making the entire key a transparent rubber plunger... but would it be a little annoying typing on a rubber keyboard....
@Darkroom
Logitech Illuminated Keyboard.
It may not look flashy but the quality is fantastic.
@Darkroom Just use the Apple keyboard? It'll still work...
Or: http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/15/ask-engadget-best-chiclet-keyboard-for-desktop-use/
@Darkroom I was also going to suggest the HP Elite. It's not quite in the same level of thinness, but for $20, you can't go wrong with a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000.
I want this it really seems to be a great advancement for the keyboard to move toward a toy. it looks to about the size of a standard 15.7" laptop board if not smaller.. but I see one thing missing that does hurt it is no num pad.. granted you can add that in adaptive software, but its nice to have.
@Darkroom
The Apple keyboard works just fine with windows.
This actually makes a lot of sense. It's probably so good, that someone will make an Apple layout for it, so the they don't feel so left out. I'm not trying to start a flamewar, but i'm just sayin'
It is already stunning if there is a keyboard that changes the keyboard layout for the application that you are using.
"free rein" (like letting a horse go full speed), not "free reign", which makes no sense.
@dorkypants
I up ranked your comment because I was about to accuse you of being wrong, but looked it up and saw that you are correct. I learned something new. Great job.
That's pretty neat don't see any practical use coming from it but still nice
@spsfinest
I see tonnes of uses for it... for instance, when im doing math/science i constantly have to use the mouse in order to use greek lettering because i cant remember the shortcuts.
Or in photoshop, you could choose your tool from the touchscreen above the keyboard, and then the keys would change into tool specific functions.
You could use it to quickly change between qwerty and dvorak.
Having a keyboard that can change layout and functions in a heart beat and still provide tactile feedback (as opposed to virtual keyboards), would simplify my life greatly, and increase productivity... I would probably choose this over a tablet i i could only get one
Ergonomic keyboards need love, too.
The concept looks impressive and promising. However, what's with the phyical keys? Why not just have a fully virtual keyboard? You would have much more flexibility, and would be able to accomplish so much more. I strongly believe that innovation around virtual keyboards, can render them far more productive, flexible, effective, and aesthetically pleasing than physical keyboards, making most people abandon the latter in the future. People are emotionally attached to physical keybards the same way people were emotionally attached to typewriters and buggies. Eventually the technical advantages of newer technologies overwhelmed typewriters and buggies, and I believe it is just a matter of time the same thing happens to physical keyboards.
P. Douglas
@PDouglas Typing on a flat surface is a nightmare, that's why the keys are physical. But I'm pretty sure they are working on some kind of tech to make it possible for touchscreen keyboards to have some sort of tactile feedback - didn't Apple file a patent for something like that?
@Fenrir007,
With a virtual keyboard, you can get tactile, visual, and also audio feedback. Plus there are tons of innovations you can do to make your interactions with programs more productive. I think the physical keyboard keeps us back. Practically everything we improve over its physical counterpart using software, turns out much, much better. Word processors, video playback software, etc. In fact the appeal of the smartphone, is that you can take a phone, and use software it to transform it into a million different things. It stands to reason that using software to transform the physical keyboard, will lead to much more innovation and greater productivity. As far as I'm concerned, the physical keyboard has to go.
P. Douglas
@PDouglas I agree with you. I prefer a virtual keyboard rather than this. I tried typing on an iPad and I have found it to be pretty quick. I can do 56 wpm on my iPhone, 71 on the keyboard, but I'm not sure how quick on the iPad.
The why the keyboard is quick(est) is because there are physical buttons that help keep hands aligned, thus eliminating the need to look down.
In terms of physically pressing the button, the virtual keyboard must be faster because less effort is required to input a character. The user is only required to lightly touch rather than press a button.
Having the sensation of tactical feedback is merely a preference that we are all use to.