AdaptiveKeyboard

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  • Students get their hands on Microsoft's Adaptive Keyboard, adapt it to their nefarious ways (video)

    by 
    Tim Stevens
    Tim Stevens
    10.21.2010

    When Microsoft announced its Adaptive Keyboard, backed by an LCD not entirely unlike the Optimus Maximus and its dynamic ways, the company said it'd be hosting a contest to see which students could come up with the best way to use the thing. Now it's time to look at some of the results. Highlights? One app, with the press of a button, replaces your keys with the icons on your desktop. Another brings Windows Media Player playlist control to your fingertips, and a third lets coders easily navigate namespace, class, and member variables. Oh, and then there's the app that dynamically remaps your keys to frustrate keyloggers -- and users. There are lots more, all presented by some generally uncomfortable looking students over the course of the video embedded after the break. Warning: it's 24 minutes long, so you'd best get a refill before clicking "Play."

  • Microsoft Adaptive Keyboard prototype debuts at center of UIST Student Innovation Contest

    by 
    Donald Melanson
    Donald Melanson
    08.12.2010

    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.