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Hands-on with CSR's flexible paper-thin Bluetooth keyboard (video)
Think the Microsoft Surface's Touch Cover was thin? You ain't seen nothin' yet. CSR, a company that delights in coming up with clever ideas and putting a significant amount of engineering personnel behind them, has a working prototype of a 0.5mm-thin keyboard. The board -- if you can call it that -- is made of flexible material and printed circuitry, combined with an Atmel touchscreen sensor and a few other life-bringing chips near the top (because of this, the top of the keyboard is a little thicker). Since it uses Bluetooth Smart to transmit your strokes and taps to a phone, tablet or computer, the only possible concern is the issue of incompatibility with devices that don't support the standard yet; iOS 7 and Windows 8 will be good to go (a rep told us that while Android 4.3 supports Bluetooth Smart, it doesn't utilize the HID profile that CSR relies heavily on). The model we played with was a little cramped, which means we had to consciously try not to hit the wrong keys; other than this, we actually had the same kind of typing experience tonight that we've had with the Touch Cover. Of course, these kinds of things can easily be worked out as CSR works out the kinks. As you might expect from a prototype, don't expect to see the white membrane pictured above in a big box store. CSR doesn't plan to sell it directly to users, but rather it's busy pitching it to developers and OEMs in case they want to embed it into devices of their own. Because of this, the company isn't ready to disclose details about when or where we'll see its tech show up first -- when it makes an appearance, however, we'll let you know. Head below for a gallery and video. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Pioneer's new WiFi-enabled XDJ-AERO controller says goodbye wires, hello dancefloor (video)
The advent of digital DJing removed the jumps and skips of vinyl, while introducing a bad case of cable spaghetti, as spinners bring their own kit to the party. Pioneer saw that, and has finally cut them free with the new XDJ-AERO. The WiFi-enabled DJ controller lets you load up the next Moombahcore banger direct from a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC -- with support for four connected devices at once. This also means that the audience can get involved in the track selection -- a la Nexus Q -- but you might want to keep that fact quiet. The XDJ-AERO is designed to work with Pioneer's own rekordbox application, but can also be use as a MIDI controller for other popular software. On the actual hardware-side of things, there's a built-in 24-bit audio interface, two-channel mixer (which can be used standalone) plus the usual array of cue-point triggers, FX and filters we've come to expect. What price does the cutting of cables command? £869 (about $1,399), and the beat can begin some time later this month. Can't wait 'til then? Drop past the break for the ridiculously cool video (and slightly less cool press release).
Open source controller framework lets you add the finishing touch
There are plenty of off-the-shelf controllers out there, but what if you fancy something a little more... you? How about fully customized, with a good seasoning of affordability and style? Design student Alex S has built a framework to help you build just that. The units shown above are for DJ-based programs, but you can create interfaces for any software that takes HID or MIDI input, and as they're modular, create endless ultra-custom set-ups. Keen to dismantle any technical barriers, Alex created a step-by-step Instructable, but you'll still need to get your hands dirty with Arduino and some circuitry. The whole project is open source, and while it's a step up from Lego, until we can just print these things, it seems like a great option to us.
ROCCAT Isku keyboard and Kone mouse hands-on (video)
Sure, European gamers have been able to get their hands on ROCCAT's flavor or gaming tools for awhile now, but CES 2012 is finally delivering some of the outfit's German engineered love to the US. Just last week, the firm announced it would be bringing its 6000 DPI Kone gaming rodent and Isku illuminated keyboard the states later this year -- we found the deadly Deutch duo tucked away in a corner of the show's gaming nook.
ROCCAT invades US gaming market, brings peripherals to CES
European peripheral maker ROCCAT was serious when they promised to put some German engineered fragging tools in the hands of US gamers, unveiling today a trio of accessories to tempt American gamers. These aren't your standard mouse and keyboard setup, however -- these siblings socialize. More specifically, the outfit's Isku gaming keyboard ($90) and 6000 DPI Kone gaming mouse ($80) use ROCCAT's exclusive "Talk" protocol to activate mouse macros from the keyboard. Ready to snipe? Just click easy-aim on the Isku Keyboard, and the Kone mouse automatically adjusts its DPI to a headshot friendly level. The outfit is also trotting out a 5.1 surround sound headset, dubbed Kave, which will land in February for $120. Hit the break for the full PR, or take a peek at Germany's finest in the gallery below.
Viliv S5 MID gets accuracy-boosting HID driver for Windows 7
Viliv's S5 MID, the little machine that packs the Vaio P's Z520 processor in a legitimately pocketable form-factor, just got a breath of fresh air. It's an HID (human interface device) driver for Windows 7, boosting the machine's touchscreen abilities and enabling the breadth of Windows 7's tablet functionality. According to Uber Tablet this greatly enhances usability by, amongst other things, presenting the Windows tablet keyboard rather than relying on the accessibility version and enabling better calibration. The driver being used here is legitimate according to reports we've read, but it is not signed and doesn't appear to be an official release from Viliv, so you may want to exercise a bit of caution before you install -- but don't wait too long. This sounds like a pretty tasty update.
Visualeyes Rayzer in-car HID lights illuminate road, dorkiness
It's pretty streetlight-heavy around Engadget HQ, but for those of you in less-populated parts of the world, Visualeyes' new Rayzer in-car auxiliary light system might actually come in handy. The unit clips underneath your rearview mirror and features two HID Xenon bulbs, which are activated automatically when you flip on your brights by a wireless controller, and dimmed when the unit senses the headlights of oncoming traffic. Of course, all the auto-sensing tech in the world won't make up for the fact that you've got a big goofy light shining out of your car, but at least the Rayzer is a little more discreet than a set of rally lights.
