Artlebedev -- Engadget

Engadget's 5th birthday giveaway, part 1: win an Optimus Maximus keyboard!

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Apr 14th 2009 at 4:15PM

When you hit the ripe old age of 5, you start to look back upon the years with a certain wistful nostalgia. We'd be lying if we said we didn't get just a little bit misty-eyed thinking about the Optimus Maximus. Like so many of the gadgets we've seen, we followed this little guy from its early design stages, right up into a full hands-on with the quasi-mythical piece of gear. So, it's not without a small amount of sadness that we release this keyboard back into the wild, where it belongs, where a new user will be confused and frustrated with how hard it is to type on.

All you've got to do is let us know what your favorite post from the last five years has been in the comments below.

Note: We've bolded the above statement, since it seems like you guys aren't following the rules.

The rules:

Leave a comment below. We want to hear what your favorite Engadget post has been from the last five years -- and feel free to be descriptive!
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) Optimus Maximus keyboard. Approximate retail value is incalculable (or, something like $1692.31).
If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
Entries can be submitted until Friday, April 17th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Art Lebedev outthinks the room with square Luxofor traffic lights

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 12:05PM

We can only imagine that at least a few staffers over at Art Lebedev Studios get paid to do nothing but conjure up ideas, because this one is just marvelous. And marvelously simple, but that's beside the point. The Luxofor traffic light concept improves upon a nearly archaic design that still relies on spherical fixtures when there's really no need. Lebedev's team asserts that using square lights backed with bright laser diodes would make better use of the available space and provide a more noticeable signal to drowsy motorists. The roar of "why didn't I think of that?" being simultaneously stated is downright deafening.

[Via Electronista]

Optimus AUX nearly ready for its $650 price tag

by Thomas Ricker, posted Nov 18th 2008 at 7:30AM

Two bits of new information to tell you about. First, Art Lebedev's AUX keypad is expected to be priced at "around $650." Second, that's a final pre-production prototype kicking it live with Art's Verbarius clock in the background. With any luck, this programmable OLED keypad could be ready for a limited production run by Xmas.

Optimus Aux OLED keypad reveals first skin

by Thomas Ricker, posted Nov 5th 2008 at 5:04AM

Oh sweet prototype of our financial doom, bring forth yon OLED luster and sheen into the physical form of the Optimus Aux. Wait, where are the programmable OLED keys? Ah well, nobody said that the art-to-part process was quick, especially when we're starting with an Art Lebedev part. Backside-front snap after the break.

Continue reading Optimus Aux OLED keypad reveals first skin

Art Lebedev's Scartel WiMax handset concept: we're moving to Russia

by Paul Miller, posted Sep 25th 2008 at 10:59AM

Never one to settle, Art Lebedev's design shop is trying its hand at handset design, and we like the looks of it. Art is teaming up with Scartel, a Russian carrier which just launched a WiMax network in Moscow and St. Petersburg, for a flagship handset of sorts, and has left no spec unturned -- at least in the wishful-thinking conceptual stage. In addition to a WiMax radio, the device has WiFi, tri-band GSM, microSD, dual cameras, 3.5mm audio, an A/V plug and a gargantuan 850 x 480 screen. There are minimal buttons at the base: a five-way joystick and call / end, and no keypad, so we're going to assume that we're looking at a touchscreen device. Now all that's left is to pick an OS -- would Android be too much to ask? Another shot is after the fold.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Continue reading Art Lebedev's Scartel WiMax handset concept: we're moving to Russia

New Optimus Aux shots show a sexier vision

by Paul Miller, posted Sep 19th 2008 at 5:19PM

Yeah, barebones shots are fun and all, but we're never ones to turn down some cleaned-up press renders. The newly-redubbed Optimus Aux (farewell, Pultius) has had its keys scrunched together for optimum hotkey action, and we've got a shot of the rear port configuration after the break, in addition to a comparison to the Maximus to round things out nicely. Face it, Art Lebedev loves you very much. Also, your wallet.

Continue reading New Optimus Aux shots show a sexier vision

Optimus Pultius becomes Optimus Aux, new prototype shows up

by Donald Melanson, posted Sep 19th 2008 at 10:56AM

Feeling held back by the Optimus Maximus' 113 OLED keys? Then you've no doubt been anxiously anticipating Art Lebedev's Optimus Pultius keypad, which the design firm now says will be dubbed the Optimus Aux whenever it's actually released. So as to not leave us completely hanging, the firm has also revealed the new prototype pictured above, which is just enough to make us a little wistful of the early days when the Maximus first flickered to life. Head on past the break if you need a reminder of what the final product is supposed to look like.

Continue reading Optimus Pultius becomes Optimus Aux, new prototype shows up

Art Lebedev's Folderix flash drives are obvious, awesome

by Paul Miller, posted Aug 23rd 2008 at 1:15AM

Lebedev's design crew never seems to be short on surprisingly obvious and yet entirely fresh takes on every day objects, and the new Folderix flash drives are taking that ethic to entirely new and conveniently functional heights. The 4GB drives come in a myriad of colors, are available today and will run you a fairly steep $55. Literal folder design? Priceless.

[Via Electronista]

Art Lebedev opens minimus Optimus Store in New York

by Thomas Ricker, posted Aug 11th 2008 at 2:33AM

There it is, Art Lebedev's new Optimus Store in New York, NY. It's not so much a store as it is a kiosk sitting inside of RCS Computer Experience at 575 Madison Ave. Guess they're just waiting for demand of the ~~$1,500~~ $1,877 keyboard market to pick-up before busting out the trowel and mortar.

Optimus Maximus survives coffee spill test... or does it?

by Darren Murph, posted Aug 1st 2008 at 4:02PM

Maybe it's the ambiguity and possible masking of truth that just adds to the allure here, but whether it really lived or not, you now know what an Optimus Maximus looks like after an impromptu greeting with lukewarm java. Sir tema clearly states that the keyboard "survived" its first recorded coffee spill "thanks to the construction of the upper tray," but judging by the looks of this thing... um, we're not so sure. Oh, and he also mentions that spilling liquids on the 'board is not only "stupid," but it obviously voids any applicable warranties. Thanks for the memo.

Art Lebedev lets loose Plastinkus scratch pad

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 29th 2008 at 5:04PM

Sure, you could whip out your iPhone or Nintendo DS and your app of choice for a little impromptu DJ session before dinner, or you could get yourself one (or two) of Art Lebedev's new Plastinkus scratch pads, which supposedly sound just like you're scratching the real thing. While that claim may be somewhat dubious, at about four bucks apiece they're certainly at least worth taking a chance on, and you can even get 'em in no less than forty different color combinations. Now, if we could only get our business cards printed on them.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Optimus Pultius: because Maximus just isn't enough

by Paul Miller, posted Jul 21st 2008 at 10:41PM

Sensing your deep down desire for more OLED keys, Art Lebedev is busting out the new Optimus Pultius, which adds 15 keys to the mayhem. Sure you could use it all by its lonesome, sans Maximus, but that's just not as fun. The keys are just like the ones on the Maximus, and there's even an extra USB port in the back. And you know what that's for... daisy chaining these suckers. No word on price or release date just yet, other than the vague 2008 / early 2009 timeframe.

Art Lebedev opening Optimus Store in New York next month

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 16th 2008 at 5:53PM

We highly doubt Art Lebedev chose the opening day of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on purpose here, but nevertheless, the design studio made famous by its Optimus Maximus keyboard will be opening up shop in the Big Apple on August 8th, 2008. At first, the store will actually be held within RCS Computer Experience at 575 Madison Ave. and E. 56th Street (on the second floor, just opposite the escalator), but if sales start pouring in, we reckon it could land its own place in due time. It is noted that this location will devote almost all of its shelf space to Optimus Maximus keyboards, but a few other electronics gizmos should be available as well. So, who's camping out for the opening?

Optimus Popularis prototype hits the web

by Ryan Block, posted May 30th 2008 at 4:07PM

Watch out, everybody, the Optimus Popularis has gone from foam mockup to proper-looking prototype. (We're really digging that full-length display in the space bar.) With any luck, we won't have to watch this one develop over the course of 2-3 years like we did the Maximus -- and with a little more luck, this one will be easier to type on, too.

Art Lebedev shows off Optimus Popularis keyboard mock-up

by Donald Melanson, posted May 20th 2008 at 3:14PM

It hasn't been all that long since the Optimus Maximus emerged its long, long journey from idea to actual, ridiculously expensive product, but it looks like we're already off on the next round of teasers and wild speculation courtesy of Art Lebedev, with the firm now offering up the first glimpse of its forthcoming Optimus Popularis keyboard. True to from, however, there's not much more than the mock-up above to go on at the moment, with Art Lebedev only saying that the keyboard won't use OLEDs but will instead be based on a "totally different principle," and that it'll be priced "below $1,000."