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Art Lebedev details Optimus Popularis keyboard, puts Mini Six up for pre-order
We haven't heard too much out of Art Lebedev since its last major update on the Optimus Popularis and Mini Six back in June, but the Russian design studio is now finally providing a few more details on the premium peripherals. That includes our best look at the LCD-laden Optimus Popularis keyboard to date, along with a price for the smaller Mini Six (pictured after the break), the latter of which will set you back $376 and is available for pre-order right now. As for the Optimus Popularis, its price now stands at $1086 with the current exchange rate, and Art Lebedev is promising that the first shipment will arrive by June 1st, 2012. Hit the source links below for a closer look at both devices. [Thanks, Basil1992]
Art Lebedev's Optimus Mini Six enters production, Popularis unsurprisingly delayed
We were a bit skeptical when we heard that the notoriously delay-riddled Art Lebedev Studio would be releasing a follow-up to its Optimus Mini Three keyboard this year, but it looks like the Mini Six is moving ever closer to reality. Yesterday, the company unveiled new images of the USB-powered peripheral, confirming that it's in "early production" and slated for release later this year. True to its name, the latest addition to the Optimus family features six LCD shortcut keys, though pricing and precise availability remain a mystery. As for that pricey Optimus Popularis keyboard we saw exactly a year ago, its release has been delayed until 2012 -- which, in Lebedevese, means "anytime within the next decade." In the meantime, you can feast your eyes on an extra image of the Mini Six, waiting for you after the break.
Disposable 'Fleshkus' drives ensure your memories some day hit the dump
We're a little less of a disposable society than we used to be, but that's not to say we wouldn't embrace an opportunity to get back into our formerly carefree and wasteful ways. This concept spotted over at Art Lebedev, designed by Alexei Lyapunov and Lena Ehrlich, could get us there, eight or 16GB thumb drives printed on cardboard and produced so inexpensively that you can simply tear one off, scribble on it, then give away to friends to share files -- just a concept at this point, but this vision of tomorrow seems awfully likely to us.
Art Lebedev's Optimus Popularis delayed, but new Optimus Mini Six is on the way
We've always taken Art Lebedev's product launch forecasts with a grain handful of salt, so this doesn't come as a surprise: the firm's sub-$1,000 OLED keyboard won't be out anytime soon. However, the second thing the indie peripheral design house revealed today makes us giddy despite our misgivings -- before the full-sized Optimus Popularis comes to market, it's planning to release a new miniature keypad like the Optimus mini three (pictured above) but with six keys inside. Still... is it bad if all we really want is an Optimus Aux prototype?
Optimus Popularis keyboard finally pictured, still on track for sub-$1000 release
Art Lebedev doesn't have a fantastic track record when it comes to timing, but we'll be damned if those boutique devices don't look hot when they hit the scene -- just check out this first render of the Optimus Popularis keyboard, which the studio informs us will still (despite years in the making) cost less than $1000 when it eventually arrives. We're loving the new chiclet keys with typewriter spacing, even as we mourn the loss of a dedicated numpad in favor of industrial design -- though Art Leb says a press of the FN key will remedy that issue. When every button has a screen built into it, you can put that ten-key wherever you want, right?
Art Lebedev stacks Optimus Popularis keys up against Maximus: smaller, higher res
Art Lebedev gave us an update on its slimmer, long-promised Optiumus Popularis keyboard last month, but the design shop hasn't ever provided many concrete details about it apart from the fact that it won't be OLED-based this time around. We now at least know a bit more about those all-important keys, however, which are said to be both smaller and higher-res than the OLED keys on the Optiumus Maximus -- 15 mm square and 64 x 64, to be specific -- and have a much smaller "inactive" area (as illustrated by the gray border above). Still not much more than that, unfortunately, but this is Art Lebedev, so you can count on a trickle of information to continue right up until the keyboard rolls out at the end of this year / early next year -- assuming it isn't delayed, that is.
Art Lebedev's Reflectius clock tells time with a single laser beam
Art Lebedev managed to impress us with its Segmentus analog clock last month, but it looks like the prolific design firm has now already outdone itself with its new Reflectius clock concept, which uses a single laser beam and sixty rotating mirrors to display the time. That impressive mechanism is matched by the clock's angular exterior (pictured after the break), which Art Lebedev describes as "a complex triangulated surface that reminds of the complicated trajectory the beam of light travels in no time." Unfortunately, it is still just a concept, but you can at least get your usual glimpse of Art Lebedev's design process at the source link below.
Art Lebedev's Segmentus clock gives you a digital reading using its analog hands
We're not quite sure whether you need a really active or a really idle mind to come up with this, but the dudes over at Art Lebedev Studio have just unveiled their latest conceptual design. Continuing the theme of faux-Latin names, this is branded the Segmentus clock, and sports hands just like an antiquated analog clock, but unlike an analog clock it seems to have a good 20 or 30 of them. Working in unison -- you might call it like clockwork, but we'd rather you didn't -- they then produce a digital time reading, which might not be easy to read, but we're sure will tickle all the artistes out there. Art Lebedev calls it "true postmodernism," and you can find a live demo on the company's site at the source link below. [Thanks, Danil K.]
Art Lebedev introduces 'Fleximus' camera concept
Well, it looks like Art Lebedev has more than the rather ingenious Transparentius concept in store for us today -- it's also introduced this so-called Fleximus concept for a flexible digital camera. Not exactly anything new there, per se, but Art Lebedev seems to be pitching this one specifically to photographers, not just folks that want to peek in hard-to-see places. To that end, the Fleximus comes equipped with a proper viewfinder on one end of camera, which can also be detached and replaced with a 3-inch LCD module (check it out after the break). Of course, this is still just a concept so there's nothing in the way of specs, but you can get an exhaustive look at the design process at the link below.
Art Lebedev's Transparentius eliminates opacity, improves road safety
Kudos where it's due: not many design houses use tanks in their illustrations of a new road safety concept. Transparentius, as with most good ideas, is remarkably simple -- you jack a camera onto the front of a truck, or lorry as they're known in some places, and then project that image onto the back of your hulking transporter. The effect of this is to render the truck figuratively transparent for the driver behind, who is enriched with a lot more information about what lies on the road ahead. No word on how the rear projection is achieved or how sunlight glare is overcome, but knowing Art Lebedev, you can bet both challenges are solved in the most unaffordable fashion possible. Anyhow, now that you've got the idea, we're throwing this one over to you dear mod-loving friends -- can you build this without remortgaging the house? [Thanks, Dennis]
Art Lebedev's Rozetkus 3D vs. Letout Outlet... Fight! (updated)
Just yesterday the internets were buzzing with the latest design from Art Lebedev: the Rozetkus 3D; a standard outlet that pops out of the wall with a simple push to support multiple connections. Lebedev, you'll recall, made quite a name for himself by taking the Optimus Maximus programmable OLED keyboard from art to part, so to speak. Since posting about the Rozetkus 3D we've been informed of another very similar design concept called the Letout Outlet. So similar, in fact, that it would appear that we've got a copycat on our hands. Unfortunately for our friends at Lebedev, designer Damjan Stankovic created his Letout Outlet concept in January of 2009 and was recognized with a prestigious reddot design award in the "domestic aid" category back in August. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and good artists copy while great artists steal, well, then congratulations to one and all. Unfortunately, only Damjan Stankovic will be on stage during the formal reddot awards ceremony on November 24th in Singapore. Update: Artemy Lebedev has responded to our inquiry calling this a "funny (and unpleasant) coincidence." Art tells us that his design shop's Rozetkus 3D was first published in Lebedev's internal idea-collecting intranet dubbed, The Brain, back in November 2006. He assures us that his art is prior, had no knowledge of Damjan's work, and that no wrongdoing should be assumed by either party. Read -- Letout Outlet Read -- reddot list of winning concepts 2009 [Warning: Excel]
Art Lebedev's Rozetkus 3D socket concept gives you five plugs where once there was one
We're getting ever closer to wireless power, but without a doubt have many years of life with plugs ahead of us. It's a drag, but fancy concept receptacles help to make our tethered existences slightly more interesting. The UK Folding Plug concept wowed us over the summer, and Art Lebedev's Rozetkus power strip from a few years ago was great, but now his studio is taking us to a new dimension with the Rozetkus 3D socket. It looks like an unassuming and soothingly blue socket but, push the little button above, and it pops out like a Lemarchand box with openings (and, possibly, eternal damnation) on each face. No word on a possible release, but we're guessing manufacturers foreign and domestic are flooding Art's inbox right this very moment. %Gallery-77793%
Art Lebedev's Navigarius GPS concept proves it's hip to be round
Say what you will about Art Lebedev Studio's retail products -- which are very cool, even if the price tag's pretty sobering -- its concepts are most covetous, and the Navigarius GPS device is certainly no exception. Touchscreen controls, USB, microSD, cigarette lighter adapter, a thin, detachable stand -- and did we mention the display itself is round? Square screens are for squares, we always say. It's the perfect gadget for our futuristic dashboards, something to tinker with while we wait for the Luxofor traffic light to turn green. Catch another glimpse after the break.
Engadget's 5th birthday giveaway, part 1: win an Optimus Maximus keyboard!
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
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
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
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.
Art Lebedev's Scartel WiMax handset concept: we're moving to Russia
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]
New Optimus Aux shots show a sexier vision
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.
Optimus Pultius becomes Optimus Aux, new prototype shows up
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.