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Optimus Maximus delayed until February, unless you skimp on firmware
We've been waiting this long, what's a couple more months? Art Lebedev has announced that the Optimus Maximus keyboard isn't quite ready for prime time yet, and will be delayed until late February. Lucky for you reckless early adopters out there, if you pre-ordered the Maximus you can get Art Lebedev to ship you the keyboard now, it'll just be lacking its final firmware, and therefore you've got a bit of a hack job to look forward to when Lebedev releases the full firmware -- which will be software-updatable. Not exactly exciting news, but we'd much prefer Lebedev get this out the door than sit around a few more years waiting on perfection.
Art Lebedev lets loose "Dosugus" cushion
Art Lebedev may be best known round these parts for its OLED fixation and the long, drawn out means in which it applies it to an actual product, but the firm also regularly churns out a number of decidedly more low-tech but equally geeky items -- a range that it's further expanded today. That comes in the form of the "Dosugus" cushion, which should be a familiar sight to anyone of a certain age and would likely warm the cold, nerdy heart of anyone that receives it gift. At under $30, it also costs about the price of a couple of keys on the Optimus Maximus keyboard and, what's more, it's actually available the day it's announced.
Optimus Maximus in minimus sub-$1000 configurations
The $1,564, 113-key Optimus Maximus is priced way, way beyond most people's budget for a keyboard. But man, you still ache for those programmable OLED keys. Now's your chance. Starting February 20th, 2008, Art Lebedev comes true to his word with new 1, 10, and 47 programmable OLED key configurations for $462, $599, $999, respectively. How (almost) practical.[Thanks, James]
Final Optimus Maximus box design revealed
Well, it looks like Art Lebedev's slow drip of information about its Optimus Maximus keyboard even extends to the product's packaging, as it now turns out that last box we saw wasn't the final version -- the one above is, supposedly. Not that it likely make a bit of difference to the select few actually able to get their hands on one, that is.
Hands-on with Optimus Maximus (at last!)
The legendary Optimus Maximus is chilling out at the Wired Store in SoHo as of this week, so we dropped by to snap a few pictures. We've gotta say we're pretty impressed, the build seems as solid as a rock, the screens are crazy bright and all the glossy keys catch the light just right. We could even say that we're glad they took the time to get everything right, but it has been a painful decade, so we'll see. Everyone's tastes in keys are different, so we'll let you make up your own mind on the clickity clackity the next time you're in NY -- or at least once our crack keyboard review team gets some quality time with a unit of our very own -- but color us impressed so far.%Gallery-10754%
Sub-$500 Optimus keyboards in the works, and other newsimus maximus
Those following every twist and turn of the Optimus Maximus keyboard have plenty to sink their teeth into on the always dependable optimus_project LiveJournal today, including the tantalizing detail of a soon-to-be-announced sub-$500 model. More details on that (and a sub-$1,000 model) will apparently be coming next week, when each will also supposedly be available for pre-order. The blog also dropped word that the first lot of Optimus Maximus keyboards has been sold out, and will start shipping in December or January, with the second lot set to arrive in February. Those first few keyboards will apparently be "somewhat functionally limited," however, with firmware updates planned "every month or so in the beginning" to bring them up to speed. Lastly, comes word that Art Lebedev will be introducing a "couple of new Optimus concepts" this year, with another model set to be released sometime next year, no doubt starting this whole long, drawn out process all over again.
Art Lebedev's Pultius remote: one button for every channel
Here's a human-interface challenge for you: what's quicker, typing in a three-digit channel number on a traditional 0-9 keypad, or locating a physical button for that channel in a 20-inch long rainbow gradient of 102 identically-sized buttons? Art Lebedev is apparently hoping to solve that age-old dilemma with the Pultius remote, a concept created in response to a challenge to "design a remote control with as many buttons as there are channels on TV." Since it's just a concept, there's no word on price or availability, but really, we've learned not to expect that sort of thing from Art Lebedev at this point.
Optimus Maximus to ship in white?
At this point we're pretty firmly on the seeing-is-believing bandwagon with the Optimus Maximus, but this picture on user optimus_project's LiveJournal pretty clearly shows the Ultimate Keyboard with a white frame as opposed to the silver one we've previously seen. Oh, also it's titled "Optimus Maximus to be shipped in white," so there's that. We're kinda getting the render vibe from the image, but as always, we'll leave that up to you to hash out in the comments.
First Optimus Maximus hits Moscow
It's been a long time coming, but the first Optimus Maximus OLED keyboard has finally shown itself in Moscow and, as you can see in the picture above, it's already being put to good use. Of course, the lucky few that got in on the first batch of orders will still have to wait a while longer to get a taste of all that excess first hand, with the keyboards apparently still on track for a release by the end of the year. We somehow suspect there will be plenty more pics to whet the appetites of the rest of us in the meantime though, and if you just can't wait for that inevitability, you can hit up the read link below for a slightly larger version of this one.
Optimus Maximus gets a numeric keypad test
Hot on the heels of the recent single-key Optimus Maximus OLED key test comes the highly anticipated multiple-key test, a demo of the numeric keypad. Yes, it's a whole bank of the custom-built buttons, flashing in a veritable parade of holiday-season-worthy light. Sure, that exposed PCB and those little plastic keys don't look like they're worth $1536, but we're sure once it's all said and done you'll still feel like it's money well spent. Check the video after the break to witness the dancing lights for yourself.
Art Lebedev's Matryoshkus redefines Babushka dolls
Just in case you forgot which was larger -- a byte or a terabye -- Art Lebedev just released his, um, unique take on Russian nesting dolls. Wow, made from real Russian linden wood, but we're totally bummed there's no petabyte, exabyte, or zettabyte, you know?
Optimus Maximus OLEDs finally tested
Funny, after a first-wave sellout of their Optimus Maximus keyboards, we kinda figured that a "first test" of those OLED keys would have occurred before now. Au contraire my pirate-patched friends. A video of just one of those 113 keys (the spacebar, apparently) has been published showing RGB in all the glory you could expect from a 10.1 x 10.1-mm, 48 x 48 pixel display. Let's just hope they can somehow dampen the Johnny Cash-era freight train effect before these units ship. Video after the break.[Thanks, Fantastico]
Art Lebedev's Finger Folder flash drive
We know, either you're waiting impatiently for December to roll around or figuring out odd jobs to raise upwards of $1,500, but here's a gem from Art that'll take your mind off (momentarily, at least) that other creation. The Finger Folder flash drive describes itself fairly well without any help from us, as the brilliantly simplistic USB drive resides in a manila folder that you're free to label at will. Sure, you could get all fancy and buy a drive with a programmable BCD, but there's just something magical about doing things the old way.[Thanks, Mike I.]
Optimus Maximus: 113 keys, ready to pre-order
Ready to move around some funds in your accounts? Take out that loan from your mom? Tell your wife you just don't know why the account's a grand light? The Optimus Maximus is up for pre-order for $1564.37. Oh, and it's officially back to 113 keys (that's $13.84 per key, in case you didn't feel like busting out your HP financial calc). Remember, only 200 are being made during the first round, so if you want to be among the early batch to get theirs this December, now may be your only chance -- unless they're already sold out, that is.%Gallery-3324%
Optimus Maximus pre-order starts May 20th
Taking another small step from its sump of vapor, the Optimus Maximus keyboard is now ready for pre-pre-order. Beginning May 20th at 1500 Moscow time (0700 New York), Art. Lebedev will publish the keyboard's detailed specs and start accepting "limited pre-orders" for their $1,536 OLED keyboard. Regardless of that hefty price, we wouldn't be surprised to see all 400 keyboards available in December sell-out faster than a corporate rock star.[Thanks, Andrew H.]
Optimus Maximus gets price and date
After some OLED display supply issues and a few setbacks, it looks like Lebedev and company have finally settled on a launch date and price for the king of keyboard, the Optimus Maximus. Hold your breath, it'll be due late November (the 30th, to be specific) for $1536 US ("Shakespeare's birthday"). Bad news, we know, but the worst news is still to come: only 200 keyboards per month for November and December, and 400 keyboards are scheduled to be made next January. (On second thought, at over $1500 apiece, maybe that's not so few keyboards.) Ok, exhale, it's going to be alright.
Art Lebedev's Vilcus dactyloadapter
Since the dawn of the electricity in the home, there's been one problem universal with power outlets the world over: they're just too damned hard to electrocute yourself with. Thankfully we have visionaries like Art Lebedev to help solve these vexing problems with innovative new products like the Vilcus dactyloadapter. Simply insert fingers into the receptacles, and insert the Vilkus into the electrical outlet of your choice for a few soothing, (heart) muscle-relaxing volts1. Replaceable plugs for Euro an US slots mean you can take advantage of the grid at home or abroad, and when paired up with a Rozetkus or power splitter means circuit-breaking fun for gatherings of friends and family2. 1 What are you, stupid? Don't put your fingers in power outlets, please.2 Product is fake. Do not use. %Gallery-2355%
First Optimus Maximus prototype key revealed
There it is, the first prototype key for Lebedev's Optimus Maximus keyboard. Unlike a typical dome-switch style keyboard -- the mushy but quiet type which collapses a rubber dome to close the circuit -- a key press on Lebedev's $10 key moves a transparent cap around the OLED display to throw a mechanical cherry-switch. This has the benefit of protecting those tiny OLED displays while potentially kicking back a healthy dose of tactile feedback. Reports are that "key-press is nice" although the first prototypes have yet to arrive in Moscow. Certainly, haptic considerations are incredibly important. But we're wondering about the level of optical distortion caused by the gap between the cap and OLED. After all, these keys will be used as informational widgets so they need to be visible from a variety of angles. When you're paying $1,490 for an OLED keyboard, the "look" is just as important as the "feel."
Optimus keyboard hits OLED snag, production still on track?
The Optimus keyboard has been a long, long time coming, and unfortunately for everyone with the $1,200 $1,490 ready and waiting, you might have to test your patience still. While release date rumors have come in all over the place, the dashing keyboards were slated to ship sometime near the end of this year barring any major production problems, but alas, it looks like the dreaded manufacturing hiccup has reared its ugly head. Apparently, the OLED producer that the Optimus creators were relying on have encountered some "serious financial difficulties" and won't be delivering the displays at all. Thankfully, it looks like the team is moving forward with other production steps anyway, and they plan to retrofit the keyboard cases with the just-in-time OLEDs (to be sourced from a currently unknown supplier) after most of the assembly is already done. So while we're hearing that the pre-order stage is still set for "near April," and the shipping timeframe is still penciled in for December, it could take a Christmas miracle to pull it all together.
Optimus Maximus official press shots
For $1,490, we should -- at the very least -- expect some free press shots of the Optimus Maximus this morning, right? Good, 'cause that's all we're going to get from the design cats at Art. Lebedev Studio. No prototype, no working OLED keys, just press shots. Still, kinda dreamy eh? Cue the Chinese knockoffs... now.%Gallery-2115%
