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Optimus OLED Keyboard Pre-Orders Start Dec. 12

Jupix writes, "After almost a year and a half of public development, the Optimus OLED keyboard is nearing completion. According to the project blog, pre-orders for the Optimus-103 will start on December 12. The price is unspecified at this time, but Art Lebedev has said the keyboard will cost 'less than a good mobile phone' (probably about $400). Don't expect to see those 10 programmable function keys on the left on this first version, though, as they will not make their debut until the Optimus-113, released later."

8 of 289 comments (clear)

  1. Re:What key switching tech does it use? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    huh? The squishy feeling is a good thing(tm) Its called a quiet keyboard. I very much dislike the spring keyboards, esp if yo use them for data entry. With quiet keyboards its much easier to press the keys.

  2. Best use for this... by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 3, Insightful
    I suspect that this won't be used a lot on home computer systems. Where it may be used a lot is in things like automotive dashboards and possibly non-critical systems on aircraft where space is at a premium and touch screens work poorly if you're wearing gloves and/or want some tactile feedback.

    -b.

  3. Minor question - How much? by slightlyspacey · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I don't know about your credit card, but when I charge something, they require something a bit more concrete than "less than the price of a good cell phone".

  4. Buckling springs have ergonomic advantages. by Kadin2048 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    huh? The squishy feeling is a good thing(tm) Its called a quiet keyboard. I very much dislike the spring keyboards, esp if yo use them for data entry. With quiet keyboards its much easier to press the keys.

    Although ultimately it comes down to personal preference, I think that the 'clicky' buckling-spring keys are actually easier to use and less fatiguing. Because there is immediate tactile and audible feedback when the key-switch is actuated, you don't have to press it as far down. When I use a 'soft touch' keyboard, I find that I hit the keys further and harder, because there's not that feedback; I slam each key all the way down instead of (with practice) only pushing each key down as far as is necessary.

    The noise of the original IBM Model M's is definitely a downside; if you have to work around other people, I can see how it wouldn't win you many friends. In my opinion, the Apple Extended Keyboard II with the Altus switches is the best of both worlds. It's softer both in terms of pressure and sound than the IBM, but it's not as 'mushy' as a soft-touch (silicone dome).

    --
    "Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
    1. Re:Buckling springs have ergonomic advantages. by kefler · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "The best feedback is the letters appearing on the screen anyway."

      You must type rather slowly...

  5. E-Paper keys? by gaspar+ilom · · Score: 3, Insightful

    OLEDs are cool and all, and support color...

    But if they used e-paper for each key, couldn't this be used in laptops and other low-power devices?

  6. Re:Forced tilt? by daeg · · Score: 4, Insightful

    One would hope after dropping a few C-notes on a keyboard you wouldn't have to shim anything.

  7. Re:Staggered columns versus matrix keyboards by Quarters · · Score: 3, Insightful

    OMG! They "destroyed it" by supporting the keyboard design the overwhelming majority of people are used to instead of supporting a layout that only two companies feel is important. Those bastards.