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Touchpad Meets Morphing Keyboard
Several sources are reporting on the new offering from the British firm Pelikon which combines a touchpad and morphing keyboard into a unique little device. "This isn't just any old morphing keyboard, you see. Not only can the board be dynamically reconfigured by backlighting different portions of the keys — the entire surface of the thing doubles as a touchpad, which you can probably imagine has virtually limitless utility in a mobile device where the space for a true touchpad simply doesn't exist. Pelikon already works with Toshiba on its domestic-market Biblio, but we'd love to see it hit devices around the world — in fact, we wouldn't really mind if they just released this prototype they're showing as a Bluetooth accessory. diNovo Mini competitor, anyone?"
HTPC input device would be something I would like.
I don't like trackballs, and keeping a big keyboard floating around the living room sucks.
It's not like you need a keyboard for 90% of the time you're using an HTPC, but that 10% is usually sort of critical, and using an on screen keyboard is barely above an exercise in futility.
So if it goes up for ~$80, I might buy it just to get rid of the keyboard and mouse setup I have in my living room.
A wireless version would make an awesome home theater control device - especially if it could be programmed to morph to match the service you're using at the moment. It would be neat to have it change automatically from a video remote, to a game pad, to audio control w/ EQ, to keyboard for email and social media, to slider for lighting control, etc.
This device is pathetic compared to the Model M. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M)
Maybe its just me but I have a hard time with typing with no feedback. I like feeling where I'm at on a keyboard...