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Art Lebedev announces the Optimus Maximus OLED keyboard

4np

4np

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 23, 2005
972
2
The Netherlands
Finally, the long announced OLED keyboard has arrived and will be released at the end of 2007.

But, at a price of $ 1490,-, what would you rather buy? A new Mac or a new fancy keyboard? ;)

There will also be a starter model with non (or a few?) OLED-keys for which you can buy seperate OLED keys to upgrade your board.

optmax1.jpg


optmax4.jpg

source: http://community.livejournal.com/optimus_project/
 
Probably Windows only?

I remember the mini version that came out a while ago, with three buttons. The software wasn't very good and the keypad itself made an electrical humming noice.

Still, once the price comes (way way way) down and if it is silent and works with OS X, I would definitely be interested. Even more so if it is actually nice to use.
 
I just had a look and there is OS X support for the mini board. Quite interesting.

The problem with this sort of thing being used with OS X is that it mainly just replicates the function of the Dock (language layouts aside). But having a few OLEDs on a normal keyboard would be a cute feature.

Perhaps Apple will use them at some point, to tie in with Mail or iCal or something?
 
Allotriophagy said:
I just had a look and there is OS X support for the mini board. Quite interesting.

The problem with this sort of thing being used with OS X is that it mainly just replicates the function of the Dock (language layouts aside). But having a few OLEDs on a normal keyboard would be a cute feature.

Perhaps Apple will use them at some point, to tie in with Mail or iCal or something?
Click to expand...

It is user customisable, so in Photoshop for example, it could be made (probably comes with presets as well) to look like the second image, and in a game, the first image...
 

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psychofreak said:
It is user customisable, so in Photoshop for example, it could be made (probably comes with presets as well) to look like the second image, and in a game, the first image...
Click to expand...

That's true, which would be kinda handy. Plus there is space on the 2x2 keys to show the alphabet too.

Though it's more aesthetic than practical surely? I don't play WoW and suddenly scream "WHERE IS THE JUMP BUTTON? ARRRRRGH! If only I had a £750 keyboard with cute keys!".

But back to having a few of these on a normal keyboard...would be nice for assigning RSS feeds to. It updates, the key shows the number of new items, you press the button to open the site up in your browser. Which I already use the Bookmark Bar for in Safari but it seems to update at random and with the wrong numbers. Same for incoming mail, messages on xyz social site, that kind of stuff.

Demand more eye candy.
 
Allotriophagy said:
That's true, which would be kinda handy. Plus there is space on the 2x2 keys to show the alphabet too.

Though it's more aesthetic than practical surely? I don't play WoW and suddenly scream "WHERE IS THE JUMP BUTTON? ARRRRRGH! If only I had a £750 keyboard with cute keys!".

But back to having a few of these on a normal keyboard...would be nice for assigning RSS feeds to. It updates, the key shows the number of new items, you press the button to open the site up in your browser. Which I already use the Bookmark Bar for in Safari but it seems to update at random and with the wrong numbers. Same for incoming mail, messages on xyz social site, that kind of stuff.

Demand more eye candy.
Click to expand...

know you can buy it with mainly normal keys and have the ones you want be OLED right?

i'd like to see pricing for the keys and such to see how it would be to buy and upgrade slowly.
its a sweet looking keyboard.
 
PlaceofDis said:
know you can buy it with mainly normal keys and have the ones you want be OLED right?

i'd like to see pricing for the keys and such to see how it would be to buy and upgrade slowly.
its a sweet looking keyboard.
Click to expand...

Can you? Hmm...

I was just looking for the Optimus Mini 3 in the UK but the only seller does not sell it online - have to call up for a price. In the US it is about $150 and Germany works out at £95. So, not cheap for three buttons.

The silver styling of it would go very nicely with the Mac Pro rather than my iMac, sadly. Black would obviously be nice with the Mac Book.

I'm just really in the mood to BUY something tonight.
 
psychofreak said:
It is user customisable, so in Photoshop for example, it could be made (probably comes with presets as well) to look like the second image, and in a game, the first image...
Click to expand...

Apple itself sells several different keyboards for use with -for example- Final Cut Pro. Using an OLED keyboard could indeed cusomize the keyboard layout for the particular software package you are using at that time.

For professional use it can be very handy and for casual use it may come in handy or just be plain fun ;)

Here is an example key from the keyboard:

103key2007.jpg
 
Allotriophagy said:
Can you? Hmm...
Click to expand...

Yep, check that 'source' link I posted. There it reads -among others-:

This means that we'll be able to provide several pre-configured options.

Possible configuration come to mind:
* Only F-keys having displays
* All the letter keys having displays (without numeric keypad part)
* All the keys (including arrows :) having displays

We may have three type of keys:
* Display keys with OLED screens (what it's all about)
* Back-lit keys for the places that do not require displays (like Tab key)
* Standard dumb plastic keys

As well, we'll be selling keys separately for those who wish to upgrade their Optimus or replace some of the keys.
Click to expand...
 
That looks awesome. I remember reading about that thing a while back, but I didn't think it was going to be so much. I wan't one, but there's a million other better things to do with that kind of money.
 
Figgin nice. Alas, at that price point I will probably be saving my dollars for an Octo-Core Mac Pro.

Still, it looks VERY nice. If it actually works as well as it has been hyped up to be it will be a spectacular piece of hardware.
 
Wow. I never thought I'd see a keyboard with an option to purchase it one key at a time.

Even more amazing is that that is how most people will probably purchase it.
 
wont it be like:

"oh i think ill buy the standard one and upgrade slowly instead of buying the ultimate $1,490 one"

5 years later...

"finally my last upgrade, let's see, my total is.....one thousand....four hundred...and ninty....dollars. &*#$!"
 
lu0s3r322 said:
"finally my last upgrade, let's see, my total is.....one thousand....four hundred...and ninty....dollars. &*#$!"
Click to expand...

I'll cost far more than that if you buy it one key at a time. I would expect each key, after postage and packing, to cost near to $50.

114 keys x $50 = $5700

Base keyboard = $300 (wild guess)

Total = $6000

:eek:
 
Wow they have REALLY missed the boat on this thing. Its taken them forever to get this thing out (ive known about it for about 2 years) and now they want how much? :eek:

There was a load of interest when it first came about and many may of bitten the bullet and bought it then. But now its old news and way too expensive. Although its a great product i think this particular one will flop.

In the near future we may see more of these things and they will be better received but they wont last long because touchscreen stuff is just around the corner (not just from Apple). 5 years everything will be touch screen stuff.

Possibly :p
 
But some people like the tactile feel of keys being pressed and giving physical response.

RedTomato said:
I'll cost far more than that if you buy it one key at a time. I would expect each key, after postage and packing, to cost near to $50.

114 keys x $50 = $5700

Base keyboard = $300 (wild guess)

Total = $6000

:eek:
Click to expand...

ZOMG! A BUNCH OF RANDOM NUMBERS THAT YOU CAME UP WITH ON THE SPOT!! :eek:




(but regardless of the actual price you mentioned, you're right in saying that it'll cost much more if you buy everything separately.
 
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