iMac keyboard redesign?

[holadihey]

ok, apple should really redesign their wireless keyboard!!!!

notice how the up/down buttons are split vertically? (bottom right corner) -
similarly;
1) split the delete key into left/right delete horizontally
2) now back to bottom right hand corner,
split both the left/right button & up/down buttons horizontally or vertically,
whichever is more ergonomic,
and broaden them to fill that corner space, for simple games etc.
3) ADD a numeric keyboard, or bring out a stand alone APPLE bluetooth keypad
4) backlights
5) usb/ lightning rechargeable built in batteries for the extra power consumption of the numeric keypad or backlights

Then you can choose between leaving it plugged into your mac, or if its full plug in your ipad or iphone.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

I do think it's time for the white keys to go since the iMac has no white on it aside from the power cord and all MacBooks use black keys.

I think the illuminated keys for an iMac make little sense since you're always at a desk in good light in front of a big bright screen. Adding illumination would just drain battery for the sake of being able to say "Wow, my keys light up!"...

 

[WilliamG]

I do think it's time for the white keys to go since the iMac has no white on it aside from the power cord and all MacBooks use black keys.

I think the illuminated keys for an iMac make little sense since you're always at a desk in good light in front of a big bright screen. Adding illumination would just drain battery for the sake of being able to say "Wow, my keys light up!"...

I'm sorry? How do you know how we use our computers? My iMac is NOT in good light, and I have the brightness turned down considerably because it hurts my eyes. I'd love a backlit Apple keyboard.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

I'm sorry? How do you know how we use our computers? My iMac is NOT in good light, and I have the brightness turned down considerably because it hurts my eyes. I'd love a backlit Apple keyboard.

The reason MBP's have an illuminated keyboard is because you often can't control the lighting where you bring your portable notebook. If you need more light in your home office where your iMac sits on a desk, go to Target and buy a lamp. That's the difference.

Not saying I don't think an illuminated wireless keyboard would be cool, just trying to theorize why Apple hasn't released one to this point.

 

[WilliamG]

The reason MBP's have an illuminated keyboard is because you often can't control the lighting where you bring your portable notebook. If you need more light in your home office where your iMac sits on a desk, go to Target and buy a lamp. That's the difference.

Not saying I don't think an illuminated wireless keyboard would be cool, just trying to theorize why Apple hasn't released one to this point.

Quite frankly, that's like saying Apple's portable line don't need backlit keyboards because the light from the display illuminates the keys anyway. Obviously that's not always the case. Just like it's ridiculous to suggest that I go buy a lamp at Target to solve not having an illuminated iMac keyboard. To be more precise, when I do my photographic work I need a very specific lighting environment, so having a lit keyboard would be great.

Please, don't generalize your situation/thought process to all situations/thought processes. A lot of working professionals would love a backlit Apple keyboard.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

Quite frankly, that's like saying Apple's portable line don't need backlit keyboards because the light from the display illuminates the keys anyway. Obviously that's not always the case. Just like it's ridiculous to suggest that I go buy a lamp at Target to solve not having an illuminated iMac keyboard. To be more precise, when I do my photographic work I need a very specific lighting environment, so having a lit keyboard would be great.

Please, don't generalize your situation/thought process to all situations/thought processes. A lot of working professionals would love a backlit Apple keyboard.

Are you aware of this product if you want one that bad? Looks nice - http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/illuminated-keyboard-for-mac-ipad-iphone?crid=1489

 

[mmomega]

Something similar to the Moshi Luna illuminated keyboard would do.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

- Not necessary. Dedicated keypad is redundant, function key allows for keypad keys, and there are enough 3rd party solutions already.
:::snip:::

Redundant? Certainly true for the typical keyboard user. Definitely not for someone who keys-in numbers a lot (like me). (Yes, Virginia, it's good for Apple to cater a bit to hard-core business users.)

I'm happier with the wired Apple keyboard than having a separate wireless number pad like the Belkin (even if it does match the look of the Apple wireless keyboard) - it'll always be in the same place relative to the keyboard.

Yeah, backlit wired keyboard (with number pad) for my work desk. It's definitely not necessary to have backlight. I have enough ambient light, and besides, I'm a touch-typist, but I like the look.

To have backlighting, I'd rather be tethered and waste one USB port than have to frequently change batteries or plug in a charger. Even the most miserly backlighting scheme will require a lot more power than the un-lit Bluetooth.

As to "unnecessary" keys? We each have our own ideas, so System Preferences to re-map keys (not just key combinations) will be more satisfactory than exchanging one hard-wired function for another.

 

[WilliamG]

Are you aware of this product if you want one that bad? Looks nice - http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/illuminated-keyboard-for-mac-ipad-iphone?crid=1489

There are plenty of keyboards that try to do what Apple has done with its keyboards, yes. However, Logitech's own offerings don't come close to Apple's.

 

[holadihey]

it seems Logitech and Belkin have quickly jumped in to fill the gaps, but they do not match each other and Belkin have not had good reviews from users for their BT num pad.
What im really saying is style and quality pleease.

Backlight can be switched off, thus useless dicussion, just have the feature.

Logitech have included a lightning charging port- thumbs up to them- logical- there must be a very talented so n so working for them!

I hate having delete in one direction- which bright spark down at Apple thought of that??? Oh well it saves on a button I suppose :/

MacRumors should have a poll & petition for Apple to bring out a new wireless keyboard. imho

 

[holadihey]

This is where you may second the poll & petition- A petition for a petition...

here are my suggestions again:

1- Backlights
2- Num pad, ON THE LEFT SIDE; then ..... remove numbers on top row
3- Dedicate the number row to row of most used symbols eliminating the need for shift on that row
4- Rethink the symbols. ie: why a have $ sign and no Eu or Yen (above the 4) to just name one reason. Wheres a degree symbol? list can go on and on and on.
5- lightning re-charge
6- 2way delete and combine this with the 4 way arrow set (shift to move without deleting for instance (these keys are hardly used as everyone has a mouse or track pad)
7- caps lock for simple gaming to maybe LIGHT UP preprogrammed keys (jump; fire; speed; L; R) --like WOW--
8- black keys (popular demand)


Keyboard Definally needs to be reformed -
And as Apple boasts innovation they should step up to mark!!!

 

[ApfelKuchen]

This is where you may second the poll & petition- A petition for a petition...

here are my suggestions again:

1- Backlights
2- Num pad, ON THE LEFT SIDE; then ..... remove numbers on top row

Definitely a solution for a lefty (or a righty who's never learned to touch-type a numeric keyboard).

Removing numbers from the top row? Disaster for a touch typist - we'd have to remove one hand from the home keys anytime a number was needed. That's why we like keyboard combinations (CMD + C, etc.) - the less mousing, the better. It's why a thumb-operated touchpad can be nice. The way I work, I use the top-row numerals for "casual" input, and move a hand off the home keys when there's more intensive numeric keying required.

Lefties do deserve a left-handed keypad solution, but why do unto righties what they've done unto lefties?

3- Dedicate the number row to row of most used symbols eliminating the need for shift on that row

Again, it would bleep-up touch typists. Not as badly as removing the numerals, since it'd just be a matter of un-learning to shift.

4- Rethink the symbols. ie: why a have $ sign and no Eu or Yen (above the 4) to just name one reason. Wheres a degree symbol? list can go on and on and on.
5- lightning re-charge
6- 2way delete and combine this with the 4 way arrow set (shift to move without deleting for instance (these keys are hardly used as everyone has a mouse or track pad)

If it means moving the delete key out of a touch typist's reach? No. A second set of delete keys? Why not?

And while I rarely use the cursor keys, they do come in handy when I'm entering numeric data in spreadsheets - again, I can keep my fingers on the numeric keypad, and cursor with my thumb.

7- caps lock for simple gaming to maybe LIGHT UP preprogrammed keys (jump; fire; speed; L; R) --like WOW--
8- black keys (popular demand)


Keyboard Definally needs to be reformed -
And as Apple boasts innovation they should step up to mark!!!

Re-mappable to the user's requirements, definitely. Innovate various alternate keyboard mappings (such as your suggestions), definitely. Just add it all to System Preferences. Muck-up life for touch typists? Why? I'm a writer. I wouldn't want to lose 10 WPM to "reform."

The real innovation, IMHO, would be an iPhone/iPad-style virtual keyboard with full tactile feedback and impact absorption. Something that feels like a "real" keyboard, but it'd do all those nice context-sensitive re-mappings and allow near-infinite customization (even to the extent of adjusting key positions to suit each user's hand span/reach). Choose the key color, choose the "backlight" color...

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Re-release the Apple Extended Keyboard II...

While I also love the AEKII, I do think the current fullsize keyboard is better. The keys have a better feel to it, and well, you can never get rid of plastic fast enough.

I think the only improvement I would like on it, is illuminated keys.

 

[Irishman]

Today, I was considering if the iMac needs a keyboard redesign. If Apple will update the Macbook Pro and remove the old Macbook there is no computer with disk tray anymore. The button on the keyboard to warp out the disk will become useless then... What if the new iMac will keep running Bluetooth when its in standby mode, so a on button on the keyboard can boot up the iMac? That will be great! Do you think there will be possibilities like that?

you know that eject disc hotkey works with external Optical Drives?

 

[holadihey]

Thnx Apfelkuchen, scrap those ideas then, ,

But wouldnt this be awsome (backlit with lightning charge)- its still pretty minimilist, and with the new Mac around the corner . . .

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Thnx Apfelkuchen, scrap those ideas then, ,

But wouldnt this be awsome (backlit with lightning charge)- its still pretty minimilist, and with the new Mac around the corner . . .

Thanks! The real trick is to come up with designs that satisfy a wide range of users with little or no compromise for any.

I'd love a wireless keyboard with numeric keypad. It's tough to see, even when I expand the thumbnail, but is the delete key a single key with a Shift/CMD to delete left-to-right, or is it two keys? From my perspective, definitely a single key, - 3/4-width keys are a harder target to hit. I suspect you'd prefer two keys, to avoid the need to Shift/CMD. As long as it was all re-mappable, both our approaches could be accommodated - I might map both keys to work identically, with Shift/CMD to reverse direction, you could have them mapped to separate functions, to avoid Shift/CMD.

I don't know if you were intending, but the splice line in your image suggests a detachable numeric pad. A separate unit that could be fastened to either side of the alpha keypad would satisfy my desire to have an anchored location for the numeric keypad, and yours for a left-side numeric keyboard. Shane1905 suggested a magnetic fastener earlier in this thread, and that sounds good to me.

I'm not sure about the function of a Lightning connector - what features do you have in mind that would require more than USB? USB, for sure - both for power/charging and for USB hub.

Of course, most of this stuff would jack-up the cost of the current wireless keyboard - that could be the most difficult compromise of all to deal with.

 

[holadihey]

Hi,

OK, lets make it simple,

Just add three extra rows to the Blue tooth keyboard. Thats it. Not detachable, not magnetic, just 3 rows.

Green highlights are +-*/. and the dot or comma.
Enter is the Enter / Return button- no need for two enters so close together.
A two way Delete should each get its own button (next to the blue highlight).
Blue highlight are numbers lock and a degree key, as this is always used with numbers, it should be with the number pad.

Navigation arrows incorporated with the numpad with num lock- Apple can work this out.

In fact top row of symbols are due for overhaul, (no sense in doubling up with +-*/= if these each have their own button at the bottom). Bring all symbols used with numbers over to right (ie: %# degree). Add currency symbols (Euro, Yen, $ etc) to the centre and !@^& to the left of this bar (along with new http:/ button).

Three new F keys right at top should be dedicated colour buttons (red, blue and yellow being the primary colours) Hold them together and you should get green, or purple or orange (secondary colours)- Awesome innovation.
Then you don't need to leave the keyboard to change font colour, or highlight.- if you really need a whole pallet then use the mouse and programme.
Also bold, italic and underline should become part of the keyboard as well -
Its high time.

If lightning recharge and backlights prove to bump price up too much then scrap that (cant have the one without the other anyway IMO).

Long story short- three extra rows cannot increase the price for a company like Apple, and it will scratch a lot of blog itches (were not the only ones having this number pad discussion)!!

 

[holadihey]

I wander if Apple ever trolls these discussions?