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Optimus-like OLED Apple Keyboard?
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On the contrary I nearly never use my keyboard on MBP. Always external
And it would increase the price of machine significantly.
And it would increase the price of machine significantly.
Oh, so you think NO ONE should be able to make a product even resembling something someone else has come up with. Just think where we'd be if only Ford made cars. Their cars are a joke.
And the Optimus isn't the "price of a high-end cell phone" that was promised when announced. Try price of three or four high-end cell phones! I wanted one but refuse to pay their ripoff prices. If Apple can sell it for 1/3 of what Optimus is demanding, Optimus will find themselves relegated to the history books where they belong.
A $1600 keyboard is nothing more than a rich yuppie status symbol, not a tool for those who really need it
Really?? I was sure its way more than that. Still overpriced
For that price you get one with a customizable space bar. Yes, you read that right. THE SPACE BAR. and ONLY THE SPACE BAR.
Now that is a pretty slick implementation.
I could actually see something like this from Apple.
I like the idea, but as one who keeps primary applications in the dock on my desktop, and the entire applications folder in a stack, I'd probably get no real use out of this.
Well 1 button. I would think they would let you pick the button...
Yeah, my bad, I didn't actually look at the pre-order page. For all 113 keys it is 1500 dollars. The real question is (since OLED tech isn't cheap) how cheap can Apple make this and still make a profit off it. If Apple sold it for 500USD how many here would buy one?LOL, OLED Space Bar..
I've admired the Optimus since the first pictures of it but find it hard to believe it'll ever sell in great numbers, if it even makes it to market.
One thing we know about Apple is that, even though they make use of numerous things they didn't invent, they always come up with a new or much improved method of implementation.
Could this maybe be a great successor to the backlit keyboard on Pro laptops?
One thing we know about Apple is that, even though they make use of numerous things they didn't invent, they always come up with a new or much improved method of implementation.
Could this maybe be a great successor to the backlit keyboard on Pro laptops?
You are thinking too confined. Go HERE and after it loads, click on photoshop to get a taste of the true geekiness of an OLED keyboard. Seriously if Apple could bring us this for a reasonable price, combined with multi touch, it could cause some sort of computer revolution...
I was surprised that it would have been published now (instead of kept secret for 18 months as usual). If you take a closer look at the application, then you can see that it claims priority of a provisional application of 15 June 2006.
That is the effective date (OK, US patent law still f***s that up, but nevertheless that rule works fine for the US most of the time) for any subject-matter in that earlier application.
I don't know what Optimus disclosed and/or claimed, but I suspect that the inventive part of Apple's idea is in the program-specific behaviour of the keys. They mention as an advantage that you don't have to memorize the keys anymore. I think it is quite a disadvantage for not being able to rely on the meaning of a key, but hey, I'm a touch-typist.
Bert
This is what first came to my mind as well. The thought of having all those shortcuts display when you are in FCP would be amazing. I'm just wondering how this is implemented on the whole keyboard without taking away the look of the actual keys? Would you have a button to press to activate all the shortcuts? Not that I need to see all the keyboard letters to type, but its a convenience factor I guess. Any thoughts?
Well, it would display the normal letters until you hold a function key.
For example, holding down the command key will label the "Q" key with "Quit", put the Spotlight icon on your spacebar, put "Hide" on the "H" key, etc. WHen inside a text field, the keys would display the normal letters. Try out the demo: http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/demo/
Another similar keyboard, and even more expensive:
http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2007/09/fairlight-xynergi-can-kick-sand-in.html
http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2007/09/fairlight-xynergi-can-kick-sand-in.html
From Art's page:
"The service life of displays and their ribbon cables has been enhanced by making the screens embedded in the keytops motionlessits only the transparent caps that are pressed."
So why not just make large fixed screen behind all of those moving keys? Surely would have been a lot cheaper than up to 113 minature oleds?
Yes, and then I guess they have some way for when you are in FCS to have it display the shortcuts all the time since you don't type as much. Maybe have it where you hit the function key twice fast and then it lights up and displays the shortcuts until you clear it by hitting it again.
As a super heavy Photoshop user, it would be incredible if I could map the number pad keys to run my Photoshop actions. I already use the Function keys, but to be able to use even more keys over on the right would be killer.
And if it looked super sweet, well, that would be quite alright with me.
And if it looked super sweet, well, that would be quite alright with me.
The problem with a full touchscreen for a keyboard, is most people "touch" type. Can't tell if you clicking the correct key if there is no tactile feedback. Or if you have actually pushed the key hard enough if you cannot hear the key physically move (blind users).
I am sure Apple will get around this (blind users have, when the key is "touched", a voice stating the character of the key touched. etc).
All I am saying, is its one thing to light up the keyboard via optics like the PB or MBP, but having a non tactile feedback keyboard, could get difficult.
(think of all those people that type with their fingernails as opposed to their finger tips. Touch will not work well with people that type like that)
Personally, if they can make this keyboard at a decent price, and pull it off well, I would buy one in a heart beat. If nothing for coolness factor.
I love how if Microsoft stole ideas from some little innovational business they'd be seen as the scum of the universe, but Apple does the same thing (this and not to forget Konfabulator) and it's perfectly fair
OLEDs are rubbish anyway, I have one of those OLED MP4 watches, it got burn-in within mere hours. They also have a ridiculously low MTBF (they'll stay bright for like a year max)
OLEDs are rubbish anyway, I have one of those OLED MP4 watches, it got burn-in within mere hours. They also have a ridiculously low MTBF (they'll stay bright for like a year max)
