Be nice to see this from a professional point of view, keys that show what there functions are for each app, instead of memorizing each combo for Final Cut, PS, Aperture etc.
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Optimus-like OLED Apple Keyboard?
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None for me, thanks.
I'm already ready to replace the new iMac keyboard I'll get when I buy my new iMac with an existing Apple keyboard I already have (their last generation before the present "laptop button" style).
The new keyboards are junk, and while the ones featured in this thread look cool, there's no way I'd want to type on them.
God bless Douglas Adams, Cloudane. Man, I got a chuckle outta that.
I'm already ready to replace the new iMac keyboard I'll get when I buy my new iMac with an existing Apple keyboard I already have (their last generation before the present "laptop button" style).
The new keyboards are junk, and while the ones featured in this thread look cool, there's no way I'd want to type on them.
Or a big red button that, when you press it, changes to say "Do not press this button again"
God bless Douglas Adams, Cloudane. Man, I got a chuckle outta that.
It's cool technology, I've already seen it and played with it in other devices. But it is very expensive, we won't see it in a keyboard at a mainstream price range for a long time, maybe years.
Sure, a small screen like that is cheap. But "cheap" probably means $10 or more (and that's on the conservative side). If each screen is $10, than a keyboard with over 100 of them would be over $1000, not to mention the additional hardware needed to run 100 separate (though small) video displays.
For a keyboard to cost $100 or less, the screens would have to be under a buck each. That's a ways off.
It sounds like you don't understand patents. You aren't supposed to be able to patent something that has already been patented or is already shipping (prior art). And if something does get patented (and the patent holds up in court), they can keep the tech to themselves, but more often they'll just let others use it and negotiate a royalty.
But something as broad as "cars" isn't going to get patented, if it did it would never hold up to scrutiny.
Sure, a small screen like that is cheap. But "cheap" probably means $10 or more (and that's on the conservative side). If each screen is $10, than a keyboard with over 100 of them would be over $1000, not to mention the additional hardware needed to run 100 separate (though small) video displays.
For a keyboard to cost $100 or less, the screens would have to be under a buck each. That's a ways off.
It sounds like you don't understand patents. You aren't supposed to be able to patent something that has already been patented or is already shipping (prior art). And if something does get patented (and the patent holds up in court), they can keep the tech to themselves, but more often they'll just let others use it and negotiate a royalty.
But something as broad as "cars" isn't going to get patented, if it did it would never hold up to scrutiny.
All good points. Which is why something like the Optimus Tactus is the more logical way for Apple (and Optimus, for that matter) to go. A single uniform surface is easier to protect against liquid intrusion (and perhaps physical impact), is easier to clean, can be configured ad-infinitum, and offers other things like video or movement-control (multi-touch).
I read the patent and I conclude 2 things from it. The first being that Apples application is very valid and does not interfer with the art lebedev one. The reason is very simple. Art lebedev puts a static display under a transparent cap while Apple has an application for an illuminated cap.
Another detail I noticed is that the apple application is talking about animation and such, but not about multi color. So there is a chance that the apple one is simply black and white which reduces the amount of data that needs to be transfered and processed dramatically.
I also conclude that Apple is very close to finally create a product out of this as the production details a very detailed. For example there is a block diagram of the ASIC. Or the details on how the OLED stuff comes into the cap. An interesting detail is that they are talking about the glass-substrate which could also be used to be part of the cap The current iMac keyboard (which i really love) shows that user accept completely flat caps which make it very easy to built-inthe OLEDs.
I am really looking forward to buy such a keyboard for a resonable price.
Here the application in detail:
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph...87".PGNR.&OS=DN/20080001787&RS=DN/20080001787
Another detail I noticed is that the apple application is talking about animation and such, but not about multi color. So there is a chance that the apple one is simply black and white which reduces the amount of data that needs to be transfered and processed dramatically.
I also conclude that Apple is very close to finally create a product out of this as the production details a very detailed. For example there is a block diagram of the ASIC. Or the details on how the OLED stuff comes into the cap. An interesting detail is that they are talking about the glass-substrate which could also be used to be part of the cap
The current iMac keyboard (which i really love) shows that user accept completely flat caps which make it very easy to built-inthe OLEDs.I am really looking forward to buy such a keyboard for a resonable price.
Here the application in detail:
http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph...87".PGNR.&OS=DN/20080001787&RS=DN/20080001787
How about Apple patents ideas that are theirs, not someone else's
Apple are not patenting an idea, but instead a technology/construction of an idea/product. Many of the big companies do this all the time, go buy an Audi or Bimmer and it will likely be protected by several hundred patents, yet it's not any different of a car compared with the rest of the cars on the market.
With that being said there is too much fuss and buzz around Apple's patents.
Apple Must Be Buying Patents From Two Guys
Apple and Lebedev look like they are working together that's why the Optimus has not been released yet. Lebedev needs Apple's capacity for economy of scales and Apple needs their patents to modify the Optimus' design further by simplifying it with no keys- it should look like one big multi-touch keyboard. The multi-touch might need another patent purchase from that other multi-touch inventor (chinese looking guy who's product has not come out of shelves yet either which could be a good clue Apple is working with these two).
Apple and Lebedev look like they are working together that's why the Optimus has not been released yet. Lebedev needs Apple's capacity for economy of scales and Apple needs their patents to modify the Optimus' design further by simplifying it with no keys- it should look like one big multi-touch keyboard. The multi-touch might need another patent purchase from that other multi-touch inventor (chinese looking guy who's product has not come out of shelves yet either which could be a good clue Apple is working with these two).
I could see Apple using a combination of traditional keyboards with certain Optimus style keys or a Tactus style area.
A MBP with a normal backlit keyboard combined with a large Tactus-like area beneath it to replace the touchpad would be plenty cool and useful. Something like that could also probably be done without increasing the price by too much.
I would buy one for sure. Maybe a couple more as gifts.
A MBP with a normal backlit keyboard combined with a large Tactus-like area beneath it to replace the touchpad would be plenty cool and useful. Something like that could also probably be done without increasing the price by too much.
I would buy one for sure. Maybe a couple more as gifts.
I would think (hope) that it would change when you press a modifier key. Say you pressed the option key, and the normal keyboard lettering will be replaced by the appropriate symbols.
The optimus demo has ben posted a couple times in this thread. I suggeest everyone take a gander at it. If Apple were to do basically what the demo shows, it could usher in a keyboard revolution!
Looking at the studio/about section here: http://www.artlebedev.com/studio/
I can't really see them being willingly bought by Apple, however, I could see them either doing commissions for Apple, licensing deals, or Apple perhaps poaching key staff.
I can't really see them being willingly bought by Apple, however, I could see them either doing commissions for Apple, licensing deals, or Apple perhaps poaching key staff.
Only a new keyboard???
(I've posted this in another thread a few minutes ago, but it was the wrong thread. Sorry, if you read it for the second time) )
Apple has to do something revolutionary about the user interface as it has done with the mouse or with WYSIWYG ages ago - or with the iPod and the iPhone.
Only getting faster, slimer, cooler will not help to leave MS behind in the long run. Others will do faster, slimer, cooler etc. for less money (I agree that OSX is still somewhat better than all WINs, but not sooooo much better, Apple was in the past).
For most people out in the streets even OSX is far to complicated to use (Take a look around you, next time you go to town ). If Apple wants to win the battle in the consumer market (that's why they hired that Avon lady yesterday for their board??) with products interesting for all of those who are still not willing or able to become computer freaks (e.g. 'all-in-one' products: internet, tv, radio, movie-on-demand, frige-control ...and computer, books-on-demand .......) Steve will have to speed up, creating a really new fool-proof interface concept and starting it on the 'pro' - product line. Technology is available nowadays.
My first Mac: 'Hello' 128 kB RAM
(I've posted this in another thread a few minutes ago, but it was the wrong thread. Sorry, if you read it for the second time
) )Apple has to do something revolutionary about the user interface as it has done with the mouse or with WYSIWYG ages ago - or with the iPod and the iPhone.
Only getting faster, slimer, cooler will not help to leave MS behind in the long run. Others will do faster, slimer, cooler etc. for less money (I agree that OSX is still somewhat better than all WINs, but not sooooo much better, Apple was in the past).
For most people out in the streets even OSX is far to complicated to use (Take a look around you, next time you go to town ). If Apple wants to win the battle in the consumer market (that's why they hired that Avon lady yesterday for their board??) with products interesting for all of those who are still not willing or able to become computer freaks (e.g. 'all-in-one' products: internet, tv, radio, movie-on-demand, frige-control ...and computer, books-on-demand .......) Steve will have to speed up, creating a really new fool-proof interface concept and starting it on the 'pro' - product line. Technology is available nowadays.
My first Mac: 'Hello' 128 kB RAM
Consumer Market
Let's just say that what has been revealed with the iPhone is the very small tip of the iceberg of what is already up and running at 1 Infinite Loop. Releases are planned so as not to cannibalize current products, and/or offer models for competitors to emulate. The fool-proof interface you mention already exists, and will be introduced in due time - innovation shall continue to reign.
Let's just say that what has been revealed with the iPhone is the very small tip of the iceberg of what is already up and running at 1 Infinite Loop. Releases are planned so as not to cannibalize current products, and/or offer models for competitors to emulate. The fool-proof interface you mention already exists, and will be introduced in due time - innovation shall continue to reign.
Anybody who is not into the Optimus keyboard is clearly an agent of the Decepticons.
I wish I used a program on my iMac that would get me all amped for an Apple keyboard with neat little pics in it, but I don't... well, maybe Cubase...
I wish I used a program on my iMac that would get me all amped for an Apple keyboard with neat little pics in it, but I don't... well, maybe Cubase...