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Blog: Gadgets Optimus Keyboard Launch Date, Take 4
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - October 18, 2006 12:01 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 9 comment(s) - last by Aikouka.. on Oct 23 at 10:13 AM
The Optimus keyboard will ship with Duke Nukem Forever

The Russian developers of the Optimus keyboard noted that the Art.Lebedev Studio will begin accepting pre-orders for the Optimus keyboard in December 2006 while the estimated ship date is sometime after next spring.  The keyboard’s designer, Artemy Lebedev, has continually delayed the keyboard for a number of different reasons since its official announcement last January.  The interesting looking keyboard immediately garnered attention from users because of the keyboard’s ability to allow users to customize every key for a number of different purposes.  

 

The Optimus keyboard and Optimus mini three are both innovative keyboard concepts that have faced long delays that have left possible consumers frustrated.  DailyTech posted an article in May that noted that there was no expected launch date for the full-size Optimus OLED keyboard – it looks like the outlook hasn’t gotten any better.  However, Lebedev has since dropped the OLED component from the keyboard, instead opting for backlit LCD keys.

 

While not being able to deliver with the Optimus keyboard, Artemy Lebedev has posted a blog about the Upravlator, the company’s “new keyboard.”  With the company’s track record with its previous products, we’re not holding our breath.

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Not OLED.
By Mudvillager on 10/18/2006 5:37:13 PM , Rating: 4
Is it just me or has just about every tech news site missed this post from their new blog:
quote:
Optimus-113 Pricing I know that many people are trying to guess or calculate the price for the upcoming Optimus-113 ('big') keyboard. Some went as far as dividing the 160 US$ price tag for the mini three by three and multiplying it by at least 100 to get the fugure. Well, they're wrong. Mini keyboard actually uses very large keys about the area of four keys of a standard keyboard. Optimus-113 will use smaller screens with a resolution of a standard icon on a desktop - 32x32 pixels. The price for the shipping unit remains withing range of a good mobile phone (but not $20,000 or $5,000 as some people may think after shopping for another Vertu). And we had to make one very important decision during the engineering: we will not use OLED screens for the Optimus-113 . Another important thing: all keys will be replaceable.

In the comments http://community.livejournal.com/optimus_project/1... he states that they are going to use passive matrix LCD's instead. They are known for having a lot of lag. Now I'd like to see some irl action with this "new" technology.




RE: Not OLED.
By peldor on 10/19/2006 10:20:29 AM , Rating: 2
Lag? Are you planning on playing 32x32 movies on the keys?


RE: Not OLED.
By ted61 on 10/19/2006 12:01:27 PM , Rating: 3
I want to watch a different football game on every key!


A different method?
By Aikouka on 10/19/2006 9:27:37 AM , Rating: 3
I was sitting here thinking about their design ideas and how costly they must be for what they're delivering (practically novelty items that have very little bearing in most people's settings). But what if they changed how they set everything up?

Now, this idea isn't nearly as well-designed as a keyboard using OLEDs in each key, but what about using a TPD (Touch Panel Display) set on a flat surface with clear keys that touch the surface when pushed down. Now, it sounds very simple, but it would require proper engineering to make the keys not destroy the TPD and still have the keys feel comfortable (probably laptop-esque) to the end-user. If done right, this could probably give them a cheaper method to providing a similar experience that they originally boasted about.

Heck, using this method, you could even create a "keyless" keyboard that kind of acts like one of them McDonalds cash registers with the flat button feel/look. It'd definitely be hard to get used to when it comes to typing, unless you're a find-and-peck typer ;).




RE: A different method?
By Samus on 10/22/2006 7:07:46 PM , Rating: 2
OLED is far better suited for this purpose. Using LCD's is retarded. In the end, it'll be more expensive after backlighting and power supply components are considered, not to mention OLED's have longer life than even an 8G LCD panel.

Stupid stupid stupid.


RE: A different method?
By Aikouka on 10/23/2006 10:13:23 AM , Rating: 2
Well, I thank you for your constructive... okay, it wasn't quite constructive criticism as much as being an ass. Now, "Miss Aran", it's time to turn the tables on ya.

Now, you talk about OLED's superiority in power consumption, which isn't wrong; however, where did I say that using an OLED screen as the base was out of the question? They're not close to mainstream yet, but they're not out of the question. In this case, assuming only made an ass out of you... oh wait, you did that before you even assumed ;).

Ohhh can I keep going... oh I will, I will...

Longer life relative to what. How long do you use a keyboard before replacing it eventually? Do you wait until the cheetos crumbs and dead skin piles up above the keys? Longevity is a moot point. I've never had an LCD die from longevity. The only reason I've ever replaced an LCD was to increase the resolution.

You're complaining about using more power after being willing to spend money on a novelty item... you may want to reconsider your point. Surprised ya didn't mention the fact that you'd also need to use another VGA connection as well :P.

Now, from an engineering standpoint and especially from a hobbyist group trying to make a buck off a nifty idea like these people are, using newer technology that (like I mentioned before) isn't mainstream is why you don't see the product actually being released. Wiring being required for each key to provide the picture signal would be attrocious at their level! Now if you say, "well, they have a 3 button model that works!" Sure, although the buttons are about 3-4x as large as a standard keyboard button. I may have fat fingers, but they sure as hell aren't that fat.


Why the Buzz?
By TomZ on 10/18/2006 4:07:30 PM , Rating: 2
Why does anyone give this company any buzz? I think they've proved themselves as a company that cannot deliver. It is a neat idea, but if they can't deliver, then it never becomes any more than just an idea.




RE: Why the Buzz?
By Goolic on 10/18/2006 6:45:39 PM , Rating: 2
They will deliver ...
Acording to the blog post http://community.livejournal.com/optimus_project/6... the production has already started.
The engenering of the thing was the problem, they knew they could do it, but they needed to make it barely afordable


RE: Why the Buzz?
By TomZ on 10/18/2006 9:39:52 PM , Rating: 2
Yes, of course. :o)


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