Optimus Maximus keyboard

A computer rendering of the keyboard prototype.

The Optimus Keyboard is a concept for a prototype OLED computer keyboard from the Art. Lebedev Studio, headed by Artemy Lebedev. On each of its keys is a display which can dynamically change to adapt to the keyboard layout in use or to show the function of the key. While the concept appears very popular, critics have described the prototype as being vaporware.[1] However, the 3-key version is expected to start shipping 15 September 2006.

Overview

Photoshop layout

Quake III Arena layout

The design featured on the studio's website received attention on the web when it was featured on Slashdot on 14 July 2005, and afterwards for a few weeks on other technology websites.

Even though the pictures on its product page are computer graphics renderings, the designers stated that they intend for the keyboard to be a real product. The studio is currently looking for a manufacturer in China or Korea. According to the official newsletter, the Art. Lebedev Studio expects to receive actual samples of the keyboard by the end of 2006. The keyboard is supposed to be in production next year, but the studio is planning on creating another model after the release of the Optimus mini three.

The Optimus would allow for greater user interaction, by dynamically displaying the current function of the keys. For example, when the user presses the shift key, the pictures would change to upper-case versions. It would also make switching between different keyboard layouts (such as English and Cyrillic) rapid, and could make the switch to Dvorak easier for people who only have a QWERTY keyboard with no possibility of rearranging the keys. To demonstrate this concept, the computer renderings show example layouts for Quake III Arena and Adobe Photoshop.

The intended primary audience of the keyboard is typographers and translators; the secondary audience includes graphics professionals and gamers.

Optimus mini three

The website seemed to hint at a shipping date with the following text: "Good Things Come in Small Packages - February 1, 2006", but like the weblog Engadget suspected, the "small package" is in fact a related product, the "Optimus mini three", a smaller keypad featuring only 3 OLED keys. [2] This smaller version is set to arrive on 15 September (25 September in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia, and Lithuania), with current preorders costing around USD120 / €102 / 3420 RUB, rising to USD160 / €136 / 4560 RUB from 1 August. [3]

Similar keyboard

A keyboard with similar functions, called the 205PRO, features 20×20 pixel monochrome LCD function keys will be manufactured by United Keys [4] early 2006. The patent for this "Display Keyboard" (U.S. patent 5,818,361) is held by inventor Elkin Acevedo [5]. Other, similar keyboards have been thought of before this, but due to high production costs none have been mass produced so far.

Expected features

Art. Lebedev Studio is expecting to manufacture the keyboard with these features:

• An aluminium body
• Extra-durable polymer plastic keys
• 32×32 pixel (for regular keys) screens, Truecolor mode
• USB 2.0 and FireWire connectivity
• A separate ergonomic version
• 4-5 year lifetime
• A key-saver mode
• Support for animation on keys
• Ability to form a mosaic using a combination of key images
• OS independence
• An SDK for complete display customization

According to the studio, the price in the USD200-300 range would be optimistic. [6]

References

• "Optimus keyboard". Retrieved 2006-05-20. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |accessyear= and |coauthors= (help)

External links

• Optimus - The studio's page on the keyboard
• Optimus mini three - The studio's page on the mini keyboard
• Optimus mini three - The studio's shop's page on the mini keyboard
• Slashdot article
• Interview with Primotech
• A Tweakers review of the Optimus Mini Three