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The Future of PC Keyboards? [Update]

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Xiaou2:

 The idea seems cool..   but then you realize the practicality of it all.

 I started out as a two finger letter basher.  But after so many years
of IMs  and message board posts...   Ive realized how little I ever
glance at the keyboard at all.    Yes,  I make many errors every now
and then..but more often than not..  I am getting the correct key.  And if
I do not, I simply hit backspace and retype it... which is still faster than
looking at the Keys.

 Why would one want a cool display on the keys that they barely look at?

 I think the best reason is for a place like a business which has people
that speak (and type) different languages.   Other options are usage for
specialized software shortcut clues... such as making them a different color
or putting various Icons on them.

 And finally, there is another somewhat impractical idea... which is to make a game
in which the KB is a game display.   Such as little ants crawling around on the keys
and you need to smash them by pressing the key.   Could be fun..  but...
how many people are going to bash their expensive KB to hell to play such a game..
And..  do you really think that people are going to buy these in such mass
quantities for such a reason?   Even at mass quantities, the cost will still be
very high.   
   
 So, the KBs main target will be the business world and or for the very
rich who want a certain look and can afford to get it.
 
 If the thing does well..  and OLEDs get even cheaper, its conceivable that
in time the KB could drop to the $300 range.  But, dont hold your breath...
as that could take at least 1 - 2, (or more) years after being on the market.
(if ever)


  On a personal note...  I got hooked on the PC keyboards that have the
Laptop style buttons.   They have a much shorter 'throw'...  and are so much
faster (and more comfortable) to type with.   They also seem to be a bit less
mushy too... which gives you a much better feedback.

 

leapinlew:

--- Quote from: Xiaou2 on April 29, 2007, 02:20:50 pm ---The idea seems cool..   but then you realize the practicality of it all.

--- End quote ---

This is an answer looking for a solution. Many products have come out over the years with no apparent reason to exist. It's very possibly the app for this keyboard hasn't been invented.

For MAME purposes, it could flash an OK key to help out the noobs.  :)

AtomSmasher:
I'm still happy with my 10 year old keyboard I got free (after a $10 mail in rebate) from Bestbuy   ;D  An old fashioned clicky keyboard that still works great.

patrickl:
Per key it's cheaper than the Optimus mini. On the other hand, per pixel the price is the same as for the Optimus mini.

Wouldn't it be easier to put a single LCD under transparent keys and put a bezel around the keys to hide the key mechanism and electronics?

:edit: Lol, nevermind he also thought of that with the Optimus Upravlator keyboard. Although it's not really a keyboard (for text)

ChadTower:

It would be easier to do it with a single keyboard shaped touchscreen LCD.

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