Laser Virtual Keyboard

[UndeadMeat]

Just ran across this for the first time:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/8193/   

I must have one! It would be cool to build it into the front of the monitor bezel and turn in on whenever you need to enter anything. Curse high priced super cool technology and its money sucking power!

-UndeadMeat

[Havok]

One of the guys at my work here is thinking of getting this. I hope he does so I can check it out first!

[zudmsc]

I saw it too, but they are out of stock.

Zud

[UndeadMeat]

I think you can order it directly from the company who makes it here:
http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/

They have one that has a serial connection in case your MAME^TM computer doesn't have bluetooth. Someone with a lot of money buy this and tell us if it is as cool as it looks 

-UndeadMeat

[michelevit]

why does the website feature someone typing on a real keyboard?
they should have a video of it actually working.

[hnugz]

it seems like it would be extremely uncomfortable.

[Gh0sty]

i saw it on a TV show, it works only on flat ground, not on glas
or if you are out, it dont work on gras. I dont see this as
a real future thing.

[RickDIII]

The actual components for the technology are very small and I've already seen articles about this being the next big addition to PDAs.  You would stand the PDA on a table and have an instant keyboard. 

The only issue I've heard with it is for touch typers.  Because it is just a projection you need to watch the keyboard when you type.  Takes some re-learning if you are used to watching the screen as you type.

[UndeadMeat]

Yeah, I couldn't see it ever replacing my regular keyboard for normal typing, but for a PDA or someplace where you don't need a keyboard all the time (control panel anyone?) it would be a fun toy. The geek factor almost makes it worth it for me. I just love whipping out crazy cool technologies at meetings and conferences and watching people stare. 

-UndeadMeat

[mccoy178]

If I can find a deal on this, I would throw it on my cabinet.  Thinking about not having to pop the hood is one major advantage of this.  I do all the real setup once in a blue moon, so for those instances, I could just hook up a regular keyboard.

[Lilwolf]

It would be REALLY cool for configuring your cab directly on a control panel.

Trouble is I'm betting that you need a set angle (might have some digital keystone correction... but have to see).  And I couldn't mount it under my monitor since it angles back.

But if you have a good place to put it... would be REALLY COOL!

"Here, lets change this setting for this game" click a switch, up pops a keyboard... and you type.

[Tahnok]

Wow! That is one of the coolest gadgets I have seen in a long time. I can't wait to try one out in person. Personally, I type somewhere between touch and sight, so it probably wouldn't be too big of a change for me. The only problem is for us key mashers (no feedback from the keyboard).

[mccoy178]

Another really cool feature is that it is only 9cm tall.  I think this is possible.  Why did I see this?

[sWampy]

You get one of these with a mini projector, a cpu, some ram, and a harddrive, and you could end up with a laptop, the size of a psp that you could sit on your airline tray, type one the tray and have the projector project onto a piece of cloth velcroed to the seat in front of you.

[Dartful Dodger]

To save even more space you can point it directly into your eye, then just keep poking yourself in the eye to type.

[ian_d]

Wasnt it April Fools Day recently ?

 

[crashwg]

Wasnt it April Fools Day recently ?

 

ThinkGeek's april fools joke was wireless 110v this year...  This, I believe, is real.