Optimus Three Finally Shipping! Can it be true?

[edge]

Just read over on Gizmodo that the Optimus 3-LED keyboard will be shipping in August. 

See article here.

Did anyone here actually pre-order?  I read through some of the older Optimus threads here, but didn't see anyone biting.

[Effayy]

It looks awesome.  Just one problem though...

Half of me is really excited to see that thing in action, but the other half of me can't seem to justify $100 for 3 buttons (or scrolling information) at my side.  I think once the full keyboard is available, I'll be looking into a serious purchase.  Unfortunately if 3 keys sell for $100, what would 101+ keys sell for?  Eep!

- FA

[pointdablame]

I agree with Effayy.  It's an amazing proof of concept, and really gets me excited about what keyboard I'll be using in 5 years, but as for spending $100 for 3 keys... I'm not going to do it.

I seem to remember $300-400 being thrown around for the full keyboard, but with the delays the 3button has seen, and all the changes, I doubt that price range is worth much anymore.

Either way, i probably won't spend the money for the full keyboard either, at least not until I can go pick one up at my local Best Buy

[hnugz]

it goes up to $160 after August...Bah.  It is friekin awesome, but for gaming and whatnot that seems a bit unnafordable.  I would also wait for the full keyboard.

[SithMaster]

you misled me.  wheres optimus prime damn you.  he died for your sins after all.

[RayB]

Repeat after me:

RUSSIAN SCAM!!

They have been taking pre-orders for that thing and the bigger keyboard for a couple YEARS now. And they keep moving their ship date every two months.

Then every few months some respected news website or magazine gets suckered into covering the thing (why I don't know, since everyone's heard of it by now) which keeps the scam alive.

Just sit back and watch the site every month. That shipping date keeps changing.

Here's an older thread about it: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=50658.0

[edge]

Just to keep the flame burning...

ThinkGeek actually received a pre-production Optimus 3.  You can read about here:
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/keyboard/optimus-mini-three-keyboard-first-unboxing-hands-all-over-194928.php

[Dreamwriter]

While a full keyboard would be cool, that wouldn't be useful for us at all.  However, this three-button device seems perfect for home arcade machines.  For example, on the front end the buttons could be start game, up one letter, down one letter or something, then in MAME they could change to Exit Game, Options, Insert Coin.  The ability to have three buttons that change their appearance when they change their functions would rock.  $100 is a bit steep, true, but that would be cool.

[Dudeman]

So, has anyone tried one of these out?

[javeryh]

Cost aside, what would you guys use this for on an arcade cabinet?

[Dudeman]

That's the road I was headed down. There seemed to be a bit of interest there for a while, and I was curious as to what it was used for, if anyone had gotten one.

[ChadTower]

I'm waiting for Megatron.

[Buddabing]

I think they want something like $1500 for the full keyboard. A bit pricey.

[RayB]

Use the Search, and Google. They DID finally release it. (At least to reviewers they did...)

[SavannahLion]

Use the Search, and Google. They DID finally release it. (At least to reviewers they did...)

You can buy it, trick is finding someone that has it. Lebedev site lists about a dozen retailers.

If there's a company that likes to spin the hype machine it's those guys. They've wrapped their damn products in so much hype that it's sickening. For instance, the Digg community practically humps every blog posting about the Optimus at Lebedev. Great idea for a keyboard, but if they would quit trying to garner so much damn attention, they might actually have released the product by now.

If you want to get an idea of their ---fouled up beyond all recognition--- up product line, check out the Vilcus Plug Dactyloadapter for unparalleled stupidity.

[Crowquill]

Forget the Optimus Three. You can start pre-ordering your Optimus Maximus in just 10 days, 20 hours, and 56 minutes! They even have this rolling clock to let you know how long is left. Then they state the release date as 15.03.2007.

I don't know if it's neccessarily a scam, but they really need to get their ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- together if they plan on marketing this stuff worldwide. And if they're this organized now, how are tech support and updates to software going to be in the future after buying your rediculously expensive keyboard. Scary.

Anyone else think it's funny that they designed a cover to a book on avoiding bank fraud?

[ahofle]

Maybe I'm missing something, but other than looking "cool" what is the point of this keyboard?  I don't usually look down at the keys to marvel at how beautiful they look while typing.  Even if I remap them for games or whatever else using different icons, I still just memorize which key does what -- I don't look at the label before pressing it.

[Havok]

If the thing ever sees the light of day, I would like to use it for game instructions - forget those cheesy LCD screens that people are using now. How about a full color scrolling display, complete with text and\or graphics, with the option of pressing a button for further instructions, or changing functions?

[Dudeman]

Well... www.thinkgeek.com has them in stock.

[SithMaster]

I'm waiting for Megatron.

And he better turn into a gun.

[RayB]

Forget the Optimus Three. You can start pre-ordering your Optimus Maximus in just 10 days, 20 hours, and 56 minutes! They even have this rolling clock to let you know how long is left. Then they state the release date as 15.03.2007.

Don't trust their release dates. It gets pushed back every few months. I was shocked when the mini-3 actually made it into people's hands.