Holy shit, I want this

[Nev]

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

Keyboard that uses small LEDs to change key display based on what symbol a key currently actually represents. So, for instance, hit the CAPS LOCK key, and all of the symbols ON THE KEYBOARD will change to uppercase. Hit it again, they'll change back. Change to another language in Windows and they'll display kana, or Arabic, or Korean, or what-have-you. Also would be visible at night, as they're LEDs.

Not out yet, but someday...

[Imakeholesinu]

SEXY That thing looks so fucking cool! I can't wait till next year. I subscribed using e-mail updates so hopefully when it comes out, I'll get to order it. I want one of those so bad, especially since this is what my keyboard looks like now. (pictures forthcoming.)

[Tortolia]

From what I've heard, they've only got a year or so lifespan.

I'd rather only have to replace my keyboards when I spill a drink in them.

That and I'm so used to ergo keyboards now.

[Nev]

Hrm, that does suck a bit. I think I'd still pay the high price every year for a backlit/symbol-changing keyboard though.

[Imakeholesinu]

Tort, they are doing an egro one, and I bet there is someway to make it last longer. As for the drink spilage, I've never spilled anything on my Keyboard, but it still looks like shit.





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And I want your source of info where it says they only last a year damn it! I want to know!!!

[Oracle]

Good man, Good man. I also have those unsightly holes in my keyboard where the Windows key once resided.

[Nev]

I used to hate the Windows key before I found out some neat shortcuts...

Win+E - Open Explorer
Win+D - Show Desktop (Hide All Windows)
Win+Pause - Open System Properties Control Panel

There are a bunch of them, but those are the ones I end up using a bunch.

[Tortolia]

My ergo keyboard works perfectly. Why do I need to spend a lot of money on a short-lived, LED enhanced technological gimmick that I won't get decent functionality of?

Seriously.

[Imakeholesinu]

But how do you know it will only last a year?

[Tortolia]

That's just what I've heard from people who have used them. If it's longer lasting, great.

Seriously, though. It's a damn keyboard. I don't need anything fancy out of it. I type, letters appear on my screen.

If you can actually get good, real use out of it, and not just some sort of novelty value or geek points, all the more power to you.

[Nev]

When I was taking Arabic in college, this would have been a godsend. Do you know of any that are already in existence?