Clearly Something Impressive (Transparent Digital Keyboard)

Computer User ^ | 27 February 2010 10:44 | Alice Winters

[ModelBreaker]

“It will be an end to the incessant “You Owe Me A New Keyboard”, after someone posts a good joke.”

Come and wipe off my keyboard doesn’t have quite the same ring.

[Clock King]

The issue with this and the laser KB is always tactile feedback. I think we would like to develop interfaces like that shown in the PC game Mass Effect. It's explained by the designers that people either wear gloves with sensors and feedback built in, or they have sensors embedded under their fingertips (heavy users/engineers/hackers).

[ModelBreaker]

“GREAT!!! A keyboard that won’t get ruined when you spill coffee on it. A keyboard that can be cleaned ... sterilized ... with common household cleaning agents.”

There’s that. But in reality, I have to replace a regular old keyboard about once every five years due to grunge buildup. I don’t know. It just seems like another hip, appleish, metro thing to spend money on because of excessive coolness. But perhaps it will be a good thing.

[NavyCanDo]

Flat Keyboard? Oh great just when we start solving the ergonomics problems of typing for long period - looks like its back to the drawing board for Ergonomist.

[discostu]

I’ve always figured these “no give” keyboard idea would be pretty painful after a while. The down movement of the keys provides cushioning for your fingers, this thing would be like thumping right on your desk for hours on end.

[Toki]

I’ve seen prototypes for gloves like that (only as a mouse). And I don’t think tactile feedback is everything, you see people usuing the tiny keyboards on cell phone screens, and once you get used to it, you really don’t need it except for few occasions. I think your right that some people (heavy users) will pay for that, but I believe the cheap way to go will be to ignore that.

And I have got to play that. :D

[Toki]

That’s it. Sorry I forgot whether it had been marketed it or not at all.

[comraderie]

By contrast, here are the keyboards of today...

[ArrogantBustard]

Every Monday, I turn my keyboard over and bang it on the desk ...

Knocks all the crud out.

[Toki]

I would love if this actually was used, but I think it’ll go more the apple route for keyboards on touch screen, not much for ergonomics. I’m sure you’ll be able to have a perirefial device that will be ergonomic though.

[numberonepal]

It’s pretty darn cheap actually. I’m not sure how well it works, but it looks cool. I need that feel of the keys springing back though.

[dbwz]

The silicone keyboards looked really neat - I liked the idea of being able to roll it up and put it in the backpack, in addition to being able to run it under the tap to clean it. So I got one only to find out that the typing experience was frustrating. Back to my wired $20 Logitech (which I have no complaints about at all).

This looks a little more promising... a dishwasher-safe keyboard. It's supposed to have better key feedback. I'll have to see it in person in a store before I pull the trigger.

[AFreeBird]

Instead of having a keyboard, you just set up a little camera with a projector on any flat surface and it displays a keyboard, where you can type. (I’ve seen it, done, but I don’t think it’s for sale yet). Much more mobile computer if able. .

Been out for a while. Laser projection, and you can buy one on Amazon for around $180 or so.

[Niuhuru]

Considering how some women torture themselves when it comes to fashion, there are dozens of nerds out there that will happily suffer pain in their fingers in order to have and use the latest technology.

[discostu]

The market might be there, but it ain’t me. I learned long ago pain is your body pointing out mistakes.

[Vince Ferrer]

The problem with this keyboard is that when you take it home and plug it in, it is still just a keyboard. What if I wanted to input Chinese characters on occasion? Or what if I needed a keyboard that had slightly bigger keys because I had a physical limitation? Or I could use a custom key set for an application so I don't crash all those fighter jets thinking F5 was the throttle when it really raises the landing gear, or I just need a trackpad? The industry will go in this direction in just a few more months or a couple of years at most.

Optimus Tactus keyboard

But even then, we'll still have the $20 regular keyboards.