iKeyTypePro LCD-based multi-language keyboard

The problem with the Optimus keyboard is the OLED. OLEDs lifetimes are measured in 10s of hours or a couple hundred hours max. LCDs have proven themselves as true workhorses. I agree that the OLED keyboard would be pretty, but I woulnd't want to spend a few hundred dollars on something that only has 2 years of practical life. Also, when the keys die how hard will it be to replace them?

But still, I wish you a lot of success. I'm looking forward to how the market progresses, and I'm shure that there will be some rather rapid developments in all aspects (quality, design, price) as soon as the manufactures experience the popularity and market potential of such devices. So to put my first comment into perspective: The first generations may suck, but it's still a big step forward. I can definitely see myself buying one of those, at some point down the road.

Bruce, thanks for the reply. I have indeed never built my own keyboard, but I've been a consumer long enough to assume the (maybe cynical) position that quality of use will not be the main focus for early generations, when it seems much more important to get a product out quickly. Look at the responses you generate! A lot of people will want to own one of these! One factor that will be taken onto account in every buying decision, as you are well aware of, is the price of such keyboards; and I'm guessing that these types of displays are still pretty expensive to integrate; my assumption is simply that there are other factors that are more important for the initial versions than the quality of the typing experience. And your quote fits quite well into this: "Pricing is dependent upon market cost of available components"; it will be rather expensive compared to traditional keyboards. I just assume that longevity of those keyboards will not be a major design factor for the first few generations. Who wants to build a great product that is too expensive for most, when you can just as well serve the market of delighted early adopters who are happy to exchange their display keyboard with every new (improved) generation?

mardoen - I do not understand why you seem to think quote: (I guess that the typing experience on these keys won't be that great for the first generations, so you will get a sub-par keyboard for a lot of money.) end quote. This technology will incorpoated into a professional keyboard, the only difference is that you will SEE all characters instead of trying to hunt for them or using templates, so how could it be a SUB-PAR keyboard? I do not know of anyone claiming it to be their original idea, but costs have prohibited the production of such a keyboard until now. We have bult working prototypes and have demo'd them almost a year ago. Color is simply a matter of cost and availability, too. It takes a long while for a plant to gear up to provide a run of LCDs, whatever they might be. As you, yourself, seem not to have built anything like this, I suggest you stop scorning others who have! Pricing is dependent upon market cost of available components (plus a wee bit of profit!!!) ;)))

Optimus WILL see the light of day. It'll be Open Source and OS independent too ;) full color OLED kicks the crap out of monochrome LCD. http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/answers/

The idea for this sort of keyboard is definitely nothing special. Heck, when I was putting cardboard overlays on my C64 keyboard in high school so many years ago I was thinking it would be neat to have the keys change to display function. But thinking about it and doing it... two very different things. I'm just glad the tech is now not only possible but hopefully soon, affordable.

Yeah, well the idea itself is not that original; it's just that the technology is getting to a point where this is feasible. Pity that the iKeyInfinity video is pure animation; the photos of the keyboard look kinda cheap, even if you tolerate the green background; those are really low-res displays. I guess it'll be a while until this market really becomes interesting, and until then there will be a lot of disappointed early adopters and usability problems (I guess that the typing experience on these keys won't be that great for the first generations, so you will get a sub-par keyboard for a lot of money.)

The Optimus also doesn't exist. Maybe it will come out in time for me to play Duke Nukem Forever on it. When they have a prototype, then we can talk about the Optimus and how much it might cost. And according to an interview with Lebedev, he thought of the idea 15 years ago. Since Mr. Grant seems to be well ahead in actual production, I'm leaning towards his version.

Leaked or not, man, the Optimus simply pwn3s this keyboard. Hell, even if the Optimus NEVER sees production (hoping it WILL of course), talk about living in the shadows of something great. Sure, same concept, but the Optimus has OLED going for it (even if they end up using LCD, still cool), color, animations, a way better industrial design for the keyboard itself, the fonts, and the hotkeys...

Wow. As we say in my house, that is completely trek. Or maybe that's what they say at Tim's house. Feel better soon Tim!