Microsoft Readies "Wedge" Mobile Keyboard for Windows 8 Devices

btarunr · Jul 18, 2012, 12:27 PM

Microsoft's decades-old hardware division is ready with an ultra-compact wireless peripheral for upcoming Windows 8 devices (such as tablets, Microsoft Surface), called the Wedge Mobile Keyboard. Some of its first pictures were scored by Czech publication WinMAG.cz, which reveal a keyboard the size of the one found in 11.5-inch notebooks, with a solid metal base with Microsoft logo etched on it, and 76 keys. The WIN key has the latest Windows logo printed on it. Also pictured is what appears to be a plastic case for carrying the keyboard around. The Wedge Mobile Keyboard appears to be wireless, and probably uses Bluetooth to interface with the host.

Sources: WinMAG.cz, The Verge

Ravenas · Jul 18, 2012, 05:49 PM

If you can't innovate; just copy Apple.

TheMailMan78 · Jul 18, 2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenas

If you can't innovate; just copy Apple.

Apple invented the keyboard?

phanbuey · Jul 18, 2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Apple invented the keyboard?

It was the fourth member that you never heard about - Steve Dvorak.

Ravenas · Jul 18, 2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Apple invented the keyboard?

Nope.

TheMailMan78 · Jul 18, 2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenas

Nope.

Then how is this copying Apple?

Ravenas · Jul 18, 2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Then how is this copying Apple?

Well I wouldn't say they sent the thing through a scanner, however, one could say it bears LOTS of similarities to Apple's wireless keyboard that they have been shipping with all of there iMacs for some time now.

-This keyboard has 74 keys, Apple has 78 keys (keep in mind Apple has fn, command, and eject).
-This keyboard has bluetooth, Apple's does as well.
-This keyboard has wireless, Apple's does as well.
-Both are ultra thin.
-Both focus on appearance rather than just pure functionality.

Only Microsoft is about 2 years late.

I find it funny how personal people take comments regarding Apple on this forum. Apple is the devil, Microsoft is God. If Microsoft would have released the keyboard first, and the I said this comment about Apple you all would love it. Please. If an average person put these things side by side they would say they're basically the same. Thus, if you can't innovate, copy what Apple is doing two years later.

bostonbuddy · Jul 18, 2012, 08:29 PM

A compact wireless keyboard, thank god for apple coming up with that one.

TheMailMan78 · Jul 18, 2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenas

Well I wouldn't say they sent the thing through a scanner, however, one could say it bears LOTS of similarities to Apple's wireless keyboard that they have been shipping with all of there iMacs for some time now.

-This keyboard has 74 keys, Apple has 78 keys (keep in mind Apple has fn, command, and eject).
-This keyboard has bluetooth, Apple's does as well.
-This keyboard has wireless, Apple's does as well.
-Both are ultra thin.
-Both focus on appearance rather than just pure functionality.

Only Microsoft is about 2 years late.

I find it funny how personal people take comments regarding Apple on this forum. Apple is the devil, Microsoft is God. If Microsoft would have released the keyboard first, and the I said this comment about Apple you all would love it. Please. If an average person put these things side by side they would say they're basically the same. Thus, if you can't innovate, copy what Apple is doing two years later.

Do you think Apple was the first company that had a layout like that? Really? Its a keyboard. There is nothing to copy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostonbuddy

A compact wireless keyboard, thank god for apple coming up with that one.

lol yeah thats kinda my point.

erocker · Jul 18, 2012, 08:40 PM

But it has rounded aluminum corners like Apple! Oh wait, so does my toaster from the 1950's.

ManofGod · Jul 18, 2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erocker

But it has rounded aluminum corners like Apple! Oh wait, so does my toaster from the 1950's.

Thanks, that is the best laugh I had all day.

Ravenas · Jul 18, 2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Do you think Apple was the first company that had a layout like that? Really? Its a keyboard. There is nothing to copy.

Apple wasn't the first company to make a tablet either. Does it really matter who made what first or who did what first? If you make something that is successful and mainstream, other companies will follow suit because they want a piece of the pie.

TheMailMan78 · Jul 18, 2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erocker

But it has rounded aluminum corners like Apple! Oh wait, so does my toaster from the 1950's.

I agree. Apple has been ripping off kitchen aid for years now.

sc · Jul 18, 2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenas

If you can't innovate; just copy Apple.

Are you by any chance working for Apple's legal departament?

Ravenas · Jul 18, 2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc

Are you by any chance working for Apple's legal departament?

Apple's legal team won't go after this one. This isn't some Samsung product that went through a scanner, like I said, in my previous post. However, this is more like iPod and Zune. Something of that nature. A niche piece of hardware, generally the same in concept, design, and functionality viaing for someone's home.

TheMailMan78 · Jul 18, 2012, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenas

Apple's legal team won't go after this one. This isn't some Samsung product that went through a scanner, like I said, in my previous post. However, this is more like iPod and Zune. Something of that nature. A niche piece of hardware, generally the same in concept, design, and functionality viaing for someone's home.

Its a keyboard.

Completely Bonkers · Jul 18, 2012, 10:00 PM

Fugly keyboard. Not a candle to Apples fabulous kb which I have used on my PCs for the last 3/4 years now.

bostonbuddy · Jul 18, 2012, 10:01 PM

looks like it would be good for a htpc too, their arc keyboards look nice but are awkward for typing

MxPhenom 216 · Jul 18, 2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenas

Well I wouldn't say they sent the thing through a scanner, however, one could say it bears LOTS of similarities to Apple's wireless keyboard that they have been shipping with all of there iMacs for some time now.

-This keyboard has 74 keys, Apple has 78 keys (keep in mind Apple has fn, command, and eject).
-This keyboard has bluetooth, Apple's does as well.
-This keyboard has wireless, Apple's does as well.
-Both are ultra thin.
-Both focus on appearance rather than just pure functionality.

Only Microsoft is about 2 years late.

I find it funny how personal people take comments regarding Apple on this forum. Apple is the devil, Microsoft is God. If Microsoft would have released the keyboard first, and the I said this comment about Apple you all would love it. Please. If an average person put these things side by side they would say they're basically the same. Thus, if you can't innovate, copy what Apple is doing two years later.

Hey, man whatever drug you are brewing up in your basement can I have some?

Just because one product has a feature, which at this point should be a standard to that product, and then another company releases a similar product with the same feature does not mean its coping lol! Its a feature that should be there in the first place to even look remotely acceptable to the consumer. And for got sakes its a damn keyboard. Apple didn't invent the keyboard.

dwade · Jul 18, 2012, 10:32 PM

Lol. This is clearly inspired by Vizio's keyboard, which is also inspired by the Apple keyboard. But more closer to Vizio's.

bostonbuddy · Jul 18, 2012, 10:43 PM

totally stole from apple

DannibusX · Jul 19, 2012, 12:51 AM

Everyone copies Apple, am I right?

riffraffy · Jul 19, 2012, 03:38 AM

Bostonbuddy is that a wireless KB.

boogerlad · Jul 19, 2012, 03:48 AM

I fail to see how this keyboard is even usable. Doesn't look comfortable.

repman244 · Jul 19, 2012, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riffraffy

Bostonbuddy is that a wireless KB.

There are no wires so it is

And seriously it's just a keyboard.

Jul 18, 2012, 12:27 PM	#1
btarunr Editor & Senior Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hyderabad, India Posts: 14,982 (7.30/day) Thanks: 788 Thanked 12,899 Times in 5,650 Posts System Specs	Microsoft Readies "Wedge" Mobile Keyboard for Windows 8 Devices Microsoft's decades-old hardware division is ready with an ultra-compact wireless peripheral for upcoming Windows 8 devices (such as tablets, Microsoft Surface), called the Wedge Mobile Keyboard. Some of its first pictures were scored by Czech publication WinMAG.cz, which reveal a keyboard the size of the one found in 11.5-inch notebooks, with a solid metal base with Microsoft logo etched on it, and 76 keys. The WIN key has the latest Windows logo printed on it. Also pictured is what appears to be a plastic case for carrying the keyboard around. The Wedge Mobile Keyboard appears to be wireless, and probably uses Bluetooth to interface with the host. Sources: WinMAG.cz, The Verge

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Jul 18, 2012, 05:49 PM	#2
Ravenas Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,986 (1.82/day) Thanks: 387 Thanked 313 Times in 243 Posts System Specs	If you can't innovate; just copy Apple.

Jul 18, 2012, 08:29 PM	#8
bostonbuddy Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 277 (0.36/day) Thanks: 4 Thanked 40 Times in 31 Posts	A compact wireless keyboard, thank god for apple coming up with that one.

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Jul 18, 2012, 08:40 PM	#10
erocker Senior Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI. Posts: 31,919 (12.78/day) Thanks: 2,783 Thanked 12,284 Times in 7,820 Posts System Specs	But it has rounded aluminum corners like Apple! Oh wait, so does my toaster from the 1950's.

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Jul 18, 2012, 10:00 PM	#17
Completely Bonkers Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2,415 (1.05/day) Thanks: 582 Thanked 533 Times in 374 Posts System Specs	Fugly keyboard. Not a candle to Apples fabulous kb which I have used on my PCs for the last 3/4 years now. __________________ ... some things in life just drive you bonkers. Especially the rubbish you see in forum posts

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Jul 18, 2012, 10:01 PM	#18
bostonbuddy Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 277 (0.36/day) Thanks: 4 Thanked 40 Times in 31 Posts	looks like it would be good for a htpc too, their arc keyboards look nice but are awkward for typing

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Jul 18, 2012, 10:32 PM	#20
dwade Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 39 (0.12/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Lol. This is clearly inspired by Vizio's keyboard, which is also inspired by the Apple keyboard. But more closer to Vizio's.

Jul 18, 2012, 10:43 PM	#21
bostonbuddy Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 277 (0.36/day) Thanks: 4 Thanked 40 Times in 31 Posts	totally stole from apple Last edited by bostonbuddy; Jul 18, 2012 at 11:46 PM.

Jul 19, 2012, 12:51 AM	#22
DannibusX Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: United States Posts: 2,039 (1.48/day) Thanks: 784 Thanked 945 Times in 626 Posts System Specs	Everyone copies Apple, am I right? __________________ “Has the whole world gone crazy? Am I the only one around here who gives a s**t about the rules? Mark it zero!” -Walter Sobchak “Yup, you were 9-2 when you slid it in me.” -MT Alex

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Jul 19, 2012, 03:38 AM	#23
riffraffy Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26 (0.01/day) Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bostonbuddy is that a wireless KB.

Jul 19, 2012, 03:48 AM	#24
boogerlad Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 193 (0.08/day) Thanks: 13 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	I fail to see how this keyboard is even usable. Doesn't look comfortable.

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