Art. Lebedev Optimus Popularis Detailed, Mini Six Up For Pre-Order

[btarunr]

Russian studio Art. Lebedev detailed the latest iteration of its super-keyboard, the Optimus Popularis. The studio also put up its newest creation, the Mini Six, up for pre-order. The Optimus Popularis is, as its makers put it, "a million keyboards in one". Each of its keys has a sharp color LCD display. Backed by its key design and function software (for Mac and Windows), users can pretty-much come up with their own unique key-sets. The software includes hundreds of key designs, more can be downloaded.

The design also allows users to change languages on-the-fly, as the keyboard morphs its key-set with OS IME changes. Each key can further be used to display a specific applet (such as graphs, "live buttons" that link to Facebook or GMail, displaying unread updates/mail. Further, between its main key cluster and its topmost row, is a display bar that can be used by applets and gadgets. The Optimus Popularis is no more a concept, it can be purchased for the equivalent of US $1,086. The studio also put a six-key micro-keyboard, the Mini Six, for pre-order, priced at $376.



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[Volkszorn88]

Kind of pricey, but definitely cool. Especially if you're just web browsing/talking online. Keeps you entertained.

 

[Ra97oR]

What kind of keys are on it? Crappy rubber dome?
The key design looks like you are going to have a hard time touchtyping on it. $1000USD on a gimmky keyboard, no thanks. I stick with my 6Gv2 and Filco. Switching layout? Blank keyset is your friend.

 

[Maban]

That's pretty neat. Wonder how much it would cost to DIY.

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

That's pretty neat. Wonder how much it would cost to DIY.

Switches and mini LCDs? Those are DIRT cheap now. You could DIY it but you would need a pretty unique board to control it all. Not to mention the coding knowledge.

 

[loleafidas]

$1,086 ?!?! Now I know how rich ppl spend their money on tech. :-|

 

[Completely Bonkers]

If I had more money, then I would get one, just for the fun and lulz.

Just looked at the website. Their "still concept" keyboard called tactus also looks fantastic. You can change the design of the layout! Nice. Imagine simpler gaming key setups. Musical keyboard. Extra keys with foreign characters on. An artist's easel. iPod emulator. etc

http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/tactus/

 

[entropy13]

If I had more money, then I would get one, just for the fun and lulz.

If you really are what your username states, you would get one even if you didn't have the money.

 

[RobS49152]

You could probably do much more for far less $$$ by using an LCD touch screen and transparent keys with conductive foam on the bottom of each key held in an opaque frame resting over-top of the touch screen.

the parts that didn't cover the screen could display info and be multi-touch enabled

 

[hhumas]

i would go for a touch large screen led ... if i had that much $$

 

[GSquadron]

A keyboard for 2x gtx 580???
They will get bankrupt without even realizing it...

 

[Sasqui]

The original Maximus uses OLED keys, wonder why they switched... Also wonder if they have a patent on the whole concept becuase I want one but won't spend more than $250 for a keyboard