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Every key of the Optimus Maximus Keyboard is able to display any custom symbol, icon, or character powered by the current software application you are running at the moment. For example, the Optimus Keyboard can display Cyrillic, Ancient Greek, Georgian, and Arabic characters. Also musical notes, numerals, special symbols, HTML codes, mathematical functions can be rendered on to the surface of each key. This hardware is only limited by the creativity of the software developer and user.

Where to buy

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Pros & Cons

Pros:
4 people have already voted. Do you agree?

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Customizable keys allows for any language
+1agreedisagree

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Screens on each key allow for any character, symbol or graphic to be displayed
+1agreedisagree

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Keys can be linked to specific applications
+1agreedisagree

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Keys can be removed for cleaning
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

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Very expensive compared to the usefulness
+3agreedisagree

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Complete overkill, considering most people don't look at the keyboard to type
+3agreedisagree

More information

Availability

The Optimus keyboard was first rumoured in late 2006, but is now available from select retailers in August 2008. ThinkGeek carries the item for $1589, but stock is limited.

 

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4 comments about Optimus Maximus Keyboard

1.  avatar Erik  Nov 19, 2006 3:12pm

This looks like a pretty cool concept. I saw it a while ago (I think on digg). My two main problems with this product is 1) most people don't look at the keyboard while typing, 2) it's probably going to be expensive. Maybe the context specific functions will save the day.
2.  avatar GT-D  Jul 12, 2007 3:52pm

It's been on /. quite a bit during development, I've heard about it from time to time for ages. really cool idea
3.  avatar rapidronnie  Aug 25, 2007 8:54pm

If it was $140 instead of $1400 I'd probably get one.
4.  avatar dr13zehn  Aug 14, 2008 2:19am

The whole thing seems to be 90% novelty and 10% function. Yes it is an interesting idea, but it's not a revolutionary enough input device to charge the astronomical asking price.
Individual programmable keys can be had on keyboards for less than $100. They do not have a display on each key, that is true, however most power users hardly ever even look at their keys as Erik has pointed out already.
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    Key Features:

    Keyboard Type Customizable
    Manufacturer Art. Lebedev Studio
    MSRP $1,564.37
    Product Line Innovative
    Release Date Dec. 20, 2007

    Sponsors

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    2051 views and 35 edits (see all)
    Created: 11/19/2006 - 11:44
    Modified: 08/22/2008 - 3:35