Wednesday, December 7th 2011
Art. Lebedev Optimus Popularis Detailed, Mini Six Up For Pre-Order
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.
Source:
Engadget
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.
11 Comments on Art. Lebedev Optimus Popularis Detailed, Mini Six Up For Pre-Order
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.
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
www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/tactus/
the parts that didn't cover the screen could display info and be multi-touch enabled
They will get bankrupt without even realizing it...