It's February 1st

[Gunslinger08]

Today's the day. Where is it?

 

[Spiked]

have you checked the website?

edit* website down as of now.. probably doing updates

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

 

[Lonyo]

3 key "keyboard".
Fullsize scheduled for end of the year.
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=565
Doesn't take much to go to the main website these forums are for, and then see the handy link to the story.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
3 key "keyboard".
Fullsize scheduled for end of the year.
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=565
Doesn't take much to go to the main website these forums are for, and then see the handy link to the story.

Yeah, I realize that. They led us on to believe the real deal would be here... and instead, not even the 3 key one is here. They're just taking preorders.

 

[mcvickj]

Check the top story of Slashdot. It isn't even close to being ready to ship. Last I heard they didn't even have a working prototype yet. Those were just rendered pictures on the site. /shrug

 

[Tu13erhead]

The link is:

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus-mini/

 

[Tu13erhead]

Optimus mini is an auxiliary keyboard with three keys, each complete with an OLED screen displaying the current function.

The keyboard is placed either horizontally or vertically: the images displayed on the keys are turned using the Optimus Configurator software.

Optimus mini is a blank sheet. It?s hard to say what a usual monitor is worth until you open an image on it. The same goes for Optimus mini: the more plugins that support applications there are for Optimus Configurator, the more indispensable is the keyboard for daily use.

The support of applications depends on whether these applications? codes are open and whether there are plugins. The basic set of plugins is part of the standard package, however, we expect professionals and amateurs from all over the world to write most of them.

Optimus Configurator for Windows is now being completed. The keyboard?s work under other operating systems is just a matter of time. Any programmer can connect Optimus mini to a computer with a USB port and set about creating his or her own configurator.


Technical specs

Size of the keyboard

width-118 mm
depth-51.8 mm
height-18 mm
key-32×32 mm

Specs of each of the three screens
technology- OLED
size- 20×20 mm
resolution- 96×96 pixels
animation- 5 frames per second
colors- 262 000
viewing angle- 160°
Compatibility Connection- USB 1.0
Control- Optimus Configurator software
OS- Windows (others coming later on)

Price and availability
The price of the keyboard is $100 until April 2, 2006. The keyboard will be available for pre-order this week. After April 2, 2006 the price will be higher. Keyboards ready for shipment will arrive on May 15.

Plugins
The more plugins are written, the easier to use and the more practical will be the keyboard. The library of plugins will be opened at our website. We expect gadget lovers, programmers, people who like new computer accessories, and other enthusiasts to be the first buyers. We believe that by the end of summer a sufficient number of plugins will be written for Optimus Configurator, so that the keyboard can be presented to designers, traders, cutters, photographers, and kids.

Optimus Configurator
Optimus Configurator automatically recognizes the application and uploads images and commands for the current context. Optimus Configurator will be written for MacOS and Linux shortly after Windows. We are working on the Windows version. As of now, only one Optimus mini three keyboard can be connected to a computer.

OLED
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) in our screens last for 5000 hours of continuous use. The screen saving mode is designed to extend the keyboard?s lifetime. The screens are very fragile, so they were put inside polycarbonate keys to protect them from mechanical damage.

Note that 5,000 hours of use is slightly longer than 200 days. This thing is pathetic if you ask me.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead

Note that 5,000 hours of use is slightly longer than 200 days. This thing is pathetic if you ask me.

Agreed. $100 for 3 keys that last about a half year.. maybe a year at most. Stupid.

 

[Krazy4Real]

I don't think people will be gaming 24 hrs a day for 200 days straight. Agreed though, to pay that much only to last that long sucks.

 

[Rudee]

Nerd alert

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Originally posted by: joshsquall

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead

Note that 5,000 hours of use is slightly longer than 200 days. This thing is pathetic if you ask me.

Agreed. $100 for 3 keys that last about a half year.. maybe a year at most. Stupid.

Makes you kind of wonder if the pricing on the full-size unit will make it too unattractive for anyone to buy.

Figure, what? about $500 for a keyboard that won't even last a year? Price/performance down the toilet.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive

Originally posted by: joshsquall

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead

Note that 5,000 hours of use is slightly longer than 200 days. This thing is pathetic if you ask me.

Agreed. $100 for 3 keys that last about a half year.. maybe a year at most. Stupid.

Makes you kind of wonder if the pricing on the full-size unit will make it too unattractive for anyone to buy.

Figure, what? about $500 for a keyboard that won't even last a year? Price/performance down the toilet.

IIRC they said before that the full size version woudl cost like 300 ish

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive

Originally posted by: joshsquall

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead

Note that 5,000 hours of use is slightly longer than 200 days. This thing is pathetic if you ask me.

Agreed. $100 for 3 keys that last about a half year.. maybe a year at most. Stupid.

Makes you kind of wonder if the pricing on the full-size unit will make it too unattractive for anyone to buy.

Figure, what? about $500 for a keyboard that won't even last a year? Price/performance down the toilet.

IIRC they said before that the full size version woudl cost like 300 ish

They said it would cost as much as a good mobile phone.. which could be anywhere from $200 to $600.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) in our screens last for 5000 hours of continuous use. The screen saving mode is designed to extend the keyboard?s lifetime. The screens are very fragile, so they were put inside polycarbonate keys to protect them from mechanical damage.

Note that 5,000 hours of use is slightly longer than 200 days. This thing is pathetic if you ask me.

Aren't the times quoted for OLED's usually representing the time it takes the display to reach half-brightness? So in 5000 hours of use, the keys should be half as bright. Do you intend to use the keyboard 24 hours a day, continuously for 200 days?

I would be more worried about image retention and burn-in than I would the overall life of the display.

 

[FoBoT]

can some one explain in plain english what this is? i don't understand after read the posts above

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

look at the pictures!