Of all the methods for communicating with our computer the keyboard and mouse are the most important ones to us. Of these two the keyboard is the one with the most input options. But there is one major disadvantage; the versatility of the images on the keys. We’ll always remain fixed to these images, no matter the language, key-combo or program we are using.

However all of this is going to change! Enter the Optimus Concepts by the Russian Art. Lebedev Studio. These guys are designing and building input devices with displays inside the keys. This way each key can display any kind of image, programmable to your likings.

At the moment two keyboards are set for production; the Optimus 103 and Optimus 113. the 103 will have the default keyboard layout and uses white displays on black backgrounds. Only after the 103 sees production light the 113 will be produced. This big brother will feature coloured keys, programmable applications-launcher keys and possibly animations.

Click to read more news on the Optimus family and the members that already went into production and release.

And don’t forget: we did another story on the final product spawned from Optimus-113: Optimus Maximus. It contains all the latest news and stories together with the entire creative and design process from idea to product. So go check it out!

After their first Optimus concept for a fully functional keyboard they constructed the Optimus Mini Three, sporting three large animated keys programmable for a wide array of tasks. It entered the market as a test, to see if the public would be ready to adopt a bigger input device. But which such a technology and concept at their hands it will not surprise any of us that the Art. Lebedev Studio will proceed with development of bigger versions nonetheless. Version 2 of the Mini Three is already being sold.

During the development of both keyboards the Art. Lebedev Studio designed and released another concept for production, scheduled for 2007: the Upravlator. This big batch of keys uses the same principles as the Mini Three, only on a larger scale and with five input variables per button. Also Programmable for any function on your computer, it promises to be a nice addition to your desk.

At the moment the designers at Art. Lebedev are working on the latest parts of the process; materials and production details. A price and release date for the 103, and eventually 113, still need to be announced. This introduction to the concept brought you the information, and updates will bring you the latest news.

Studio469 - we bring you the news from the front!

UPDATE:

This just got in: Art. Lebedev Studio announced their first series of “independent” and “independent” features together with a list of user settings of the final Optimus 103 product:

Independent features include Mini Three-like plug-ins, games, a touch typing tutor [to turn of letters used, eventually mimicking the Das Keyboard], opening applications and switching between them.
These features are established and sure to end up in the final product.

Dependent features are indications changes when; the layout of the keyboard changes, the CapsLock is pressed, applications get active, the mode of an application changes, one or several modifier keys [Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Command] are pressed. Another set of characteristics are key’s state changes when; certain ambient light conditions or a specified time of the day occurs or the state of the computer changes.
The independent features however are not final. They’re still depending on certain technological decisions before they find their way into the final product.

The user will be able to control a various amount of settings such as: automatic and manual brightness, several font styles, the position of the label on the key, multiple layouts at once [so letters next to Photoshop commands], layouts for a certain key or block of keys, sequence programming for any key within a certain layout and the option of creating your own layouts.

These guys do not deliver half work.

Studio469 - Innovation at hand

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 27th, 2006 at 3:20 and is filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.