Over the last week the Optimus Tactus concept keyboard has been getting a lot of bad buzz. I think it looks ridiculous… ridiculously cool. If the specs pan out it’s a fully customizable keyboard interface complete with multi-media functions. The argument has been that there are currently available tablet PC’s that make this obsolete before it even hits stores. I completely disagree with that assessment for two reasons. First, I don’t enjoy the experience of typing on the monitor surface, it’s not natural for a human to work while looking down on the monitor surface. I’ve tried and it’s very uncomfortable. Also, I can see some very cool uses for devices like this embedded in walls or desks giving people multimedia connectivity without the “big box” feel. As we integrate more devices in to our environments I think it’s important not to make these small wired devices too “work like”. Using the Optimus for intercom, telephone and inter-office messaging uses could be a very good way to strip out the majority of the OS capabilities on stationary communications devices. I applaud the designers for their efforts in developing this type of concept.
January 4th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Looks cool.. but, without the tactile “feel” of the keys, is a displeasure to most. Even the roll up flat keyboards are good for some applications, they don’t have the umph that most want from actual keys so that the person knows where their fingers are on the keyboard. Ease of use… yea… this is great.. and the idea for using it as a way to interface with telephony is cool too… just as a graphic artist..I and my contemporaries have some drawbacks to its application in our workforce use.
paradigm411
a productioneer
January 4th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
It looks strikingly similar to the computer interface used in star trek TNG. Something like this:
http://www.macdesktops.net/data/542/41252Library_Computer_Access_Interface-med.jpg
January 4th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Or this:
http://majoke.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/computer-tng.JPG