If you’ve ever feverishly performed busy work on your computer that requires you to go from keyboard to mouse, than you know how cumbersome the experience can be. That’s why I like working on my laptop, because I never have to move my hands too far from the keyboard. The Combimouse is a mouse and a full QWERTY keyboard combined into one. The left portion of the device is a standard keyboard, with the exception e of a scroll wheel and bar key. The right portion, though is both the right side of the keyboard as well as a mouse. It features a contact switch that while touched enables mouse mode, rendering all keys useless accept for I, O, J, K, L, which double as mouse buttons. Surprisingly, the Combimouse has been in development since 1999, so I have serious doubts as to whether this thing will come to market. Nonetheless, I applaud its inventors for their ingenuity.
Although it’s far from rivaling the Art Lebedev keyboards, the Luxeed L5 LED keyboard does run a good second. And now the company has a second iteration of the device that is Mac/Linux compatible, and includes an improved keystroke system as well as a fix for a previous ghosting issue. Hit the video below to see the Luxeed’s color rainbow like abilities. No word on a US launch but the previous version is going for $199 on ThinkGeek.
PC gaming is just that. It’s not Mac gaming. Mac gaming may never see the true light of day due to the endless upgradable components found in high end PC gaming rigs. The Lycosa Mirror Special Edition Gaming KeyBoard by Razer is a fully programmable macros backlit gaming keyboard for the PC.
Looking like it belongs in the Matrix, the Lycosa is a sleek and sexy keyboard and is quite the looker. Even the packaging was positively sharp and draped in gamer sheen. A little big in size, the Lycosa will need some extra space around your set up. Here’s a brief rundown of the Lycosa’s features:
High gloss mirror finish keytop
Backlit illumination with WASD cluster lighting option
Fully-programmable keys with macro capability
Gaming cluster with selective anti-ghosting capability
Slim keycap structure with Hyperesponse technology
TouchPanel easy access media keys
Gaming mode option for deactivation of the Windows key
10 customizable software profiles with on-the-fly switching
Some of you may not be aware of such a device as a ‘gameboard’. For those uninitiated, a gameboard is a device sitting to one side of your keyboard designed to allow for better gaming through improved ergonomics and extended functionality. This is the sort of extra functionality that could make the difference between the virtual wins and losses in competitive digital gaming. The difference between the pwner and the pwned. …Continue reading: Gadget Review: G13 Gameboard by Logitech
February 12th, 2009 5:05 AM | by Christen da Costa
Boy life might be good for LG, but is it good enough to warrant the production of the LBA-C300 Bluetooth Qwerty Card? I don’t think too much of an explanation is needed, but in case you’re were wondering, yes, it connects to your LG phone via Bluetooth and let’s you send/receive texts, set an alarm and stopwatch, dial out, remotely control your phone’s camera and probably send emails. Based on those 4 cooper circles on its back, I’m assuming there is some sort of charging cradle for the device, or perhaps its the keyboard for the leaked LG VX9600 Versa we recently saw.
No word on when the LG LBA-C300 will hit the store shelves, but good news, it just passed through the FCC.
I suppose it’s indicative that design goes hand in hand with culture, but I find it amusing that there is a keyboard out there that allows you to fast abbreviate all you favorite IM sayings. The Fast Fingers Keyboard has three functions: a standard QWERTY, an annoying ABC setup, and a “F” button mode that lets you get your OMF’nG on. I think it’s safe to say that this has teenager written all over it, cuz my grandma could care less.
When someone said ‘put the pedal to the metal’, apparently Logitech was listening, because they’ve released yet another slew of products today. This time they’re for the hardcore gamer and include the G19 keyboard, G35 7.1 channel surround sound headset and the G9x gaming mouse.
The G19 keyboard features a 320×240 LCD for up to date frag action, 2x USB inputs and 12 ‘G’ keys that can be programmed with up to 3 macros, each. The G35 headset provides an extra immersed gaming experience and boasts Dolby Headphone technology, six voice morphing options (including cyborg, giant, mutant, space squirrel, troll and alien) for maintaining anonymity, on ear controls and 3 swappable headbands for a variety of comforts. Lastly, the G9x, which is an iteration of the G9, features on the fly adjustable dpi from 200 to 5000, weight tuning system, custom color LEDs for personalization and 5 programmable game profiles.
The Logitech G19 keyboard for gaming is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in March for $199.99. The Logitech G35 surround sound headset is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in March for $129.99. The Logitech G9x laser mouse is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in April for $99.99.
Most computers are designed to work in the relative benign setting of an office. However, sometimes you need a computer outside or in a harsh environment such as a factory assembly line or warehouse. With the possibility of dust and liquids flying everywhere, the ordinary keyboards would jam up with grime. To solve this problem, you could wrap a protective cover around a standard keyboard or purchase a special ruggedized keyboard such as the Grizzly Xtreme.
The Grizzly keyboard plugs into any computer with a standard USB port and includes a complete 101-key design smashed into a condensed form. The keyboard measures 14.4 inches wide by 6.9 inches and contains all the major keys including a top row of twelve function keys, an inverted T-shaped cursor keypad, and a separate numeric keypad.
Unlike regular keyboards that leave spaces between the keys for dirt to fall through, the Grizzly keyboard exposes no open areas whatsoever, thanks to a rubber sheet that stretches across the entire keyboard, sealing its interior from exposure to the outside. A heavy metal frame protects the keyboard from shocks or drops.
While this protective rubber sheet protects the keyboard, it does make typing a bit cumbersome. You could touch type on these keys, but the effort would be difficult. Most likely, you’ll just use this keyboard to punch in short words or numbers, and for this task, the keyboard performs admirably.
Another nice feature is the keyboard’s built-in illumination, which you can turn on to view the keys in the dark or dimly lit areas. If you don’t need this illumination, pressing a button turns it off.
Of course, a keyboard is relatively useless without a mouse. Since most computer mice can’t withstand harsh environments, the Grizzly keyboard includes a pointing device similar to pointing sticks embedded within laptop keyboards.
The pointing device on the Grizzly keyboard feels like a round plate where pressing an edge moves the mouse pointer across the screen, and two nearby buttons work as the left and right mouse buttons. Controlling the pointer through this pointer device is simple and easy.
The price you pay for a ruggedized keyboard is a higher cost ($348). However, if you absolutely need to use a computer in an area that would likely kill a normal keyboard, the Grizzly Xtreme keyboard (capable of operating in extreme temperatures ranging from -30 degrees Celsius up to 60 degrees Celsius) is more than adequate for the task.
Pros:
Completely sealed and protected from dust, dirty, and liquids
Built-in illumination for use in dimly lit conditions
Mounting holes in back allow the keyboard to be fixed on a wall
Cons:
Not suitable for prolonged typing
Expensive compared to putting a protective cover over an ordinary keyboard
Grizzly Xtreme Ruggedized Keyboard is available here for $348 (you’ll need to email their sales team here)
December 30th, 2008 1:43 PM | by Christen da Costa
If you’re an accountant, or of the number crunching type, a laptop’s keyboard probably isn’t ideal. A hence why you’d want Brando’s Wireless USB Keypad. Not only does it feature a complete numeric keypad, but includes short cut buttons for media and a trackball that virtually replaces your mouse.
