Cebit 07: Optimus Keyboard Is A No Show March 15, 2007
Read more Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Laptops , PC , Peripherals , Technology , Trade Show
Those who have been following - with increasingly levels of skepticism – the lurching development of the Optimus 103 keyboard will not be surprised to hear that a working model promised for Cebit, failed to materialise.
In January, I reported that the keyboard was promised for launch in the first half of this year. However, a no-show at Cebit pretty much scuppers that.
Whatever else designer Art Lebedev is good at, it’s not hitting deadlines. However, the company did bring some new photos and a new name – Optimus Maximus – third cousin and fourth extra to to the left of Russell Crowe’s General Maximus Decimus Meridius.
We also got some re-revised launch dates for the end of the year and an increased price tag of around £800, up from £650. However, since it’s possible this device might never launch as it stands you can probably spend that dosh elsewhere. It’s all getting too silly now.-Martin Lynch
[Optimus]
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
Comments
It has been commented a number of times on the Art Lebedev forums that the "photos" they release are quite clearly computer-rendered or at the very least doctored impressions. It can clearly be seen that the low resolution OLEDs on the keys show no signs of the pixellation that should be visible.
As for the price, I'm waiting for another peripheral company to produce a clone, especially given that the patent for this invention in the USA isn't held by Art Lebedev. Sadly the only alternative demonstrated so far (the United Keys 205PRO) seems to be just as much vapourware given that it was supposed to be released over a year ago.