Ergonomy to the max, from Lebedev art studios

The Optimus Keyboard

Yes, i know, they are a little old, but are interesting nonetheless. Let’s take the Optimus keyboard. It is based on the OLED technology and has the ability to display different characters on its keyboard, and even pictures, according to the layout your choose from your software. Having to write in English on a keyboard with a Russian layout was a big problem before this. It’s not anymore, cause with just a couple of clicks, the English layout is displayed on the keys of the Optimus Keyboard.

The Russian and English Layouts on the Optimus Keyboard

The device has 113 keys, which is a little more then an ordinary keyboard. This plus is translated in the additional keys on the left side of the Optimus, which can be manually configured as quick keys for whatever application you might need.

113 fully customizable keys for the Optimus

Optimus is good for any layouts—Cyrillic, Ancient Greek, Georgian, Arabic—and so on to infinity: notes, numerals, special symbols, HTML codes, mathematical functions. Besides that, there are special layouts for games and Adobe Photoshop. In fact, you can create your custom made layout for every program, thanks to the advanced software used. While in Photoshop though, it will be confusing at the beginning to use the layout, but when you get used to it, it will speed up your work significantly. Take a look also at the Quake layout, where the movement, weapons and game modes controls are so well placed.

The Optimus Keyboard has special layouts for Adobe Photoshop or Quake

The big square keys are easy to push and feel nice while touching, giving the impression of quality and durability too (don’t forget this comes from Russia…). The only bad thing about this gadget is the price. The OLED technology is kind of expensive. Although expected on the market from more then an year now, the Optimus clients still have to wait for it. Officially, shipping will start around May 2007, for a price of 1200$. Yes, twelve hundred American dollars. Yes, technology costs, yes it’s unique and cool, but don’t you think this is a little too much?

The Mus2 mouse

And you should complete the peripherals set with the Mus2 mouse. Having the shame as the cursor on your screen, this sleek mouse really has no match in his world from the design point of view. On the outside, this gadget looks really great, like a combination between a space craft from the future and a present pointing device. I’m not sure how comfortable it will prove to be after a couple hours of usage, but the producers claim it was designed ergonomically to ensure pleasant handling in time.

Technologically the Mus2 doesn’t look bad either: 800 dpi, a refresh speed of 2300 fps, a range of about 2 m and a well placed battery level indicator are just a few of the details. And despite having "royal blood" cousins, like the Optimus keyboard, the Mus2 is a modest peripheral, that can be bought for around 60$ from Boysstuff.

The Optimus Keyboard has special layouts for Adobe Photoshop or Quake

In the end, the conclusion is pretty simple. The Russians know how to make peripherals. With "just" around 1300$ you’ll equip your computer with an unique and modern Optimus keyboard, plus the revolutionary Mus2 optical wireless mouse. And I’m sure none of your friends will have them, but everyone would like to have this gadgets on their desks…