Crayola EZ Type Keyboard: When Normal Keyboards Are Just Too Confusing [Keyboards]


There are only four acceptable reasons I can think of for buying this $30 dollar Crayola EZ Type keyboard: 1) You're a little slow. 2) You're under the age of five (and still maybe a little slow). 3) You have a kid under the age of five (and you're both a little slow). 4) You really, reeeeally hate the offset alignment of standard keyboards. If you're not buying for any of the above reasons, you're probably a pedophile who knows no child can resist a bunch of bright colors and the Comic Sans font. Shame on you, and may God have mercy on your soul. [Crayola via Red Ferret via BB Gadgets]

[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
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Sony intros wireless keypad attachment for the PS3


The news is flying fast and furious out of the Leipzig Games Convention today (we actually just got hit in the eye with a flying piece of news). Apparently Sony is launching a wireless keypad attachment that snaps onto the top of a SIXAXIS or DUALSHOCK3 controller into the mini-USB port. The pad features a "touchpad mode" for mouse input, and can be paired with phones and other gadgets via Bluetooth. No word on pricing, but the pad launches in November, and the add-on will come in eight different languages, which should really help us with our multi-lingual training.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: attachment,bluetooth,breaking news,BreakingNews,keypad,keypad attachment,KeypadAttachment,Leipzig Games Convention,LeipzigGamesConvention,ps3,wireless keypad,WirelessKeypad ]

Logitech reveals Cordless Desktop Wave Pro keyboard / mouse tandem


Hard to believe it has been well over a year since Logitech unveiled its original Cordless Desktop, huh? As of today, said outfit is formally introducing the Cordless Desktop Wave Pro, a two-pack that includes the Wave Keyboard and the MX1100 laser mouse. You're plenty familiar with the first half of the equation, but the new critter promises to last up to six whole weeks on a full charge, and the included USB plug enables users to charge and work if they're okay with a temporary tether. You'll also find a 1,600DPI sensitivity rating, MicroGear precision scroll wheel and eight programmable buttons. Look for the happy couple to land in the US in October and Europe in mid-November for $129.99, while the mouse alone will go for $79.99 two months earlier in each region. Full release after the jump.
Logitech Offers You Its Highest Level of Comfort with Cordless Desktop Wave Pro
Popular Wave Keyboard Now Available with New, Exceptionally Comfortable MX1100 Mouse
FREMONT, Calif. - Aug. 19, 2008 -Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) is now offering you its highest level of comfort with the introduction of the Logitech® Cordless Desktop® Wave Pro™ keyboard-and-mouse combination. The second-generation Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro combines the field- and laboratory-tested comfort of the Logitech® Wave Keyboard™ with the exceptionally comfortable, rechargeable Logitech® MX™1100 Cordless Laser Mouse. If you're looking to upgrade your mouse only, a battery-powered version of the MX1100 mouse will be sold separately.
"Independent research clearly demonstrates that the Wave Keyboard can help improve the comfort of your typing experience," said Denis Pavillard, vice president of product marketing for Logitech's keyboards and desktops. "The keyboard's wave-like shape is popular because it provides comfort without requiring people relearn how to type, unlike traditional ergonomic keyboards. And with the addition of the MX1100 mouse, which was designed according to ergonomic principles, our new desktop gives you even more comfort than the original Logitech® Desktop Cordless Wave™."
Wave Keyboard Improves Comfort
According to an independent study by Peter W. Johnson, Ph.D., of the University of Washington, the Logitech Wave Keyboard improves comfort. Combining three distinctive elements, the newest Logitech keyboard offers you an innovative wave key frame, a U-shaped constant curve and a cushioned, contoured palm rest. In comparison to ergonomic keyboards, you can use a Wave keyboard immediately – there is no learning curve. The Comfort Wave Design guides your hands and cradles your fingers to create a naturally comfortable typing experience.
MX1100 Cordless Laser Mouse
A perfect complement to the Wave keyboard, the MX1100 mouse is designed to support the naturally curved shape of your hand. Logitech's newest mouse features an elegantly contoured, full-size shape that fits your hand for maximum comfort, providing exceptional palm support.
When sold in the desktop bundle, with its included USB plug, the MX1100 mouse allows you to fully recharge your mouse while you're working – you don't need to stop what you're doing. A 15-minute charge gives you enough power for up to one day. A 7-hour charge provides up to six weeks of power. Or, for your convenience, plug the USB cable into the included AC adaptor and recharge your mouse using any available wall outlet. (When sold separately, the stand-alone MX1100 offers up to nine months of battery life and uses two AA batteries.)
The mouse's MicroGear™ Precision Scroll Wheel has two scrolling modes, including hyper-fast scrolling for flying effortlessly through long documents and Web pages. Eight programmable buttons allow you to get to the information, the Web pages, the files and the applications you want – fast. With software installed, a stealth thumb button makes application switching easy and zoom controls allow you to zoom in and out of documents with the press of a button. The mouse also features adjustable dpi (up to 1,600 dpi), which can come in handy when editing an image at the pixel level or, alternatively, when you need to move the cursor quickly within a document.
Logitech's Advanced 2.4 GHz Wireless Technology
To give you a secure, reliable signal in a busy wireless environment, such as an office, Logitech's advanced 2.4 GHz wireless technology dramatically reduces interference, effectively eliminating delays and dropouts. In fact, Logitech's wireless technology exchanges data between the receiver and the mouse 300 times faster than conventional 27 MHz wireless technologies for cordless mice – and 800 times faster than conventional 27 MHz wireless technologies for cordless keyboards. Plus, Logitech's advanced 2.4 GHz wireless technology provides 128-bit AES keyboard encryption for advanced security.
By optimizing the power management system, the improved wireless technology delivers a 3-year keyboard battery life – Logitech's longest lasting – effectively eliminating the hassle of changing batteries.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning in October and in Europe beginning in mid-November for a suggested retail price of $129.99 (U.S.). When sold separately, the Logitech MX1100 Cordless Laser Mouse is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning in late August and in Europe beginning in mid-September for a suggested retail price of $79.99 (U.S.).

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: Cordless Desktop Wave Pro,CordlessDesktopWavePro,ergonomic,input peripheral,InputPeripheral,keyboard,laser mouse,LaserMouse,logitech,mouse,MX1100,wave,Wave Keyboard,WaveKeyboard,wireless mouse,WirelessMouse ]

diNovo Edge Mac vs. PC


Unless you've got a couple thou to shell out for an Optimus Maximus, Logitech's diNovo Edge is about as slick a keyboard as anyone makes right now. We just cracked open the forthcoming diNovo Edge for Mac -- comparison shots are below, but the differences aren't too stunning.


  • Mac keys, and lots of 'em. Not just command, option/alt, etc., they've got the full complement, including Dashboard, Spaces, Quick Look, Front Row, iTunes (plus media controls), brightness up/down, and so on.
  • Unfortunately, unlike its PC counterpart, those media and shortcut buttons are not hidden behind the black mirror finish until lit up.
  • The keyboard font's changed to something a little thinner and larger. Definitely easier to see, but we'd still like a backlight.
  • There's no Bluetooth connect button anymore -- it's smart enough to automatically go into discoverable mode if it's not paired.
  • The Mac keyboard stack makes all those shortcuts configurable if you're using the function keys as, well, function keys.
Is it worth $159? We definitely like the way the keys feel (both in shape and in resistance / tactility) much more than Apple's latest boards. No qualms here if you're looking for a recommendation -- whether you've got a PC or a Mac, the Edge is a damn fine piece of kit for getting your type on.
[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: apple,dinovo,dinovo edge,DinovoEdge,logitech ]

Art Lebedev opens minimus Optimus Store in New York


There it is, Art Lebedev's new Optimus Store in New York, NY. It's not so much a store as it is a kiosk sitting inside of RCS Computer Experience at 575 Madison Ave. Guess they're just waiting for demand of the $1,500 $1,877 keyboard market to pick-up before busting out the trowel and mortar.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: art lebedev,ArtLebedev,brick and mortar,BrickAndMortar,optimus,optimus maximus,OptimusMaximus,store ]

Logitech's diNovo Edge gets Mac-friendly


Logitech's diNovo Edge has always been one of the sexiest Bluetooth keyboards around, with its circular-scrolling trackpad, orange-backlit keys, and slick dock / charging cradle, but Apple fans have been left out of the party -- until now. Yep, there's finally a Mac version of the Edge. Apart from some new OS X-centric key labels and driver software (sadly, it's the same iffy Logitech Control Center that ships with the company's mice), there's not much new here -- but the lower $159 price tag is certainly welcome. Should be shipping soon, we're told.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: bluetooth,bluetooth keyboard,BluetoothKeyboard,dinovo,dinovo edge,DinovoEdge,edge,keyboard,logitech,wireless keyboard,WirelessKeyboard ]

Logitech Makes Wireless DiNovo Edge Keyboard for Macs Too [Wireless Typing]


Logitech's diNovo edge keyboard, originally billed as "the most advanced keyboard in the world" has only been available in Windows versions, but today Logitech are releasing a version for Macs. Just like the original it's got multimedia keys, "PerfectStroke" keys and a touchpad-like touchdisc, but this time it's also got Mac-specific keys for launching apps like Mail and Safari. Plus it's got a power button, so you can switch off your Mac by remote. It connects through Bluetooth, comes with a charger base/stand and will cost you a jot under $160. Press release below.
FREMONT, Calif. —(Business Wire)— Aug. 6, 2008 Logitech (SWX:LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI) today announced the perfect keyboard to complement your Mac(R) computer. The Logitech(R) diNovo Edge(TM), Mac(R) Edition is the newest addition to Logitech's line of award-winning diNovo keyboards and the first diNovo keyboard specially designed for the Mac. "We're truly delighted to offer discerning Mac enthusiasts our highest quality in keyboard design and performance," said Denis Pavillard, vice president of product marketing for Logitech's keyboards and desktops. "From the piano-black finish to its built-in TouchDisc(TM) touch pad, the diNovo Edge can make it a pleasure for you to type, control music or launch your favorite applications." Since the introduction of the original diNovo(TM) Media Desktop(R) in 2004, Logitech's diNovo line of distinctive keyboards has garnered many awards in response to its blend of design and performance. The newest diNovo keyboard is exceptionally thin (1/2 inch or 11.05 mm) with a high-gloss, semi-translucent Plexiglas(R) frame, sharp angles and soft-orange backlighting. The aluminum palm rest with anodized-silver finish looks good with any Mac computer, including the iMac(R) and the MacBook(R) Pro. In addition to its design, the diNovo Edge, Mac Edition features optimized Mac keys for one-touch access to Mail, Safari(TM) and iTunes(R), as well as many other Mac-specific applications. The new Logitech keyboard even offers a Power button that turns your Mac computer on and off, while the TouchDisc allows you to scroll and navigate from your keyboard. Moving a finger up and down or across the disc moves the cursor on the computer screen, and moving the finger in a circular motion around the perimeter of the TouchDisc enables you to scroll horizontally and vertically through documents. (Logitech Control Center software installation is required for some features.) For a typing experience that's comfortable, fluid and silent, the new Logitech keyboard features the Logitech PerfectStroke(TM) key system. PerfectStroke is designed to create longer key travel - 3.2 mm compared to 2.2 mm - than that of typical notebook keyboards, which means that the distance your fingers have to travel to activate a key is optimized for your comfort. And because micro-scissors distribute force evenly across key surfaces, even if you strike the edge of a key, the key stroke still feels the same. An included charging base eliminates the hassle of changing batteries, with a four-hour charge giving you up to one month of battery life. A 10-minute power charge provides one day of use. So you can get started right away, the new Logitech keyboard connects directly to a Mac computer through Bluetooth(R) wireless technology, providing a range of up to 30 feet. Pricing and Availability The Logitech diNovo Edge, Mac Edition cordless keyboard is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning this month. The suggested retail price in the U.S. is $159.99.


[ Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
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Luxeed's Dynamic Pixel LED Keyboard fills a void for under two bills


For the longest time, Luxeed's eye-tingling keyboards were only available on the other side of the planet. Now, however, the Dynamic Pixel LED Keyboard is finally for sale on US soil. We'll spare you the completely irrelevant Optimus Maximus links -- after all, this thing only allows you to tweak the colors of each individual key -- but those obsessed with lighting up their gaming area without using those boring incandescents will certainly find plenty to love. And yeah, the $199.99 (for the keyboard alone; the number pad attachment is another $34.99) price tag is way closer to "manageable" than that 'board you really want.
[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: available,color,colored,colorful,colors,keyboard,korea,Luxeed,Luxiium,now available,NowAvailable,on sale,OnSale,programmable,south korea ]

Optimus Maximus survives coffee spill test... or does it?


Maybe it's the ambiguity and possible masking of truth that just adds to the allure here, but whether it really lived or not, you now know what an Optimus Maximus looks like after an impromptu greeting with lukewarm java. Sir tema clearly states that the keyboard "survived" its first recorded coffee spill "thanks to the construction of the upper tray," but judging by the looks of this thing... um, we're not so sure. Oh, and he also mentions that spilling liquids on the 'board is not only "stupid," but it obviously voids any applicable warranties. Thanks for the memo.

[ Via: Engadget ]
[ Tag: accident,art lebedev,art lebedev studio,ArtLebedev,ArtLebedevStudio,coffee,damage,keyboard,Optimus Maximus,OptimusMaximus,spill,warranty ]