Many of us have been sitting tight waiting for the release of the Optimus Keyboard. It is the keyboard that will be completely made up of OLED keys which means you can control the “image” that appears an every key. Actually, let me correct that, it was supposed to be made up of the OLED keys but they decided to replace those with LCD’s about the same time they said the first keyboard will only have 103 keys instead of 113. The ten keys that were removed from the design are the one’s crossed out in the picture above but they will be available in the second release of the keyboard.
The cost has not been released on the Optimus keyboard but we have consistently been hearing that it will be about the same price as a good cellphone. Everyone estimates that to be $300 – $400 and before features started to get chopped out people were understanding of that.
What’s worse is that features continue to get taken out as we get closer to the December 12th pre-order date. Last week they made this announcement:
However, not every key on Optimus-103 will feature an LCD display. Space bar, return, both shifts, numeric keypad, the arrow keys and some other keys of secondary importance will all have only LED backlights.
Wait…that’s not all. They also made this announcement today:
Optimus-103 will use black and white displays (B&W is perfect for 95% of all tasks a keyboard requires). Color will come later at a greater price.
So while the concept of the keyboard is cool I think there are a lot of things being compromised that we all thought it was going to have. For me the black & white keys was what put me over the edge and made me disappointed. The only way the Optimus 103 would seem worth it to me is if the price is around $100…but I don’t think it will be.
Amazing. The ten quick-launch keys were one of the only reasons that I wanted to get one of these. That and the alternative layouts for games and Photoshop, but those wont be as good without the color displays
. I wonder if this is because the keyboard would have been too expensive without making the cuts 
?
Whatever. At least this is only the prototype model. Hopefully, they will soon fix any of the bugs they were having. I’m not about to buy one anymore, though.
I think most people are going to be holding off for the second release of the keyboard since it is *supposed* to have the OLED’s, Color keys, and the extra 10 keys on the side. Sure it will be more expensive but it probably would be anyways.
I think I’ll wait until some other company can actually produce one that works in color…
The Optimus has really fallen from grace. its an amazing concept, but I wont buy one that’s substandard! I want OLEDS, LOTS OF OLEDS!!
I already have a B&W keyboard. It even has 103 keys. It also came with my computer, for free.
Seeing as I only type in one language, and typing is all that this keyboard is now good for, I’d have to say that it’s a waste of my money.