Oh! Gizmo

By Luke Anderson

I swear that some people spend more time typing on cell phones than they do on their computers. That would certainly explain why I-O Data has created this tiny Bluetooth 2.0 keyboard designed specifically for mobile phones.

I honestly can’t see how something this small would be very benificial to someone. It will cost a whopping $153 when it hits stores (in Japan) next month, so why not put that money towards a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard. With such small keys, you’d probably be better off.

VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Earlier in the year, well-known electronics manufacturer Asus actually split into three separate divisions. One of those divisions (now known as Pegatron) has a dedicated design department called PEGA who recently created 8 different interactive concept products under the theme of ‘Between On&Off’. One of those concepts was this Look@Me keyboard for instant messaging which actually only has 40 keys containing various emoticon elements. (Basically an assortment of alphabet and punctuation keys.)

The compact layout and limited number of keys means the Look@Me can be used one-handed, but I’m not exactly sure why someone would want an extra keyboard that only includes emoticon elements. I mean the whole point of the emoticon was to use the standard characters on a regular keyboard to express your feelings. If you wanted to make adding emoticons to a conversation easier, why not just make each key its own emoticon? I realize there are far more than just 40 emoticons to choose from, but that should be more than enough to cover the basics.

[ PEGA Design - Look@Me Emoticon Keyboard ] VIA [ designboom ]

By Luke Anderson

I’m a geek and proud of it. I have Star Wars posters hanging in my office, and I carry at least three gadgets with me everywhere I go (more if I bring my laptop bag). I would not, however, even consider for a moment wearing these pants which feature a built-in keyboard, mouse and speakers.

Some guy decided that he was tired of carrying around a keyboard and mouse all the time, so he actually stitched them into a pair of pants, along with a pair of speakers. I’m not quite sure how they transmit to your PC, or just where the batteries are kept, but I can’t imagine these being comfortable to wear or use. Plus I can’t imagine the kind of ridicule one would receive for wearing them out in public.

VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Luke Anderson

If there is one thing I have learned in life, it’s that just because something is expensive, doesn’t mean it’s worth it. Take this hideous ZIP-ANG Keyboard which features 86 keys wrapped in some sort of gold material. The cost? $214. I’ve seen old ratty keyboards in dumpsters that looked more appealing than this.

[ GeekStuff4U ] VIA [ GearLog ]

By Luke Anderson

I’ll admit that my desk always has a bit of clutter on it. It’s a rather large desk without drawers, so it becomes something of a catch-all for random things while I’m working. I try and make a habit of cleaning it off every night, but it rarely ever works out, and thus it always looks a mess. Perhaps a keyboard with some hidden storage might clear some of it up.

The Keyboard and Desktop Organiser (yes, they spell it with an ’s’ for some reason) is simply a regular-looking keyboard that lifts up to reveal a hidden tray. There you can store a variety of small things in its separated compartments. There is even a spot specifically designed for CDs. You can pick one up for about $50.

[ BBtradesales ] VIA [ Nerd Approved ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you’re not a fan of gigantic ‘mission-control’ like keyboards sitting on your desk then the modular design of Kensington’s SlimBlade should appeal to you. Besides an obvious slim design, the keyboard’s functionality can be expanded with magnetically attached modules. In addition to a numeric keypad and a wireless laser mouse with a miniature trackball, there’s also a media remote (not pictured and sold separately) that will allow you to control Windows Media Center or Front Row on a Mac.

All the modules share a single 2.4 GHz wireless receiver that has a range of about 30 feet, and while you’ll of course need batteries to take advantage of the wireless functionality, the mouse (and hopefully the other modules) automatically go into a power saving sleep mode when the notebook is shut down.

The Media Notebook Set is available on the Kensington website for $129.99 while the Media Remote module is an extra $19.99.

[ Kensington SlimBlade Media Notebook Set ] VIA [ Shiny Shiny ]

By Luke Anderson

I can honestly say that I’ve never really considered tossing away my mouse in favor of a touchpad. Rather, I carry a travel mouse in my laptop bag in order to cut down on the amount of time I’m forced to navigate using my finger. However, there are situations that not having a mouse can be rather beneficial. The most common use is an HTPC in your living room. No one wants to mess with a mouse when they’re sitting on the couch.

If you’re looking for a good way to get the best-of-both-worlds, this wireless keyboard is probably one of the best designs out there. It’s quite simple, and looks rather like the bottom half of a laptop. The keys look as though they’d be decent for moderate amounts of typing, but then again you probably won’t be composing letters on your big-screen TV. Unfortunately there is no word on pricing or availability.

VIA [ Crave ]

How many of you own HTPCs? I’ve owned one in the past, but since I can now watch DivX movies on my Xbox 360, I’ve since decided to decommission it. When I did use a PC in my living room, there was always the hassle of having a keyboard and mouse lying around. It wasn’t too awful, as I had a Gyration set that was small, wireless and easy to use. However, Logitech’s new diNovo Mini looks like the perfect keyboard/mouse solution.

The mini-keyboard has all of the essentials that you’ll need. The full QWERTY keyboard reminds me of the one on on my old Cingular 8125 (and likely that of my HTC Mogul that should be showing up on my doorstep any time) which should be comfortable enough for what little typing is necessary. The best part has to be the small integrated ClickPad which serves as both a trackpad and directional pad. It communicates with your PC via Bluetooth and will run for around a month on Li-ion batteries. Look for it to hit stores later this month for around $150.

[ Logitech ] VIA [ PCLaunches ]

By Luke Anderson

A keyboard is a keyboard, right? If you’re the average PC user, then for the most part, yes. However, if you are a hardcore PC gamer, the right keyboard can make all the difference. While fancy buttons and layouts are essential, it doesn’t hurt to have one that stands out just a bit. That’s why I’ve taken a liking to this new Saitek Cyborg.

I use a gaming keyboard from Ideazon which I love. My favorite feature is the ability to have backlit keys in my choice of three colors. The backlit keys are pretty much all-or-nothing, whereas the new Cyborg breaks up your keys into a few different zones like your WASD buttons and your number pad. What this does is allow you to assign different colors to each zone. They also put metal plating over the WASD, space bar and arrow keys to make them really stand out.

You also get a few programmable buttons for various commands and macros within your game of choice. In all, this seems like a pretty cool choice for gamers. You’ll be able to pick one up in March for around $80.

[ Saitek ] VIA [ Cnet ]

By Luke Anderson

I do a lot of writing, and a lot of traveling. Consequently, I spend a great deal of time writing from my laptop. I’ve grown accustomed to using my laptop keyboard, but it’s just not the same as typing on a full-sized one. That’s why I’m excited about the Matias Folding Keyboard which has the feel of a full keyboard, yet can fit inside your laptop case.

This keyboard is one of the few that I’ve seen which unfolds to give you the same look and feel as the one sitting on your desk at home. Aside from its relatively small size, the greatest feature is the inclusion of a number pad, which is essential to anyone that does a lot of data entry. You can pick one of these up for just $59.

[Matias] VIA [Crave]