Apple has developed a touch-sensitive keyboard, TouchStream, according to patent applications

By

Katherine Hannaford

on November 2, 2007 4 Comments

Last week a patent application for a touch-screen keyboard by Apple was leaked to the rumour mill (ok, internet forums) which has subsequently caused a bit of a storm, as you'd expect.

Already in possession of a name, the TouchStream keyboard uses the same technology behind the iPhone, which they acquired when they bought the company Fingerworks in 2005. The design shows a surface which allows for both typing and touch-sensitive browsing, both of which give a certain amount of tactile feedback according to the plans.

Belkin's n52te SpeedPad for those of you still married to Quake III

By

Gary Cutlack

on October 10, 2007 No Comments

The new SpeedPad is designed for people who use their PCs for something other than slagging strangers off in internet forums and ironically changing their Facebook status to read 'changing my Facebook status'. It is for gaming. Gaming 3.0!

Or, it's an odd combination of mouse and keyboard, designed with 15 programmable hotkeys for much quicker 'tea bagging' of your defeated opponents. The supplied software also lets you set-up different user configurations, so dad can have one for Warcraft and mum can have one for when she pretends to be the town whore in Second Life.

It's even backlit for operating in the dark. Feel free to insert some sort of self-abuse joke in the comments field about 'operating in the dark'. The n52te SpeedPad goes on sale across Europe this November for £49.99 or 69.99 of those funny little euro things.

New Standards Keyboard introduces new keyboard layout, in the puzzle style?

By

Andy Merrett

on October 1, 2007 2 Comments

If you were wondering why we have a "Keyboards" subcategory under "Computers", it's for the likes of this quirky new gadget from New Standards Keyboard.

Believing that the QWERTY keyboard is flawed, as is the increasingly popular DVORAK alternative, they've set about creating a Technicolor version which wouldn't look out of place in a child's playroom.

Logitech unveils Vantage headset and cordless keyboard for PS3

By

Andy Merrett

on September 13, 2007

Logitech has announced its Cordless Vantage Headset (pictured) and Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard for the PlayStation 3.

The Vantage Headset allows gamers to chat wirelessly, via Bluetooth, in-game and during voice chat sessions. It provides native PS3 support so is ready to simply plug and play, and features an adjustable noise-cancelling microphone for reducing background noise. It features a built-in rechargeable battery giving up to 12 hours of use per charge.

Spy on your nearest and dearest with the Keylogger keyboard

By

Andy Merrett

on September 11, 2007 1 Comment

Though there are cheaper ways of using technology to spy on those close to you, if communication and honesty seem to have broken down, the Keylogger keyboard could be just what you need.

This is no mass-produced system, either. It's a one-off keyboard from the Spy Warehouse.

It features 2MB of storage, enough to log two million keystrokes. If that's not enough to capture a few days' worth of banking passwords, IM conversations, and web surfing habits, then your relationship with the person you're spying on has really serious issues.

It's a standard Microsoft Natural Keyboard, but with the keylogger built in, and is currently selling for £215.

Product page (via SciFi.com)

Luxeed Rainbow Keyboard - add some colour to your office

By

Dave Walker

on August 14, 2007 2 Comments

Most offices are usually pretty dull places, so a splash of colour should be quite welcome. Although I'm not sure the Luxeed Rainbow Keyboard is the right way to introduce it.

The Luxeed keyboard has changing, coloured LEDs under each key. That means you can program it to be all one colour or add different colours to different keys or do impress your friends by setting the colours to change when you hit a key.

If you want a keyboard like the dancefloor in Saturday Night Fever, you'll have to head to Korea for now, where the Luxeed Rainbow Keyboard sells for the equivalent of £60 - £70, depending on your choice of model.

Luxeed website

Via Sci-Fi Tech

Try to control yourselves boys, it's just a girl wearing a USB keyboard bra

By

Katherine Hannaford

on August 2, 2007 1 Comment

Like some bizarre hybrid Hello Kitty and geek's wet dream, this Angel Kitty USB keyboard bra is...well...it does what it says on the tin, no? If your £39.99 Ikea desk doesn't quite meet the mark in terms of keyboard-housing capabilities, how about a real life woman with one stuck to her boobs? Just manage to rope one into wearing the outfit (I'd suggest a good few Cosmopolitans ~~laced with Rohypnol~~ followed by a couple of shots of Bacardi), plug 'er in to the USB slot and off you go. The perfect accompanying computer accessory for that big board meeting next week!

You can pick one up for ¥15,750 (about $130) on your way to the brothel to collect a willing girl to model it.

Angel Kitty (via Spluch)

Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard and mouse

By

Dave Walker

on July 26, 2007

Logitech has launched the Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard and mouse set - which it claims will make life at the desk more comfortable.

As the name suggests, it uses a 'Wave' design, as well as a cushioned, contoured palm rest. The wave is designed with size of fingers in mind, supporting each one as you type, as well as allowing your hands to take up a natural position at the keyboard. There's also a number of easy-to-use 'hot keys', especially useful for Vista users.

And there's a cordless laser mouse, with pixel-precise laser tracking and a soft rubber grip. The Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard-and-mouse combination is expected to be available worldwide beginning in late August and will have a suggested retail price of £69.99.

Logitech website

IOGear’s germ-free wireless desktop with Antimicrobial Nano Coating

By

Dave Walker

on July 19, 2007

Let's be honest, the keyboard and mouse on your desk are grubby. And when they get too disgusting to touch, they get thrown away. But before that date, you're probably touching some pretty nasty germs every day. That could be avoided with IOgear’s wireless desktop set.

Both keyboard and mouse are covered in a protective Antimicrobial Nano Coating, which will stop enzymes and proteins of bacteria from surviving on the surface of the product - and it's been widely tested against some pretty nasty bacteria.

You might want to mention it to the owner of your local internet cafe. Available online, you can buy the set for $59.95 (around £30).

Find out more

Via Chip Chick

The LiberTouch customizable keyboard by Fujitsu

By

Gabrielle Taylor

on July 5, 2007

Great news for everyone who knows how hard it is to clean your keyboard or is just sick and tired of staring at QWERTY every time they sit down at the computer. Make your own DVORAK - or ZOBLAW if that pleases you - with this offering from Fujiitsu. The LiberTouch customizable keyboard allows the user to remove the keys with a tool that seems to work like a bottle opener. The keyboard also comes with a single USB port. No price as yet. [GT]

LiberTouch [viaEngadget]

Logitech Cordless Number Pad for Notebooks

By

Gary Cutlack

on June 21, 2007

So if you've only got a tiny laptop and are always punching in numbers as a job or obsessive/compulsive hobby, now you can do it quickly.

The Cordless Number Pad also features shortcut keys, so you can lock common commands to buttons for quicker access to much-used features.

Say, Button One could open your Hotmail account, Button Two could open up your favourite forum, then Button Three could shove Word or Excel in front of them both when the boss is coming.

Logitech understands the needs of the modern worker.