Optimus keyboard - A path breaking achievement

At times I have really got frustrated trying to remember a shortcut key for doing a task. This is especially so when I am working in Gimp. And I end up either using the mouse or checking the shortcut by hovering the mouse on the tool I intend to use. Now things are going to change though because, the designers at Optimus have developed a unique keyboard. But a keyboard is a keyboard is a keyboard right? Not quite. What is unique about the Optimus keyboard is that each key is a display unit in its own right. And each key highlights the characters according to the application you are using at that time - be it a game, editor or any other application.

Fig: Full view of the Optimus keyboard

Fig: Close up view

Fig: Optimus Keyboard mirroring photoshop shortcuts.

So in my case, if I am using Gimp, then the keys on the Optimus keyboard should show the gimp shortcuts instead of the normal characters. this makes it easier for people who have trouble remembering keyboard shortcuts. The end result being better utilization of time while doing ones work.

Now the big question is will it have support for Linux? We can only wait and see because it is slated to be released in February 2006. As far as the price is concerned, you can expect it at a higher range somewhere in between $100 and $150.