Thursday, January 3, 2008 -- 10:48 a.m. -- on my couch

I was inspired to write this entry after reading the latest iPhone and industry news this morning.

There are countless companies out there all trying to get ahead and do amazing things.

But I am never without words of praise when it comes to Apple, not because it manufactures the gadget I write about, but because of its neverending ability to think different.

There's a lot of text at this link but it's interesting if you have the time.

I'll boil it down for you -- this is Apple's patent application for a dynamic OLED keyboard. In a nutshell, the top of each key is made up of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) that illuminate characters based on instructions from software.

That means that if you use Final Cut Pro, your keyboard would look completely different than it does when you use Microsoft Word. The pictures of the tools in Photoshop could appear on the keyboard when you fire up the program. And, if you switch between languages, the keyboard would switch right along with you.

The iPhone has a tiny element of this ... the keys change depending on the application you are in ... when entering e-mail, the keys are different, etc. But that, my friends, is only the start of what a patent app like this really means.

We probably won't see anything on this at Macworld. Traditionally, patent applications can take years to go through the system and just because a patent is applied for, it doesn't mean the application of it will ever see the light of day. But, the important part almost isn't whether or not it makes it to store shelves ... the important part is that Apple is thinking about these types of applications -- which really benefit the consumer.

What do you think? First, could you use something like this? And second, am I the only one that gets excited reading stuff like this?

Thanks for calling.

This is very exciting! I would line up to get my hands on this if/when it comes out.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Me, too, Greg. Me too.

A keyboard very similar to what's described here already exists, Optimus Keyboard. You can google it to find the company that makes it.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Indeed, Michael ... only thing is it costs several hundred dollars. Hopefully Apple's version does not.

OMG OMG OMG!
I want this -so- much! Squee! Yes!
/swoon

SCOTT'S REPLY: Should we put you down for 2, Eric? LOL.

The main problem with these keyboards is the same with the iphone in a way -- you cant look at the screen and type at the same time. You have to look at where your fingers are because you have no tactile sensation. It works on the iphone but it wouldnt work in this sense. I mean it WILL work -- But not at 150 words per minute. if you know what i mean.

SCOTT'S REPLY: But ... for some folks ... you can memorize the layout of a keyboard and still be as fast as you normally are. I actually type about 110 words a minute.

I use a program that works using a series of two to three letter shorcuts. I've been using it so long that can type with one hand without ever looking at the keyboard. A keyboard like this one would a benefit to all the other programs I use that shortcuts to help with productivity.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Shortcuts do help productivity. I like that idea.

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