Flexible Keyboards are Interesting
by Jiang Yio on Jul.07, 2008, under Computing
I got a $10 OmniTech flexible keyboard at Staples yesterday. It’s a funny little device that can be rolled up and packed away, while still being fully functional. At first glance, it’s just a regular USB keyboard with a silicone coat instead of a hard plastic shell. Further inspection through the translucent silicone confirmed that the innards were, indeed, identical to those of a regular keyboard. It consists of two flexible circuit boards overlayed over each other. Each layer has a different pattern of traces, and each keypress occurs at a unique junction to connect the circuits.
So far, it’s been nice to finally have a low-profile, full-sized keyboard for my laptop. It’s quiet, so it’s good for meetings and online voice chats. And, of course, it’s easily storable and transportable. However, it does have its disadvantages. The rubbery keys do not feel “right,” and that may result in slowness.
July 11th, 2008 on 2:35 pm
Ha, I have a keyboard just like that, just manufactured by some other company. Yeah, it takes a bit to get used to it like you said. But, it’s awesome. OH CRAP I SPILLED COKE, oh, that was easy to clean up! (And no sticky keys 2 years later).
July 11th, 2008 on 6:32 pm
Yep, I like that it’s spill-proof. But I really do wonder if it would last two years, hehe.
July 24th, 2008 on 11:28 pm
Will this keyboard work with Linux and open source? It says compatible with MS, but nothing more.
July 25th, 2008 on 4:22 pm
Yes, it works with Linux with no additional work. On my Ubuntu laptop, it was recognized as any other USB keyboard when plugged in.
July 28th, 2008 on 10:03 pm
I just purchased one of these omnitech keyboards earlier today..it is taking a little getting used to, but my fiance likes the fact that i’m not clicking away at the board anymore.
so..to me, it was a good investment…
August 1st, 2008 on 3:13 am
i just bought one, and i’m typing on it right now…the keys take some force to press..does it get any easier the more you use it? i’m wondering if i should return it.
August 1st, 2008 on 11:17 pm
It does take some effort to switch between this keyboard and a regular keyboard. I think the keys actually take less force to press than the keys on a regular keyboard, but I still think it feels weird. Anyway, I’m keeping mine because it wasn’t that expensive and it’s easy to clean.
August 5th, 2008 on 1:06 am
I purchased one of these keyboards the other day, it does take some getting used to, but it gets easier.
August 27th, 2008 on 4:42 pm
I’m using mine (bought it on a whim last weekend) with Ubuntu on my laptop. While I agree, it takes a bit of getting used to, I’ve already discovered that it is take out Chinese food proof. It was worth the entire $10 purchase price for the look on my co-workers faces as I cleaned the keyboard in the coffee room sink!
December 15th, 2008 on 8:29 pm
My friend had one and it’s the best; I want to get one of my own, but I don’t know how much they cost and what colors they come in. Do they come in fluorescent?
December 15th, 2008 on 8:42 pm
They come in neon blue, neon magenta, and black. They don’t really fluoresce, though ;p