When I was emailed a photo of the Elektek Fabric Keyboard by a friend in England I couldn’t help but be intrigued. Shortly after posting a picture the manufacturer sent me an email and said, “hey, I’ve got one with me and I’m in Sydney.” I just love being Australia's Tablet Guy!!!
So a few coffees later and here we are; I must admit I am a fan. Not only does it function but it also looks funky. Be warned though…don’t tear or pierce the fabric as the circuitry will die! Stay tuned to hear more about these sort of devices; and ask me anything you may want to know as I too am interested.
In regards to Bluetooth regrettably this in an interface that we will not see in this device; if you want to know why you’ll be unpleasantly surprised. The reason is licensing…too expensive to buy the rights to Bluetooth so you won’t see it happen…lame I know!
Watch the Video:
26 comments:
Ok, I'm sold. I was a bit apprehensive to start with, but it seems quite responsive to your typing. My only remaining question is durability. Considering I normally carry my Q1b in my backpack with on average 2 to 3 other textbooks, would I need to fear squishing a key and having it lose functionality.
Your comment about the rather slim USB cord seems spot on. I could definitly see myself accidentally snapping it.
Any word on possible availablity (or range in available colors?)
Shameless plug: If the company that produces them would like to do any demoing in the US, I'd be more than willing to help out :-)
Hey Matt,
Thanks for the thumb's up on the video. I think that durability is the biggest issue that surrounds this device. If you pierce the fabric you actually lose functionality. This sounds tough but it's actually easier than it sounds, i.e. keys or scissors, or loose pens in a bag could all affect the fabric.
What I found impressive (as you can see from the video) is its responsiveness. Very quick to type on, and in fact I hesitate to say, it's nice to use.
Colours will not be an issue. They tout the product as a "do anything" type product. Any colour any shape.
Keep you posted and thanks again.
Has there been any inkling of price?
Hello,
I can't even begin to express how much I'm impressed with this device. I'm very much into practical portability and thus integrating a protective case with a keyboard is a great innovation in my opinion.
That said, will any small puncture to the surface of the keyboard result in lost of functionality? Or does it have to puncture through certain areas ie. where the circuit lies?
If durability does become a problem perhaps the manufacturers could consider placing the keys on the inside of the case. It wouldn't be too hard to implement a design that would allow the case to be turn inside out when the keyboard is required. Creative use of a zipper or something along those lines (I guess something like those jackets you can wear inside out, or a case that can be splayed out into a large keyboard). I think they could easily implement a tough outside fabric for protection and leave the inside section (keyboard) soft and supple for UMPC protection. letting my mind run a little wild here...sorry :)
Anyway thanks for a great blog, I only just found it but it has been great so far!
Hi Simon,
I think price will be the only real point of contention as it looks like it needs a MSRP of over $100 USD (over $200 AUD) to be viable for the company. That being the case I still see it as having a potential market as for that price you get a keyboard, and a bag...smart!
--
Hi Jon,
Welcome to my blog. One thing you'll note is that every comment gets a personalised answer in a very timely manner. Thanks for your kind words and for your enthusiasm.
Your ramblings are great. This is the sort of product that can capture the world by storm, and your imagination. I saw a few other things (that I'm not allowed to disclose) which are way cooler again.
In regards to a puncture I believe there is some real vulnerability. I saw the circuitry (fabric) and was told that any puncture will affect the overall performance. If, however, you heard me read out their email, you would have heard me say that the outer skin can be of any material including leather. So I guess there would be far less chances of puncturing that!
Thanks for popping by, welcome and stick around...we have fun here!
I did actually hear you read out the email regarding materials, but I guess I unconciouslly assumed that the neoprene material that was used on the demo device was the optimal fabric in terms of feel.
Anyways, thanks for the welcome! I'll definitely be sticking around as im a devoted follower of the UMPC gospel in Aus! :D
Hi Jon,
I think you made a great assumption in regards to the optimum fabric. THe neoprene, as you saw, does provide great "feel" and bounce on the keys. As with every manufacture dilemma there is always a compromise. Even though I focus on the puncture I'm not actually sure how many of these actually get punctured - maybe it is very few.
If you're an Aussie UMPC devotee you'll love this blog as this is the root of the cause... ;-)
when I talk about keyboards I use a coefficient that tells me what fast people can expect to type in a keyboard.
Speed Coefficient
What's the Speed Coefficient? If I tell you that I able to type 15 words per minutes using any keyboard that wont mean to much to you. So I thought that would be better if I take that number and divide it by the quantity of Words per Minutes that I normally make with a normal keyboard: 15/55 = 0.27. Now you can use this Speed Coefficient and multiply it by what is your typing speed in a normal Keyboard and the result will tell you how many words per minute approximately you are going to make in this keyboard. So the Speed Coefficient is 0.27
Could you calculate the Speed Coefficient for this keyboard please?
Great review Hugo, I hope this keyboard/bag comes out on the market soon.Thank you
Thanks Aviruth,
It's intended for Qurter 1, 2007. I like it a lot too. :-)
Hey Hugo,
great video, well presented.
I am sold on this too. Can't wait to see it hit the market in Germany looks so cool. Obviously the fragility of the fabric is in question but it won't put me off too much. The device looks like it was slipping around easily on your glass table. Maybe some form of small rubber grips on the base could sort that out?
cheers
Ian
Hi Ian,
That's a great suggestion. My glass table sure does get a workout - maybe I should get Ctitanic to right a "slip coefficient" equation! LOL...
thanks for popping by, the suggestion is great and your support invaluable. I''m with you, bring them out, they've got my order.
Shoutout to Germany!
I've been wanting to see one of these fabric keyboards in action ever since I heard of the technology years ago!
Making the keyboard into a carrying case is genius -- though it seems to me that the keyboard/case would need a tear-proof sleeve to be on the safe side -- and neoprene seems like the ideal material in terms of wear and tactile feel. The only thing I don't like from what you've told us is the shift key business; it'd be annoying not being able to use conventional keystroke combinations.
Personally, I'm also a fan of the bright colour :-)
Thanks for taking the time and effort to share!
Hi Claudia,
Thanks for the visit and the kind words.
I think the concept is awesome and I must admit that it has done a lot for me personally as a productivity tool. I HATE the idea of carrying keyboards with me so this has done wonders for eliminating that need. The tactile response was awesome and the colour...I love it too.
I believe the shift key is something they have heeded and will rectify as I too mentioned it as a dilemma. Let’s wait and see what happens next; these guys are really on the move and have lots of possibilities...leather, cotton and more.
Nice preview. Still not out yet? I might just get the G-Tech Bluetooth Fabric Keyboard instead. Is there a usb version?
I have a samsung q1 with the q1 keyboard and q1 orgainizer. If the keyboard you just showed was for sale and it had quick enough type repsonce. I would buy it and lose/sell the q1 keyboard/organizer. Although I do love the q1 keyboard/orgnizer, it makes the q1 more of a laptop size.
earthling94
what I would do (as I have the same setup) is keep both, the bag is good but not fulltime.
THanks for your comment
have a comment/question for you as you seem to know much about these products. You know the flap that sits inbetween the q1 and the keyboard when the organizer is closed. It has a couple magnets in it, which enable that flap to be folded in half and hold together. My worry is that magnets are not good for computer components, and can be very damaging to the screen.
I have used the orgnizer with no such problems, but I'm always a little worried about it.
earthling 94
Hi Earthiling94!
It's a fantastic question. You and I have alaways been warned against magnets and computer compnents, so the fact that the OP comes with two of them, and when closed they sit rather clost to compnents, is conflicting to our views.
I don't know the answer but I will try and send some emails and post back here some results. I dare say that the magnets are "special" magnets, or not big enough to harm anything, or, it may be an oversighte by the manufacture Samsung - which is not impossible either. :-)
Check back here later and thanks for the great comment.
In regards to the use of Bluetooth.
Why not use radio frequencies...much like how Logitech uses frequencies to pair their mouses and keyboards to a computer.
And yes I know you're worried about the bulky usb adapter...but have you seen the latest Logitech adapters....they are smaller then the size of a thumb.
The World’s Smallest USB Receiver
* Plug-and-forget nano-receiver: Barely larger than a coin, the receiver is so tiny you can plug it into your notebook just once – and forget about it.
* Small, yet powerful: Expect a robust wireless connection with advanced 2.4 GHz cordless technology.
Convenience
* Always ready: Leave the nano-receiver plugged into your notebook—your mouse is always ready.
Let me know what you think!
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