Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 26

Has anyone else seen this?

http://www.elektex.com/elektex/home.htm

I don't know how well this could work, but I thought it might be kind of neat. How 'bout it, a case and keyboard in one!

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

I've seen previews of it.

Its a cool idea, and its amazing that its possible. The downside though is typing, I think the lack of tactile feedback would make my already poor typing skills worst.

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Matt Nichols
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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Midwest
Posts: 232

A student of mine had a flexible keyboard calulator friday. Amazing. It wrapped itself around the LCD (the only non-flexible part) and closed with a snap.

Nice for a calculator. The buttons were all simply printed on what looked to be a black rubber sheet, about 1/8" thick. For a keyboard, I'd at least prefer raised bumps, so those that touch type could "feel" that they were on a key.

If they can sell them for less than the stowaway, and have them at Staples to try out, I "might" get one. Without using (typing on) one first, I'd never buy one.

Dave

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

Typing on a bath towel isn't my idea of a good time. Interesting, yes, would I want one.. that's to be seen.. Like everything else, if the price is right.

This looks more interesting -> http://www.visorcentral.com/page/0-2-798-2.htm

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Not so sunny, San Diego, CA
Posts: 51

Waiting for the Tailor (or someone like him)

Just so's ya'll know, the ElekTex keyboard will have tactile feedback, of a sort. The "keys" are all on formed/raised bumps of fabric that depress when you type. There won't be the same "click", but you will feel the 'button' scrunching under your finger.. probably be a little wierd at first, but it should be easy enough to get used to..

I've been reading/waiting for this gem for the past two months. (I love MIT's Technology Review magazine!) Check out ElekTex's website for other interesting ideas/uses for this touch-sensitive fabric technology..

Personally, my pipe dream would be a 2-part keypad, one for each leg/thigh.. each with Bluetooth.
Strap one half to each leg like kneepads, when ya sit down, there they are! add a "tablet" area to duplicate using the stylus, and you wouldn't need to fiddle with the screen...
And for the ultimate, a BlueTooth enabled eyepiece.. leave the Visor in it's holster.. Imagine the looks you'll get, typing away on your pantlegs and looking off at 'nothing'!

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

neah- I like my Stowaway better. good size, fits well in baggy pants I love the feel of a laptop keyboard, it's a major thing for me.. MAJOR! thing.. a little wrapable and foldable keyboard wouldn't cut it.

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-miradu

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

Re: Waiting for the Tailor (or someone like him)

quote:

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Originally posted by WorldCTZen
Imagine the looks you'll get, typing away on your pantlegs and looking off at 'nothing'!

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They put people away for doing things like that in public..

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 53

what about...

I ride train often, and most of time I'm standing, so I guess instead of thigh, I would have them in pockets of my coats. But not in my pants pockets... that will make them putting people away for big time...

u-key

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Midwest
Posts: 232

Re: what about...

quote:

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Originally posted by u-key
I ride train often, and most of time I'm standing, so I guess instead of thigh, I would have them in pockets of my coats. But not in my pants pockets... that will make them putting people away for big time...

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There is nothing yet made by man that cannot be improved upon.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 53

in Japan, casio started selling "all weather" ppc handheld(under do-co-mo brand, you could buy pretty much same thing here from casio, around $800) with half-keyboard attachment, and so as sharp, with their own handheld having built-in keyboard which sort of "slides out" for use.
I think they are the closest thing available for now (tech. wise, but not for visor users...) and practical enough for daily use during commuting on train.

I was posting the last one since worldCTZen was giving the idea for bluetooth eyepiece, so that you don`t have to hold the "handheld", thus empty hands go into pocket, oh, maybe I can type in my pocket! yeah, that would be nice.

For a while we don`t have that kind a option, so I think I just have to stick with my orange stylus for now, and hold my visor firmly. But at the same time it is very appealing to me that folding soft keyboard doubled as durable wrap-around case, and it will be available soon, I hope...

I thought about "sleeve", too, but then again, why don`t we just make everything wearable. eyepiece, earpieces, CPU, input device, everything connected wirelessly, just like they are showing at some show a while ago (I forgot which one that was...)
and we are not talkin about Visor no more again....


u-key