Life and Incredible Adventures of Optimus Keyboards

Optimus AUX Photo

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:46:48 GMT

Here's the Optimus AUX final pre-production prototype in aluminium case (Verbarius is in the background):

Optimus AUX is to be priced around 650 US$.

Optimus AUX Visualization

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:15:56 GMT

Optimus Aux Assembled Prototype

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:29:49 GMT

Optimus Aux Prototype

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:01:48 GMT

Back case and PCB.

Plastic tray and two metal parts to be assembled.

Aux' case is metal.

New Layers Format for Mac Configurator

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:54:08 GMT

Now we have new .layers format for easy layer presets sharing. Just double click .layers file to add preconfigured layers with icons to the Configurator.

http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/downloads/

Aperture.app default layer:

More layers and PC version to come.

First Optimus Configurator Layers Released

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:36:10 GMT

http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/downloads/

Look for the 'Layer presets for Configurator' sidebar. We've added first six layers for Mac OS X apps.

At the moment the process of adding new layouts requires some time and attention. Fully automatic preprogrammed layer bundles will be available in future releases of Configurator for both Mac and PC.

Please send your comments to tema@tema.ru.

Optimus Aux Visualisations

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:51:18 GMT

We've moved key rows closer together.

On the back: hub with two USB ports, K-lock with reset button inside, USB-in, power-in.

Here's size comparision with Optimus Maximus:

One More Prototype

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:37:09 GMT

Optimus Pultius probably will be released under the name Optimus Aux.

Optimus Minimus to be Released

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:24:58 GMT

Set of several sheets of keyboard stickers called 'Optimus Minimus' will be released soon. Set includes Latin, Cyrillic and Photoshop layouts.

Optimus Pultius Sample PCB Assembled

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:28:14 GMT

Optimus Store NY

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:33:56 GMT

On 08.08.08 our 8th offline retail location is opened in New York.

We're be based inside the RCS Computer Experience (http://www.rcsnet.com/) located at 575 Madison Ave. and E 56th Street (on the second floor, just opposite the escalator).

Optimus Maximus Coffee Spill Test

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:52:28 GMT

Optimus Maximus survives first recorded coffee spill thanks to the construction of the upper tray.

Warning: don't spill any liquids on any keyboards because this is stupid and voids any warranties.

For businesses - update

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:28:30 GMT

Denis and Anna from Art. Lebedev Studio welcome all interested parties to meet with them in New York and California in August, 5-10th and 10-13th respectively. We'd like to talk to those who can see Optimus Maximus as a software solution to their corporate projects, or as a new tech component in custom equipment. Please make sure to contact Anna now at ak@design.ru or call +1 702 4264-178 after August the 4th.

New Optimus Family Member

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:15:50 GMT

Optimus Pultius - a 15-keys addition to any keyboard. To be used with the Maximus or with any other non-display keyboard.

Optimus Pultius uses the same principles as Maximus, has the same display keys and the same set of ports on the back (using one instead of two additional USB hub slots).

Availability: end of 2008/early 2009.

Some Optimus Maximus Nice Video

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:16:40 GMT

Dutch Wannahaves show some Optimus in use.

http://www.wannahaves.com/item/babefd70/a/optimus-maximus-typen-met-oled-schermen

Art. Lebedev Studio's Optimus Store in NY

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:09:01 GMT

There are seven offline Art. Lebedev Studio stores on European side of Atlantic (where we sell what we design - from chocolate sweets to electronics).

On 08.08.2008 we are opening our very own 8th offline store in New York.

In the beginning it will be a 'store inside store' model - we're be based inside the RCS Computer Experience (http://www.rcsnet.com/) located at 575 Madison Ave. and E 56th Street (on the second floor, just opposite the escalator).

Main difference of this store comparing with our other retail places is that in New York we're selling mostly electronic products, or, to be honest, we're mainly selling Optimus Maximuses there.

So starting early August come by RCS Computer Experience in NY and grab an Optimus Maximus.

Optimus Maximus Gets IF Design Award

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:41:10 GMT

This year we are receiving the iF communication design award for the Optimus Maximus Keyboard.

Details (mostly in German): http://www.ifdesign.de/beitragsdetails_e.html?beitrag_id=40610

Electronica 2008, Munich, Germany

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:07:04 GMT

German and BENELUX distributor will be pleased to inform you about Optimus devices during their special events:

Industrial use of Optimus mini three
Advanced use of optimus Maximus Keyboard

Electronica 2008
November 11-14, 2008
Hall A5, booth 359, EVE GmbH
(http://www.electronica.de/en/home)

For large businesses

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:28:24 GMT

If you have a professional interest in Optimus Maximus or other Optimus family products, Art. Lebedev Studio would like to meet with you and tell you more about these products in mid-July in New York or California.

Please send an e-mail with introduction and basic inquiry to Anna at ak@design.ru.

Optimus Popularis First 3D Prototype

Fri, 30 May 2008 18:39:27 GMT

Optimus Popularis First Mock-up

Tue, 20 May 2008 17:03:22 GMT

Our next big release in the Optimus keyboards family will be Optimus Popularis. Shorter than Maximus, it will not use OLED screens, but will be based on a totally different principle.

11 extra keys are above the F-keys now. Price will be below 1000 US$.

Top: working Optimus Maximus
Bottom: Optimus Popularis mock-up

Details to be published in this blog.

0.67 firmware

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:21:21 GMT

Don't forget to download new 0.67 firmware which makes images change almost twice as fast. We're working on new firmware releases to make images change even faster.

http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/downloads/

Configurator for Mac, Roadmap

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:51:44 GMT

The upcoming versions of Configurator for Mac will contain the following delicious features:

1) Hybrid Layer
Just in one click all images on a particular layer will shift into one corner and the "Defaults" labels will be automatically added into another.
And indeed, you can choose which corners you would like to use.

2) New drag-and-drop interface
You may choose what do you want to place on a button before you have to decide where.
Via drag, click or vice versa. In a table-view or a list-mode.

3) Layers Repository
Our designers are working on a bunch of layouts for both standard system applications and for a professional stuff like Photoshop. All of them will be available via Configurator in a RSS-like manner.

Changing Optimus Maximus

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:41:33 GMT

Engadget (after changing its own design) is asking people how they would change the Optimus Maximus:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/11/how-would-you-change-the-optimus-maximus/

As with most of our specialized products we have the same problem with Optimus keyboards: people know why they need them and give us no feedback. They just quietly use our keyboards in the secret labs :-)

I know what I want to change.

1) Make Optimus Maximus an 'instant gratification' tool from the second it's connected. Now some people can spend half an hour without understanding how the keyboard should change the keys. We're working hard on designing a set of predefined layouts for most of the popular apps so that people would have more fun from the beginning.

2) Create hybrid keys in the Configurator to accomodate more than one display mode on one key. Here's an example I use in Photoshop with English and Russian keyboards both visible (it turned out that having a Brush icon is more effective on a B key when there's letter B still present). We will indicate active layout with white.

Optimus Maximus @ innovationlab.dk

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:17:11 GMT

See Optimus Maximus and our other products in Aarhus, Denmark at 'NEXT no. 5: MINDBLOWERS'.

April 4-6, 2008

exhibition info: http://www.innovationlab.dk/da/node/670
where and when: http://www.innovationlab.dk/da/node/671