Projected Keyboards have been around for a very long time, and yet they still have the ‘It’s the fuuutuuuure’ vibe for me even though I realise they’re probably not the most practical solution. The practical side of my brain shuts off when it’s R2-D2 projecting the keyboard though!
This snazzy little Astromech has been out for a while in Japan, but is coming to the US this month. R2 uses bluetooth to connect with a variety of devices, and plays the customary beeps and whistles when you switch him off and on. The virtual keyboard also makes suitably Star Wars-y noises when you type with it too:
Doesn’t really beat the nice clickity-clack of a keyboard, but it’s something. I dunno, it just seems like a weird thing to type with, almost like a touchscreen keyboard but with even less feedback. But it’s still a Keyboard made out of lasers! It’s such a cool dumb idea I can’t help but love it, especially in R2-D2 form.
Unfortunately, the logical part of my brain takes over once again when you get to the price – you can pre-order this bad boy ready for its arrival this month,for the price of $300. Nope, sorry virtual R2 keyboard, no dice.
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