If you’re a regular keyboard user–and if you’re here, let’s face it, you probably are–then you know firsthand the perils of same, with all that repetitive stress injury likelihood and such. But the folks out at Minebea are not only about to improve the looks of your standard keyboard, but they might do a number on helping your wrists and fingers out, too, with their Cool Leaf touch screen keyboard.
It’s been a long time since we last heard about Minebea’s Cool Leaf system, and the last time we did, they were really just concepts. But now the concepts have made that oh so necessary leap from concept to actual product, and they’ll be available a whole lot sooner than you might think.
First off, a word on the keyboard itself. Basically, this is a standard keyboard, except all the keys have been removed and replaced with spaces on a touch screen, thus allowing you to tap your fingers to spaces on a touch screen instead of actually pressing down keys with resistance. Word is that Minebea has actually extended the concept out to include remote controls and calculators, too, but it’s the keyboards we’re concerned about. The first model will, not surprisingly, be Japanese, and it will offer a 108 key layout. It’s also only compatible with Windows based computers, so Apple folks, I’m sorry but you’re out in the cold, at least for now. Word is, though, you’ll be getting a separate version a little later on. Just when, though, is as yet unclear but I don’t look for you to be without too long.
The first ones will hit Japan May 13th for 26,000 yen (about $318.55 in US dollars), and word is that versions will follow in several other languages, including French, German, Italian, and of course, English, by the end of July. Sounds like it could be worth a look, if a bit expensive, and maybe it will even take some strain off your wrists and fingertips.
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