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Sonder E-Ink Keyboard

sonderdesign.com

21–30 of 237 posts

Re: Sonder E-Ink Keyboard

#23
post #4
post #3

And here I am looking down at my keyboard, which looks like this: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81amtBk%2BvqL._SL1500_... And wondering what an E-Ink Keyboard is good for in the real world (this is a genuine question).

First step in playing a PC game is to go into options and try to memorize the controls. This could be useful for gaming or specialized applications like CAD.

The first step is to rebind the controls because they're all wrong. Even so, I do occassionally forget what went where. So a thing like this could be useful. Of course it would never be supported unless it were common, and I don't see it becoming common.

Re: Sonder E-Ink Keyboard

#24
post #4
post #3

And here I am looking down at my keyboard, which looks like this: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81amtBk%2BvqL._SL1500_... And wondering what an E-Ink Keyboard is good for in the real world (this is a genuine question).

First step in playing a PC game is to go into options and try to memorize the controls. This could be useful for gaming or specialized applications like CAD.

Nah. Displaying keyboard shortcut hints on screen next to the button at mouseover, which many applications have done for at least a decade, is much more efficient. Constantly looking down, looking up again, looking down etc. is terribly inefficient.

Re: Sonder E-Ink Keyboard

#26

An interesting idea, but I just don't look at my keyboards. Even so, I can't help feeling this is a much better approach than replacing F-keys with the Mac Touchbar. The touchbar could have been a great idea if above the pre-existing keys. However, if it was a Model M chassis, sculpted full travel loud mechanical keys, E-Ink, and a modern selection of media keys and volume I'd probably buy one. Regardless of how sill…

I think it'd be cool for programming, I have RSI and find using the shift key + another key painful. I also rarely use the number keys above the letters (I used num pad) so changing all those keys to the shit_key equivalent would be neat.

And rearranging some of other keys would be great.

And don't get me started on games, oooooh, how often to I buy a new game and forget what 'm' does? Knife? Grenade? Pickaxe?

Re: Sonder E-Ink Keyboard

#27
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First step in playing a PC game is to go into options and try to memorize the controls. This could be useful for gaming or specialized applications like CAD.

Nah. Displaying keyboard shortcut hints on screen next to the button at mouseover, which many applications have done for at least a decade, is much more efficient. Constantly looking down, looking up again, looking down etc. is terribly inefficient.

I think there's better use for screen estate than placing buttons on them when you already have a hundred or so buttons available at your finger tips.

Re: Sonder E-Ink Keyboard

#28
post #4
post #3

And here I am looking down at my keyboard, which looks like this: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81amtBk%2BvqL._SL1500_... And wondering what an E-Ink Keyboard is good for in the real world (this is a genuine question).

First step in playing a PC game is to go into options and try to memorize the controls. This could be useful for gaming or specialized applications like CAD.

Even with cad you tend to memorize, that and it doesn't (my exp is limited to autocad) use off hand chording too often. mostly its keying in short commands, such as 'li' or 'c', followed by an 'enter' action key (often space bar)

Perhaps it could be more useful for apps without a cli, like a DAW software package?

Re: Sonder E-Ink Keyboard

#30
post #7

It looks cool, but I don't like that the e-ink displays are deep in the key caps rather than at the top. Perhaps it's a technological limitation.

Almost looks like they went for one big e-ink screen underneath and moved the mechanics out of the way between the keys. The "blueprint" also shows such a rectangle that could be one big screen just behind the changing keys.

I wouldn't order it before not reading a review about how the feel of the probably new mechanics is.

How black is black on backlit e-ink? I'm thinking of an inverted theme, because I don't want a keyboard glowing white all over at night.

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