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Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

blogs.microsoft.com

91–100 of 251 posts

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#92
post #83

I don't own a smart phone, or a tablet, and this is even more of a reason that I won't be buying one.. If you are so tied up with work, or your home office, or social media, then this is not what you need, you need a life.

I would think that not owning a smartphone or a tablet would be a really great reason for not owning one. Is there more... like were you already dead set against this keyboard, but then you were like "Shit.. I don't even own a smartphone, or a tablet..." Anyway... your point's are moot. The only reason someone would want to own one of these is specifically for social media... nevermind. You did cover that one. My mistake.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#93

My biggest gripe with almost all portable keyboards is that they can only be used on a flat, firm surface. If I have a flat, firm surface, I'm not mobile. Unless that MS keyboard locks, I can't sit it on my lap while I'm in the train, or in the back seat of a car. Where are people finding themselves, such that they need a portable keyboard, have a nice, stable flat surface, but also didn't bring their notebook? Shrug…

I could definitely see myself using something like this to avoid carrying my MacBook around. Especially if I'm traveling in a foreign country and all I'm really doing is sipping wifi checking messages and using google maps.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#94

Reinvented is pretty strong language here, this idea is far from new. I think this new keyboard looks convenient enough for those needing extreme portability, but also probably a pretty mediocre typing experience. In any case, this time.com post is just blogspam. Here’s Microsoft’s page that all the content comes from: http://blogs.microsoft.com/firehose/2015/03/02/get-more-done... And here’s another third party page…

[deleted]

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#96

Reinvented is pretty strong language here, this idea is far from new. I think this new keyboard looks convenient enough for those needing extreme portability, but also probably a pretty mediocre typing experience. In any case, this time.com post is just blogspam. Here’s Microsoft’s page that all the content comes from: http://blogs.microsoft.com/firehose/2015/03/02/get-more-done... And here’s another third party page…

The TextBlade looks pretty cool. Looks like it would take a lot of training to get proficient at as well. The MS keyboard is very nice looking and would work for casual typing. It might be a better buy than the cheapie keyboard that the Surface Pro comes with, which is one sucky keyboard.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#97

Microsoft once made an awesome trackball and then discontinued it, leaving the remaining supply to be auctioned at high prices on eBay. If you're lucky, you can now find one of these extinct $50 MSRP rarities for the low price of $550 on Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-D68-00007-Trackball-Explorer... Why they won't bring this trackball back to the market is a mystery.

I still use one of these on my desktop. My favorite pointing device of all time.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#98
post #59

Yet another keyboard with staggered keys. How come are all keyboard manufacturers going out of their way to complicate the layout by staggering the keys? It makes absolutely no sense, and only contributes to inefficient typing and wrist fatigue. I would pay so much for a notebook with straight/matrix keyboard. This is what it could look like: http://imgur.com/9KomLMg

I used a device with a keyboard like that. It's horrible! Very uncomfortable, and it's missing a sort of "feel" that tells you where the keys are.

Two of the best keyboards I've used. Both have straight keys:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7125/kinesis-advantage-review-...

http://www.typematrix.com/

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#99

Reinvented is pretty strong language here, this idea is far from new. I think this new keyboard looks convenient enough for those needing extreme portability, but also probably a pretty mediocre typing experience. In any case, this time.com post is just blogspam. Here’s Microsoft’s page that all the content comes from: http://blogs.microsoft.com/firehose/2015/03/02/get-more-done... And here’s another third party page…

I'm interested in the textblade. Was the moment I first heard of it. But I've never spent $100 on a keyboard. I would like at least a good honest review from a programmer I've heard of and respect. I would definitely prefer a hands on at a store before plucking down that kind of cash.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#100
post #87
post #74

If it uses so little power... Is charging the battery using solar power, like an old-style pocket calculator, practical? Just embed a few tens of square centimeters of cells under plastic on the edge of the keyboard. As a bonus, that means you don't have to permit anybody to open the thing ever, which grants you the ability to make it waterproof.

I've got a Logitech (non-folding) solar-powered keyboard. Happy to report it's been working for nearly a year now using that delicious sun energy. Being a sceptic, I did also put it in a sock drawer for a few days after use to see if it would fail to charge. It failed to turn on after that until I'd left it in the sun for a while.

The thing about the low power being that the battery, still sizable, would last weeks/months even working in the dark in a cave at 0 lux, while indoor lightbulbs at 100-1,000 lux (desk usage) would provide enough energy to sustain a full charge without any deliberate charging activity in full sunlight at 10,000-100,000 lux.
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