Optimus Maximus keyboard

The Optimus Maximus keyboard, previously just "Optimus keyboard", is a keyboard developed by the Art. Lebedev Studio, a Russian design studio headed by Artemy Lebedev. Each of its keys is a display which can dynamically change to adapt to the keyboard layout in use or to show the function of the key. Pre-orders began on May 20, 2007 for a limited production run from December 2007 to January 2008, with a second batch expected to arrive in February 2008. It first started shipping the week of February 21, 2008.

Overview

Photoshop layout (Mac, prototype rendering)

Quake III Arena layout. The production model uses the same 48x48 display for all keys including the space bar, unlike this rendering.

The design featured on the studio's website received attention on the web when it was featured on Slashdot on July 14, 2005, and afterwards for a few weeks on other technology websites. The original release date was "end of 2006", however production issues caused the Optimus mini three to be developed first, with the full keyboard delayed until the end of 2007. The keyboard was number 10 in the Wired Magazine 2006 Vaporware Awards and number 4 on the list in 2007 due to its numerous delays and feature reductions.
The Optimus allows for greater user interaction, by dynamically displaying the current function of the keys. For example, when the user presses the shift key, the pictures would change to upper-case versions. It would also make switching between different keyboard layouts (such as English and Cyrillic) rapid, and could make the switch to alternative layouts such as Dvorak easier for people who only have a QWERTY keyboard with no possibility of rearranging the keys. To demonstrate this concept, there are computer renderings showing example layouts for Quake III Arena and Adobe Photoshop.
A patent application filed on March 13, 2007 suggests that Apple Inc. may be working on a similar dynamically changeable organic light-emitting diode (OLED) keyboard.

Optimus mini three

Art. Lebedev Studio has released a smaller three-key version of their keyboard, named Optimus mini three. Each of the keys is larger than a standard key. The mini three can be adjusted, through the configuration software, to either a horizontal or vertical orientation.
Initial reviews have been mixed. The keyboard functions as advertised, but it has been criticized for inordinately high CPU usage, slow response time, and buggy configuration software.

Optimus Aux

On July 21, 2008, Engadget posted about a new version of the keyboard, named Optimus Pultius. It features 15 OLED keys in a three-by-five arrangement and a USB port. It was expected to be released in late 2008 or early 2009.On September 19, 2008, Engadget also reported that the Pultius had been renamed to the Aux and included a new rendering of the rear side showing that there would be two USB ports instead of one.

Production schedule 

Some reports indicate that the keyboards started shipping on February 21, 2008.

Variations

Variations with fewer OLED keys will also be available, each upgradeable by replacing static keys with OLED keys after purchase. For keyboards with less than a full complement of OLED "active keys", additional keys can be purchased and installed.

Optimus Popularis

As of 2014, the existing models in the Optimus range have been discontinued. In their place is the "Optimus Popularis" model which uses a single large LCD screen under the transparent keyboard instead of individual OLED displays for each key.

Similar keyboards

The patent for this "Display Keyboard" (U.S. Patent 5,818,361, filed 1996, published 1998) is held by inventor Elkin Acevedo.However, the first programmable LCD keyboard was developed in the mid-1980s in Germany. This keyboard, sold under the LCBoard name in the U.S. until 1999, contained many of the features of the Optimus keyboard including monochrome graphic icons on each keyboard key, macro programming, context sensitive and application dependent switching between functions. S. Bigbie et. al. published related ideas in an IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin (Vol. 21 No. 2 July 1978) , as did Alan Bagley of Hewlett-Packard in (U.S. Patent 4,078,257).
E Ink technology has been used in a product by Sonder Design.
A concept design using E Ink technology was created by Maxim Mezentsev and Aleksander Suhih in 2013. A similar design by Jaasta was also created in 2014 but was never built since they used Sonder Design's prior art.

Special features

Art. Lebedev Studio is expecting to manufacture the keyboard with these features:

• A plastic body (width: 537 mm, depth: 173 mm, height: 38 mm)
• Extra-durable polymer plastic keys (20.2×20.2 mm, visible area 10.1×10.1 mm)
• 48×48 pixel screens, Highcolor mode (65 536 colors, 10 frame/s)
• Organic light-emitting diode screen for keys
• USB 2.0 (or 1.1) connectivity
• 4-5 year lifetime
• A key-saver mode
• Support for animation on keys at 10 frame/s minimum
• Ability to form a mosaic using a combination of key images
• Compatibility with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.5.1 (and higher).
• An SDK for complete display customization
• Swappable keys and support for keys without displays
• 32 MB SD card for storing basic layouts
• Non-stop glow time at nominal brightness of 20,000 hours, after which display quality will diminish
• An ambient light sensor which can be used to automatically adjust display brightness
• A viewing angle of 160°

Project Ara

What is it?!!

Project Ara is the code name for an unnamed modular smartphone that is essentially a computer board with compatible modules. The platform will include a "endoskeletal" frame with modules of the owner's choice, such as a display, camera or an extra battery.

The phone itself can be swapped from malfunctioning modules or upgrades as innovations emerge, providing longer handset cycle lifetime, and potentially reducing electronic waste. Project Ara smartphone is scheduled to release a developer version in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2016 with a target bill of materials cost of $50 for a basic grey phone.A consumer version is not expected until at least 2017.

what are the main goals for Ara project?!

Google says the device is designed to be utilized by "6 billion people"; including 1 billion current smartphone users, 5 billion feature phone users, and 1 billion future users not currently connected. Google intends to sell a starter kit where the bill of materials is US$50 and includes a frame, display, battery, low-end CPU and WiFi. Google wants Project Ara to lower the entry barrier for phone hardware manufacturers so there could be "hundreds of thousands of developers" instead of the current handful of big manufacturers. This would be similar to how the Google Play Store is structured. Lowering the barrier for entry allows many more people to develop modules. Anyone will be able to build a module without requiring a license or paying a fee.

what are the features of Ara and what is the structure of it??!

Ara Smartphones are built using modules inserted into metal "endoskeletal" frames known as "endos". The frame will be the only component in an Ara Smartphone made by Google. It acts as the switch to the on-device network linking all the modules together. Two frame sizes will be available at first: "mini", a frame about the size of a Nokia 3310 and "medium", about the size of a LG Nexus 5. In the future, a "large" frame about the size of a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will be available. Frames have slots on the front for the display and other modules. On the back are additional slots for modules. Each frame is expected to cost around US$15. The data from the modules can be transferred at up to 10gigabits/sec per connection. The 2×2 modules have two connections and will allow up to 20gigabits/sec. This is to defer its obsolescence as long as possible.

Modules can provide common smartphone features, such as cameras and speakers, but can also provide more specialized features, such as medical devices, receipt printers, laser pointers, pico projectors, night vision sensors, or game controller buttons. Each slot on the frame will accept any module of the correct size. The front slots are of various heights and take up the whole width of the frame. The rear slots come in standard sizes of 1×1, 1×2 and 2×2. Modules can be hot-swapped without turning the phone off. The frame also includes a small backup battery so the main battery can be hot-swapped. Modules were originally to be secured with electropermanent magnets, but according to the team a new, better solution has been developed. The enclosures of the modules were planned to be 3D-printed, but due to the lack of development in the technology Google opted instead for a customizable molded case. Modules will be available both at an official Google store and at third-party stores. Ara Smartphones will only accept official modules by default, but users can change a software setting to enable unofficial modules. This is similar to how Android handles app installations.

When will it be released??!

No one knows exactly ,but we expect on 2017 it will be released