I got a $10 OmniTech flexible keyboard at Staples yesterday. It’s a funny little device that can be rolled up and packed away, while still being fully functional. At first glance, it’s just a regular USB keyboard with a silicone coat instead of a hard plastic shell. Further inspection through the translucent silicone confirmed that the innards were, indeed, identical to those of a regular keyboard. It consists of two flexible circuit boards overlayed over each other. Each layer has a different pattern of traces, and each keypress occurs at a unique junction to connect the circuits.
So far, it’s been nice to finally have a low-profile, full-sized keyboard for my laptop. It’s quiet, so it’s good for meetings and online voice chats. And, of course, it’s easily storable and transportable. However, it does have its disadvantages. The rubbery keys do not feel “right,” and that may result in slowness.
Ha, I have a keyboard just like that, just manufactured by some other company. Yeah, it takes a bit to get used to it like you said. But, it’s awesome. OH CRAP I SPILLED COKE, oh, that was easy to clean up! (And no sticky keys 2 years later).
Yep, I like that it’s spill-proof. But I really do wonder if it would last two years, hehe.
Will this keyboard work with Linux and open source? It says compatible with MS, but nothing more.
Yes, it works with Linux with no additional work. On my Ubuntu laptop, it was recognized as any other USB keyboard when plugged in.
I just purchased one of these omnitech keyboards earlier today..it is taking a little getting used to, but my fiace likes the fact that i’m not clicking away at the board anymore.
so..to me, it was a good investment…
i just bought one, and i’m typing on it right now…the keys take some force to press..does it get any easier the more you use it? i’m wondering if i should return it.
It does take some effort to switch between this keyboard and a regular keyboard. I think the keys actually take less force to press than the keys on a regular keyboard, but I still think it feels weird. Anyway, I’m keeping mine because it wasn’t that expensive and it’s easy to clean.
I purchased one of these keyboards the other day, it does take some getting used to, but it gets easier.