14 DAY TRIAL // Some might say that there will be a day when we'll no longer need keyboards like the one we're using everyday with our computers. And it might be completely true, especially after taking a good look at new input devices created to replace the old-fashioned keyboards – the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard is the perfect example demonstrating that such a future isn't at all fantasy talk.
Lasers play a serious role in this industry these days and they're also behind the working principle of the gadget we’re about to present as follows. We're dealing with a small and convenient laser projector you can easily stow away in your bag.
Once set in place and turned on, this gadget will project a laser contour of a normal QWERTY keyboard on any flat surface. And if the protrusions on this surface are less than 1mm in height, the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard can ignore them and detect correctly your moves. You'll get a good contrast in pretty much any lighting conditions, when luminosity does not exceed 600 lux and, as you type, the gadget will also emit the sound of a traditional keyboard.
This laser keyboard is quite convenient since it comes with no wires: it communicates with other devices using Bluetooth v1.1 class 2 sporting a 9m operating range. The built-in rechargeable Li-Ion battery can deliver up to 120 minutes of continuous typing; still we're not sure whether the supplied wall adapter can be used to keep it plugged in all the time, but most likely it is, otherwise having to switch keyboards makes for a real setback.
Reportedly, the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard has a 400 characters per minute detection rate and can be hooked up to both Macs and PCs and with a horde of PDAs and smartphones/pocket PCs. The manufacturers have prepared drivers only for Windows, wile Apple computers have been left aside: this means that Mac customers won't be able to customize their own keyboard shortcuts and this could also diminish sales, if commercial evaluations are to be considered.
It remains to be seen how the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard handles daily tasks over extended periods of time. And maybe some price adjustments could also be operated since you must fork out $160 if you want it now. More tech details here.
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