Prototype mobile showcases e-ink keypad

An e-ink primary display on a cellphone? Eh, that's so 2006. On display at Japan's CEATEC show this week is a prototype clamshell that flips the concept on its head, moving the e-ink down below. The benefits are pretty obvious -- different keypad configurations can be shown in different phone modes, a tactic that's been explored before -- but unlike phones that use OLED or LCD displays, e-ink only requires power when it's being changed, so you get the combined benefit of configurable keys while consuming virtually no additional energy over a standard layout. Combine the concept with physical ridges between keys and we figure this could be a pretty killer setup since you wouldn't be losing tactile feedback, either. We see a good fifteen or twenty concept phones for every device that actually sees production, but since some folks bothered to throw together a physical prototype here, we're cautiously optimistic this thing might see the light of day.

[Via Ubergizmo]

[greatslack @ Oct 3rd 2007 4:58PM]

genius!

[Tom @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:01PM]

Optimus Keyboard, eat your heart out.

[John M @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:25PM]

File this one under dumbest invention ever

[L @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:02PM]

You wouldn't recognize innovation if it bit you in your behind, huh?

[John M @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:28PM]

its thicker than your head dude

[L @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:58PM]

Reading is not among your stronger skills apparently...

"We see a good fifteen or twenty concept phones for every device that actually sees production, but since some folks bothered to throw together a physical ****prototype**** here, we're cautiously optimistic this thing might see the light of day."

Prototype = tinkered together thingy to illustrate and refine the idea. NOT the end product.

*pfff*

[John M @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:42PM]

yeah I see its a prototype...its a prototype for a product that only appeals to a very small segment...so, if your actually using multiple keyboard layouts maybe your excited about this ***prototype*** in my mind its nothing more than a novelty...so i still say you can file this one under dumbest invention ever...im glad it means enough to you to keep replying..didnt mean to hurt your feelings there guy

[Fred @ Oct 4th 2007 3:26PM]

"only appeals to a very small segment"???

Yeah, no one would ever want a dynamic touch interface... **cough**iPhone**cough**

[Evan @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:25PM]

Wow, and I thought E-Ink would make a phone thinner...

[Leroy Vargas @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:17PM]

e-ink???

That should be also thrown into computer keyboards! So you can see the keys change from one keyboard layout/language/IME to another. I sometimes switch from English-US to Russian to Korean-IME to Tamil to ..., and it's often hard for me to memorize which key is which on each layout/IME without having to pop up an onscreen soft-keyboard (which sometimes fails to refresh text; especially Windows On-Screen keyboard for which you can't even adjust the keys' size!) or even physically replace the keyboard hardware itself! e-ink will solve it all without going the costly, power-hungry optical way...

[me @ Oct 3rd 2007 6:22PM]

You better patent that idea real quick if it's not patented already.

[Andrew @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:06PM]

That graffiti pad on the read link is tops!

[Andrew @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:07PM]

I can't remember the last time my PC was starved for power....and I've never used an external keyboard without a power outlet around.

[Andrew @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:08PM]

I hit the reply button! I swear!

[derek @ Oct 3rd 2007 7:30PM]

ok? what does that have to do with anything???

[Andrew @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:51PM]

It was a reply to Leroy Vargas.

[john @ Oct 3rd 2007 9:06PM]

This will be way better in color.

[DarkAardvark @ Oct 4th 2007 2:43PM]

i think they already have it in color.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/27/hitachi-showing-off-color-version-of-albirey-e-paper/
there are a couple more articles, but im lazy and dont feel like posting them =D

[Jimmy @ Oct 3rd 2007 10:41PM]

I need this, I always never charge my phone.