keyboards

We wouldn't exactly call it a fetish, but some of us at Crave have been known for our fondness of wood finishes on gadgets. (Well, not all gadgets.) And it's even better when the item in question is made entirely of wood, not just trim.

So this keyboard from Japan's Marubeni Infotec naturally caught our eye when it was spotted on Tokyomango. It's not the first of its kind, of course, but it's still one of the nicer ones we've seen. Even if it's not made of bamboo.

It's not often that a product neatly sums up something that we particularly dislike about technology, but this one pretty much does. And it can be described in one word: buttons.

Buttons on the keyboard, monitor, phones--you name it, and we've probably been baffled by it at one time or another, which is why we much prefer the minimalist approach in our computing. The people at P.I. Engineering obviously disagree, because their solution to more efficient technology is more buttons. A whole 16 of them, in fact, which you can stick just about anywhere (no off-color jokes, … Read more

It's not quite as dangerous as butt dialing, but cat typing can have its scary moments, like when PayPal or your IM client are open and in front.

So I am intrigued by a software utility called Pawsense, which detects when a cat is walking on your keyboard and shuts down key input within a couple of strokes. OK, while the odds are astronomical, your cat could randomly walk-type a vile obscenity into a memo you're writing while you are up getting a cup of coffee. You come back to the computer, fail to proof the thing, send … Read more

If there's one thing we learned this last winter, people get cold while sitting at their computers. Very cold. And the gadget industry jumped into action and responded with heated products ranging from mice to mittens, throwing in an occastional lap or knee warmer for good measure.

But honestly, given how much heat emanates from a computer, why should there be a need for something that produces additional BTUs? The cleverly named WK001 keyboard from V8, for example, is powered by a USB connection that generates two levels of toastiness--"normal hand temperature" and "normal body … Read more

Want to celebrate the predictable tragedy that your life has become by eating waffles shaped like the very instrument that invisibly shackles you to your desk? Artist Chris Dimino has modified an old typewriter to produce keyboard-shaped waffles, perfect for honing those typing skills before you get to work. The waffle maker is just a one-off, but hopefully some geek-minded, breakfast-loving entrepreneur will get cracking on a retail version soon (make a pirate toaster while you're at it).

(via TreeHugger)

If Microsoft hadn't issued a press release on this new keyboard, we honestly would never have been able to pick it out of its growing crowd. Even then, the company's product nomenclature doesn't make it easy to distinguish one item from the next: The product in question is the "Wireless Laser Desktop 4000," for example, not to be confused with the "Wireless Optical Desktop 4000" or the "Wireless Laser Desktop 6000."

Whatever it's called, the new keyboard-mouse package is part of the wave of Vista hardware continuing to reach the … Read more

As the convergence trend steams ahead, we've seen everything from air-purifying lamps to camera-speaker combos. (We didn't say it was a good trend.)

So logic would dictate that this would be inevitable: the keyboard PC. Cybernet's ZPC-945SL is an all-in-one QWERTY keyboard that includes an Intel Pentium 4 processor, up to 2GB of memory, a hard drive, built-in speakers, a mini-PCI slot and six USB ports, according to Tech Digest. But even though it sits only 1.5 inches high, we're not sure if it would be approved by the ergonomics police.

Lighted keyboards have become increasingly common, ranging from those that can fold away to ones that can withstand military conditions. But those might not be options if you have some kind of Tourette-like reaction to lights under your fingertips.

Enter this alternative from Korean inventor Spike Kwon (gotta love the name), which illuminates the keys with an LED bar situated just above the top row. Though still in the developmental stages, it seems to be farther along than most concept products because it's gotten approval from the World Intellectual Property Organization, according to Gizmowatch. The best part is … Read more

Regular readers of this space know that there's no shortage of lighted and roll-up keyboards. But one that combines both? Now there's a neat trick.

The "USB Illuminated Roll-Up Keyboard" from USB Geek does just that, made from flexible silicone with a "sapphire blue" electroluminescent coating. Resistant to water and dust, it even coming in a choice of two colors--white and pink--for a mere $27, according to Technabob.

We think this is pretty nifty as is, but someone is bound to ask this question (so we will first): When will there be … Read more