Advanced Power Components Announce OLED Keyboard

UK electronics distributor Advanced Power Components has announced that the United Keys OLED keyboard is now available through its APC Contech unit, following a UK distribution agreement with United Keys in San Jose California.
Offering the very latest keyboard technology, the OLED keyboard enables users to experience the interactivity of touchscreen devices, but still retain the tactile feedback of pressing a button - so critical in so many applications.
Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology means that users can create their own shortcuts to load websites, calculate formulae, launch applications, insert a snippet of text or code or call up a command - all at the touch of a button.
By using the keyboard, gamers, programmers, creative media and lifestyle application users can save dozens of mouse clicks, increasing their productivity and creativity by as much as 70%.
Layered menus mean that hundreds of commands can be stored, with users jumping from one "layer" to another, using nine keys at a time. Users can attach whatever image or icon they want to make commands easy to identify.
Research has shown tactile feedback improves performance and satisfaction. Compared to touch screens, there is something reassuring about the familiar click of a button.
At around £100 each, the new United Keys technology is now ready to take the market by storm. Costs are kept low by integrating proven technology harmoniously with existing form factors. Because the mechanical design is similar, a keyboard could have any number of display keys co-existing with standard keys.
A significant advantage of OLED technology is reduced power consumption. United Keys products are powered by a USB connection and do not require an auxiliary power supply. The solution is easily user configurable out of the box; however, APC-Contech will be offering a user app download service for the major PC-based professional applications.
Commenting on the new product, APC Contech General Manager Mark Broadhead, said: "This exciting technology enables our customers, and all kinds of PC users to mimic touch screen technology on the desktop. The display keys change dynamically as you work, greatly improving usability, productivity and creativity."
The United Keys OLED keyboard is available now through APC Contech as either a full-size keyboard with nine display keys or a nine key keypad.
(KMcA)