I know many people hate the idea of having a PC keyboard in the living room but I would rather have a small keyboard then a remote so was interested to see a new mini keyboard with touchpad from SMK. The small keyboard is RF based with a USB dongle, it has a full QWERTY keyboard and touchpad. As well as the standard PC controls it also has a Windows Media Center start button on it making it ideal for a HTPC.
Sadly its US only but if you are in the US its priced at $69.99 and comes in Mac and PC versions.
I am sure many of you reading this are thinking the living room is no place for a keyboard!
SMK-Link Electronics Announces the New Wireless Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard
New Game-Controller-Style Wireless Input Device Puts Cursor Navigation, Text Entry, Multimedia and Audio Controls in the Palm of Your Hand
CAMARILLO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SMK-Link Electronics Corporation, a subsidiary of SMK Electronics, one of the largest manufacturers of OEM remote controls in the world, today announced availability of the Wireless Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard. Featuring an integrated touchpad and raised button QWERTY keyboard, this new game-controller styled input device puts home theater, music, presentations and Internet applications in the palm of your hand–from up to 30 feet away. Both Windows® PC and Apple® Mac® versions are available. Manufacturer’s suggested list price is U.S. $69.99.
“Our new Wireless Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard is designed to be the perfect companion for computer control from across the room,” said John Blair, General Manager of Branded Products for SMK-Link. “Its game controller-like shape is instantly familiar in the hand. Text entry using the raised-button QWERTY keyboard is fast and error-free; and cursor control using the integrated touchpad is intuitive and effortless.
“Whether you’re sitting back on the couch text messaging, watching Netflix®, listening to iTunes® or simply Web browsing, this new Wireless Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard will be your ultimate home wireless companion,” continued Mr. Blair. “In the classroom or the boardroom, it’s also the perfect controller for PowerPoint® or Keynote®, presentations. Just plug in the RF receiver and go. There are no drivers needed, no line of sight restrictions and no battery issues. An on-board power management system ensures that the new Wireless Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard’s will always be ready when you are.”
Media Points (Wireless Ultra-Mini Touchpad Keyboard)
Features
Game-controller styling is instantly familiar in the hand Shoulder-style primary and secondary mouse click buttons Capacitive touchpad for intuitive fingertip cursor control Virtual “multi touch” feature enables touchpad scrolling Raised key, US-English QWERTY keyboard provides fast, error-free text entry 20 function keys, 7 hot keys and a Windows MCE launch button (PC version) Dedicated multimedia, audio and document navigation controls Applications
Home Theater via Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and other Web portals Listening to music on iTunes, Pandora, Rhapsody or other Web channels Classroom lectures and boardroom presentation using PowerPoint or Keynote Web browsing and text messaging from the couch Any application requiring a small, wireless computer input device. Specifications
2.4GHz RF wireless range (30 feet [10 meters] with no line-of-site restrictions) Integrated capacitive touchpad Smartphone-style, raised key QWERTY keypad 7 hot keys, 20 function keys and Windows Media Center Start key Versions: (VP6364) Windows PC for Windows XP with MCE, Vista with MCE, Windows 7, Mac OS X (not all buttons supported), Linux OS (VP6366) Apple Mac OS X No software drivers required 2 x AA alkaline batteries (included) with power management sleep mode Suggested retail price: $69.99 Manufacturer’s Warranty: 1 Year
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Maplin are selling them for 25 quid on eBay