keys

Given that we're long past the age of piano dancing, this might be the closest we get to playing any type of keyboard that's not connected to a computer. Yamaha, which is proving itself in the digital music world with products like its virtual drum set, has developed the equivalent of painting by numbers for the piano to debut in August.

Its EZ-200 keyboard has a "follow-the-lights" system that even tone-deaf types like us can handle, as well as touch-sensitive keys that sound louder as they're struck harder. "All you have to worry about … Read more

Yeah, we know--we're sick of USB drives too. But just when we were about to impose a moratorium on them, along comes Art Lebedev Studio with one that we can't resist.

It figures that the exception would come from the celebrated Russian design house, whose avant-garde Optimus keyboards--the "Maximus" and the still-unpronounceable "Upravlator"--have been among the most lusted-after products in the gadget world for some time. Unlike those groundbreaking products, however, Engadget notes that the "Finger Folder" flash drive is notable for its whimsical simplicity.

It also solves a personal problem … Read more

It's hard to believe, but there was actually a time when gold USB drives were a rare commodity. Now, it seems like a rare week when we don't see one. But that, of course, won't stop us from rolling another one out.

And how can we resist, given the bargains that are to be had these days? The latest model from Israel's E-Jewel, for example, is a 14k specimen that holds 4GB of data for a mere $2,000, according to Coolest-Gadgets. That's a third less than the $3,500 key we cited only a … Read more

It's always nice to see some individualism expressed in technology, especially when it's bucking a trend. A lot of macho USB storage keys, for example, tout their toughness in surviving everything from nuclear blasts to being run over by a car. But this 1GB porcelain USB drive takes the opposite approach as it "turns the traditional notion of a memory stick on its head and offers a hand crafted, beautifully glazed piece of technology in a non-tech body," according to Charles & Marie. It even comes in its own dainty little hand-knit pouch, as Uber-Review notes.… Read more

We were only kidding (sort of) when speculating recently about USB drives becoming a niche market for designer jewelers, but we think it's actually come true. The reason: Where previous versions basically added some bling finishes to what otherwise seemed to be plain old USB keys, they're function is now being incorporating into the design.

The latest example comes from Italian designer Roberto Coin, a white gold bauble encrusted with diamonds. But more than just sticking the stones on the case, like some lesser Swarovski item, the "Sparkling Memory" allows the working USB portion to swivel … Read more

It's not uncommon to see USB drives that look like they belong in a jewelry case, which makes their prices somewhat less outrageous because they can at least do double duty as a pendant or necklace. But then there are other storage keys whose main function seems to be wasting money.

This gold USB drive falls into the latter category, to the tune of $2,800 or $3,500. The price depends on whether you order it with diamonds, as pictured here, and in 14k or 18k gold. Decisions, decisions.

As Shiny Shiny notes, the manufacturer didn't even … Read more

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

Lest you think we've been exaggerating when warning that the evil Hello Kitty is permeating every aspect of our lives, consider this: the "Hello Kitty Static Electricity Key Holder" uncovered by Uber-Review.

Now why, pray tell, does the dreaded feline need to make an appearance on something as innocuous as a key cover that prevents electric shocks? The only explanation can be that its relentless drive toward world domination is beginning to invade our homes. It gets worse: This item is the unholy product of the power axis between the cursed cat and the insane inventors of Brando. … Read more

Here's an answer to a question that no one has ever asked me: "What are the full-screen keyboard controls for the open-source video software VLC Media Player?"

Boy, I'm glad you never asked me that fantastic question, because VLC Media Player (for Windows or Mac) is excellent free software that has gone on to inspire other open-source projects like Songbird.

The answer to the question is indeed out there in the wild tubes of the Internet, but it's pretty tricky to find, because it's hidden in a screenshot (and an outdated one at that.)… Read more