Optimus Mini Three Keyboard Review

It was another geek X-mas (what else would it be?), and I got my geekified mits on another cool toy called the Optimus Mini Keyboard thanks to Thinkgeek. Here's what the Thinkgeek web-site product propaganda had to say, and they weren't exaggerating:

"Here are the basics. The Optimus Mini connects to your PC via USB and features three keys, each with their own backlit OLED screen. Each key can display a static image or full animation. Press the key and a different action occurs depending on what is assigned to it. Think of it as some kind of futuristic dynamic hotkey device..."

No, it's not directly Pocket PC or Smartphone related, but I managed to weasel it into a semi-related use anyway. Read on to find out why you just gotta get this cool keyboard add-on!

First off, Window's has hot key's, my fancy Logitech keyboard has additional hotkeys, and I have an additional keypad that has even more hotkeys, and on and on. But wait! Can a mere hotkey display your CPU, memory usage, an RSS feed, monitor gmail, or take/save a screenshot of your Pocket PC to a JPG image (all with tiny screen previews)? I think not! Can you develop your own widgets to extend these keyboard hard-wired presets?

The optimus mini keyboard allows you to do all this, create your own (for the developers out there), and more. It's like a graphical keypad on steroids.

Shortcuts to my favorite web-sites, and apps

After downloading/installing the configurator installer, and allowing Window's to auto-setup the hardware, tweaking your keypad options is quick and easy. Simply drag-n-drop the widgets you prefer to the buttons for each key. Keypad shortcuts can launch applications, point to a web image or URL (an external web-site will convert your favorite RSS feeds to a preview image of your latest feed headlines), or monitor your gmail account. Several pre-configured profiles for MS apps like Media Player, Word, IE, and Outlook are included as well as third party apps like iTunes.

The Configurator

Typical System monitoring tools for CPU and memory are included, as well as system time and local weather. Startup/shutdown and screen capture functions (as free optional plug-ins developed by third party fans) are also available. I found this especially handy in my case, as I use Pocket Controller, and can now quickly snap a ".jpg" of the current screen with the punch of a button (see middle-button in the original screenshot at the beginning of this post). The additional functions can be accessed via keyboard combinations like CTRL, ALT, etc.

Monitoring options

If you want a truly unique gadget that will save you from even touching your computer for things like checking mail status, or locking your PC, then this might be just the gadget to add to your geek arsenal. A bit pricey, I admit, at 160 smackers but then think of the coolness factor of running the tiny slot-machine widget on your own little, customizable keypad! That in itself is probably worth it.