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Tuesday May 23, 2006
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 Adesso recently released a new, improved version of its flexible keyboard, the Fold 2000. The updated model is a flat, thin silicone keyboard that is flexible enough to roll up to the size of a Chipotle burrito (and I'm writing this post with it right now). It's Windows compatible and connects through USB and PS/2 ports. Oh, and it's also waterproof and washable for all you beachgoers and clumsy coffee spillers.
When I first took the keyboard out of the box, my first impression was, "It's smelly." The silicone had a new car smell, but not in a good way. Soon my hands reeked, too. Typing was fairly comfortable, after i got used to it, but i had to push down very hard on the keys to type. Even then, some of my letters didn't show up onscreen, and oddly, every time I pushed the "o" button, an "l" showed up after it. I loved rolling and unrolling the keyboard, and it just might impress all of your friends (or coworkers). This product could be cool and convenient to carry around in my laptop bag, especially because it's so quiet when I type. But it's uncomfortable and quirky enough that i wouldnt' want to use it as my standard keyboard. Check out the black, white, and mini versions. They're $29.99 each on the Adesso site.
Posted By:
Gearlog
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May 24, 2006 1:42 PM
I'd be interested in an ergonomic keyboard. Will that be available in the "Fold 3000+. Perhaps then, the key adjustment will be corrected with the "o" button that you had. Kynock
May 25, 2006 6:05 PM
I would have given my left for this back when I contracted to provide hardened workstations for inventory tracking in a meat packing plant. We built stainless, watertight enclosures for the PC's, found waterproof, industrial grade bar-code scan guns with a 6-foot range, but could NOT find a hardened or waterproof keyboard to use outside the stainless enclosures. So, had to provide a door in the Lexan window, with rubber flap, so the meatpackers could reach inside to strike the key, from time to time, or to reboot, whatever. The room was subject to nightly steam-cleaning, floor to ceiling. This item would have been very welcome in the mix! See... there *is* a killer app for a rubber keyboard!
May 25, 2006 6:16 PM
The medical industry. I have a keyboard on an ultrasonic endoscopic scope disenfecting machine that is constantly in danger from water, alcohol and Cidex. There are keyboards in the OR and ICU's that need to be protected from spills, blood and air borne pathogens and cleanable to prevent cross contamination.
May 25, 2006 9:58 PM
I'd love to have one of these for use while I'm in my hot tub. I have a very bad back that requires soaks and that limits my work. I'd fasten this to a block of styrofoam (or similar) and attach the computer to the TV I can watch from there. If I had a waterproof monitor, that would be much better. The best way to make this better? Bluetooth!
May 25, 2006 10:23 PM
My kitchen. It isn't a lab or a meatpacking plant, but we've lost one laptop to spillage. This is always a concern when our "little helpers" decide to pitch in. A laptop in the kitchen might sound nutty, but we live in the kitchen and so does the computer. With a waterproof keyboard we could keep what we touch with messy hands (while we're looking up recipes) far enough away from the laptop to keep the important parts safe. Hopefully it'll work with a Mac
May 26, 2006 4:00 AM
It would be a great addition on a yacht. Most of the time you only need to use a mouse (or other pointy device) to drive navigation software. Most of the time you don't want a keyboard taking up space on the chart table, or the cabin floor if its rough. Being able to roll up the keyboard would be great, it would take much less space to store. There are times when you need the keyboard, and its usually when you are dripping salty water during a storm, so waterprrof would be great. It would have to be very tough to with stand the knocks it would get in that environment. But I can see a great market albeit not huge.
May 26, 2006 4:49 PM
You might want to check out the CoolThree keyboard from Man & Machine. It was designed as a mobile Medical Keyboard. It is built in 100% silicone and does not smell. We use a single layer construction with carbon disks to allow for high sensitivity with a great tactile feedback. The CoolThree can be used in medical applications, for libraries and schools and for times when mobility is important.
May 28, 2006 12:11 PM
Looks good do me. I'm saving my money54
May 29, 2006 4:21 PM
I've owned a couple of "normal" Adesso keyboards. They always had problems with key bounce. I'm never buying any of their stuff again. I'm surprised at all the comments here about how useful it could have been. Nearly identical keyboards have been made by other manufacturers for years. Just search eBay for "flexible keyboard" and you'll find tons of them. I tried one in CompUSA last year and it felt fine, with normal typing action.
May 30, 2006 10:26 AM
George, it doesn't work with a Mac. And Adesso is not yet planning to make one that does.
June 12, 2006 12:08 PM
I'm waiting to hear more.
February 21, 2008 3:28 AM
$8 from Target, mine was. It took a while to get used to, but i love it to bits now. Being a fangirl, keybashing is my favourite hobby. Now? Silent keybashing. It makes my family happy.
Just kidding, but this thing is great. It didn't smell and I had no problems with the keys. This is going on month 3 and no problems whatsoever.
George, the cheapo one that I have would probably work on a Mac, as it is just a USB one. Worked fine on Vista and it doesn't claim to. It just tries to look for a driver.