Finalmouse shows mechanical keyboard that is also a display
The Centrepiece seems more showpiece than mechanical keyboard. Its own CPU and GPU fire up a screen that displays interactive skins. They use the Unreal Engine 5.
RGB was yesterday. Today, keyboards have screens. At least if Finalmouse has its way. The manufacturer, otherwise known for poorly available gaming mice, has introduced Centerpiece. A mechanical keyboard that conjures up fish, lions, flowers and more on your console.
It's just plain crazy what Finalmouse is showing off. You have to see it for yourself to believe it. If it were April 1, I'd think it was a (damn good) joke.
Finalmouse didn't reveal much about the display under the switches. The manufacturer calls the technology Laminated Display Circuit Glass Stack. Many years of research and development have gone into it. There are no details about size, resolution, refresh rate or brightness. According to Finalmouse, you can display so-called skins, which use the Unreal Engine 5, on the part. So that the animations don't put a strain on your PC, the keyboard has its own CPU and GPU. Finalmouse has not yet revealed which ones.
Source: Screenshot Youtube
Artists will be able to create their own skins and offer them on a marketplace. The display is to be clamped between the upper and lower parts of the case, similar to so-called gasket-mount keyboards. Foam seals, the gaskets, are thus supposed to ensure a soft typing feel and good acoustics.
In terms of switch technology, Finalmouse follows familiar paths and uses mechanical switches. They were developed in cooperation with the manufacturer Gateron and are based on the popular Gateron Black Inks. Optionally, switches that make use of the reverb effect will be available. This makes it possible to adjust the sensitivity of the keys. So in a racing game, you can give more or less throttle depending on how hard you press the switch.
The case is made of anodised aluminium and is engraved around the edge. It is said to cost 349 US dollars and will be available early next year. More info will probably follow then.
Titelbild: Screenshot Youtube
From big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.