Here it is...

...the first rendering of the new Popularis keyboard arrived to mixed feelings on Arts project blog. While the keyboard now sports the new full-face active keys (part of the original maximus concept from way back) and a new keyboard length status screen. some are unsure of the softer rounded apple like design which has sparked much debate on the blog, also the removal of the num pad for a nifty Fn key which changes the right side keys to a num pad and pgup pgdn, is also en sighting a riot amongst its followers. Clearly Art Lebedev are keen to reduce the cost by reducing the number of keys, and at a $1000 bucks some are suggesting the don't want a laptop keyboard! Although that is half the price of the Maximus.

I too am not convinced as I look at my Maximus, as the Popularis looks too deep and may not sit well on the desktop, and the status screen may add unnecessary cost to an already still expensive keyboard, while many are still hoping that the price will come down yet further.

So in the current economic climate Lebedev may have to dig deep and give the hordes what they want, and sacrifice a little of the design.

Could ship as soon as end of 2010 or first quarter 2011.

Yawn. *Might* be nice if Art would port some of the apps over to the Maximius or have they and I missed it somewhere? Like the stock market looking thingie, etc.

Totally agree and I have mentioned this several times on the project blog but I fear that the experiment that was maximus has just paved the way for other things. Chances of a long awaited update with new functionality, very slim.

I also suspect that Lebedev was hoping for a little more community development! however they are all off busy hacking the iPhone to be interested in this!