Celluon CL850 Laser Keyboard

I remember seeing the Celluon CL800 years ago, and I was surprised that it never caught on.

Simply put, the CL800 uses lasers to project a functioning QWERTY keyboard in front of the user’s fingers. It can project on any level surface, like a table top, desk, or bar. You are probably wondering how something like this could work, how a computer would know where your hand and fingers are going. Well, apparently it uses a trademarked 3D electronic perception technology to identify the location and movement of the typist, then transmit the input recognized by the sensor to the user’s device.

I can definitely see an application for this type of technology. I mean, I cannot stand text messaging by hitting a stupid button two or three times when I’m more comfortable typing it just once! Also, some of these QWERTY keyboards on the Blackberries and other such UMPCs are small to say the least, and users would be more comfortable with something that was a little more traditional. I am also told that this CL850 is compatible with many PMPs as well as PDAs.

This must be the reason why the CL800 has just received an upgrade. The new CL850 uses both Bluetooth and USB connectivity to affix to any mobile device. I guess that comes in handy, because everything is USB compatible these days. The older one only uses Bluetooth. The CL850 has built-in lithium ion battery power, as well as DC input power.

It is also compatible with many operating systems, including Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smart Phone edition; Palm OS, Blackberry, Symbian, as well as Windows 2000/XP or higher.

Another feature which I’m not certain that CL800 had is this built in buzzer that provides keystroke sounds. That might be a relief, because I’m not certain I would want to type with nothing but the sound of my fingers tapping. There is something comforting about hearing my own fingers clicking that just works for me. You know, I just tapped my fingers on the table for a little while and I can’t help thinking that it hurts. I’m wondering how long it would hurt if I was typing all day. Hmmm.

In case you are wondering, the keyboard supports international languages, such as English, Spanish, German, French, even Korean. It also works best on nonreflective, opaque flat surfaces and is ideally visible under 1000 to 5000 lux ambient light.

If you’re interested in buying this CL850, you will probably end up paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $108 to $215 USD for it.