There is something about the feel of a “normal” keyboard when you use it. The tactile experience adds a lot to the ease of use and actually feeling the keys makes me feel more grown up. Then again, it might just be that most of us are used to the good old keyboard.

For those who use tablets and touchscreen devices most of the time, the issue may be totally different. When these touchscreen devices first came out, people struggled with the lack of tactile experience. Today, we hear about people asking for/wanting a computer keyboard that does not have the “real” keys anymore.

As they say, if there is a need/demand, someone will rise up to the challenge. And this is what Japanese gadget manufacturer Minebea has done with their new Cool Leaf Keyboard. This sexy keyboard gets rid of all the clunky keys that we have in the normal keyboard and provides an experience closer to what you have with your iPad (or any other similar device).

No one can deny just how gorgeous this keyboard is, but how does it work? Just like many other touchscreen devices (although this keyboard is not exactly a “screen”), the Cool Leaf Keyboard makes use of a multi-touch capacitive touch panel. Even better is the fact Minebea took great pains to ensure that typos are limited as much as possible. Fat fingers or not, this keyboard just might help you post more credible Facebook updates and tweets (typo-wise, that is).

If the image is not enough to convince you, check out this video.

I know this gadget is a marvel in terms of technology, but you know one thing that struck me as I watched that video? This keyboard will be such a breeze to clean! No more dirt or hair stuck under the keys. It seems to me that a few swipes on a flat surface is the best thing that has happened to keyboards!

The Cool Leaf Keyboard is going to be released in mid-May in Japan. Unfortunately, the current version is only compatible with Windows and is a Japanese keyboard. In the next couple of months, versions for the US English, German, French, and Italian markets will be released, along with something that works with Macs.

Via Akihabara News

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