Logitech loses his head

Logitech has entered the first quarter of its fiscal year 2012 (which corresponds to the second quarter of calendar year 2011) on a sales decline of 4% and a net loss of $ 30 million. This poor record has claimed its place in the CEO Gerald P. Quindlen who is temporarily replaced by President Guerrino De Luca until the group finds a new CEO.

Logitech's sales reached only $ 480 million in the first quarter of 2012 against 479 million the previous year. Given the favorable exchange rate, these figures actually show a decrease of 4%. Operating income is negative (- $ 34 million) but takes into account an anticipated price drop box Logitech Revue / Google TV $ 249 to $ 99.

Optimus Mini Six: the pad with 6 LCD buttons

Art Lebedev announced that the Optimus Mini Six, a box containing six LCD buttons, entered into production. It should be released at the end of the year. He also indicated that the Optimus Popularis, a full keyboard with LCD keys, is now scheduled for 2012. Optimus range is quite a story. The Optimus Maximus, long considered one of the biggest vaporware with Duke Nukem Forever. It's also one of the most expensive keyboard in the world.

The keyboard comes hackers, quieter

The "Happy Hacking Keybard," one of the best keyboards in the world, returns. This mechanical keyboard, very old school in design, is best known for one of its variants: the keys are not screen printed and are therefore free from any registration. The new model, the Type-S is faster, thanks to keys more stable and quieter, with materials provided for the sound of typing is between 2500 and 5000 Hz, which reduces noise.

Sony offers PS3 with a keyboard ... a trackpoint

Sony just announced a Bluetooth keyboard for the PlayStation 3 and - unique product - it includes a pointing device. And Sony, instead of proposing a trackpad like in his old keyboards, joined a more rare: a trackpoint. The device used in the IBM (now Lenovo) for years is quite rare now, but it has a (big) advantage: it is compact.

For those who do not know what a trackpoint, it is a kind of miniature joystick incorporated into the middle of the keyboard and sensitive to pressure and tilt. The trackpoint generally requires little training to be controlled, unlike a trackpad that is more intuitive, but it is generally more intuitive and effective once mastered.

TDJ: Revoltec K102 Touch

Our fellow Cowcotland just put online a test Revoltec K102, a USB wired keyboard multimedia look pleasant, with an impressive wrist rest and low-profile keys. With dimensions of 450 x 187 x 20 mm (450 x 256 x 20 mm when the wrist is extended), the K102 has over 1 kg on the scale. Verdict?

• Using Your LG Pop GD510 (30/04/2011)
• My Finger Prints! (27/04/2011)
• RIM announces BlackBerry Bold Touch, with 7 OS (02/05/2011)
• BlackBerry Bold 'Touch' 9900 Gets Wi-Fi Certs; 5GHz Confirmed (26/04/2011)
• The Touch of a Child (04/05/2011)

TDJ: Razer Ultimate Blackwidow

Our fellow Cowcotland just released a test Blackwidow Ultimate Razer, a mechanical keyboard perfect finish. Enjoying a backlight system, the USB keyboard has programmable macro keys and "shortcuts." It also has audio inputs and outputs and a USB port. Verdict?

• Unboxing Video: Razer Naga EPIC (21/02/2011)
• Razer DeathAdder 3500 Gaming Mouse (10/05/2011)
• The "Strangest" band! (17/03/2011)
• Dragon Age 2-branded Razer PC gaming mice, keyboards and more announced (01/03/2011)
• Mionix Puts Out A Mechanical Keyboard, The Zibal 60 (14/04/2011)

The bad idea of the day: a touch screen keyboard as

Minebea Leaf Cool Keyboard is a USB keyboard composed only of a great tactile surface that can act as a mirror when turned off. A lack of functionality and design errors make the wrong idea of the day. One could almost imagine that this could replace the keyboard Optimus Maximus keyboard with OLED keys (see "The Optimus Maximus keyboard finally come true!").

Art Lebedev's model is far from comfortable, but offers a level of personalization impressive. The problem is that Minebea Leaf Cool Keyboard is not customizable. The user only has the English keyboards, German French and Italian. Curiously, it will first be marketed in Japan for over 150 €.

No keyboards for the tablets

According to Digitimes, users touch pads do not buy an external keyboard. Indeed, if users of historical tablets, those who worked with TabletPC, usually bought a keyboard, users of the latest generation of tablets, iPad in mind, shun the input device. In fact, less than 20% of users iPad buy an external keyboard, be it fixed model that connects to the dock connector or Bluetooth model.

Apple has been producing a large amount of keyboard and dock them - because of the high price - do not sell. And for the iPad 2 comes out March 25 in France, the company no longer offers fixed keyboard, only the Bluetooth model is optional. In fact, the keyboard is a tool used primarily for content creation, while the current consumer tablets are thought to be primarily of consultation, which limits the interest of the physical keyboard.

Microsoft SideWinder devices terminates

Microsoft has decided to stop selling products SideWinder. That's what our colleagues relate VR-Zone who say that unlike 2003, when Redmond had stopped selling the devices for player before restarting the line in 2007, this decision would be final. Microsoft has decided to pull the plug because of ever tougher competition from Razor, SteelSeries and Logitech, to name a few.

It must also be said that the firm has not really made a priority. Since the revival of the brand in 2007, the manufacturer has released four mice and two keyboards. SideWinder X8 mouse has already disappeared from the site of the firm.

• Microsoft To Discontinue SideWinder Peripheral Brand (02/03/2011)
• The SideWinder Sleeps Tonight (02/03/2011)
• Rumor: Microsoft to discontinue SideWinder PC gaming peripheral line (again)? (02/03/2011)
• Microsoft is killing off the Sidewinder brand for good (02/03/2011)
• San Francisco Residential Architect John Winder Sees Increased Demand for Remodeling (01/03/2011)

Microsoft (geolocation)  Microsoft (homepage)  NASDAQ: MSFT (googlefinance)  SEHK: 4338 (googlefinance)  Microsoft (MSFT) (wikinvest)  Microsoft (crunchbase)  Microsoft (wikipedia)  

TDJ: Cideko Air Keyboard, NZXT Phantom

Our fellow GinjFo recently posted a review of NZXT Phantom, offbeat look at a box showing the dimensions of 222 x 540 x 623 mm and weighs 11 kg. With five bays at 5.25 inches and 3.5 inches 7 slots, this case has a mounting system that requires no tools. Three 120 mm fans and a 200 mm are also present.

Verdict? For its part, our fellow HomeMedia just released a test Cideko Air keyboard, compact wireless keyboard (150 x 90 mm) but thick (3.3 cm) that can also control the mouse with its motion sensor integrated 3D . In other words, the inclination of the keyboard moves the mouse pointer in that direction ...

• Computer Peripheral Vaults - The NZXT USB Bunker Thwarts Keyboard Thieves (GALLERY) (12/01/2011)
• NZXT bunker locks down your USB gear (11/01/2011)
• NZXT Bunker keeps your USB peripherals secure, even at dodgy LAN parties (13/01/2011)
• NZXT HALE90 750W Power Supply (13/12/2010)
• NZXT's Bunker Locks Down Your USB Devices So LAN Rogues Won't Steal Them (10/01/2011)