Logitech Wireless Keyboard 2012

Last week Logitech launched its first keyboard with an integrated LCD display and some people commented they would rather have a cordless keyboard. Well for those people Logitech today announced the Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser, this keyboard is a little less advanced than the G15 because it doesn't features illuminated keys nor 18 fully programmable keys. But I don't think batteries will be able to power a keyboard with the features of the G15 for more than a few days. 

The MX 5000 features a cordless keyboard with an 102 x 42 pixels LCD display that can be used to display e-mail, IM message notifications, music playlists, volume levels and other things. You can even use it as a calculator. The MX 5000 also includes the popular laser-based MX1000 mouse and the keyboard features a Bluetooth 2.0 EDR hub. 

Built-In LCD Keyboard Screen
The multipurpose LCD screen displays information that can be navigated using the four buttons immediately below the screen: Up, Down, Back and Enter. The LCD displays:

A Dashboard — The LCD´s default screen shows the active account name of the Microsoft XP user, room temperature, and critical keyboard status information such as caps lock, F lock, and battery level. The time and date are also displayed and are automatically synchronized with the computer.

Main Menu — Viewable by pressing the keyboard´s Down button, the main menu includes smart key assignments, playlists, and radio stations. The keyboard has four programmable smart keys, F9 through F12, which can be programmed by pressing and holding them while in the desired application, just like programming a car radio preset button. The LCD and its controls provide one-touch access to music playlists from popular media player applications, including iTunes, Windows MediaPlayer, Musicmatch, and the new version of Logitech MediaLife software. People can also access and launch categories and themes of music through Musicmatch´s Internet radio stations.

Media Feedback — The keyboard LCD screen shows the volume level as it is adjusted. The LCD also displays the percentage of view when people are zooming in or out of an image or document.

Instant Messages and E-Mails — The keyboard screen provides instant notification of new e-mail and instant messages, as well as the status of the user´s instant messaging presence for Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger. Using Logitech SetPoint software, users can specify from which of their contacts they wish to receive these peripheral notifications.

A Calculator — A button on the keyboard activates the calculator, which appears on the LCD rather than on the monitor screen, to help diminish clutter. Calculation results are automatically saved to the computer´s clipboard so that they can be pasted into spreadsheets, documents, or other PC applications.