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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: AlexOctodon on Wed, 01 April 2015, 04:26:46

Title: Alex from Octodon
Post by: AlexOctodon on Wed, 01 April 2015, 04:26:46
Hi!
I am Alex, founder of Octodon. Last several years we are building a new type of mechanical mobile pocket keyboard.
It's called the Octodon Keyboard. And we hope it can bring real productivity on handheld devices.

I am also fond of different futuristic human-machine interfaces and sometimes doing hobby projects in this field.
Can share knowledge about 3d CAD modelling and programs, circuit design and different DIY stuff. 
My page on Instructables: http://www.instructables.com/member/kotoezh/
My channel on YouTube:    http://www.youtube.com/user/Kotoezh




Title: Re: Alex from Octodon
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 04 April 2015, 05:07:40
Welcome to Geekhack!

The Octodon is an interesting concept!

One thing that I suspect would improve its reception is if it were easily transportable from one device to another.

It looks like you have that covered already :)
Title: Re: Alex from Octodon
Post by: AlexOctodon on Sat, 04 April 2015, 05:57:26
Thanks rowdy!

Yes, we went away from the initial clip-case concept, because it is unreal for a small company to run after unpredictable phone manufacturers.
And now we have a metal stickers which you can stick to your gadgets, and then mount Octodon easily with magnets.

Or you can use Octodon as a standalone controller which may be good with Virtual Reality, other HMDs and big screens.
We are currently working on a new type of 2d-analog sticks. In prospect they can be placed on the front mounting surfaces and allow control cursor and play games.

May I ask your advice? I've starter topic about Octodon in the Input Devices branch, but I had no feedback there. The Keyboard branch seems to be much more active. But Octodon Keyboard is not a keyboard in common sense, and I've already started thread in Input Devices. so I am not sure if it is appropriate to start discussion there.
Title: Re: Alex from Octodon
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 04 April 2015, 06:08:59
This is one of those tricky ones.

Keyboards is generally the traditional keyboards - a matrix of switches connected to a controller, usually in a QWERTY or similar layout.

Input devices, as the forum description says, is for touch pads, trackballs, joysticks etc.

What you are developing, although used as a keyboard, is not something that people would immediately recognise as a keyboard.  OTOH it IS a keyboard, but a new design.

It might also fall into the "other geeky stuff" too - that covers mobile phones and similar devices.

I'd say leave it where it is for now, and if you don't get a response in another couple of days (bearing in mind that a lot of people might be away, what with being Easter), and if you don't get many responses, perhaps ask one of the mods if they could move it to a more appropriate area.
Title: Re: Alex from Octodon
Post by: AlexOctodon on Sat, 04 April 2015, 11:30:38
Yes, it sounds reasonable and I'll probably do so. Thank you!