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PC Games (Games) Hardware

Infinium Phantom Lapboard Coming to PC? 176

Posted by ScuttleMonkey from the believe-it-when-you-see-it dept.
JamesO writes to tell us that Infinium Labs has announced the release of their "Phantom Lapboard" for later this year. From the article: "Infinium Labs' Phantom game service is still to launch, despite claims years ago that it would appear at Christmas 2004, but this hasn't stopped the company from continuing with the system's development. One of the most talked about aspects of the system is its wireless keyboard and mouse combo called the Lapboard. Infinium Labs has decided that the Lapboard is so good that it will be released as a peripheral for PC users in quarter-two 2006. What makes the Lapboard unique is that the keyboard can be angled upwards to create a surface for the mouse to operate on underneath. The device is also wireless and can operate at a distance of up to 30 feet."
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Infinium Phantom Lapboard Coming to PC? More

Infinium Phantom Lapboard Coming to PC?

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  • MouseBoard? (Score:4, Funny)

    by biocute ( 936687 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:23PM (#14394941)
    You mean like the MouseBoard [xmoo.com]?
    • it's not much worse, judging by the picture. i can't figure out a way to hold that that seems like it would be comfortable in my mind.

      also, woo, 4 days in and we have our first phantom story of the year!
      • "It's not much worse, judging by the picture. i can't figure out a way to hold that that seems like it would be comfortable in my mind."

        I think "Lapboard" is the hint on how to hold it. ;)

        Actually looks like a good idea, tired of using the coffee table for a mouse surface.

        • Why do we need a special 'mouse surface'?

          Mice are optical these days, and they work wonderfully on most fabric and leather surfaces: Just place a small optical mouse on the seat cushion beside you.

          Awful slashdot article about a contrived gimmick.

  • What's the point (Score:3, Insightful)

    by vectorian798 ( 792613 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:24PM (#14394946)
    If I am sitting away from my computer I can't see my interface as well and that matters a lot in most games.

    • Few Ideas (Score:4, Insightful)

      by everphilski ( 877346 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:29PM (#14395004) Journal
      Uh, big screen TV or projector. Had a LCD projector back in college, I had a computer wired to it and friends would bring over consoles all the time for gaming sessions. You could easily sit 15-20 feet away and still have a good view...

      -everphilski-

      • Re:Few Ideas (Score:3, Interesting)

        by drasfr ( 219085 )
        Yup.

        I have a projector at home. I use it for both HDTV and have a computer connected to it. 120" diagonal. Believe me, you have no problem seeing it from 20' away!

        I have both an xbox, ps2 and computer connected to it. Wow. it rocks! HD gaming rocks. I have a bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse as my computer is well, probably about 20 feet away from the area I usually sit. I had to go bluetooth because other wireless technologies for keyboard/mouse just didn't do it.

        On the side. I wish there were more cho

        • Re:Few Ideas (Score:3, Informative)

          by Kadin2048 ( 468275 )
          You can't do this with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, but you can get a conventional (dongle) wireless keyboard and mouse, plug them into a USB KVM switch with hotkey support, and control two computers from across the room. To switch between systems you press the hotkey combination: on mine it's a double-tap of the [Scroll Lock] key. I use this setup in my home to control a Linux and Power Mac box. The KVM is some $30 job from NewEgg; email me if you want the brand.

          Actual dual-pairability of BT devices wou
          • Not quite sure what you're talking about, but my bluetooth headset for my cellular phone can maintain pairings for up to 6 devices and autoconnect with the last one that connected to it. This limited functionality to choose is probably intentional, as it does 'autoconnect' and needs to know what to choose. Limited interface via 2 volume buttons and one multifunction button limit choices. However, a bluetooth keyboard (mini LCD display on it, perhaps?) would not be so limited and could do the same. Autoconne
        • This may not be your cup of tea, but I "conjured" a similar solution via VNC. I would just connect from my primary desktop PC to my secondary via VNC and do everything I needed to on that PC, while looking at the non-laggy view on the secondary monitor on the corner of my desk. When I got done, I'd just look back at my primary PC, minimize VNC, and go about my business.
          • As posted by someone else, I would also suggest Synergy [sourceforge.net] it's basically a software KM that behaves a lot like a virual desktop or multi monitor setup, you just move your mouse across between desktops to change the keyboard and mouse focus.
    • You don't have to use it only for games if they sell it as an add-on for PCs. I sit on the sofa when I'm watching TV or videos on my media PC. When I need to surf the web during commercials or whatever, I put a keyboard on my lap and run the mouse on the sofa.

      The Lapboard still doesn't seem to have a point, though. It looks like it would be more cumbersome and not do anything better than what I have now.
    • If I am sitting away from my computer I can't see my interface as well and that matters a lot in most games.

      If I had a high def TV that had DVI inputs then I could see this being used in a living room situation.

      Actually, I have a second computer which I play from the floor near my stereo (lack of room in my apartment) and tend to put the keyboard on my lap and use the mouse on a book. This could come in handy, but seeing who is making it... I'm not going to pre-order it.

      I'd only buy one if I saw a physical

  • So fucking what? (Score:4, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:25PM (#14394958)
    It's a fucking keyboard and mouse with integrated mouse tray.

    It isn't exactly a next generation console is it?

    I mean, that'd be like the Sony PS3 being a budget DVD player. Or something.
    • I tried out the "phantom" at E3, and while I couldn't help but notice I was simply playing UT2004 on a big TV, the lapboard was REALLY nice. I walked away hoping they would just release the lapboard for PC someday because sitting on a comfy living room chair with that in your lap just feels right.

      I like to hook up my computer to my 52" HDTV, and the biggest problem I have right now with doing that is that I have to hunch forward to get to my keyboard and mouse that I put on my coffee table. I've tried to pu

  • The jokes write themselves (Score:5, Funny)

    by Rude Turnip ( 49495 ) <valuation AT gmail DOT com> on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:26PM (#14394973)
    "What makes the Lapboard unique is that the keyboard can be angled upwards to create a surface for the mouse to operate on underneath."

    So let me get this straight...this keyboard will cover my lap and my right hand will be moving around on a surface underneath the keyboard? I can already imagine mothers everywhere fainting when they accidentally walk in on their kids playing games. "Honestly, mom, I was just playing with my mouse!" "Oh my God!, is that what you're calling it these days?!?!"

  • Can't wait ... (Score:5, Funny)

    by dc29A ( 636871 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:26PM (#14394974)
    2006 is the year!

    Can't wait to play Duke Nukem Forever on my Phantom Game Console!

  • Great... (Score:3, Funny)

    by WTBF ( 893340 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:27PM (#14394980)
    Now I will have something to play Duke Nukem on.

  • Hmm (Score:3, Insightful)

    by thesnarky1 ( 846799 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:27PM (#14394988) Homepage

    I don't know about you, but I don't like hitting my hand every time I bring it up to type. My roommate has a desk with the mouse lower like this and boy does it suck. If anyone here has ever played a game where you have to switch between the mouse and the keyboard (say for chatting between you and teammates) this not only kills the time it takes to get up to the keyboard, but you DO hit your hand a lot.

    Not to mention the fact that you arms are going to cross in this case with the mouse directly below the keyboard.

    If this is any indication of their console, they shoulda just launched years ago with two paper-cups and some string... their launch title? Telephone. Multiplayer, you just have to pass the controller between each pair of players. But look, no limit on amount of players!

    • Ug. Can't use any of that tray crap. I get a nice wide desk, push the monitor back far enough that I can rest my elbows and forearms on the desktop, and I'm good to go. Anything else and I get wicked carpal.

      All over this building, there are people who type less than me, who use the supposedly ergonomic stuff, the jelly pads, the trays, trackball mice, and they all have ten times the problems with carpal that I have. Not that I've got none, but I haven't needed surgery yet.

      As for the crap console, they've be

  • So... (Score:4, Insightful)

    by faloi ( 738831 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:28PM (#14394991)
    Instead of a console that doesn't technically exist, they're shipping a keyboard that has no possible value whatsoever. I know that their VC's must be chomping at the bit to get something out of 'em, but c'mon.
    • I agree. That said, when the keyboard was first shown I (and many others) thought that it was an EXCELLENT DESIGN for what it is. While I wouldn't use it for a desktop or laptop (who would), it is perfect for a Home Theater PC. When you still need a keyboard, it is an excellent arrangement because you can use the keyboard and mouse at the same time, there is a mousing surface there (I'd only be worried the mouse would slide off). I think it seems like a very nice design.

      But at least they will finally try t

    • Can anyone tell me the difference between the "Phantom" service and Game Tap? I would understand if they simply said they were having trouble getting the licensing for a lot of titles, but they also have to realize that their 3+ year long string of BS is making them the butt of so many jokes. It would be cool if someone with time to spare compiled a list of how many times a Nukem Forever reference was used alongside a crack at the Phantom.

  • How did this land on /.? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by mmell ( 832646 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:29PM (#14395001)
    Are these guys paying for advertising? This isn't some new technology, nor even an emerging piece of standard hardware. This is just a wireless keyboard/mouse combo with what (to my eye) looks to be a cheap plastic lapboard.

    I'd be more inclined to pick up a cheaper wireless keyboard/mouse set and grab one of those ancient Sun mousepads (remember Sun's optical mouse, the one which required a metal mousepad with a grid painted on?).

    Don't have an antique Sun mouse pad? I suspect any old clipboard or other flat surface will do nicely.

    • I have one of the said Sun mice. I never got it to work though. Ive tried every surface under the sun (no pun intended), and nothing seems to work... at all

    • they are trying to pump the stock (Score:2, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward

      because they need all the help they can get [yahoo.com]

    • I think this story was meant to be posted in the "It's funny. Laugh" section, for which all Infinium's stories belong.

      Seriously, Infininum seems to be more of an entertainer than a provider. Their scthick is the Phantom game console, which is ever so eternally delayed, with their comedy troupe of lawyers, CEOs and PR people. We are waiting for Godot, but his name's Phantom in this case. If there was a glitzy hollywood sign with their game console on it, it would have a sticker on it that says "held 5th year

    • Re:How did this land on /.? (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Roblimo ( 357 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @05:13PM (#14395392) Homepage Journal
      It's sort of an in-joke. Look at the 2004 article on ITMJ [itmanagersjournal.com] ScuttleMonkey's post links to, which was my final debunking of the whole Phantom/Infinium business, written immediately after a banquet Infinium held for "investors and friends" at Michael's On East, an upscale restaurant in Sarasota, Florida.

      During the banquet, which Infinium founder Tim Roberts *insisted* I had to come to (possibly because I'm the only tech journalist in or near Sarasota), he and former Microsoftie Kevin Bachus, who was Infinium President at the time, kept asking me what I thought of their latest business and marketing plan, as in, "Would it succeed?" (Also, Tim kept asking, "How's the food?" which was decent but not great.) And did my much younger friend, Matt Moen, who came with me, think he'd be interested in the Phantom, being he was the "target" age for their marketing program?

      As it says in the article, the only interesting or potentially marketable product Matt and I saw from Infinium at that point was their keyboard/mouse thing, which looked like it would be kind of cool for couch computing. Kevin told us they weren't interested in the lapdesk as a product, that they were concentrating on the console and game service, which would debut shortly. Remember: this was in *2004*, and they'd already been saying "Next month, really, we promise, we'll have a product to show you" for nearly two years before that.

      Now the lapdesk seems to be the only product the company is actually able to bring to market. So Matt and I get to have a big laugh (which you are free to share), and say, "We told you so!" :)

      - Robin

      • It may be a good insider joke, but I'm sure people who've actually sunk money into this "company" are far from amused. (No, I don't play stocks.)

        I'd seriously like to know how many years of nonsense marketing, nonexistent products, and continued market blather are required before an investor group or the government finally says "Enough!" and shuts them down or jails those responsible.

        • Re:When do they get charged with fraud? (Score:4, Interesting)

          by Roblimo ( 357 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @09:20PM (#14397373) Homepage Journal
          I don't have an answer to this question. It might be tomorrow, it might be next year, and it might be never.

          I am neither an investor nor a prosecutor.

          My only contact with Infinium has been to interview several of its CEOs, corporate officers, and board members, read all available information about the company (including SEC filings and its own promotional material), and analyze the company's prospects the same way any competent reporter or analyst would, using provable information instead of rumors, gossip, and hearsay.

          If Infinium, its founders, or its major shareholders are ever sued or indicted, I'll probably be subpoenaed as a witness. If that happens I'll let you know.

          One word of advice: if you ever think about investing in a tech company (or any other kind of company), check not only the company's obvious financial track record but how well it keeps commitments, including but not limited to releasing products and paying suppliers on time. Information about a company's bill-paying history can be obtained -- for a fee -- through Dun & Bradstreet and other corporate credit reporting agencies. In the Internet age, information about how well a company keeps its product release promises can be obtained free through Google and other search engines.

          - Robin

  • yech (Score:2)

    by acvh ( 120205 )
    it looks like a Commodore 64 with bowlegs. how is having your mouse UNDER your keyboard a good idea?
  • Fool me once shame on you
    Fool me twice shame on me
    Fool me thrice erm well I forget this thing, but you get the idea...

  • Angled Keyboard? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by XMilkProject ( 935232 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:31PM (#14395020) Homepage
    So I looked at the picture and the first thing I think to myself is "How the f*ck am I supposed to type efficiently with my keyboard at a huge angle"

    So I sat for a moment, puzzled as to how they thought this thing would be useful...

    Then I decided to try it myself, So i've propped my keyboard up at a comparable angle, and I'm typing on it right now... I've got to admit it hasn't slowed my typing down at all, or decreased my accuracy (Although it does obviously take longer to make the keyboard->mouse->keyboard transition with the right hand)

    While I'm still able to type quite well, I can't help but get the feeling that this could be a near-instant cuase of a significant repetitive stress injury, with all the odd angles and such.

    Also, if the keyboard is in your lap, how do you get to your ........
  • Which is to say, the LapBoard is as far as they've gotten on development, right? It helps when you have employees actually working on stuff. :-/

    Seriously, doing a good job creating a game console is HARD. Compounding that difficulty is the fact that you need game producers all lined up with new games at launch time. This idea that they were going to take PC hardware and run PC games was never a very good one. Microsoft tried it (and failed), and they DID have game producers lined up! Now the latest generati

  • Not a wireless mouse (Score:4, Funny)

    by Qubit ( 100461 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:31PM (#14395027) Homepage Journal
    If you look at the picture in the article, it sure looks like there's a wire coming out of the mouse.

    For a product from Infinium Labs, I'd expect both the keyboard and the mouse to be wireless. Hell, I'd expect the dang thing to READ your friggin' MIND and move itself around FOR you.

    Besides, I heard that their CEO strangles puppies to get off.
    I mean, that's just something I heard somewhere. [penny-arcade.com]

  • Okay... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Irvu ( 248207 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:32PM (#14395028)
    I'll Beleieve it when I see it on the shelves.

    As a side note, and this is nothing personal about Infinium but why is it that pre-produce launches have become so necessary. I mean I know that announcing new airplanes in advance of ground tests and so on is necessary to drum up funding, or just spit in the eyes of those who said you would never "make it" but why is it that every company has to tell the world about its products before they exist just to keep shareholders happy. First the shareholders demanded regular updates and yearly profits. Now they expect quarterly profit gains. Before you had to have a new product on the market each year. Now it seems you have to have a new pre-product announcement each quarter (just look at Apple).

    I can't help but think that the focus on short-term gains and announcements bodes ill in the long run for any company.
  • Lapboard + Any PC with TV-out + Gametap = Phantom.

  • Ergonomics (Score:2, Insightful)

    by EEBaum ( 520514 )
    Dang, that thing looks like such a nightmare I can't even decide on what sort of snide ergonomics-related comment to make. Therefore:

    [Insert snide comment on the horrific ergonomics of that device here]
    • Since they haven't quite finished Duke Nukem Forever, instead of shipping the full version, they'll be providing a 2d Flash version- because it was just too good not to ship.

    • A conference room at work has a neat wireless keyboard and mouse setup. You have to sit in the corner of the table side on to everybody else with the KB half off the table to get it to work at all. Long cables would be more convenient.

      Yesterday I was around at my dad's place installing ubuntu for him. He had to hunt around for batteries for his keyboard. Really, extension cables aren't that hard to buy and they work forever once they are in place.

      Wireless peripherals sound OK for occasional home use where

    • WTF are you thinking? It's angled up and turned so the left wrist doesn't have to bend outward, just like with Microsoft Natural Keyboards. For games that can be played almost exclusively with the left hand on the keyboard and the right hand on the mouse, this should be very comfortable. Looking closely at the picture, it looks like there are five keys to the left of the spacebar. My keyboard only has 3. The picture also shows the "F" keys are directly above the numbers. This all implies that people a
  • Anyone wanna bet that this is the only piece of hardware that Infinium ever ships?
    • Anyone wanna bet that this is the only piece of hardware that Infinium ever ships?

      Boy, are you optimistic !
      I was going to start taking bets on this one *ever* shipping! Didn't they say that it'd be available in six months... if they can get funding?!?
      Isn't that exactly what they've been saying about their console for years ? Wow.

      Maybe I'm missing something. If I start a business that never creates anything other than press releases or lawsuits, and never takes in any money from anyone other than venture c

    • I wouldn't take that bet , I doubt they will ever release this

  • It should be noted (Score:5, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:38PM (#14395084)
    That Infinium Labs is looking for ANOTHER $2,000,000 in funding in order to manufacture these. This isn't so much a press release as it is a plea to investors to give them more money. You will never see these in stores, at least not from IL.

  • You just can't make this stuff up! (Score:4, Interesting)

    by binaryDigit ( 557647 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:40PM (#14395104)
    The Phantom game service is still very much something Infinium Labs wants to pursue in the future and Infinium Labs CEO Greg Koler believes the release of the Lapboard is "the perfect stepping stone and bridges the subsequent launch of the full service further down the line."

    Perfect stepping stone! Subsequent launch, further down the line. Man, this guy just cracks me up. Did he actually make this quote with a straight face? Because I couldn't stop myself from laughing just reading it.

    Oh, and anyone else amused by the fact that they have apparently been working on this keyboard for over three years now, but yet it's STILL going to take them another 6 months to get it into peoples hands! If they were that far behind with the keyboard, just imagine where they are with the rest of the system :)
    • Oh, and anyone else amused by the fact that they have apparently been working on this keyboard for over three years now, but yet it's STILL going to take them another 6 months to get it into peoples hands! If they were that far behind with the keyboard, just imagine where they are with the rest of the system :)

      I heard there was a big flap over where to put the "Any" key. Changed positions at the last mintue... manufacturing delays... that sort of thing.

  • These guys are still in business? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Maul ( 83993 ) on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @04:45PM (#14395140) Journal
    I'm amazed to see that these guys are still in business after years of vaporware.
  • makes the Lapboard unique is that the keyboard can be angled upwards to create a surface for the mouse to operate on underneath

    The operation of the mouse underneath is supposed to provide what advantage exactly? I see it just as another way of positioning a mouse, but maybe I just don't 'get it.'
    • I think the idea is that a surface will be below the keyboard, and you can hinge the keyboard upward to allow a "mousepad" on you lap. The only advantage is to be able to use a standard mouse without a desk. Of course this brings something else to question: Why not just build in a trackball instead?
  • Please don't tell me this has a patent attached to it. It's a shelf - a bog-standard shelf that sits on your lap! With a... hinge!

    In fact it reminds me of my first computer desk, which was built before mice were invented, so I had to stick the mouse on the shelf under the keyboard.

    However that I'd have to say I get by with a wireless keyboard and optical mouse just fine thanks. Optical mice work incredibly well on uneven surfaces, so I don't see the point in sticking what is - in effect - a glorified mous
  • Pricing for the Lapboard is still to be finalised, but assuming it's priced inline with other wireless keyboard and mouse combos it could well become... ..vapourware.

    I wonder if the Phantom console's investors ever envisaged that their money would be spent releasing a bluetooth keyboard an mouse.
  • God's gift to mouse users. [logitech.com]

    It is a shame that the mouse hit the tipping point and took over.

    I used a mouse since the first Macintosh. Earlier this year my right shoulder started to have some serious problems... pain that wouldn't go away for months. I switched to the trackman.

    Pain gone. I now find mice a bit clumsy. I mean, I have to move my whole arm?? Crazy.
    • Have you ever used a trackball for gaming? I haven't, but I don't imagine it would be very effective.
      • Have you ever used a trackball for gaming? I haven't, but I don't imagine it would be very effective.

        I have.
        It's kinda like trying to control a fighter plane with an Atari controller [google.ca]...
      • Because, of course, the only reason to use a mouse, and by extention, a computer, is to play games.
      • Have you ever used a trackball for gaming? I haven't, but I don't imagine it would be very effective.

        Part of what caused the original shoulder problem was my marathon Battlefield 2 sessions!

        I don't think it has affected my game in the slightest. I don't even think about it anymore. The trackman above uses a fingertip to roll the cursor, the mouse requires your entire hand. Which is going to be more sensitive? At first I really hated lining up sniper shots, but just forced myself until I could.

        A
    • Is that the norm? For people to move their whole arm when they use the mouse? When I'm on mine I just set the heel of my hand on the desk and shove the mouse around with my fingers. I used to be in the navy and the console I worked on used a rather large trackball (because a mouse is pretty useless when the ship is heaving around) and the way I use a mouse feels about the same way.
  • Just wondering: why don't folks like Infinium Labs send their lame press releases straight to Slashdot to further enhance their free publicity? Geez, you might as well report on the next great video card to be produced by BitBoys. Perhaps if this had a Fark-like "Unlikely" or "Dumbass" tag it would be appropriate, but otherwise don't waste our (note: not claiming "valuable") time with this sort of nonsense.
    • Personally, I dig press releases from Infinium Labs. It gives me something to laugh about during the day.
    • Perhaps if this had a Fark-like "Unlikely" or "Dumbass" tag it would be appropriate,

      Congratulations, you've found the one problem with this story being listed on slashdot - it should have been filed in "humor"!

      Really, it's hilarious to see Infinium Phantom stuff, but the story should provide contextual links ( so nobody who bothers to look takes the story to seriously ) and it should at this point, in all fairness, be labeled as "humor", not "hardware", not "games"... we all know it's "humor".

      Or, at least,

  • At this point it would be good for Infinium to get _any_ product out the door no matter how good or bad. Once it finally came out, Daikatana was as bad as expected, but at least the death watch was over! This lapboard is not a bad idea, better if they make it compatible with consoles which shouldn't be too hard. Of course now one wonders if someone else already has a patent for a peripheral like this.
  • When I am typing, I prefer to move my hand as little as possible to get to the mouse...mind you I hate the thumb pad and touch pad, i want to use my mouse (or trackball). The special feature about this would require me to not only move my hand, but move it below the keyboard, which will be at about 6 inches difference of height - a lot. I do not think this is a good design, though it looks pretty enough.

    As for it being wireless...meh, this technology is nothing new. I particularly enjoyed my old Tosh
    • So play games where you leave you hand on the mouse and press all the keys with your left hand. The lapboard picture shows 5 keys to the left of the spacebar, meaning they're adding additional, mapable keys. The "F" keys are also immediately above the number keys for mapping.
      • Yes that is the solution. Tell your potential clients this keyboard will only be great for certain games, but they should get another keyboard for the rest. Not to mention that any multi-player game, eventually, needs you to have both hands on the keyboard so you can type to other players in a fast motion. This will prevent this as you have to move your hand more then normal, and you will probably smack your hand on the bottom of the keyboard...and if you are lapping the keyboard you will be adjusting it
        • How much longer until we're using voice-activated headsets anyway? The players speaks "Tell All", "Tell Team One", "Tell Player Three", and voice communication is opened between the selected players or groups. No more typing because it's faster to say it. Anyone who can afford a lapboard and a projector or HDTV presumably has broadband already so bandwidth isn't a problem. Actually hearing 11-year-olds will add some unwanted realism to characters, but that's where the market is headed.

  • After what they did to HardOCP, I don't think so. (Score:3, Insightful)

    by sc0ttyb ( 833038 ) * on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @05:24PM (#14395491)
    I'm not giving those bastards a dime of my money. That whole lawsuit thing showed what kind of tools [penny-arcade.com] those people really are.
  • After seeing this bit of news I went to read WhereIsPhantom.com, only it's not there anymore. Instead there was an error message and a few links to PHP stuff. It's been awhile since I've read the news there but I didn't think it'd go away yet. I searched on HardOCP and was only able to find out that the site had been taken down and there was no news on the reason why.

    So does anyone know what happened to the site?

    -=- Greyfire
  • From the press release:
    "One of the most talked about aspects of the system is its wireless keyboard and mouse combo called the Lapboard."
    Yes. Thanks to Slashdot.
    Of course, what they don't mention is the fact that what is being SAID about it is that it looks like crap. :)
  • Is it time for more Infinium Pump & Dump [stockpatrol.com] already?
  • I seriously doubt they ever did a valid consumer market survey before spending all those investor dollars.
  • I would like to announce my new product, the Phantom Car. It gets 350 miles to the gallon...of sea water. In fact never mind that, it runs by tapping into the energy of atomic attraction between electrons in one molecule of....air pollution. Yeah, thats the ticket. It will go 1500 mph, and it can fly. And it has 8 TV's, and you drive it with a Nintendo controller. Plus it has a fridge that magically is full of whatever your favorite food is, and eating that food never makes you fat.

    As proof that my pro

  • It's a really nice design (Score:3, Informative)

    by FromWithin ( 627720 ) <mike AT fromwithin DOT com> on Wednesday January 04, 2006 @06:19PM (#14396030) Homepage
    I saw this nearly two years ago at E3. It's really good. The keyboard flips up and rotates putting your hands in a perfect and compact position for first-person gaming. Depending on the price, it's certainly something that I'd be very interested in buying. You shouldn't be so cynical until you've been able to try it out.
  • Last month when i saw this it even admitted it was Contingent on Further Funding!

    Have they drummed up the money (good lord from who?) to actually make it or are they still begging for dollars? A quarter or two away is just near infinity for these guys so i ain't holding my breath....

  • While this would be great for FPS's where you typically only need your left hand on the keyboard, I can't imagine it being comfortable or easy to type with both hands on this as your right hand would have to cut across at a fairly odd angle to be able to properly use the keyboard.

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