CES 2009: Asus Builds PC, Touchscreen into EEE Keyboard

We must admit that Asus is one of the most innovative companies in the field of computer hardware, the manufacturer single-handedly pushing the “netbook” and “nettop” concepts onto the market via its EEE brand. However, it looks like they're not about to stop anytime soon, since, for this year's CES, they've come up with yet another crazy contraption, the EEE Keyboard, which is, without a doubt, the most complex product of this type ever developed.

And that's not necessarily due to who knows what hi-tech typing-related functions or features. No, the EEE Keyboard is much more than that, it's actually a fully-functional computing system (although I wouldn't go as far as calling it a PC) that has been adapted in order to fit the ultra-slim form factor of a keyboard.

What's really interesting about this thing is that it could actually represent the future of home entertainment systems. And that's because it has been equipped with both UWB (ultra-wide band) HDMI and Wi-Fi b/g/n wireless modules, which means that users could very easily stream videos from the Internet and then directly to a wireless-HDMI enabled HDTV.

Numerous connectivity options
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As we can see from the photos, the device also sports a rather OK array of “wired” interfaces, including here USB 2.0, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet and audio in/out ports. Furthermore, the device has been equipped with a very useful 5-inch touchscreen, which grants fast and easy access to various shortcuts, media browsing or a virtual mouse.

Now, as mentioned right from the start, this device is solely in prototype phase for the time being. However, as our colleagues from Engadget have managed to find out, the EEE Keyboard showcased at CES is actually a near-final prototype, Asus planning to start mass production for this thing as soon as possible. And if the price is right, then the Taiwanese company might have yet another hit product in store of us.