Logitech presents cordless MX 5000 set with keyboard LCD

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.

The Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser can turn an ordinary PC into a Bluetooth wireless hub. With Logitech´s Bluetooth mice and keyboards, people can conduct voice-over-IP (VoIP) calls with a Bluetooth headset, transfer pictures from a Bluetooth mobile phone, listen to music through Bluetooth headphones, and synchronize important data between mobile devices and the PC — all without the hassle of connecting USB cords or any other kinds of wires — at a wireless range of up to 60 feet. The keyboard features a one-touch synchronization button that lets users synchronize their PC calendar and address book with a mobile phone or PDA.

With three times higher data rates, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR enables a faster exchange of information between two devices; for example, people can more quickly transmit a picture from a mobile phone or camera with Bluetooth 2.0 EDR to the PC; or they can experience higher quality VoIP phone calls on their PC by using a headset with Bluetooth 2.0 EDR. The Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser is also backward compatible with other devices that use older implementations of Bluetooth.

Logitech´s smart power-management solution approaches power conservation from many directions. The Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser features a rechargeable mouse with a Lithium-ion battery, and a charging station. Both the mouse and the keyboard have an on/off switch to help preserve battery life. And the mouse and keyboard each have an integrated battery indicator light to prevent any potential surprises caused by dead batteries.

With Logitech´s new SecureConnect technology, the cordless keyboard, mouse, and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR micro-receiver are all pre-synchronized and pre-paired during manufacturing. They´re ready to go, right out of the box, with a secure link and without the hassle of a manual connection process. With SecureConnect technology, encryption is also completely pre-configured — it is no longer necessary to enter a passkey to connect the components of the Bluetooth desktop. People simply plug in the Bluetooth micro-receiver and begin working.

The Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser mouse and keyboard are designed for two-handed navigation, with useful controls on the keyboard and mouse to make using a computer more convenient, more efficient, and more comfortable. The keyboard´s left-hand side includes backlit, touch-sensitive media controls such as Play/Pause, Stop, Forward, Back, and Mute. In addition, people can launch a media application, such as the Logitech MediaLife software, by pressing the Media button. Sliding a finger up and down on two side-by-side vertical panels controls volume and zoom. Both the mouse and keyboard include controls to zoom in and out of documents, so people can easily move in to touch up a digital photo or perfect a presentation slide, or back out to view an entire document.

The stylish keyboard has a low profile — only 22.3 mm in height when placed on a flat surface. It also incorporates the Logitech Zero Degree Tilt keyboard design, which means the rows of keys are all the same height. According to independent studies, the ergonomic benefit of a low-profile keyboard without any slope is that it may help minimize wrist extension. Repetitive wrist extension can be a cause of hand and forearm discomfort. The keyboard, mouse and receiver are a mixture of deep blue with silver accents.

Like most of Logitech´s keyboards, the Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser keyboard also features a detachable palm rest — giving people the choice of adding extra wrist support.

The Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser will be available in October in the U.S. and Europe. The desktop has a suggested retail price of $149.99 in the U.S.

Additionally, Logitech also launched the following keyboards today: the cordless MX 3000, the diNovo Media Desktop Laser which also features a keyboard LCD and the Cordless Desktop S 510 Media Remote