If this concept ever becomes a reality, it should come with a public-service
warning along the lines of those gambling-addiction 800 numbers posted at casino
ATMs. Because anyone who considers getting one must have a severe workaholism
problem, not to mention a dire need for fashion intervention.
German designer Henning Kunow touts the "Hip Office" (get it?) as an ergonomic way to do work on a laptop, attaching it to a fiberglass belt around
your waist. Judging by the photos on OhGizmo, it can even allow you to blissfully tap away while sitting,
standing, or even walking.
Still, we have a hard time viewing it as a device that promotes a healthy
workplace. In addition to its dubious weight distribution, there are much more
immediate concerns--such as knocking stuff over while turning around, or perhaps
walking into the occasional wall.
No, this isn't a picture of a laptop busted in two, though we've certainly
had occasion to take such photos in the past due to either clumsiness or
blue-screen rage. This is actually a wireless keyboard from Japan's Sanwa that
has a touchpad
like the one on your laptop, seen on Akihabara News.
Why? We have no idea, other than to cater to those folks who just hate using
a mouse for some reason. (Samsung has apparently identified that niche as well.) Sanwa also makes a corded version, if you're really particular about keyboards.
Personally, we'd rather see that space used for a touchscreen or something else more useful. Besides, if we did away with the mouse, how would we
get a massage?