Hasta La Gadget!

Computer keyboards are not a hotbed of innovation. That’s why Asus’ attempt to add some pizzaz to the keyboard by stuffing an internet-enabled computer inside it is interesting.

In the last few months, Asus has shown a prototype device that crams a computer and a small touchscreen display into a keyboard. The display allows for quick access to widgets such as weather and email.

Now an FCC filing by the company has revealed the details of this device. The Asus Eee keyboard, model EK 1542, has a 5-inch 800-by-400-pixel touch panel with a stylus. It will run Windows XP Home edition on an Intel Atom N270 CPU and a Broadcom video processor. The keyboard will have 1GB of on-board memory, a 16 GB or 32 GB solid state drive, Wi-Fi, gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity.

The keyboard claims up to to four hours of battery life and includes one HDMI port, three USB ports and two audio jacks. The Ultra Wide Band antenna and receiver setup means a wireless connection to devices within a five- to 10-meter range and includes the ability to send 720p videos to your TV.

Asus hasn’t indicated when the keyboard will be launched or what it will be priced at. But the FCC filing is an indication that Asus is serious about bringing this device to the market soon, and it could be on retail shelves in time for this holiday season.

Check out the FCC filing for specifications and photos of the Asus Eee keyboard.

See Also:

• Video: Asus Crams Eee PC Into a Keyboard
• Eee PC-in-a-Keyboard Coming Soon
• Asus Unveils Dual-Panel Touchscreen PC
• Asus Shows a Tablet-Style Eee PC