United Keys, a maker of display-key input devices, announced that it has formed a strategic partnership with Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry). As part of this partnership, Foxconn will build display-key input devices using United Keys technology. The first product, a keyboard tailored for PC gaming, will start shipping as early as summer. The company also announced new patents and patents pending in a number of countries, representing a portfolio of IP with broad application making use of display keys.

Display-keys are regular keyswitches with small OLED displays embedded in their tops. This allows interactive and image-based communication between software and users. The promise of display-key input devices is a significant improvement in usability for any application. For example, macros or other actions can be mapped to OLED keys with user-customizable images or icons precisely identifying their function.

In the future, display-key support will be included in new software applications, where keyboard OLEDs change contextually and dynamically, according to United Keys. Driven by intelligent software, images on these small OLEDs will simplify command choices, increase productivity and create a more engaging, interactive computing experience, noted the company.