Media Center Keyboard (That you don't have to hide under the coffee table)

INFO TECHNOLOGY:This Belkin keyboard looks like it would be a nice replacement keyboard for my media center. It's nice and slim (unlike most ugly-as-sin wireless keyboards you'd be embarrassed to have in your living room). Too bad it's bigger then it needs to be because of those special function keys at the top of the keyboard that nobody ever, EVER, uses.



I've only used one of those special function keys regularly. It was a knob that turned up or down the computer volume -- brilliant! (And yes, I know a lot of consumers say they like lots of those keys like "Check Email" on their keyboards, but a lot of consumers would probably say the iPod should ship with a built in discoball if asked, but you won't see Apple pandering to the audience anytime soon. Besides, the reason people like those buttons is because they are confused by the software interface to begin with. Solve the problem of bad UI with the software, and you won't need to give every application it's own physical launch button.)



But, I digress. Check out what comes with the Belkin keyboard:

With its built-in mouse, integrated AV remote, and wireless, rechargeable multimedia keyboard, the Belkin MediaPilot integrates your PC with your home theater to create a complete multimedia center. The MediaPilot uses Cypress Semiconductor's WirelessUSB technology in the 2.4GHz frequency range.

Speaking of media centers, the 30" Dell LCD we've been using at home for a few months just dropped in price again. I wonder if this is the first 30" to drop below $2,000?