SlashGear

Two Optimus posts in one day almost smacks of Maximus hype, but it’s Friday and we do have some slick new renders of the recently-christened Aux.  Optimus have tweaked the design from its initial, Pultius form: gone are the odd gaps between the columns, and an extra USB port has been added to the back.  Optimus originally suggested that the USB could be used to daisy-chain multiple keypads together.

Otherwise it’s the same Aux as we saw before, with fifteen OLED keys that can be mapped to specific apps, specific key-presses, shortcuts or macros.  As the render suggests, an Aux added to your normal keyboard could give shortcuts to websites, different language layouts and frequently-used tools in graphics programmes such as Photoshop.

The rear of the Aux now has a single upstream USB port, two downstream USB ports (for plugging in your keyboard, mouse, another Aux or a memory key, perhaps) and the power socket.  There’s also a Kensington lock hole for making sure the Aux doesn’t go missing from your desk.  Still no word on price or availability, though initial rumors indicated a release either at the end of 2008 or the beginning of 2009.