Keyboard “for blondes”, now with sound effects
You may not want to admit it, but inside all of us lurks a ‘blonde’. It’s the part that just can’t seem to wrap itself around the more mundane and technical parts of our lives. If you’re brave enough to get in touch with your inner-blonde, have we got the gadget for you.
You may not want to admit it, but inside all of us lurks a 'blonde'. It's the part that just can't seem to wrap itself around the more mundane and technical parts of our lives. If you're brave enough to get in touch with your inner-blonde, have we got the gadget for you.
The Keyboard for Blondes was actually released late last year, and has been picking up a cult-like following ever since. It's a fairly standard 103-key keyboard that works with all major OSs like Windows, Mac and Linux, but it takes keyboarding to whole new (and some would argue) lower level.
Take a closer look at the vibrant pink input device and you'll find that many of the utility keys the majority of us have come to know as "Shift", "Ctrl" or "Alt" have been playfully re-labeled "Smart Blonde Button" (an oxymoron? ;-), "Somewhat Useless Key" and "Useless Key".
The levity continues with special texting shortcuts built into some of the keys. These, according to the Keyboard for Blondes websiteare part of the "secret code guide to blonde communication" and feature such essential statements as "ALI: Absolutely Love It", "ROI: Relaxing On an Island" and the classic "IDK: I Don't Know"… I can already picture the shoulder-pad-required head tilting that would accompany this one.
Apparently in response to overwhelming enthusiastic response from owners, the keyboard's creators have today announced the availability of special software, known as "keynguru" that provides users with audio feedback as they type. Typists can expect to be bombarded with the following quotes:
• “Oops!”, “Oh-Ohhh…”
• “Yes!”, “Yes, I want it!”, “Aha!”
• “Warning!”
• “Help!!!”
• “No!”, “No way!”, “I said: ‘No’!”
• “You are so smart!”
• “Do you really think so? I don’t!”
• “Helloooo?!!!!”
• “Totally useless”
• “You are deleted!”
• “That’s awesome!”
• “I like it”
• “Perfect”
• “There you go!”
• “Negative!”
• “That’s good!”
• “Duhhh?!!!”
Can't wait to get in on all that blonde action? Head over to the company website and be prepared to cough up $49.95 USD.
People really need to lighten up… it's a niche product that a few people will like but I'm sure a heck of a lot will not even bother with it. If you don't like it – move on…..
Comparing people who think blonde jokes are funny to racists and Nazi's blows my mind……
Mr Irelan… can't you focus your attention and fight the "small minds" on other issues instead of a keyboard…. this is hardly going to be the downfall of society. People with wicked superiority compexes just might!
In the year 2009 people's sense of humour seems to have gone down the pan – just when we need it the most!
Put a smile on your face – just might make someone else's day better!!!!
im a brunette and ive never faced ridicule on my hair color but i find it wrong that they are criticising blondes and using all this lack of respect!
Im 10 years old so i cant relate to the steriotypes thing but I find this is rude to all blondes everywere alot of blondes are smarter than you think!Life IS short like "Red Hair" and "does it matter what color my hair is" said.I find this keyboard kind of funny but i find it would be a better seller if it wasnt focused on blondes!I understand its a joke but its a pretty mean one!Its stupid to think that people would appreciate this!Some would buy it like I find it would be cool to buy it but still its a display of non-respect towards blondes!I may be a brunette and never have been criticised on my hair i know how it feels!I had this expirament done on the first day of 4th grade.We heard a new girl was coming the next day and me and my friend decided to wear blonde wigs to see his or her reaction.I think you know the rest
hahaha, we have a bunch of whiners on here..big deal, a blonde keyboard..it is way overdue..about time.
This is a sexist and oppressive article which promotes discrimination. It's accepting the smaller forms of oppression like this that eventually leads to larger things like violence against women.
I think it's a cute idea, everyone lighten up! If it wasn't so expensive I'd get one.
I think it's a cute idea, everyone lighten up! If it wasn't so expensive I'd get one.
Mr Ireland, you seem like a very intelligent person, but you don't go out much do you? It's a joke. Lighten up. If you really can't stand the "discrimination" against blondes, dye your hair another colour or do what most humans have been doing for centuries, endure. This product isn't meant to be taken seriously, it's a cute and funny product and it can be used by everyone, not just blondes. It makes a great joke gift at Christmas parties or for that blonde friend with a sense of humor, something you lack.
The inventor never intended to make a big hit with this keyboard, it was probably a Sunday project that he decided he could make a quick buck with.
Guessing from your name, you're a man. How could this offend you? I'm young, but to my knowledge jokes pertaining to blondes are about woman, not men. You being offended is out of place if you ask me. If you hadn't noticed either, it's pink, not exactly a colour usually used by men. I know this is a stereotype that pink is a feminine colour but honestly it is.
Your "if you don't agree with me you're small minded" comment is completely useless and makes your whole argument a lot less agreeable with.
All of this from a 14-year old boy's mind.
Excuse me for any mistakes I may have made.
Wow…um…this is a gimmick…the keyboard is to be loved or hated…not everyone is going to buy a remote control flying saucer or Mario Bros stickers for your wall…or an other things that are geared towards a tiny group of people…
Just keep surfing…this is definitely small peanuts guys…
I take offence to this! I'm a blonde and I'm tired of people saying I'm dumb because im blonde. What does the colour of your hair have to do with your intelligence.
It's a very cute concept, but im not to fond of how it is said to be especially for blonde's such as the "Smart Blonde Button" Iam blonde but how does that affect my intelligence…?
I whould soooooooooo want that !
lmao , im not blond btw .
I just love pink .
This isn't cute, and it isn't playful, it's offensive. Would it be hilarous to have a "Keyboard for Blacks?" or a "Keyboard for Arabs"? Of course not. So why is it acceptable to stereotype a group of women as stupid based on the colour of their hair?
Claiming that something hateful like this is 'just a joke' and the offended parties should relax is a classic way of dismissing legitimate objections and continuing the cycle of oppression. This product and this article are mysogynistic, joke or not.
@Becca
Why does "Smart Blonde Button" offend you? What kind of discrimination is to call a blonde or anybody smart? As a matter of fact, i looked at all the buttons… i did not find even one that would say something offensive about a blonde. How can "Oops" and "the big one. i need my space" buttons be offensive to blonde or anybody else? Funny – yes, offensive – no. as for the name of the product… it's catchy, you have to admit it.
@ Robert D Ireland.
There's also this movie… "Legally Blonde"… The blonde there is a real bimbo (and i love her!!!!! and the movie!!!!)Too bad for you and very good for us that you are a little too late to start boycotting it (if you hurry up you may try to cancel a few performances of the legally blonde musical) but warning: you might be torn to small pieces by fans. LOL :)
Btw. i am a natural blonde.
This is the stupidest thing anyone has ever come up with. I hate how people actually waste their time to create such junk. And I hate it even more that this-keyboard-is actually "picking up a cult-like following". People are shallow-minded enough to buy something so stereotypical lame…?
@ Ann: I've kind of ignored Mr Ireland's comments, mainly because I think they've been adequately addressed by other commenters and I don't really want to entertain his attempt to bait me, but I'm much more concerned by your accusation of misogyny. Misogynistic would mean that this article expresses "hate or distrust of women".
It doesn't.
As others have pointed out, this little piece of pink plastic pokes fun at a stereotype – that of the 'dumb blonde' in the same way that other joke products poke fun at various groups that have been stereotyped along the way.
Moreover, nowhere does it indicate that this product is aimed at women – perhaps you assumed that because it's pink? If so, you just employed a stereotype yourself, much like Mr Ireland's determination of my supposed religious beliefs based on my last name.
And while I've never seen a 'keyboard for blacks', I have found a Browser for Blacks: http://tinyurl.com/694py2 and as for a 'keyboard for Arabs', would this count? http://tinyurl.com/lmbvls
I find this very offensive. I am sick of being judged as a blonde. Why is it that this keyboard is being marketed to blondes. I hate to shock people, but I've heard brunettes, and yes, even redheads say things like "totally" and "duh". Not only are this product's extra features completely useless, but Cohen's comments are offensive as well. Calling a "Smart blonde button" an oxymoron is absolutely horrible, and I find it disturbing that Cohen is able to have his own blogs with comments like that. I could write my own oxymoron for tech experts right now, but I refuse to sink to the level of Cohen.
@ Katie: Allow me to introduce you to little thing known as a wink emoticon. It looks like this: ;-)
It means: "I'm kidding".
Is it offensive to suggest to a blonde that they "lighten up"? Let's see…
Is this real? I see the post as dated June 2, not April 1st.
There was an article for useless inventions. This would top the chart!