Introduction

Ideazon make one product; the Zboard. It’s a gaming keyboard aimed at FPS players looking for the best way to interface their fingers to their PC. Zboard pioneered the remapped keyboard design, but how well does it actually perform?

About Ideazon

As PC gamers around the world can attest, the excitement of being the first to get you hands on the latest and most advanced PC game is easily dampened by the cumbersome and lengthy process of learning how best to play the game.

• Print and memorize the manual
• Learn keyboard shortcuts
• Change keyboard layouts
• Do whatever it takes to win

For Oren Kramer, a flight attendant and an avid gamer, the proverbial light came on while learning to master the basic commands of StarCraft, an intense real-time strategy game. Oren wanted to start strategizing immediately, but couldn't do it without knowing the commands required to play. Even in the middle of play, he'd be to referring back to the manual figuring out how to switch commands or determine which moves would optimize his performance.

So he asked himself, what if there was a simpler way for new users to get into the game? What if gamers could focus more on strategy instead of memorizing key commands? What if a keyboard could allow gamers to execute complex maneuvers requiring a combination of movements with just a single keystroke? From these simple thoughts emerged the promise of the Zboard, a revolutionary interchangeable keyboard for gaming.

The Zboard

A Zboard™ Base has an auto recognition feature for any keyset you insert. There’s no need to install any additional software. It is the brain behind the brawn. Just switch Keysets & Play your favorite games. The Zboard™ Base comes with these standard features:

USB Hub
Your Zboard™ Base is equipped with 2 USB (BUS powered) connectors. This HUB supports low voltage devices (up to 100mA) such as mice, joystick or memory sticks. Now you can plug devices directly to your Zboard™ without the hassle of crawling down to your PC.

Hot Keys
A set of nine hot keys launch common functions such as E-Mail, Calculator and My Computer or allow you to instantly return to a pre-selected destination, such as a file, folder, program or web page.

Multimedia Controls
A set of 7 one-touch multimedia control buttons: play/pause, stop, next/previous track, volume up/down and mute.

Additional LED indicators
In addition to the standard 3 LED (Caps, Scroll and Num lock) Zboard™ has additional 3 LEDs to indicate Zboard™ enhanced functionality (Pad Lock, Bar Lock and Enable)

Designed for First/Third Person Shooter and Action games, the Gaming Keyset provides a better gaming experience, advanced layout and built-in technology advantages. It comes loaded with a selection of pre-defined key layouts for today’s hottest games. Show Games
• Most commonly used shooter and action game commands are labelled right on the keys to help you start playing new games faster
• Registers up to 7 simultaneous key-strokes, in comparison to 2-4 on most other keyboards! Jump, move forward, lean left, change weapon and shoot at the same time!!
• Large “butterfly” keys are enlarged and sloped to help keep fingers comfortable through hours of gaming
• Players can easily access more critical commands with the one hand control zone
• Unique domed action keys give gamers the responsive feel that they demand
• QWERTY (Standard) keys for chatting without interrupting the action
• Choose pre-defined key layouts from the list of game titles supported by your Gaming Keyset or create your own key layouts for your favorite games using the Game Binding Utility. The list of available layouts is updated regularly to include the latest title releases.

The Standard Keyset is based on the traditional 108-key layout packed with Zboard™ enhanced features. It is specifically designed to optimize the use of Microsoft Windows®® and Internet Explorer applications.

Control and Windows® labeled commands
The typing zone (QWERTY) has 2 sets of commands common to Windows® applications labeled for your convenience.
• Use the CTRL key to operate top green commands. (eg. Ctrl+c = Copy)
• Use the Windows® key to operate front white commands. (eg. Windows®+d = Show Desktop)

Special Keys (macros)
Zboard™ Special keys are located in the Pad (labeled in blue on the keys of the numeric keypad) and Bar (labeled as icons under the Function Keys F1-F12) areas of the Standard Keyset and feature easy access to advanced functionality inherent to Windows®® and Internet Explorer applications.

Windows® Pad LED
The Windows® PAD includes 16 commands for frequently used Windows®® features such as Minimize/Maximize, My Computer, Show Desktop and more.

Internet Bar LED
The Internet Bar includes 12 commands for frequently used Internet Explorer features such as Home, Backward/Forward, My Favorites and more.
KeyTips™. Zboard™ KeyTips is an interactive help application that allows you to quickly and easily test and verify the different labeled key functions of your Zboard™ Standard Keyset.