CES News: Matias Secure Pro wireless mechanical keyboard

Matias · 08 Jan 2014, 18:45

Just announced...

http://matias.ca/securepro

http://matias.ca/securepro/pr

Let me know if there are any questions.

Findecanor · 09 Jan 2014, 03:19

Good for those with PCs without Bluetooth built in.
Ah, it has got USB ports, but they are only for charging ...

Does it require any special software or does the receiver talk a regular USB HID protocol?

matt3o · 09 Jan 2014, 08:58

this is very interesting. I'm wondering. what is the difference with the Laptop Pro? Just the secure protocol?

Vierax · 09 Jan 2014, 13:31

Matt > The second difference I can find is the Windows layout for the keycaps as the Mini Quiet (but it's probably what you meant)

Hell yeah, I never understood why the majority of wireless keyboards are transmitting in clear, it's a huge security hole. The 128 bit AES encryption turns wireless into my interest

bhtooefr · 09 Jan 2014, 13:33

Bluetooth doesn't send anything in the clear, it's just that the system isn't very secure.

Here's how Logitech's been doing all their non-Bluetooth wireless keyboards since 2009 or so: http://www.logitech.com/images/pdf/roem ... PG2009.pdf

I'd imagine that Matias is doing something very, very similar.

Vierax · 09 Jan 2014, 13:38

bhtooefr wrote:Bluetooth doesn't send anything in the clear, it's just that the system isn't very secure.

I didn't know that but as you mean it's like having a Wifi in WEP mode or using an MD5 key for encryption.

I regret a bit that there is no classic usb B or mini or micro for charging : an USB A male to A male isn't very common.

matt3o · 09 Jan 2014, 13:47

I think I might take one. It's just the keycaps quality that bothers me. lasered legend? mmmh

woody · 09 Jan 2014, 20:46

Not to sound offending (I sure do not mean it), but the crypto-algorithm is just a piece of the overall security, so citing these estimated brute-force times is an unneeded marketing fluff when everything else along the chain might be a big (or even intended) security hole. Security is a SIRIUS business.

That aside, good luck to Matias with their products!

Vierax · 09 Jan 2014, 21:04

woody wrote:Not to sound offending (I sure do not mean it), but the crypto-algorithm is just a piece of the overall security, so citing these estimated brute-force times is an unneeded marketing fluff when everything else along the chain might be a big (or even intended) security hole. Security is a SIRIUS business.

I'm completely agree that's just a piece in the security puzzle of a computer but to me it's one of the few reason why I dislike wireless devices so it's relevant for those who have security concerns. And it should be highlighted since it's the main difference with Mini Quiet and Laptop Pro.

matt3o · 24 Mar 2014, 18:00

this is now available on keyboardco

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/mati ... -pc-uk.asp

very very unfortunate FN position I would have taken it otherwise

Muirium · 24 Mar 2014, 18:19

Well, that's one place to put it…

Neither my arrow key reaching instincts, nor my Fn key muscle memory would like this little guy at all. Needs more HHKB, please, Matias!

scottc · 24 Mar 2014, 18:32

I, um... I just. Just.

What?

Julle · 26 Mar 2014, 16:21

I've had the Secure Pro for about two weeks now, I refuse to type on anything else, I love the switches so much. (I will post a full review later, though). It's so easy to take this thing to work with me it makes me want to cry.

Getting used to the Fn placement is pretty easy, but some of the Fn key mappings are pretty ... not so thought of. I mean, they were proud of their Fn key placement, and the volume key cluster is pretty good. But then there's the play/pause and next/previous buttons for which you still need to use both your hands (mapped under Fn + Esc, F1, and F2 respectively). Print screen, scroll lock and pause keys are within Fn's keys reach. The Home/End/Page up/Page down cluster is pretty well thought out. The built-in numpad is pretty useless (to me at least) because of the staggered keys.

matt3o · 26 Mar 2014, 16:33

FN+pgup/down is awkward, I use home/end too much to find that positioning comfortable

Julle · 27 Mar 2014, 19:22

I would have appreciated separate home/end keys as well, judging by the space around pgup/down, they could have easily fit another column of keys there. Also, they could have placed delete more conveniently if they had moved pgup/down keys to row 5 level.

It's a great keyboard, but it could be better.