United Keys Announces Strategic Partnership With Foxconn to Produce Ground-Breaking Display-Key Keyboard for PC Gaming

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- United Keys, the technology leader for display-key input devices, announced today that it has formed a strategic partnership with Hon Hai Precision Industry Company Ltd. (2317.TW), a member of Foxconn Technology Group. As part of this partnership, Foxconn, the world's largest contract manufacturer, will build display-key input devices using United Keys technology. The first product, a keyboard tailored for PC gaming, will start shipping as early as summer. The company also announced new patents and patents pending in a number of countries, representing a portfolio of IP with broad application making use of display keys.

"Our partnership with Foxconn provides world-class procurement, environmental-friendly manufacturing and design, and, most importantly, one-of-a-kind global synchronize ramp-ups capability," said Ronald Brown, CEO of United Keys. "Display-key technology, a revolutionary step forward in simplifying usability, is now positioned to really take off in the most popular consumer and business markets."

Display-keys are regular keyswitches with small OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) displays embedded in their tops. This allows interactive and image-based communication between software and users. The promise of display-key input devices is a significant improvement in usability for any application. For example, macros or other actions can be mapped to OLED keys with user-customizable images or icons precisely identifying their function. In the future, display-key support will be included in new software applications, where keyboard OLEDs change contextually and dynamically. Driven by intelligent software, images on these small OLEDs will simplify command choices, increase productivity and create a more engaging, interactive computing experience. United Keys' strategy of enabling standard keyswitches retains an important usability attribute: tactile feedback. It also helps keep costs low.

United Keys has secured patents for broad application of display-key technology -- including interaction logic between software and hardware, transmission of images over networks and the internet, and user customization -- related to a wide range of input devices, including cell phones, remotes, game consoles, automobiles and medical devices. Besides the U.S., the company has patents or patents pending in numerous countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada and the European Union.

About Foxconn Technology Group

Foxconn Technology Group is the partner of choice for all aspects of contract manufacturing services in 3C industries. Arms with its proprietary eCMMS business model and world leading IP portfolio, Foxconn revolutionized the CEM/EMS/ODM industries since turn of the century. Through its renowned superiorities in speed, quality, engineering services, flexibility and monetary cost, Foxconn determines to make the comfort from electronic products usage an attainable luxury for all mankind.

About United Keys, Inc.

Headquartered in San Jose, California, United Keys is simplifying the usability of traditional input devices using display-key technology. United Keys has secured patents for broad application of display-key technology related to a wide range of input devices. The business model of the company focuses on licensing arrangements with OEMs and brand marketers worldwide. To enable mass production, the company has an agreement with Foxconn. More information can be found at http://www.unitedkeys.com.