Interesting product with an amazing low price point. Being small and inexpensive, I am interesting in seeing how this can moving into educational settings. I loved the part of the video show a toddler learning to play. I will be interested in what the response from musicians will be to using this for performance and as a midi input device for working with audio software.<p>If you are looking for a traditional keyboard check out the McCarthy Illuminating Piano.<p><a href="http://mccarthypiano.com/hardware.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://mccarthypiano.com/hardware.aspx</a>
The proximity sensor seems very similar to the Roland "D-Beam" infrared light sensor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Beam" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Beam</a>, which is itself a bit of a gimmick. The design itself seems inspired by the KMI QuNexus <a href="http://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/qunexus/" rel="nofollow">http://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/qunexus/</a> .
Another interesting instrument:<p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artiphon/introducing-the-artiphon-instrument-1" rel="nofollow">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artiphon/introducing-th...</a>
Love the creativity. I have observed though that "musical" people can play anything, and non-musical people cannot. It has always been a curious thing which I first noticed in music classes at USC.
why did they give it a non-standard keyboard layout? having the black keys be higher up & "overlap" front-to-back with the white keys is pretty crucial for playing with any sort of speed. also wary of the button-like keys vs traditional lever-like keys on real pianos.<p>other than that, the proximity sensor looks awesome, and the price point is pretty incredible! not to mention the light-up stuff for people learning.