Behold the world's thinnest keyboard

This week has already seen one high-tech world first -- an Acer smartphone that can capture ultra-high definition video -- and now there's another record first -- a wireless keyboard that is just 0.5mm thick.

The-world-s-thinnest-wireless-touch-surface-Photo-AFP

This week has already seen one high-tech world first -- an Acer smartphone that can capture ultra-high definition video -- and now there's another record first -- a wireless keyboard that is just 0.5mm thick.

Built by US firm CSR, the brains behind a number of high-tech features inside popular consumer electronics gadgets including the Beats by Dr Dre headphones and the Nike Fuel Band, the keyboard is just 0.5mm thick, in other words, indistinguishable from a sheet of paper, and connects to a tablet or PC via Bluetooth Smart, the most energy-efficient form of the wireless technology and one already supported by Apple devices and some WinTel PCs.

More than simply a keyboard, the device's surface is touch sensitive and so can just as easily be used as a writing tablet or a mat for extending a desktop or notebook computer's screen area simply by laying it on the table in front of the computer. Or how about putting a piece of actual paper on top of it and sketching an image or taking notes that magically transfer to a computer, tablet or smartphone screen?

'Consumers want innovative, portable wireless accessories that just work with their mobile devices,' says Paul Williamson, Director of Low Power Wireless at CSR. 'The ultra-thin touch surface we've developed is a perfect example of how Bluetooth Smart can give them just that. We're committed to working collaboratively with developers using the CSR µEnergy platform to help them bring similar next-generation accessories to the market quickly.'

The device, which can be literally slipped between the pages of a book for easy carrying, is still in its prototype stage but will be making its first official public experience at this week's IFA Consumer Electronics show, which officially begins in Berlin, Germany on September 6.