US-based company Das Keyboard has launched the world's first cloud-connected 5Q keyboard that which users assign colors to certain keys to indicate when they get notifications. The keys can be set to notify users of pretty much everything including online deals, important emails, and sports updates.

Billed as the "keyboard of the 21st century," Das Keyboard 5Q works both as a keyboard and a dashboard. It is an open API RGB mechanical keyboard built with ground-breaking electronics that provide superior RGB LED brightness and unsurpassed response time. The keyboard works along with the Das Keyboard Q application, making the user more productive by streaming information directly to the keyboard.

The keyboard was designed with the aim of tracking information that involves a lot of mental context switching, which includes tackling tens of open browser tabs, constantly switching context to keep up with project status, software build statuses, weather info, stock quotes, customer quality metrics, websites alarms, and much more.

The keyboard makes use of the peripheral vision of humans. While one is working on his/her giant monitor, one would not need to look or click or do anything to know what's going on because the information is right there on the keyboard which one can see without even looking at it, thanks to the peripheral vision.

The keyboard can also be seen as an alternative to excessive notifications a user receives on the phone. A typical smartphone user checks his/her phone 150 times a day on average. According to the keyboard designers, notifications are counterproductive because they constantly interrupt and distract from what we are trying to accomplish. On the other hand, the startup claims that looking at the keyboard would not slow one down. It is similar to being in office and knowing what the weather is like outside without actually having to look out the window.