Keyboard Launchpad

Initially, I was under the impression that Object Desktop 2008 was all about customizing your desktop visually. After all, Object Desktop 2008 does include software such was WindowBlinds, Objectdock, Objectbar, Logonstudio,IconPackager, DesktopX, and Deskscapes. Let’s be honest – these pieces of software would not assist much with the overall functionality of the computer, because they’re typically used to tweak the GUI. So, imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon Keyboard Launchpad!

What is it?

Keyboard Launchpad is exactly what it sounds like – it configures your keyboard so that hitting a few hotkeys will launch certain functions or programs. For example, I’ve configured my keyboard so that iTunes will skip a song when I hit windows+right arrow, or return to the previous song when I hit windows+left arrow. It’s actually extremely convenient, because my laptop’s multimedia buttons couldn’t be set up for use with iTunes (I have an iPod, so I’m forced to use iTunes).

Does it work?

Yes, it does! It’s actually been pretty flawless, and I can’t stress how important that is (what a relief to have a bug-less piece of software). It only takes around 1MB of RAM, which is nothing by today’s standards (strictly just for comparison, iTunes 7 without Coverflow uses around 38MB).

Keyboard Launchpad allows you to configure the Ctrl, Alt, Windows Key, or Ctrl+Alt+Shift at the same time with any letter – allowing for plenty of shortcuts to be available. It’s extremely simple to create hotkey-ed shortcuts. By default, there is only one shortcut, which is to activate the configuration window of Keyboard Launchpad. However, there are already shortcuts that skip, play/pause, and rewind songs in iTunes, Windows Media Player, and WinAmp – all you have to do is set up the hotkeys (i.e. Windows+right arrow).

There are plenty of functions for those shortcuts. The main one I use is linking – to websites (i.e. windows+c leads to http://cutedge.org) and other programs/functions (i.e. skipping songs). There are plenty of other options, including system options (i.e. shutdown/restart), Clipboard Snippet Pasting (i.e. paste different screenshots via different hotkeys), time-delaying, mouse-click simulation (i.e. ctrl+h simulates a left-click), and a bunch of controls for other media players.

One last thing Keyboard Launchpad does is add a tab to the Properties window that can be found in the right-click menu. It does make things a bit easier, but I found it quite easy to use to begin with. It’s foolproof!

Was it easy to use?

Definitely – although it might be a bit hard for you to remember all those shortcuts. If you do forget, you can just open up the configuration window and check your settings. The options in Keyboard Launchpad are easy to figure out, and shortcuts couldn’t be easier to create. No coding/scripting knowledge required.

How’s it Look?

It looks great! It’s extra-simple to use, its interface is intuitive, and it’s Vista-friendly. Also, its system tray icon looks great! However, I think a bit more graphical power could’ve been used – even just an image of a keyboard that has keys corresponding to the shortcuts highlighted would have been great. Maybe it’s something to look forward to in the next revision of this piece of software.

Any Real Competitors?

The only alternatives that I know of to Keyboard Launchpad is a piece of software called Setpoint that comes with Logitech keyboards/mice and Windows’ own built-in hotkey shortcuts.

I don’t think that Windows’ built-in hotkeyed capabilities match up to the dedicated Keyboard Launchpad by Stardock. There’s so much stuff that Keyboard Launchpad can do that Windows’ hotkeys can’t (i.e. skip songs in iTunes – sorry, I know I’ve brought that up too much).

As for Setpoint, it’s a lot more graphically friendly. The pictures of keyboards actually are quite…uh, although redundant, I actually like the graphical effort. I can’t quite accurately describe it, but I know I like them there. Unfortunately, purchasing a Setpoint-configurable Logitech keyboard might cost a bit more than purchasing Keyboard Launchpad, depending on the deal.

Conclusion

Stardock’s Keyboard Launchpad brings extreme convenience for keyboards that don’t have Setpoint software. I’ve got a laptop keyboard that doesn’t have any Setpoint-type configuration, so I enjoy the convenience. If you can purchase a Logitech keyboard and have the Setpoint software, Keyboard Launchpad might be overkill as they do practically the same thing (very similar, at the least). Unfortunately, it’s not free – it’s $9.95 as a stand-alone product. I figure that even though it’s convenient, I’ll save my $9.95 – which is 1/7 of the cost of Object Desktop 2008 Ultimate, which can be purchased for $69.95. That sounds like a much better deal. Trust me.

Oh yeah, don’t mind the weird button on my title bar next to the close button, it’s part of Ultramon, a software I set up with my dual monitors (double the productivity). I hope to purchase a newer second monitor very soon, but I can’t say whether or not it’s going to happen (I just want to purchase so much!).