Tag Archives: wireless keyboard

Keychron B1 Pro: Ultra-Thin Wireless Keyboard for Minimalists on the Go

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It may not have the mechanical joy that the Lofree EDGE offered as the world’s slimmest mechanical keyboard, but the Keychron B1 Pro does offer an incredibly slim design that’s portable enough to slide right into your backpack. Boasting a minimal aesthetic bundled within a portable design, the B1 Pro is an ultra-slim wireless keyboard that comes with a whopping 1200 battery life and a rather commendable $39.99 price tag.

Designer: Keychron

The B1 Pro deviates from Keychron’s usual mechanical keyboards by opting for scissor-switch keys, similar to those found on laptops. This design keeps the profile incredibly thin, measuring just 5.2mm at the front and reaching a maximum height of 14.5mm. It’s incredibly lightweight too, at only 425g, making it a perfect companion for tossing in your bag and working from anywhere.

Despite its slim profile, the B1 Pro doesn’t compromise on performance. With a 1000Hz polling rate on the 2.4GHz wireless connection, you can expect smooth and responsive typing. It also offers Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, allowing you to seamlessly pair it with multiple devices. This is also accompanied by a battery life of a staggering 1200 hours on a single charge. Translated to real-world use, that translates to roughly 8 months of typing for 5 hours a day – a near elimination of charging woes.

The keyboard has a Mac layout while remaining functional with Windows and Linux. It even features the same multimedia and function key functions as Apple keyboards, providing a familiar experience for Mac users with the added benefit of a more comfortable typing experience thanks to the scissor-switch keys. For added comfort during extended typing sessions, the B1 Pro features a 3.2-degree tilt angle and concave keycaps designed to improve accuracy. It even comes with a dedicated emoji shortcut key and a protective silicone keycap cover for increased durability.

The B1 Pro supports ZMK firmware, allowing users to program keys, macros, and shortcuts directly through a web interface. This eliminates the need for complex software installations and provides a user-friendly way to tailor the keyboard to your specific needs.

At an affordable price point of $39.99, the Keychron B1 Pro offers a compelling combination of portability, functionality, and battery life. Whether you’re a minimalist on the go, a student juggling classes, or someone who simply prefers a low-profile keyboard, the B1 Pro is definitely worth considering.

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Logitech Debuts Wave Keys for Mac: Ergonomic Keyboard for Apple Enthusiasts

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In an exciting announcement today, Logitech expanded its “Designed for Mac” lineup with the introduction of the Wave Keys for Mac, an ergonomic keyboard crafted to provide comfort and enhance productivity for Mac users. This launch, set to coincide with the release of other Mac-centric peripherals in Logitech’s portfolio, underscores the company’s commitment to creating seamless, user-friendly experiences within the Apple ecosystem.

Designer: Logitech

Ergonomics Meets Mac-Specific Design

The Wave Keys for Mac stands out as Logitech’s first ergonomic keyboard specifically designed for the Mac, adapted from the Wave Keys that launched at the end of last year. Emphasizing comfort and usability, it features a signature wave shape that ensures a natural typing posture. This wavy design positions the hands, wrists, and forearms in an optimal manner, reducing strain and promoting comfortable typing throughout the day.

A key highlight of the Wave Keys for Mac is its cushioned palm rest, which comprises three layers: memory foam, high-density foam, and a knitted fabric covering. This thoughtful design offers 57% more wrist support compared to traditional Logitech keyboards without palm rests, making it an ideal choice for prolonged use.

Compact and Versatile

The compact layout of the Wave Keys for Mac is not only space-saving but also strategically designed to promote a more natural shoulder position while using a mouse. This makes it a practical addition to any desk setup, particularly for those who prioritize ergonomics without compromising on functionality.

Further enhancing its appeal, the keyboard includes easy-to-use +4° tilt legs, allowing users to adjust the keyboard’s angle to their preference for maximum comfort.

Seamless Integration and Personalization

Logitech’s commitment to enhancing user experience is evident in the Wave Keys for Mac’s seamless integration with macOS, iPadOS, and iOS devices. Users can connect up to three Apple devices simultaneously and switch between them effortlessly with the tap of a button. This multi-device capability is complemented by the Logi Options+ app, which enables users to personalize their keyboard shortcuts and optimize their workflow.

The Wave Keys for Mac also boasts an impressive battery life, capable of lasting up to three years on the included AAA batteries, reducing the need for frequent replacements and ensuring consistent performance.

Sustainable Design

In line with Logitech’s dedication to sustainability, the Wave Keys for Mac is made with 48% post-consumer recycled plastic, excluding the plastic in the printed wiring assembly, receiver, and packaging. This eco-friendly approach aligns with Logitech’s broader initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of its products and promote environmentally conscious manufacturing practices.

This launch is part of a broader initiative by Logitech to cater to the needs of Mac users. Alongside the Wave Keys for Mac, Logitech is also introducing other products such as the MX Keys S for Mac, MX Keys S Combo for Mac, MX Anywhere 3S for Mac, and MX Keys Mini for Mac. These additions are designed to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and ensure ergonomic comfort for Mac users.

Delphine Donné, Vice President and General Manager of Personal Workspace Solutions at Logitech, highlighted the company’s focus on integrating user-centric solutions with the Apple ecosystem while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. “With a focus on optimizing workflow, productivity, and comfort, our Designed for Mac portfolio empowers Apple users to unleash their creative potential and enjoy day-long comfort at the desk without sacrificing Mac compatibility and look,” said Donné.

The Wave Keys for Mac will be available for purchase in May 2024 at a price of $59.99.

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Lofree EDGE – The World’s Thinnest Mechanical Keyboard is just 16mm, less than two iPhones thick

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You don’t associate mechanical keyboards with sleek portability… and you don’t associate portable compact keyboards with great tactile feedback or mechanical travel. Lofree’s somehow managed to blur both those worlds into a keyboard that offers the best typing experience while weighing just a pound and being 0.6 inches (16.5mm) thick at its thickest point. Crafted from a combination of magnesium and carbon fiber, the Lofree EDGE reinvents the wheel. It uses unique aerospace-grade materials for their strength-to-weight ratio, redesigned keycaps that are thin but still feel ergonomic, and redefined Kailh mechanical switches that provide a great tactile feel that gives you the mechanical feedback of a much thicker keyboard, but in a highly portable, sleek form.

Designer: Lofree

Click Here to Buy Now: $129 $249 (48% off) Hurry, only limited units at a discounted price. Raised over $270,000.

Over the years, Lofree’s developed its brand reputation for designing wonderfully retropunk tech peripherals. Whether it’s the Touch mouse with PBT buttons, the Wavy Chips mouse that looks like Italian automotive design from the golden ages, or even its Foundation and Block wireless keyboards that reinvent classic designs from decades ago to give them a proper modern revival, the company’s always pushed the boundaries of visual aesthetics, striking a fine balance between classic and contemporary. It’s no wonder that they have, as a result, developed a viciously loyal fan base of design enthusiasts and tech nerds who coalesce around the company’s vision for making great-looking tech that performs remarkably too.

The EDGE is unlike anything Lofree’s ever made before, given that its design brief is distinctly different from the company’s previous approaches to industrial design. Lofree’s thinnest mechanical keyboard yet, the EDGE boasts an ultra-low profile, with a design that’s equal parts utilitarian and aesthetic. Every material is chosen carefully, and every design detail has meticulous thought behind it, resulting in a keyboard that’s just 485 grams (1.06 pounds) light and just 15mm at its thickest point – making it both thinner and lighter than the Corsair K100 Air, which previously held the title of being the thinnest mechanical keyboard. At its thinnest point, it’s a staggering 5.4mm, making it just marginally thicker than Apple’s newest M4 iPad Pro.

The title of the thinnest mechanical keyboard doesn’t come without some intense design and engineering, backed by solid R&D. Lofree basically designed the entire keyboard from the ground up, removing non-essential components, choosing materials like magnesium and carbon fiber for their strength and low-weight, and even using custom switches. The EDGE’s construction removes components like the positioning plate, silicone pad, and IPXE foam that you’d find in most keyboards, instead opting for a unique PCB gasket structure that holds the keyboard’s internals in place. The base of the keyboard is made from machined magnesium alloy, which then gets capped off with a 3K twill weave carbon fiber upper plate that not only gives the keyboard a solid upper surface but also gives it the distinct carbon fiber aesthetic that people know and love.

The keys themselves have a unique redesigned profile that’s a combination of thin yet ergonomic, and come made from grease-resistant PBT polymer. They come with a concave top, allowing for error-free typing, and have a specially formulated Kailh POM Switch 2.0 that’s just 9.8mm thick (your average mechanical keyboard switches are 18.5mm) – and even though it’s just half the size of a mechanical switch, it still boasts a healthy amount of travel so you feel like you’re using a mechanical keyboard and not one of those uncomfortable keyboards you’d find on slim laptops. The EDGE’s wedge design does, however, reinforce a sense of slimness, which means you can even carry your wireless keyboard with you in a laptop bag.

The EDGE works in both wired and wireless formats, and is compatible with Windows as well as Mac devices. In wired mode, the keyboard operates at a staggering 100Hz polling rate, practically making latency a thing of the past for gamers. The wireless mode helps keep desks clean, and reduces cable clutter, suitable for all other professions. The EDGE also comes with Lofree’s Configurator software, which lets you change the RGB backlight, remap keys, and set macros/shortcuts (the Configurator is only available for Windows, with a Mac version rolling out at the end of this year). A built-in 2000mAh battery offers 10 hours of wireless use with the backlight on, and a staggering 130 hours if you switch the backlight off. A USB-C port charges the keyboard in just under 3 hours.

Lofree’s products don’t come without a design twist. While their previous keyboards and mice boasted quirky retropunk aesthetics that gave a distinct flair to your workplace, the EDGE comes with its own carbon fiber vertical stand that holds either the keyboard or your laptop when not in use. Each stand comes cleverly machined from the blank rectangle that gets cut out of the center of the EDGE’s carbon fiber upper plate, helping reduce waste and repurpose the material to create something functional. Each EDGE comes with the stand flat-packed, which can easily be assembled in under a minute, giving you a convenient place to dock your device when you’re done with it, so your table remains clean and clutter-free. The $129 EDGE also ships with a connecting cable, extra keycaps, and a keyboard sleeve that’s only available to people who back the keyboard on Kickstarter. The world’s slimmest mechanical keyboard ships globally starting July 2024.

Click Here to Buy Now: $129 $249 (48% off) Hurry, only limited units at a discounted price. Raised over $270,000.

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Innovative Bluetooth keyboard turns its surface into a giant touchpad

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Wireless keyboards are nothing new. Whether you’re on a desktop trying to escape the tangle of cables or on a laptop wanting to expand your limited set of keys, a wireless keyboard offers a bit more freedom and flexibility than other keyboards. That said, they still have the same limitations, namely, requiring a separate mouse or touchpad to move the computer cursor around. Not only does that take up more desk space, it also means another device you might forget or lose along the way. Some Bluetooth keyboards add a tiny touchpad off to the side, but that comes at the cost of reducing the number of keys available on the keyboard. This ingenious solution gives the best of both worlds by practically turning the entire keyboard into one giant touchpad you can swipe and pinch, just like any other touchpad.

Designer: Igor Solovyov (Industrial Designer, Clevetura)

Laptops have the advantage of having both a keyboard and a pointing device in a single body, but their arrangement is hardly the best in terms of ergonomics and flexibility. Wireless keyboards with built-in trackpads, on the other hand, try to cram this component in an already small space but still manage to sacrifice keys like the numeric keypad. It’s almost as if there’s no ideal design that solves this problem, but the CLVX 1 boldly tries to think outside the box while offering a keyboard that, at least on paper, matches the functionality of many Bluetooth keyboards in the market today.

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In a nutshell, the middle area of the CLVX 1 keyboard is touch-sensitive and functions like a giant touchpad. Thanks to a special slippery coating, you can effortlessly glide your finger across that area to move the mouse around without snagging on the edges of the keys. You can even pinch to zoom or perform any other touch gestures, just like a normal trackpad. As a bonus, the top row of function keys also functions as a slider that you can smoothly swipe without even having to look, making it just as easy to control the volume or any other function you program into the gesture. The keyboard promises that it won’t mix up typing and gestures, as it automatically disables touch detection once you press a key. And in case you’re wondering about mouse button presses, the keyboard has dedicated physical buttons below the spacebar for those actions.

In all other aspects, the CLVX 1 boasts a laundry list of features available on many wireless keyboards and then some. It has a 110-key layout, which is far more than your typical Bluetooth keyboard, and uses scissor switches. The RGB lighting also has a few tricks, like following your finger as you glide over the keys. You can pair up to three devices with it via Bluetooth, but you can also connect to a device using USB-C for a fourth connection.

The CLVX 1 is definitely an intriguing design, but its mettle still needs to be tested in real-world use. The smoothness of swiping over keys will definitely be the biggest point of concern, but the typing experience of having those keys so close together is also an important consideration. Nevertheless, it definitely deserves some praise for thinking outside the box to deliver a design that doesn’t compromise just to mix two functions in one.

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Logitech G launches its tiniest wireless keyboard – The first with a 60% layout

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If you’re anywhere near a laptop, spend a second looking at the keyboard it contains. Chances are, the keyboard you’re looking at has a 65% layout, featuring the QWERTY keys, the number row above it, and function keys. Not all laptops have num-pads on the side (unless they’re 15-inch laptops or more), so what you’re left with is perhaps the most condensed keyboard layout ever. However, you CAN go smaller. Remove the function row from the top, and you’re now left with a bare-basics 60% keyboard layout. It gets the job done, it’s compact, and is ideal for portability – all of which are the Pro X 60’s most prized features. Debuted as Logitech’s first 60% wireless keyboard, the Pro X 60 Lightspeed is deviously tiny, but doesn’t trade size for functionality. It’s still got great mechanical travel at its heart, making the keyboard perfect for pretty much everyone, but ideal for gamers, who revere that mechanical feel.

Designer: Logitech

Click Here to Pre-Order Now

At a glance, the $179 Pro X 60 Lightspeed is a study in meticulous design and technological advancement. Offering a choice between tactile or linear GX optical switches, and available in three colors—black, white, or pink, the keyboard seeks to envelop gamers in a bespoke gaming experience. The keyboard’s compact size is a deliberate choice, offering ease of transportation without compromising on the essential features that gamers have come to expect from Logitech’s G Pro X series.

Unlike its predecessor, the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed, the Pro X 60 Lightspeed opts for optical switches over mechanical ones, offering a distinct feel with a 1.8mm actuation point and a travel distance of 4mm. This choice underscores Logitech’s pursuit of providing gamers with precision and responsiveness in a form factor that defies convention. The keyboard’s versatility extends to its connectivity options—wired via a USB-C cable, or wireless through Bluetooth or Logitech’s proprietary Lightspeed dongle, ensuring a seamless gaming experience with a 1000Hz polling rate.

Gamers can customize the keyboard and assign macro shortcuts, adjust lighting, and tweak audio effects to their liking, with each key capable of performing up to 15 different functions through Logitech’s G Hub software and the new Keycontrol tool. The inclusion of Lightsync RGB lighting, pre-set to a static blue to minimize distractions, further enhances the gaming atmosphere, allowing for a personalized color palette and lighting sequences to radiate through the keyboard’s dual-shot PBT keycaps.

Beyond its technical prowess, the Logitech G Pro X 60 Lightspeed is designed with quality-of-life improvements that cater to the gaming lifestyle. A strategically placed volume roller, a Game Mode switch that disables potentially distracting keys, and a carry case for easy transport all contribute to a gaming keyboard that understands the rhythm of competitive play and travel. For gamers for whom every second and every key press can make the difference between victory and defeat, the Pro X 60 Lightspeed is a mobile command center that bridges the gap between performance and portability. The Pro X 60 Lightspeed is available for preorder, with deliveries starting April 17th.

Click Here to Pre-Order Now

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Wireless Keyboard Inside An Altoids Tin Is Perfect For People Missing Their Blackberry Phones

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Remember the Clicks Keyboard from earlier this year? What if you could somehow build your own and carry it around in an Altoids tin??

YouTuber ‘Flurples’ decided the Altoids tin was honestly the perfect vehicle for this miniature keyboard. It was roughly the width of your standard Blackberry phone, which means the keys would be perfectly thumb-sized, and it had the added benefit of coming with its own metal case and lid that made carrying it around incredibly easy. The only thing left was to actually build the keyboard.

Designer: Flurples

Dubbed the Mint Board, this tiny keyboard is quite the tactile dream come true. It fits in your pocket, has an on/off switch, and wirelessly connects to any Bluetooth-capable device to turn into a keyboard. While it’s incredibly small, it’s perfectly usable (even more so than those godawful touchscreen keyboards) although most people will sorely miss the presence of a number row on top. The Mint Board also charges via USB-C, although Flurples didn’t mention what the battery life of the keyboard is on a full charge.

The Mint Board works with an iPad, allowing you to type on a tactile surface and have the letters appear on screen

Initially conceptualized as a 60% layout keyboard, the Mint Board’s design journey was marked by meticulous planning and adaptation to spatial constraints, ultimately settling for a 40% layout that would only feature the essential Qwerty and special keys (no numbers either). Key spacing and switch selection were pivotal considerations when it came to choosing this layout, ensuring optimal utilization of the limited space within the tin.

At the core of the Mint Board lies a meticulously crafted PCB, meticulously designed to accommodate switches, diodes, a microcontroller, and an on/off switch. Firmware development was a strategic endeavor, with Flurples opting for a Nice Nano microcontroller and ZMK firmware to enable Bluetooth connectivity. Despite the transition from the familiar QMK firmware, Flurples found solace in the shared conceptual framework, facilitating a seamless integration process. The assembly process proved to be both a challenge and a triumph, as Flurples meticulously soldered each component, including the microcontroller and battery, with precision and finesse. However, unforeseen challenges arose, such as tight keycaps, prompting Flurples to undertake a redesign.

Once the inner workings were ready, Flurples built the outer housing, relying on a 3D printer to make the upper and lower halves of the keyboard body, as well as the 41 individual keys. The keyboard was secured together using four screws that sandwiched the PCB in between the plastic components, and glued into the Altoids tin, whose sides had cutouts made to coincide with the ports and switches on the Mint Board’s PCB.

Yet, the true pièce de résistance of the Mint Board lies in its personalized keycaps, each painstakingly crafted with legends created in Illustrator, cut using a Cricut Machine, and finished with a layer of clear-coat resin to give it its signature domed shape. Using the keyboard proved to be gorgeously tactile too, with satisfying click sounds that most Blackberry users will fondly remember. The best part, the entire keyboard could wirelessly connect to pretty much any device, giving you a familiar typing experience on everything from your smartphone to even your iPad.

Flurples should seriously consider building a screen into the lid and turning this into a miniature laptop!

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Logitech Wave Keys Wireless Keyboard Hands-On: Comfortable and Compact, both in Size and Price

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The average human makes roughly 1 million keystrokes each year… marking a major area for an ergonomic intervention. Unveiled today, the Logitech Wave Keys wireless keyboard joins the company’s Ergo line-up as a budget-friendly ergonomic keyboard to create a comfortable, reliable, and tactile typing experience. Designed to pair perfectly with the Lift Vertical mouse, the $59.99 Wave Keys offers a budget-friendly alternative Logitech’s $119.99 Ergo K860 split ergonomic keyboard launched back in 2020. Adopting a similar form factor, the Wave Keys gets its name from the unique wave-shaped form factor that’s a cross between traditional flat keyboards and those ergonomic spherical keyboards from the 1970s. This unique curved shape, along with the padded palm rest allows your hands to rest more naturally on the keyboard, enabling a comfortable experience for your fingers, wrists, and your palms… and I say this with a certain degree of confidence as I type this article out on the Wave Keys myself!

Designer: Logitech

The first impression you get with the Wave Keys is how comfortably petite it is. The keyboard measures less than 13 inches across (375.97mm), occupying the same horizontal space as a conventional 15.6″ laptop, but has a 96% layout, putting it in compact full-sized territory. That means the keyboard sports a num-pad along with a function row, giving you every key you could need. The function row is also feature-optimized to do useful things like take screenshots, toggle the emoji menu, mute/unmute your microphone during audio/video calls, and even play-pause actively playing content.

The keyboard’s biggest highlight is its wave-shaped design, a feature it borrows (and refines) from its predecessor, the Ergo K860. Unlike the K860’s split-key format, the Wave Keys has a continuous key layout and features larger mechanical keycaps that offer a comfortably tactile experience. It’s not as quiet as the K860’s chiclet-style keycap, but it isn’t as noisy as some other mechanical keyboards either.

The wave-shaped hump at the center of the keyboard is something the Logitech design team arrived at after years of designing, prototyping, and refining. The keyboard was carefully crafted with multiple rounds of user testing including at Logitech’s Ergo Lab and has a stamp of approval from US Ergonomics.

Other ergonomic considerations are the padded palm-rest along with height-adjustable tilt-legs that give the keyboard up to 4° of elevation for easier typing over longer periods of time. The palm rest (yet another feature extended from the K860 line) does make the keyboard wider than most, measuring 8.6 inches (218.9 mm) from top to bottom, but it vastly enhances the keyboard’s comfort levels, allowing it to live up to its ergonomic character.

The Wave Keys runs on Bluetooth as well as Logitech’s Bolt receiver, which additionally supports the Lift Vertical mouse.

The Wave Keys supports connections to up to 3 devices at the same time, allowing you to switch between them using the first three buttons on the function row. The keyboard connects to different devices using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), supporting operating systems like Windows, MacOS, iPadOS, Chrome OS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Alternatively, it ships with the Logi Bolt USB receiver that plugs into a USB-A port, letting you connect using Logitech’s more secure wireless protocol. Additionally, the free Logi Options+ app lets you customize your keyboard experience by changing what the function buttons do, adding software/program-specific shortcuts, or even enabling Smart Actions that allow you to automate multiple tasks with a single keystroke so you can streamline your workflow. The Wave Keys runs on two AAA batteries, and Logitech touts an impressive 3-year lifespan before the batteries need to be replaced.

Sustainability also forms a core part of Logitech’s design and innovation approach. The company has touted using PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastics in their products and the Wave Keys is no different, with up to 61% of recycled plastic in its Graphite version, and 46% in its off-white version. The Wave Keys are also certified carbon-neutral and ship with zero-plastic packaging.

The Logitech Wave Keys launches today in two colorways – Graphite and Off White, with a third option named Rose launching in the spring of 2024. The Wave Keys starts at a retail price of $59.99 in North America and €79.99 in Europe, making it a perfect budget pick for individuals as well as for businesses. Visit the Logitech website to learn more.

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8bitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard turns an old iconic console design into a fun-looking keyboard

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When you talk about video games, most people will probably think of game controllers immediately, even if a large chunk of these aren’t played that way. Even disregarding mobile games that only use touch screens, many are actually played with good, “old-fashioned” keyboard and mouse. There are, of course, keyboards made for gaming, with noisy mechanical switches and bright RBG lights, but most of these are designed to match the aesthetics of most computers, which is to say they almost always come in black, a few in off-white. Nothing screams “gaming,” however, more than a keyboard that’s designed to look like a gaming console. Ever the masters of making old things new, 8bitDo is coming out with its very first keyboard, one that pays homage to a gaming classic in an endearing and tasteful way.

Designer: 8bitDo

8bitDo is a brand best known for its multitude of game controllers catering not just to console owners but also to PC gamers. Although many of these look like your typical gamepads, the company has a penchant for applying the design language of past gaming controllers to present products, giving an ode to the rich history of video games. Its portfolio, however, has been growing recently to cover other accessories and gadgets, including a wireless charging pad, a wireless speaker, and a computer mouse. For the first time, it’s dipping its toes into keyboard territory, and what better way to start that venture than with one of the most iconic consoles in history?

Launched in the 80s, the Nintendo Entertainment System or NES, which was called the Family Computer or Famicom in Japan, kickstarted Nintendo’s own journey from making playing cards to the gaming giant it is today. Although it is hardly the first home gaming console to be launched to the masses, it is one of the few to have gained worldwide acclaim to the point of being an icon. The new 8bitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard pays tribute to this landmark gaming device but does more than just get a paint job to match the gray or red themes of the NES and Famicom, respectively.

The retro keyboard is filled to the brim with details that will really give you that old-school vibe, from the fonts used on the keycaps to the analogy dials for volume and for switching between Bluetooth or Wireless modes. There’s even a classic power light that thankfully uses a more modern LED. The package also includes two giant programmable red buttons in the style of the A and B buttons of the original NES controller. You can connect up to four of these pairs via a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a pretty old-school connector by now.

As for the keyboard itself, it’s a tenkeyless keyboard, which means you don’t get a numeric keypad on the side. Like with many mechanical keyboards, you have the option to change not only the keycaps but even the switches to your liking. It can connect via Bluetooth, the included wireless RF receiver, or a USB cable. Unlike most gaming keyboards, however, there is no backlighting at all. The 8bitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard costs $99.99 and will ship starting in September. If you really dig the NES motif, you might be tempted to also grab the brand’s N30 wireless mouse which was also inspired by the classic console.

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World’s first ‘wearable PC keyboard’ comes with a design that you can grab and use like a controller

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The Grab Shell’s completely bonkers design was made as a response to the phrase “You can text, call, video chat, and play games while you walk. Why can’t you write code while you walk?” As bizarre as that ask is, it was the genesis of what became the Grab Shell keyboard – the only PC keyboard designed to be used in a handheld manner, like a massive wearable. The reason? Well, a software engineer behind the Grab Shell insisted that “walking around while typing is the most efficient way to collaborate when looking at the same shared screen.”

Designer: dotBravo

We’ve covered ergonomic keyboards, split keyboards, touchscreen keyboards, and even the odd spherical keyboard, but even for us, a portable, handheld keyboard controller is a first. Sure, you could say that most Blackberries had handheld QWERTY keyboards, and so do touchscreen phones today… but do they have mechanical switches, joysticks, scroll wheels, AND handles?

Meet Grab Shell, a new kind of keyboard that’s looking at a genre of productivity that sort of goes unnoticed – the moving kind. Most PC keyboards require you to be tethered to a tabletop surface (where the keyboard rests), but not the Grab Shell. Hold it in your hands like a Nintendo Switch and type on it in a natural manner. The keyboard features keys on both sides – QWERTY keys on the back for your fingers, and dedicated function keys and navigation controls on the front for your thumbs. Use it in a handheld manner while you work, or fold the keyboard open and type like you would on a conventional split keyboard. The Grab Shell empowers both kinds of use.

“The next generation will undoubtedly be a virtual native generation. In that case, it should be available for use in the virtual world,” say the designers behind the Grab Shell. “In other words, just as VR and AR devices are wearable, keyboards should also be wearable.”

Can’t argue with that logic.

As is evident from the images, the GrabShell can be used in two ways – as a handheld controller in its ‘shut’ mode, and as a semi-conventional keyboard when opened out. I say semi-conventional just for the fact that the GrabShell opens into a rather odd shape with a split design that puts special keys like the enter button, the num-pad, and the arrow keys in the center. The center also features unique navigation controls like a scroll wheel, joystick, trackball, and a toggle switch that helps offset the need for a mouse with the keyboard. Dedicated Left and Right click buttons also feature on the keyboard’s design, along with layer keys, which are definitely a new addition. Designed by and for coders, who can sometimes be a fickle bunch, the entire keyboard is customizable too, with the ability to program different keystrokes, shortcuts, and macros to suit your needs. Also in the spirit of user freedom and absolute customizability, the Grab Shell connects wirelessly to both Windows and macOS devices too, with the ability to toggle between them, should you choose. A USB-C port lets you charge the keyboard or use it in wired mode, and a 2000mAh battery powers the Grab Shell for months without needing to be charged, so you can keep walking around as you code, type emails, play games, or just browse the internet.

Its strange format aside, the Grab Shell has all the trimmings of an actually satisfying mechanical keyboard. It uses the original layout for the QWERTY keys, albeit in a split-keyboard design, employing Cherry MX1A switches and ABS keycaps to create a keyboard experience that gamers, coders, and tech-geeks will absolutely love. Going above and beyond, the Grab Shell also comes with a toggle switch, joystick, scroll wheel, track-ball, left and right-click buttons, and literal handles that let you grab your keyboard and work without being bound to a desk. Moreover, the Grab Shell’s keys are completely backlit too, giving you the ability to work not just from anywhere but also pretty much at any time you feel productive! Don’t let anything get in the way of those all-night coding sessions!

The Grab Shell is available in two colors – Onyx Black and Moon White. Priced at a discounted $299, the Grab Shell is up for pre-order on its website, with deliveries beginning in June 2023.

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Logitech designed the perfect wireless keyboard for Gen-Z, complete with removable emoji keys!

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For a generation that prefers TikTok over Typing…

Modeled on the quirky design of Lofree’s keyboard, Logitech just announced the Pop Keys, a wireless keyboard with mechanical keys and a massive catch… the presence of dedicated emoji keys for the first time ever on a mechanical keyboard. Doused in incredibly spunky colors, the Pop Keys is clearly made for the younger generation, and it cleverly ditches the Numpad (something rarely used by Gen Z unless they’re serious gamers) for a row of removable, programmable emoji keys that immediately trigger an emoji on touch.

Designer: Logitech

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Available in three audaciously vibrant color combos (our hearts are firmly set on the ‘Blast Yellow’ variant), the Logitech Emo Keys is for the mobile generation, pairing seamlessly with phones, tablets, and even laptops, and allowing you to alternate between 3 devices just by pressing 3 hotkeys. The keyboard runs off 2 AA batteries, and comes with a mind-boggling 3-year battery life. On the inside are mechanical TTC Brown scissor-switch keys, designed to give the touchscreen-loving Gen-Z a taste of some tactile action, with a life of 50 million strokes that’s perhaps the highest of any Logitech keyboard. It’s nice to see Logitech invested in building durable products for a generation raised on single-day deliveries and use-and-throw cultures. In their defense, gadgets today aren’t particularly repairable either, so a durable keyboard is quite the treat.

The highlight of the Pop Keys, aside from its absolute splash of color, are the 5 quick-access emoji keys on the right. Designed to be customized/replaced, the keys pop off and can be swapped for other emoji keys (available in the box). The keyboard comes with 8 swappable emoji keys (comprising mostly the popularly used emojis) and one dedicated emoji menu key that lets you access the more niche emojis. The keyboard works seamlessly across different devices (with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac compatibility), and while it pairs via Bluetooth, it also comes with the signature Logi Bolt USB connector/receiver.

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