OnePlus goes beyond mobile with a stylish mechanical keyboard

OnePlus may have started out as an upstart that challenged the status quo of the smartphone industry, but it has long moved beyond making phones only. Never mind related accessories like earbuds and wearables, the company has also launched its self-branded TV in a few of its key markets. Then again, a smart TV might not be that far removed from the mobile ecosystem, especially one that’s running Android TV. A mechanical keyboard, on the other hand, could be stretching the association a bit, but that is apparently what OnePlus’s community has been thirsting for. As a company that prides itself on listening to strong community feedback, that is exactly what OnePlus will be doing, presenting a customizable mechanical keyboard that admittedly looks elegant and very much a OnePlus product, at least based on teasers.

Designer: OnePlus

You might find it strange that OnePlus users would be clamoring for a keyboard accessory, mechanical or otherwise, at least until you realize that these very same people often have to spend hours every day in front of a computer. If that’s the case, it makes sense that they’d want a tool that not only makes their lives easier but also reflects their lifestyle choices. A mechanical keyboard definitely addresses the first part, but one that is branded and designed like a OnePlus product definitely checks all the right boxes.

Responding to this resounding desire for a OnePlus mechanical keyboard, the company partnered with the famed keyboard maker Keychron to lay the foundations for such a product. Of course, the highlight isn’t just the mechanical keyboard itself, which you can also get from a pure Keychron keyboard, but the way it is designed to match OnePlus’s aesthetics and design philosophy. For example, unlike typical flashy mechanical keyboards, this upcoming OnePlus peripheral embraces a very minimalist design, using tones of gray with some red accents in the Escape key and the switches.

There are also a few design highlights that give the keyboard a unique OnePlus flair. The slider that switches between Wireless and Wired (USB) mode, for example, looks quite similar to the Alert Slider on OnePlus phones. There is also a visually stunning glass knob in the upper right corner, which could probably be programmed for different functions. OnePlus is also quite proud of its double gasket design and the use of “ultra-precise” CNC aluminum manufacturing that covers the sight, sound, and tactile experiences of using a sophisticated mechanical keyboard.

OnePlus also talks about the customization options available for the keyboard, from hot-swappable switches to highly configurable software. It doesn’t go into detail about how far those options go, however, and they will most likely be limited to switches and key caps on the hardware side. A lot of information about the keyboard is still unavailable at this point, but the scheduled February 7th launch is just two weeks away anyway.

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Google Japan Makes 5-Foot Long Keyboard with All Its Keys in a Single Row

Because when it comes to computing, there’s always room for unimprovement, Google Japan has created a 5.4-foot long keyboard with all the keys in a single row. Presumably inspired by the dancing piano keyboard scene from Big, its creators say the keyboard prevents having to look in every direction for the key you need since it can only be left or right and not up or down. Of course, you may still need a yardstick to reach it.

I learned how to touch type in high school, and it’s hands-down been one of the most useful skills I ever learned. As a matter of fact, it may be the only useful skill I learned in high school. I mean, besides, how to entertain myself in detention. Now I’m never bored.

I don’t think Google is actually going to produce the keyboard for sale, presumably because it’s a ridiculously bad idea. You need any more bad ideas, Google? Hire me; I’m full of them. Here’s a freebie: a 12-pound computer mouse that can only be moved incrementally for extreme precision.

[via PCMag]

Google Gboard Bar is a ridiculous keyboard that you can actually build yourself

The computer keyboard hasn’t changed its design significantly ever since it was first invented. Its layout, in particular, has remained the same typewriter arrangement with just a few variations. It’s definitely not the most ergonomic, nor is it the most efficient. Fortunately, there have been a few attempts to substantially reinvent the keyboard, though they remain niche and, at times, a bit expensive. With today’s technologies, however, it is certainly easier to create your own keyboard, which is what a few lovely Googlers in Japan have attempted to do. But rather than a simple reorganization of the keys, this Gboard Bar, named after the virtual keyboard on Android and iOS, reimagines the venerable keyboard from the ground up, leading to a design that’s just out of this world and, perhaps, even out of your desk.

Designer: Google

If you haven’t caught on to it yet, we’ll save you the trouble of figuring out that this Gboard Bar is pretty much an April Fools’ joke out of time. It’s sort of a pun that plays on how “bar” is the next syllable in the Japanese word for “keyboard.” So rather than focusing on the “key” part as they’ve always done for years, Google designers and engineers opted to move on to the next level. The result is a keyboard that’s 1650mm long or just under 65 inches or 5 feet 5 inches.

Of course, they have reasonable justifications for such an absurdly long keyboard. It saves you time from having to search for the right key in two dimensions (up and down) like on a traditional keyboard. With the Gboard Bar, you only need to search sideways to hit the right key. As long as you have a desk that’s wide enough, which most office workers have, you can save space by having a keyboard that sits neatly below stacks of papers and folders littering your desk. Pair programming, where two programmers share a single computer, becomes even easier with this keyboard. Who says only pianists can do a duet on keyboards?

There are also practical benefits to this design outside of actual typing, according to its designers. No longer will you have to fight with your cat over the keyboard because there’s nothing for it to lie on. The keyboard can also be a practical tool to reach for a distant switch or push items from underneath a couch. With the proper add-on, the keyboard can be used to catch real bugs rather than just programming bugs.

It’s definitely a ludicrous idea that will never work in real life, but that’s not going to stop anyone from having fun with it. These Googlers have even generously made the schematics and even the firmware for the Gboard Bar available for everyone to use in case they want to recreate this absurd device to their hearts’ delight. Who knows, maybe someone will actually find it more usable and invent new keyboard designs that will really turn the computing world upside-down.

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MelGeek Pixel lets you customize your keyboard using LEGO-like bricks and minifigs

There are dozens of keyboard designs available in the market targeting different audiences, from the suave professional to the chic influencer. Almost all of these keyboards come with a fixed design, and all but the most expensive mechanical keyboards for gamers let you customize their appearances. Even then, however, you’re still limited to the parts and designs that the manufacturer provides rather than having free reign on how you want your keyboard to look. When it comes to creative freedom, there is probably nothing that beats LEGO blocks, and this mechanical keyboard tries to bring that same system so that you can customize your own keyboard to match your style and mood without locking you into a single design.

Designer: MelGeek

The most customizable keyboards offer is the freedom to change keycaps. Many gaming keyboards have RGB lights that you can also personalize through software. Other than that, however, you’re mostly stuck with the color and design of the keyboard chassis, and you only get to choose from a selection of pre-made keycap designs anyway.

That’s what makes the MelGeek Pixel mechanical keyboard quite liberating. It uses a “LEGO-inspired” system that lets you customize almost every part of the keyboard. Both the front and the back of the keyboard are like blank slates, and you can create any blocky design you want. You can even set up mini-figures on top to give the keyboard a unique flair. Of course, you’ll have to make sure those don’t get in the way of your typing.

The customization options go beyond just the chassis, though. All the keys are studded, and you can remove them to customize the keys underneath. This way, you don’t have to settle for a single color and mix and match patterns to your heart’s content. MelGeek doesn’t mention which mechanical keycaps are used, only that it uses a gasket mount design. The keyboard’s LEGO theme continues even to its USB connectors, making sure that no piece looks out of place.

The Pixel Keyboard isn’t just all looks, of course. It has the standard features of a pro mechanical keyboard, including customizable RGB lights and both wireless and wired connections. Of course, its real appeal is its retro 8-bit aesthetic, thanks to its blocky design, which you can customize over and over again. If one day you decide you no longer like what you made, you can simply just start all over again. Your imagination and patience are the only limits.

The keyboard isn’t that expensive either, at least for a highly customizable mechanical keyboard, though it only has a pre-order price at the moment. The Pixel’s LEGO-like design will definitely not appeal to everyone, but it’s probably the next best thing to having a fully customizable keyboard you can change to suit your tastes and whims.

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This retro-futuristic keyboard concept has a modular trick up its sleeve

A computer keyboard is to a computer user as an instrument is to a musician. It is an indispensable tool in that line of work, particularly for creating things. But while musicians use every penny available for the best instrument their money can buy, most computer users skimp on keyboards as if they were inconsequential and unnecessary accessories. There are some cases, however, where people are forced to stick with certain keyboards, like a “tenkeyless” keyboard that saves at the expense of comfort and convenience. Those limitations, however, might not always be there, and this keyboard concept offers people the freedom to define the keyboard experience they need when they need it while also bringing a few other tricks to tickle power users’ fancy.

Designer: Zhang Zhirui

Computer keyboards have traditionally been large and bulky, with the “standard” keyboard occupying a lot of table space thanks to what is often called the numeric keypad or “numpad.” The dawn of laptops, however, forced keyboards back into a more compact form that included only the most essential keys, giving birth to what is now known as TKL or “tenkeyless” configurations. That numpad, however, isn’t just for show, and some people end up buying a separate numeric keypad just to fill the gap.

This keyboard concept manages to bring the best of both worlds by letting the user choose which way to go at any given time. That, of course, means that the keyboard is modular so that the numpad can be added or removed as needed. It’s not just that keypad, however, as the concept also includes a modular touchpad you can put on either side of the TKL keyboard in lieu of a mouse. What makes this concept interesting beyond the added functionality is how it manages to still keep everything in one compact space when only the keyboard is needed.

The numpad and touchpad magnetically attach to either side of the keyboard, allowing you to have different arrangements to fit your space, need, or habits. Finally, left-handed users can have a touchpad that’s actually convenient to use. The touchpad also works wireless and can connect to different devices. When it’s magnetically connected to the keyboard, however, it immediately controls the computer that the keyboard is connected to.

The keyboard adopts a design that looks both futuristic yet also has elements that seem to pay homage to the colors, shapes, and fonts of older keyboards. The transparent rear gives it a bit of a cyberpunk flair as well. The keyboard’s design still manages to look clean and tidy, and the modular parts disappear underneath the keyboard to charge when not in use.

The keyboard also has an additional row of buttons at the bottom, along with a thumbstick that replaces a mouse when the touchpad isn’t connected. The ergonomics of this pointing tool are a bit questionable, and the chances of people hitting the buttons with their palms seem to be a bit high. Of course, as a concept, it still has plenty of benefits over regular TKL keyboards that don’t have these extra buttons, but it might need a bit of refining to make sure that the keyboard remains comfortable and ergonomic as well.

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Cyberboard R2 looks more like a Daft Punk DJ deck than a keyboard

To some extent, computer users are like musicians, creating a beat with the thumping of their fingers on their keyboards, like hi-tech percussion instrument that reflects their player’s style. Some type slowly with breaks and pauses like a tango, while others fire in rapid taps like a salsa. Keyboards, especially mechanical ones, are instruments, both literal and musical, producing their own kind of harmony and musical style. With RGB lighting, many of these keyboards also become light shows, often changing to a specific theme or application. The Cyberboard R2, however, takes the musical analogy to a new level, where technology and art meet in a psychedelic disco party inspired by fashion.

Designer: Angry Miao

The Cyberboard R2 cites the Le Smoking as its spiritual inspiration. The 1966 original was revolutionary for its time, offering a stylish tuxedo suit for women, and became an iconic fashion style in the decades that followed. In 2013, fashion designer Hedi Slimane revived the glossy suit and transformed it into a glittery item for famed electronic music duo Daft Punk, creating a unique look that blended past and future in a glamorous way. This harmony of contrasts is what gave birth to this eye-catching keyboard, blending matte and gloss, darkness and color to create an experience that goes beyond mere typing.

The aluminum ingot that forms the body of the keyboard undergoes multiple polishing processes to create a PVD polished mirror effect. This shiny front contrasts with the textured matte finish of the keyboard’s sides, a nod to the original Le Smoking tuxedo. The RGB-lit keycaps shine like sequins on black scales reminiscent of the Daft Punk incarnation of the suit.

The keyboard’s real claim to fame, however, is its new LED panel with RGB lighting and 256-level dimming, allowing creative users more freedom in expressing their unique taste in scrolling text, animated emojis, and a kaleidoscopic display of colors. Whether you choose the Jet Black model of the keyboard, which sharply contrasts with this panel’s colors, or go all out on the Psychedelic colorway, you’re sure to catch the attention of anyone within visible range while letting your dazzling creativity free.

Of course, the Cyberboard R2 isn’t just all show, even if that’s what makes it special. Gateron Ink Black switches deliver a satisfying click to every tap. Bluetooth connectivity, which immediately turns on when you remove the USB-C cable, gives you the freedom to really go to town even when away from the computer. Remappable multimedia keys let you be the conductor of your computer orchestra, deciding what happens at each press of a key.

Of course, computer keyboards don’t need to look as colorful and bright as the Cyberboard R2. Of course, tuxedos don’t need to have shiny sequins either. But when you let your imagination and creativity fly, there’s no telling what you’ll come up with. And just like a DJ mixing music, there’s no reason you can’t create your own mix of colors on your keyboard, as long as you have a keyboard as retro-futuristic as this.

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This stone-inspired mechanical keyboard turns typing into a meditative activity

When you need to finish a story or program, this keyboard could help you to get into the zone with its appearance and sounds.

Conventional keyboards are pretty much made from plastic, giving them a bit of a cheap look and feel. Of course, there are mechanical keyboards that raise the bar higher in terms of materials as well as typing experience, and there are even all-metal variants that give the typing tool an industrial character. It is only recently that both designers and computer users have become a bit more interested in making their keyboards look more appealing or unique, but many of them tend to lean on the wild side of colors and design. Enter the Mason60- Zen Series of keyboards that give the most used and abused computer peripheral are more somber look and feel, inspired by the most stoic part of nature: a stone.

Designer: Brazen Studio

While many people will find it a bit annoying, there is also something almost hypnotic about the sound of keyboard typing, especially when using mechanical keyboards. Proof of that is how some ASMR videos or sounds make use of typing as part of these sometimes comical antics on the Web. Of course, when you’re frantically typing to meet a deadline, the sound coming from a keyboard will be similarly chaotic and stress-inducing, so it might sometimes help to have a visual reminder to slow down, stay still, and take a deep breath. Unsurprisingly, imagery related to Zen gardens is perfect for inducing such a calming mental state.

It’s easy enough to paint a keyboard case with a stone-like coating and call it a day, but that is a little boring and only addresses one of the two main senses. The Mason60- Zen keyboard, in contrast, uses a cement resin composite that gives it nearly the same substantial feeling and weight as stone, but without actually having to carve out the keyboard case from rock. It isn’t as heavy as stone either, but it’s no featherweight either at 1.65kg. While it does make moving the keyboard more taxing, it also makes it more stable and less likely to slide on your desk.

Brazen Studio goes beyond the looks, however, and makes sure your fingers can also feel the Zen. After being cast in a mold, the case is acid-etched to create a surface that closely mimics the texture of stone. Unfortunately, that does mean the process uses harmful chemicals that make the product less sustainable.

If those weren’t enough to set the Mason60- Zen keyboard apart from the crowd, the fact that each one is painstakingly finished by hand cements its status as an artisan piece, pun intended. That means that no two keyboards will exactly be identical, elevating their status beyond mere computer accessories. Those could be some of the thoughts and inspiration that go through your mind while you happily type on this beautiful mechanical keyboard, hopefully helping you to get into the mood and focus on the task at hand.

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Kwumsy K2 is a mechanical keyboard that carries its own touch screen

There are two things that hardcore PC users and gamers require and agree on, whether or not they use a touchpad or a mouse with one hand. They all want a trustworthy keyboard, often a mechanical one, and they all believe that a second screen would improve their productivity or level up their game. Funnily enough, it seems that someone did take those desires to heart and smashed them into a single peripheral. Taking a few pages from Apple’s MacBook Pro Touch Bar as well as the ASUS ZenBook Duo, this keyboard does more than just offer a second screen on top of a keyboard but also delivers a mechanical keyboard that tries to give that kind of typing experience that gamers, programmers, and writers love talking about.

Designer: Kwumsy

The idea of having a screen on top of your keyboard might sound ridiculous or excessive at first until you realize that PC manufacturers are actually going in that direction. Apple may have dropped the controversial Touch Bar from the MacBook, but other PC makers are starting to embrace it. ASUS took that idea to the extreme by having a rather sizable display instead of just a strip of OLED screen above the keyboard.

In theory, the idea is that this second screen could become a dedicated control panel or tool palette for different apps. This would free the main monitor to actually display content or the document that you’re working on. It could also simply be a second monitor for less important parts of an, like chat in a live stream, comments on YouTube, and the like. In practice, however, it’s not something that happens magically and requires a lot more juggling and trial and error to get right.

The mechanical keyboard part is at least more conventional, using Gateron Blue switches that offer plenty of resistance and clickyness to satisfy the needs and preferences of very active users. The tactile feedback and accuracy offered by these switches can even be critical in maintaining an edge in fast-paced competitive gaming. The pudding keycaps have transparent lettering to let the gamer-typical RGB lights shine through. Unfortunately, they’re also made from ABS plastic, so they wear out easily over time.

Despite looking almost like a complete computer, albeit one with an odd half-screen, the Kwumsy K2 is really just an external monitor and keyboard that you have to connect to a desktop or a laptop. That does limit its compatibility to a few devices, though it’s really only iPhones and iPads that are not invited. Even if it does successfully connect to a computer, however, the functionality of that built-in touch screen can be a hit or miss, depending on the operating system and the software.

The whole enclosure is also quite big and thick, about 1.22 inches think and 9.15×13.17 inches around. It’s not exactly the most portable peripheral, especially if you’re already carrying around a hefty gaming laptop. It’s definitely meant to stay at home or in a studio, where its extra screen could do wonders for people using specialized software. Outside of those, however, it’s a pretty niche accessory for an almost niche group of computer users, but one that seems to be catching on among other accessory makers trying to capitalize on this new fad.

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This chunky palm-sized DIY laptop cleverly hides a split ergonomic keyboard

We’ve seen our fair share of small laptops over the past years, some of them made and sold by actual manufacturers, while others are works of love and passion by hobbyists. Tiny laptops, sometimes called palmtops, have the advantage of portability over normal notebooks, but they are terrible when it comes to comfort while typing. You can only cram so many keys in such a small space, forcing designers and users to perform finger acrobatics to activate additional keys. That’s not even considering yet the ergonomics of bending your wrists to fit your fingers in such a cramped space. That is the problem that this bulky “palmtop” tries to address by miraculously fitting a slightly more comfortable keyboard in a 7-inch space.

Designer: Daniel Norris

This contraption isn’t called the Chonky Palmtop for no reason. Unlike other DIY laptop projects, this one makes no qualms about being a large plastic brick. It’s not going to be usable on your palm, though you probably won’t use it like that anyway. After all, what makes this special is how it tries to make typing a bit more comfortable on a laptop of this size.

The secret is that it splits the keyboard into two halves, adopting a layout that is similar to those ergonomic keyboards you’d find in the market. Those, however, are giants compared even to regular keyboards, so the designer that created this wonder of engineering adopted a sliding mechanism that allows the halves to fan in and out as needed. Even this kind of keyboard layout is still no match for a proper typing tool, but it is loads better than the cramped keyboards on some 8-inch laptops.

That mechanism is one reason why this machine is so “chonky,” but it isn’t the only culprit. A full-sized Raspberry Pi 4 is used, along with additional components for the battery and the controller for the 7-inch touch screen display. Very few compromises were made, so these pieces are used in their full form, leading to a very large chassis to house everything. That and the keycaps themselves are your chocolate keyboard sizes, adding to the overall height of the laptop.

As with most DIY computers, assembling this one takes a lot of effort and soldering work. Fortunately, the thinking and designing involved are already done, and Daniel Norris generously lists almost everything you need. What software you run on this thing really depends on you, but the RPi itself is quite preferential to specific flavors of Linux.

Of course, it does raise the question of whether you’d even want to use a computer of that size for your everyday needs, but it also raises the need for better computer keyboards in general. Hopefully, laptop designers will figure out a mechanism like this that will enable ergonomic keyboards to fit in cramped spaces, making portable computers less of a pain, literally.

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This upright piano features a built-in HD display screen for easy playing and learning

The Mozart Console Piano is an upright digital piano with an integrated HD display screen for easy playing and learning.

If everyone could play piano like Mozart, we would. One of the most sought-after skills to learn, playing the piano is no easy feat. It takes practice, musical knowledge, and some natural rhythm to pull off the melodies and chord progressions we hear on the radio.

Designer: Hs2 Studio

That being said, learning how to play the piano is worth it if you’re interested in progressing your musical expertise. The Mozart Console Piano, an upright keyboard with an attached screen display, was designed by Hs2 Studio to merge the digital world with the classic piano for easy playing and learning.

The Mozart Console Piano merges the conveniences of technology with the artful craft of analog devices to turn the piano into a musical experience that anyone can enjoy. The Mozart Console Piano appears like any other classic, upright piano, except for its 32-inch HD touch display that’s propped right in the center of the piano.

The 32-inch HD display is multipurpose, offering both distance learning features for amateur players to follow along with and familiarize themselves with piano playing. Just like a regular piano, the 32-inch display screen also functions as a digital songbook, showcasing music sheets for piano players to follow.

As our world is immersed deeper and deeper into technology, our non-tech devices have been getting supplemented with digitized features for optimization. The crafts and skills that might have felt just beyond our reach, like learning a new language or reading 100 books over the span of a year, have become easier to obtain through technology. Innovations like audiobooks and Duolingo are testaments to how technology makes everyday activities feel a little more accessible. The Mozart Console Piano aims to bring that same touch to the world of music.

An accompanying seat comes along with the upright piano.

The Mozart Console Piano’s digital display screen can showcase sheet music in real time.

The Mozart Console Piano maintains a simple silhouette and all-black glossy finish.

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