The world of computer keyboards has changed a lot in a decade. The mechanical keyboards have become mainstream due to the experience they provide when pressing the keys, far above the membrane keyboards. However, most mechanical keyboards are aimed at the gaming sector. Astrohausbased in detroityou want to add variety with the Freewrite Wordrunner, one designed specifically for writers.
The keyboard has a type layout TKL or tenkeylesswhich are the ones that lack the standard calculator-type numeric keypad. It’s aimed at writers and desk space is often at a premium, so why keep something you won’t use or very little of?
Another optimization for writing that includes is a row of renewed F function keys. Instead of the usual F1, F2, etc., Wordrunner includes useful editing shortcuts such as undo, reload, print, page up/down, search, etc. The functions are represented with an icon at the top and their name on the side that the user sees. There are also customizable macro keys tagged with onomatopoeia such as Zap, Pow and Bam.
Above the keys, it has several interesting additions, also designed for writers. There is two mechanical counters. The largest shows the number of words that have been written. It can be left running, it has 8 figures, or restarted when necessary. The smallest, 4 figures, is a timer that you can use to help you stay focused using time management methods, such as the Pomodoro system, and make progress in your writing.
He red rotary controller from the upper left corner is customizable and allows you to manage the volume, multimedia functions and other actions. Tourbut it also works like a directional switch which can move up, down, left and right to activate different functions.
The Freewrite Wordrunner has an aluminum body similar to the company’s other writing products, praised for their excellent build quality. The keyboard uses mechanical switches Kailhso they cannot be exchanged. This can be a disadvantage compared to other mechanical keyboards, which have mostly adopted hotswap type sockets that allow greater customization.
The Freewrite Wordrunner is a Kickstarter project that will be launched in the coming months. For now, It is possible to reserve it for one dollar. The final price is still unknown.