On May 28, 2026, Mediagene, Inc. announced that Keychron and GIZMART have begun a strategic partnership.
As the first initiative, Keychron’s new trackball mouse “Keychron T1 HE” will launch via crowdfunding on GIZMART starting June 1, 2026. Additionally, a split keyboard co-developed by Keychron and Gizmodo is scheduled to begin crowdfunding in mid-June.
Keychron and Gizmodo Japan co-developed the trackball device “Nape Pro” in 2025, and the project raised over 400 million yen across two crowdfunding campaigns.
This announcement appears to formalize an ongoing collaboration framework among GIZMART, Keychron, and Copeck Japan, where input devices are planned and launched based on feedback from the Japanese market.
Incorporating Japanese User Feedback into Product Development
Mediagene explains that this partnership leverages GIZMART’s user community connections and crowdfunding platform strengths to reflect Japanese user voices and latent needs in product development and updates.
This represents an interesting development for the domestic input device market, as demand and feedback from Japan are beginning to influence Keychron’s new product lineup.
Kawamura
I had the opportunity to speak with Nick previously, and he mentioned that the Japanese market is “unique.” However, considering this partnership, it seems more accurate to say that the Japanese market isn’t just “different,” but rather “has strong demand for products that meet cutting-edge needs.” The success of Nape Pro perfectly embodies this.
Keychron’s New Trackball Mouse “T1 HE” Arrives
The newly announced “Keychron T1 HE” is a thumb-operated trackball mouse.
While the “Keychron T1 HE” was developed in response to Japanese user needs, comments from Amito suggest the concept predates Nape Pro.
In other words, chronologically, Keychron had the trackball device concept earlier, refined it using insights gained from Nape Pro, and brought it to market now.
The product features a 34mm trackball designed for thumb operation.
However, the key differentiator from competing products is “a proprietary mechanism that allows adjustment of the ball’s front-back, left-right position, and height.”
The left and right clicks use Keychron’s new hybrid switch, the “Keychron MagOptic Switch.”
A new species is coming. One switch. Two trigger modes. Meet the Keychron MagOptic Micro Switch — freely switch between Optical Mode and Magnetic Mode in Keychron Launcher web app while preserving a crisp clicky feel. Faster. Cleaner. More durable. More👉 https://t.co/P2pe9m8Qarpic.twitter.com/UUVUXSzCDw
This switch can toggle between optical and magnetic detection methods, offering durability plus magnetic switch customization features like actuation point adjustment and rapid trigger.
It also supports the browser-based configuration tool “Keychron Launcher,” allowing custom button and wheel assignments.
Settings are stored in the device’s onboard memory, so your configuration is maintained even when connecting to a different PC.
Keychron T1 HE Main Specifications
Item
Details
Product Name
Keychron T1 HE
type
Thumb-operated trackball mouse
Ball diameter
34mm
Support Balls
Ceramic support balls
Buttons
6 buttons + scroll wheel
Tilt Wheel
not equipped (with)
Ball Position Adjustment
Front-back/left-right up to 3.5mm, height up to 3mm
Left/Right Click
Keychron MagOptic Switch
Configuration Tool
Keychron Launcher
Settings Storage
Onboard memory
access method
Wired / Bluetooth 3 devices / 2.4GHz
firmware
ZMK firmware
battery
600mAh
Maximum Continuous Use
106–122 hours
Size
81.3 × 119.4 × 53.3mm
Crowdfunding Starts June 1 on GIZMART
Keychron T1 HE will begin crowdfunding on June 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM on GIZMART, the online store operated by Gizmodo.
The seller is Copeck Japan, Keychron’s official distributor in Japan.
Available colors are Black, White, and Skeleton, with Skeleton being a GIZMART exclusive color.
Kawamura
Offering Skeleton as a limited color shows strong market awareness. It demonstrates a clear understanding of what appeals to gadget enthusiasts.
Sales Information
Item
Details
Project Name
The New Standard in Trackballs “Keychron T1 HE”
Start Date
June 1, 2026 (Mon) 7:00 PM
End Date
June 30, 2026 (Tue) 11:59 PM
Sales Location
GIZMART (within CoSTORY)
selling agency
kopec japan co.
Color
Black / White / Skeleton
super-early booking
7,480 yen (tax included, shipping separate)
discount for early booking
7,744 yen (tax included, shipping separate)
Regular Price
8,800 yen (tax included, shipping separate)
Keychron × Gizmodo Split Keyboard Also Announced
Another noteworthy aspect of this announcement is the co-development of a split keyboard by Keychron and Gizmodo.
Detailed specifications have not yet been revealed, but crowdfunding is scheduled to begin around mid-June 2026.
Split keyboards already have a dedicated following in the custom keyboard community.
Recently, the “Cornix LP” sold by Jezail Funder has gained popularity, and their crowdfunded “Jiffy75 LP” also attracted significant attention.
At the March 2026 Keyket event, Vortex exhibited the “M50,” a split keyboard with an integrated trackball, indicating that international brands are paying attention to the Japanese market.
Additionally, the “NocFree &” featured on Greenkeys received substantial traffic, and our editorial team senses growing interest in split keyboards.
This trend is partly driven by the fact that split keyboards, previously only available as DIY kits requiring soldering, are now being released as ready-to-use finished products.
In this context, the split keyboard co-developed by Keychron and Gizmodo could serve as a catalyst for bringing split keyboards to a broader audience.
The “Media-Originated Product” Trend Following Nape Pro
This development goes beyond Keychron simply releasing a new product.
What’s noteworthy is that Gizmodo Japan / GIZMART is not just covering products as a media outlet, but actively participating in product planning and sales.
Nape Pro was launched as a project born from the keyboard passion of Gizmodo editorial staff and was brought to market through co-development with Keychron.
Based on the announcement of T1 HE and the split keyboard, our editorial team believes this is not a one-off effort but an ongoing initiative in the input device space.
Keychron, originally known as a mechanical keyboard brand, has recently expanded into mice, trackballs, configuration tools, magnetic switches, and the broader input device category.
With the addition of Gizmodo / GIZMART’s planning capabilities and sales channels, plus Copeck Japan’s domestic distribution network, Keychron’s presence in the Japanese market is likely to strengthen further.
Points of Interest for Greenkeys
What Greenkeys finds particularly interesting is the development of the split keyboard.
While the T1 HE trackball mouse is an intriguing product, the split keyboard has the potential to expand the options for “ready-made keyboards” in the Japanese market.
However, split keyboards don’t automatically “sell” just because they’re split.
Split keyboards can be divided into two categories: “gadget-like devices resembling a spaceship control panel” and “devices that extend orthodox typing styles.”
The former includes devices like the “Cornix LP.”
These adopt a “columnar staggered layout” different from standard keyboards, have significantly fewer keys, and rely on layer operations for input.
While they require time to learn and involve considerable switching costs, they appeal strongly to gadget enthusiasts with their distinctive look and aesthetic.
The latter includes devices like the “Jiffy75 LP.”
These use a row-staggered layout and essentially “split a regular keyboard,” maintaining the same key count and lower switching costs.
On the other hand, if it’s the former type—”high learning curve but strong gadget appeal”—the target audience would be quite different.
To bring split keyboards to the mainstream market, it’s not enough to simply introduce them as “unusual keyboards.” Clearly articulating why they’re split, which users they suit, and how to transition from conventional keyboards will be key to conveying the product’s true value.
How will Keychron and Gizmodo bring the somewhat niche category of split keyboards to the general market?
And how will Japanese user feedback continue to shape future Keychron products?
This is a development worth watching for the domestic keyboard market.
Summary
With the strategic partnership between Keychron and GIZMART, Keychron’s input device expansion in the Japanese market is set to accelerate.
First, crowdfunding for the Keychron T1 HE will begin on June 1, 2026.
Then in mid-June, more details on the split keyboard co-developed by Keychron and Gizmodo are expected.
As a media-originated product following Nape Pro, how far will this initiative reach?
Keep an eye on trackballs, split keyboards, and Keychron’s future input device developments.
【Editorial Note】 The author participated as a tester during the early development of Nape Pro and provided feedback. This article is written as a news piece based on publicly available information.
First published: May 29, 2026
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Method of coverage: See official manufacturer release and official SNS postings
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Keychron and GIZMART Become Strategic Partners | New Trackball “T1 HE” and Split Keyboard AnnouncedFeatured image: https://www.mediagene.co.jp/2026/05/19840.html On May 28, 202...Accessories
Kawamura
