Keychron × Gizmodo announces the new “Orca echo.” A split keyboard with a trackball and wheel launches in Japan first from June 19.
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It’s packed with all the latest trends.
On June 2, 2026, Mediagene Inc. officially announced “Keychron Orca echo” (Orca echo), its second co-developed product with Keychron, on Gizmodo Japan’s media-linked crowdfunding platform “GIZMART.”
Keychron Orca echo is an input device that combines a split keyboard with a trackball, wheel, and scroll pad.
The prototype will be unveiled to the world for the first time at “COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2026,” held in Taipei, Taiwan from June 2, 2026, and Japan-first crowdfunding on GIZMART is scheduled to start on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Keychron Orca echo Debuts | A trend-packed 40% split keyboard with a trackball
It arrives loaded with so many features it’s almost a traffic jam of trends.
Let’s take a look at what we know about Keychron Orca echo so far.
A split keyboard with a trackball, wheel, and even a scroll pad
A key feature of Keychron Orca echo is that it’s not just a split keyboard—it’s designed to blur the line even further between a keyboard and a pointing device.
A trackball sits under the right thumb, with a wheel on the left side. On top of that, there’s also a vertical scroll pad in the center of both units.
In other words, it’s designed so not only typing, but also pointer control, scrolling, and wheel operations can be done as much as possible around the home position.
Split keyboards are starting to trend in the DIY keyboard scene.
Among them, the most popular are those “with a trackball” or “with a trackpad.”
As for trackball placement, it sits further inward than “Keyball,” a pioneer of split keyboards with trackballs, and in the DIY keyboard context it’s closer to the placement on “FrostOrtho.”
At this point, details like keycap profile, switch type, and whether it’s low-profile or high-profile haven’t been disclosed, but judging by the look, it seems likely to use a low-profile design.
For switches, options like the Gateron LP 2.0 series—often used by Keychron—seem possible, but we’ll have to wait for the official specs.
The 49-key column-staggered layout can be customized with Keychron Launcher
Keychron Orca echo uses a 49-key column-staggered layout.
In terms of layout direction, it feels close to the column-staggered lineage represented by boards like the Lily58 and Corne.
Even though Keychron Orca echo is a split keyboard, it’s also designed with portability in mind.
The left and right units can attach to each other with magnets on the underside, and it’s said they can be bundled into a single compact gadget for travel.
On top of that, a dedicated carry case to protect the delicate keys is also planned for release at the same time.
In the DIY keyboard scene, this mechanism is used on boards like “Lalapad Gen2.”
On the ergonomics side, it includes a built-in two-stage tenting stand.
Tenting is a mechanism that tilts the left and right halves outward to bring your wrists and forearms closer to a natural angle.
With Orca echo, you can adjust the angle to your preference, making it easier to find a position that suits your posture during long typing sessions or work.
It’s also used on boards like Cornix, but what stands out on Orca echo is that it uses integrated tenting legs.
Connectivity supports wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz
For connectivity, it supports wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless.
Gizmodo Japan’s article says Bluetooth supports three devices, and it also supports 2.4GHz wireless.
Battery capacity is 800mAh, with continuous use rated at about 240 hours in 1K mode and about 65 hours in 8K mode.
Of course, the connection between the left and right halves is also wireless, so it’s nice that you can use it cable-free.
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This is a very minor point, but the method used for left-right syncing is also something to watch. If it can sync reliably over 2.4GHz as well, it could be a very usable wireless split keyboard.
To be showcased at COMPUTEX, Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Meetup, and the GIZMART Summer Fair
Keychron Orca echo already has a post-announcement showcase schedule.
Schedule
Details
June 2–5, 2026
World premiere at COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2026
June 6, 2026
Fastest domestic showcase at Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Meetup vol.11
June 19, 2026
Showcased at the GIZMART Summer Fair; crowdfunding starts at 8:00 PM the same day
For users in Japan, the standout date is Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Meetup vol.11 on June 6. It’s being positioned as a chance to try the prototype first in Japan, making it a valuable opportunity to check the real unit before crowdfunding begins.
Also, on June 19 the prototype will be displayed at the GIZMART Summer Fair, and after the event ends, Japan-first crowdfunding is scheduled to begin on GIZMART.
Key details released
Item
Details
Product Name
Keychron Orca echo
Co-development
Keychron × GIZMART / Gizmodo Japan
Product Category
Split keyboard with a trackball
Key Count
49 keys
pointing
19 mm trackball under the right thumb
Other controls
Wheel on the left side; vertical scroll pads on both halves
Tenting
Built-in two-stage tenting stand
customize
Supports Keychron Launcher
Settings Storage
Onboard memory storage
connection
Wired / Bluetooth (3 devices) / 2.4GHz wireless
battery
800mAh
Battery life
Approx. 240 hours in 1K mode / approx. 65 hours in 8K mode
Portability
Left and right units can attach magnetically
Accessories
Dedicated carry case planned for simultaneous release
It boldly packs many of the elements currently getting attention in the input-device world into a single unit.
On the other hand, in the context of mainstream keyboards, it’s also undeniably quite niche.
In today’s keyboard scene where “horizontal offset (row-staggered)” is the de facto standard, adopting “vertical offset (column-staggered)” in a mass-market product is, even for Keychron, a pretty big “challenge” in our view.
On top of that, the 49-key setup centered on layer-key operation, and the control scheme that includes the trackball, wheel, and scroll pad, will feel unusual compared to typical keyboards—so the high switching cost could be a barrier to adoption.
So rather than being for everyone, it’s likely to strongly appeal to users who want to build their input setup to their liking, users who want to work without leaving the home position, and users interested in split keyboards and trackballs.
That said, it’s also true that these kinds of “sharp” devices are becoming more common in the gadget world.
In recent years, Keychron has been actively expanding into split keyboards and trackball territory as well, with models like the Q11 Ultra 8K and the T1 HE.
With Gizmodo Japan / GIZMART’s planning power added in, Orca echo looks set to become a highly watched project in Japan’s keyboard market too.
Depending on how it goes, the editorial team even thinks it could have the potential to overturn the usual assumptions of “horizontal offset” in the keyboard category.
For now, we plan to check out how it feels to use at Tenkaichi Keyboard Waiwai Meetup Vol.11 on June 6.
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