See eye-catching image: Keeb-On!
Perhaps the day has finally come when the public will recognize the “Transformational Layout Keyboard.
On September 14, 2024, “ErgoArrows Pro” was posted on the official X of film director Makoto Shinkai.
What is a column-staggered split keyboard?
Although it is a “familiar sight” to those in the neighborhood, few people in the general public would call it a “keyboard.
ErgoArrowsPro” is a keyboard developed by Salicylic Acid and sold through Keeb-On! (operated by moimate, Inc.).
The main feature of this keyboard is that it uses a “column staggered layout” (vertically displaced), which is different from a normal keyboard, and all keys are 1u size (the same size as normal alphabet keys).
It is also divided into left and right sections, and the left and right sides are connected by a “TRS cable (3-pole audio cable (in some cases, TRRS (4-pole) is required)” to enable communication between the left and right sides, allowing comfortable typing even when the hands are spread wide to the left and right.
The key layout is also very ingenious, with low-profile key switches (shorter than normal key switches) for each hand, arrow keys on each side, “T” and “B” on each side, which tend to be difficult to type due to the separation between the left and right hands, and multiple “thumb cluster switches” to increase the range of use of the thumbs, which are not often used on normal keyboards. The “T” and “B” keys are placed on each side of the keyboard, which tends to make it difficult to type due to the division between the left and right keys, and several “thumb cluster switches” are installed to expand the range of use of the thumbs, which are not often used on ordinary keyboards.
In addition, the keymap can be freely changed, allowing users to set macros (programs to perform specific actions) on the keyswitches located in the center, or to press keys simultaneously.
In addition, a dedicated ” hand rest (palm rest) ” (sold separately) has been adopted for ease of typing, pursuing both aesthetics and practicality in appearance.
The main unit is not a “finished product” but a “self-made keyboard kit” that requires assembly, but if the conditions* are met, it can be assembled without soldering, just by aligning the keycaps and key switches.
*Conditions｜Wired connection using KeebMicro-C or key micro and 4 consul (2.5mm) x 4
Keyboard area gaining attention in recent years
In recent years, the so-called “home-made keyboard” community has been gaining momentum, with a large-scale meetup event “Tenkey” being held several times a year, and “Keyboard Market Tokyo,” an exhibition and sale of keyboard-related products, is scheduled to be held in March 2025.
In addition, Japanese keyboard brands are also exhibiting their uniqueness in booths at Tenkey.
The release of the all-in-one keyboard “HHKB Studio” by PFU Corporation is still fresh in our memories, and the “Majestouch Xacro M10SP” released by Diatech Corporation is a commercial type split keyboard, which has lowered the hurdle for ordinary users to use. The progress of the keyboard industry in the past few years has been remarkable.
This site is a rare “media specializing in keyboards” in Japan.
We will continue to cover information about the keyboard area and keep the area lively.
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Author of this article
Greenkeys Editor-in-Chief/Web Writer
I am the editor-in-chief of Greenkeys, a Japanese media specializing in keyboards.
I am consistently responsible for reviewing, interviewing, verifying, photographing, measuring, and writing about mechanical keyboards, home-made keyboards, and input devices.
We have reviewed more than 100 keyboards and input devices to date, organizing information and providing market commentary on Japanese-layout keyboard compatibility issues.
We have also established the Japan Layout Alliance (JLA), an industry collaboration project aimed at standardizing the compatibility of Japanese-language keyboards, and are promoting activities in cooperation with domestic and foreign manufacturers.
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