What is the next “keyboard” shape that we can see from TOKYO KEYBOARD EXPO?

TOKYO KEYBOARD EXPO closed with great success.

I would like to explore somewhat what the “next” keyboard will look like from the appearance of the latest keyboards exhibited in China, which leads not only Japan but also the world.

What keyboard comes next?

You probably know that the keyboard probably originated as a typewriter.

The QWERTY layout is used around the world, and it can be said that the device is quite mature for the use of “typing text.

In recent years, the “low latency” competition, which is required for gaming keyboards, has almost reached its peak around 8000 Hz, and the aspect of “differentiation by incorporating features” seems to have become quite saturated.

With more and more “similarities” in terms of looks, I would like to somewhat predict where the keyboard will “go next” from multiple angles.

Feature

As for the features of the keyboard itself, I have the impression that the keyboard itself has been I have the impression that the keyboard itself has almost all the features.

As for wireless connectivity and keymap changes, the major players are now supporting them as standard, and latency is not a major issue with regard to genres other than gaming keyboards.

Therefore, the focus will be not only on the keyboard, but also on the peripheral features other than the keyboard I feel that the focus will be not only on keyboards, but also on peripheral functions other than keyboards.

In this sense, we may see more integration of tracking devices and keyboards.

It is possible that we will see a fusion of trackball and keyboard, which has been popular in the Japanese home-built keyboard industry for several years, a fusion of trackpoint, which has been seen in the HHKB Studio, and a fusion of trackpad and keyboard, as seen in the Flow2 and the HHKB Studio. In addition, it is possible that a new model with a trackpad and keyboard, as seen in the Flow2 and HHKB Studio, will be released.

design

As a total coordination including keycaps as well as keyboards, fashionable keyboards. will increase.

I believe that keyboards will no longer be just about “functionality,” but will be more of a fashion device that can be shared with others as a pleasure to own and a pleasure to attract.

physical layout

After all, the orthodox “lateral shift = low staggered layout” has been and will continue to be strong in the future.

Recently, however, the rise of the “orthogonal (grid array)” keyboard has become more noticeable.

At first glance, it doesn’t even look like a keyboard, but you will get used to it when you use it.

I know it is really a gradual process, I expect that the number of options other than Lowe Staggered will steadily expand I expect this to be the case.

Size

Driven by the fact that keymap changes are becoming more commonplace, we expect to see keyboards smaller than the 60% layout in the future.

Already in China, layered input is assumed to be the norm. keyboards of 40% size or smaller, which are designed for layered input, are already becoming a trend This trend may spread to the rest of the world.

profile

Keyboards with so-called “normal profile standard” key switches based on Cherry MX, which offer good key feel, will remain popular.

However, it is steadily making its presence felt with regard to “low-profile keyboards” as well.

In today’s business world, people are probably using the thin pantograph keyboards on notebook computers more often than they are using the keyboards provided with desktop computers.

There is no doubt that the “low-profile mechanical keyboard Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard” is surely the one that will appeal to the “mass audience”. low-profile mechanical keyboards.

summary

This is just a little imagination of what the “next keyboard” will look like.

After all, no matter how advanced voice input becomes, it seems to me that the need for a physical input device will somehow remain the same.

I look forward to seeing what keyboards emerge in the future.