The most recent Freewrite gadget is an elegant mechanical key-board developed with authors in mind

The Detroit-based business Astrohaus has actually been making its “distraction-free writing devices” under the Freewrite name for concerning a years. Until now, those have actually all been standalone, single-purpose devices meant simply for drafting text, however Astrohaus is branching off at CES 2025. The business simply introduced a mechanical key-board called the Freewrite Wordrunner, a tool created especially with authors in mind.

This comes greater than 3 years after Astrohaus silently exposed objectives to construct a key-board, initially called the Master. Yet the business ultimately disengaged on its scheduled 2022 launch, and I had not listened to anything concerning it ever since– it appears that they have actually simply been functioning away at it this entire time. Chief executive officer Adam Leeb claimed in a news release that the business had actually been repeating and creating it for virtually 4 years.

Mechanical key-boards have mostly come to be the domain name of players; the business intended to construct a tool for individuals that make their living composing rather. Without investing some high quality time with it, I can not claim if they have actually struck that mark yet, however there are some enjoyable concepts on screen right here.

The Wordrunner has a tenkeyless layout that looks acquainted in the beginning look, however you’ll rapidly observe that the feature row has actually been changed by a customized collection of tricks that’ll make zooming around message papers quicker. That consists of locate and change, reverse and renovate, paragraph backwards and forwards along with back, ahead and refill tricks. I would certainly be distressed concerning shedding media controls from the feature row, however the Wordrunner has it covered with the brilliant red joystick/ switch. It relocates all 4 principal instructions, can be transformed like a handle and can additionally be pushed in up and down to avoid tracks, adjustment quantity or stop your songs.

Beyond, you’ll locate 3 adjustable macro tricks with the cutesy names “zap,” “pow” and “bam.” They’re programmable for anything you may desire, however Astrohaus recommended utilizing them to release details composing applications, transforming message to title instance or putting the day. I do not yet understand what I would certainly utilize them for, however having adjustable tricks is a table-stakes attribute for a lot of lover key-boards so I rejoice to see them right here.

Possibly one of the most aesthetically striking aspect of the Wordrunner are both mechanical counters you’ll see up leading. One is a timer you can make use of for composing sprints or simply remaining concentrated awhile. Much more appealing is the Wordometer dead-center on top of the key-board. It’ll track your words with its massive eight-digit mechanical counter, and given that it conserves your word matter as long as you desire, you can attempt and max it out at some point. Certainly, you can additionally reset it at any moment or stop it if you do not desire it to development while you’re talking with pals or sending out e-mails.

The mechanical tricks are backlit and make use of Kailh buttons; the keycaps are exchangeable however the buttons aren’t. It additionally has some audio wetting integrated in so you can utilize it without subjecting every person around to you extremely loud vital clacks (this might be an and also or minus depending upon exactly how you like your key-boards). When it comes to connection, the Wordrunner utilizes Bluetooth or USB-C, and you can couple the key-board with 3 various tools and rapidly button in between them with devoted hotkeys.

I obtained a possibility to have fun with a model of the Wordrunner, and my impressions was “wow, this is hefty!” It’s a thick piece of sleek light weight aluminum that matches the surface ofthe premium Hemingway edition of the Smart Typewriter Astrohaus creator/ chief executive officer Adam Leeb informed me that the business was firing to make this key-board seem like a costs, minimal version with the surface also if they’re preparing for it to be component of the irreversible profile.

While I really did not reach attempt the Wordrunner attached to a computer system, I still reached see the mechanical Wordometer turn over when I began inputting. It’s fairly pleasing to see it count up as I created a fictional tale on it, and there’s a tiny LED that’s environment-friendly when the counter is switched on and red when you transform it off. The tricks and take a trip all really felt terrific, and the joystick was likewise a wonderful responsive experience– I’m eagerly anticipating utilizing it like a quantity handle for media. Leeb claims that this key-board is still a model, however it really feels fairly sleek and virtually last to me.

Ultimately, there’s the ever-present inquiry of accessibility. Astrohaus is introducing the Wordrunner on Kickstarter, as it has actually performed with a lot of its various other equipment over the last one decade. The project ought to begin in February with early riser prices, however we do not understand what that rate will certainly be yet. Luckily, there’s a quite low-commitment method to obtain the most effective rate if you wonder. Astrohaus claims you can put a $1 booking for top priority accessibility and the most effective feasible prices, with strategies to supply the very first set of key-boards prior to completion of the year. That’s a lengthy means out, however a dollar isn’t a negative financial investment if you’re interested.

Update, January 8 2024, 9:27 PM ET: This write-up has actually been upgraded to consist of some hands-on perceptions and pictures of the Wordrunner.

We’re reporting online from CES 2025 in Las Las Vega from January 5-10. Follow our CES 2025 liveblog for the most up to date from the program flooring.