Logitech Introduces Cordless Wave Keyboard
Logitech today unveiled a new keyboard design that it claims to be a significant evolution of the familiar straight keyboard. The new Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave kit and the Logitech Wave Keyboard feature the Logitech Comfort Wave Design, which is claimed to increase keyboard comfort for Mac and PC users.
Logitech combined three elements in its new design: a wave key frame design, a U-shaped constant curve, and a cushioned, contoured palm rest. The Wave keyboard keys are highest at the A and Enter keys, which are typically hit by the little fingers. Moving inward toward the pointer fingers, the keys decrease in height until reaching the D and K keys, which are typically hit by the longer middle fingers. The keys move up again in height to accommodate the pointer fingers at the G and H keys. The maximum distance between the keys’ peaks and troughs, the lowest and highest keys, is 4 mm. Because hands and fingers can rest in a more natural position and keys are closer to fingertips, the Wave key frame is said to help eliminate awkward hand and forearm positions, enhancing comfort and improving productivity.
The U-shaped constant curve features consistently sized keys that let people type with confidence and comfort. The subtle 5-degree curve allows people’s hands to open up and take a natural position instead of forcing the wrists to bend. The space bar, the most frequently hit key, also incorporates the wave and curve design – and its increased size makes it easy to hit.
The cushioned, contoured palm rest mirrors the wave-shaped key frame and provides gentle indents that position hands comfortably on the keyboard. With its padded, soft upholstery, the palm rest offers a comfortable place to rest the palms between typing sessions.
The Comfort Wave Design also offers large, convenient hot keys that are easy to see and hit. On both the PC and Mac, with Logitech software installed, hot keys can be mapped to launch folders, Web pages, or applications, such as photo galleries and music applications. For Windows Vista users, shortcut keys activate Flip 3D as well as Windows Sidebar and gadgets. Logitech developed new Vista gadgets: a status indicator for caps lock, num lock and scroll lock; a typing-speed indicator; and an error-rate tracker that calculates the number of times the user hits the backspace key. For Mac users, the default assignment for the Media Center hot key is Front Row.
The Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave features a cordless keyboard with the Comfort Wave Design and a cordless laser mouse. The ambidextrous laser mouse is designed to complement the curved style of the Wave keyboard. The mouse also features pixel-precise laser tracking and a soft rubber grip. Both mouse and keyboard feature a battery indicator light that alerts people when battery power is low.
The Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard-and-mouse combination is expected to be available worldwide beginning in late August and will have a suggested retail price of $89.99 (U.S.). The corded Logitech Wave Keyboard is expected to be available worldwide beginning in October and will have a suggested retail price of $49.99 (U.S.).
Source: Logitech
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