OnePlus‘ ongoing global 9th anniversary event of today (December 17, 2022) has served in part to unleash its ambitions to get into markets far beyond its traditionally Android-based origins with its new “Featuring X” range. These, apparently, include the PC sector – in terms of peripherals, at least.
The OPPO-affiliated brand has now revealed its intention to release its first-gen keyboard, complete with its own custom profiles and even its own switches “co-created with fans“.
It is now confirmed to be mechanical in nature; despite this, the brand intends to confer a custom “sound” on its action thanks to a “double gasket design” that softens it to a specific degree; in other words, this may not be one for fans of the classic clack.
The resulting “all-day comfort“ whether typing or gaming will apparently be delivered in a high-end aluminum package made using an “ultra-precise CNC” process. OnePlus has yet to specify whether it will be wireless or not, although it has teased its “seamless” compatibility with Linux, Windows and macOS alongside an image of a tablet in a kickstand case.
Despite this, OnePlus has chosen a layout from a MacBook for its new keyboard. Then again, it also intends to support open-source firmware such as VIA or QMK and hot-swaps for switches in its proposed accessory.
On that note, this product is still in the concept phase (to involve crowd-sourcing its design with the brand’s official community members) at present, and is projected not to launch until February 2023, with mass production in March or April to follow.
Buy a SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless mechanical keyboard on Amazon
I became a professional writer and editor shortly after graduation. My degrees are in biomedical sciences; however, they led to some experience in the biotech area, which convinced me of its potential to revolutionize our health, environment and lives in general. This developed into an all-consuming interest in more aspects of tech over time: I can never write enough on the latest electronics, gadgets and innovations. My other interests include imaging, astronomy, and streaming all the things. Oh, and coffee.