Kinesis makes its keyboards even more ergonomic with new accessories

As if a keyboard split down the middle wasn't enough, Kinesis has now rolled out a pair of new accessories that promise to make its Freestyle keyboards, including the Solo (pictured above), even more ergonomic -- or, if you desire, even less so. Those include the Freestyle V3 accessory, which clips onto the base of the keyboard and gives you three different slope settings, and the Freestyle Ascent Multi-tent, which'll let you independently set each keying module in ten degree increments all the way up to 90 degrees, and lock 'em in at the desired distance apart from one another. If that sounds like the solution your wrists have been looking for, you can apparently grab both of 'em now, with the V3 running $25 and the Ascent setting you back a hefty $200 -- the Solo keyboard itself demands an even $100.

[Via BIOS]

[Kaiser-Machead @ Jul 21st 2008 1:50PM]

If it made the Transformer *Bvvvvk kvvv kvvv kvvv* sound when it shifts, I'd buy three.

[acme @ Jul 21st 2008 2:46PM]

lmfao

[El Taco @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:28AM]

That may have been the best first post ever.

[neofolklore @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:03AM]

Everything from the picture to the first post is epic

[Frun @ Jul 21st 2008 1:51PM]

Where is the wrist wrest on that thing. It seems like on the horizontal setup you would have you holding your hands up in the air. That could get very tiring.

[Frun @ Jul 21st 2008 1:53PM]

I meant vertical... sorry

[Kaiser-Machead @ Jul 21st 2008 1:54PM]

You'd probably have to provide your own. Thankfully, they're cheap.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jul 21st 2008 3:14PM]

just pretend you're tickling somebody.

[THJ @ Jul 21st 2008 2:00PM]

Bonus for hunt-n-peck typists - it works out your obliques.

[Denver_80203 @ Jul 21st 2008 2:01PM]

I dunno if just cutting a straight keyboard in half and tossing the parts up at an angle suddenly makes it ergonomic. The curves in the more common ergo boards is there for a reason as well.

[John McDole @ Jul 21st 2008 2:29PM]

Incorrect; when you stand up and rest your arms, your hands rest at their natural position. Typing on a regular keyboard, even an "ergonomic" keyboard, forces you to twist your radius bone. The "ergonomic" keyboards that only bend operate on your wrists only, not the tendons that extend further.

[Miker @ Jul 21st 2008 3:18PM]

I'm typing on a Kinesis Freestyle keyboard right now, and can tell you that they're absolutely fantastic ergonomic wise, so much so I've got one for home and one for work - they're that good. I use the VIP lifters which you can set at 5, 10 and 15 degrees.

They're not for everyone though, if you can't get on with a normal "natural" keyboard, then you definitely wont like them, but if the move from a straight keyboard to a normal ergo keyboard was a revelation for you, then I can practically guarantee that you'll have another revelation going to the Freestyle.

The split means that in addition to what other ergo keyboards do you are now not pulling your arms together narrower than your shoulders which causes muscle pulling, so you can now keep your arms at shoulder width and also angle each side of the keyboard to have a splay that is comfortable for you, rather than the fixed angle most ergo keyboards force you to have.

The only downsides of course are that you can't hunt and peck with the wrong hand and it's very expensive for a keyboard...on the other hand it looks cool, it a great conversation point, and will save your wrists.

[KC @ Jul 21st 2008 2:13PM]

I guess if anyone buys it and doesn't like it, he/she can at least use it as bookends...

[Lowest Ranked @ Jul 21st 2008 4:28PM]

....or return it for a refund?

[Clasifyd @ Jul 21st 2008 2:17PM]

I actually like the idea of the vertical keyboard. Having you hands 'horizontal' actually involves having them turned, where vertical is a more natural position. There are other keyboards like this (out of the box, with no added attachment) that seem to do this slightly better. I'm sure this setup would involve a bit of learning though, but I'm quite interested. Vertical mouses, too, for that matter.

[tiuk @ Jul 21st 2008 2:20PM]

I'll stick with a regular keyboard, thanks. Always thought ergonomic keyboards were crazy.

[John McDole @ Jul 21st 2008 2:26PM]

I owned a Keytronic Flexpro back in the day - it was the best keyboard I had ever used. To bad they charge so much for these things. :-(

Back to my Model-M!

[John Pastor @ Jul 21st 2008 3:05PM]

I have the Mac version of the Solo keyboard, and I love it - one of the best keyboards I've ever used. I've been using it with both the VIP and Incline accessories, both are very effective.

[HOOPER @ Jul 21st 2008 3:45PM]

JOHN PASTOR used SOLO KEYBOARD! It was super-effective!

[icepop4who @ Jul 21st 2008 3:08PM]

never could stand ergonomic keyboards; something about the space bar cut in halves makes me ill

[Nathan Dbb @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:50AM]

Why does it cost another $40 to get the 20 inch cable rather then the 8 inch cable?

Otherwise a good idea. But why not combine all that people want into one keyboard: quiet mechanical key switches along with ergonomics?

[Lovell @ Jul 21st 2008 3:56PM]

Okay, I am very interested in this thread. I use a Microsoft ergonomic now and still have a lot of wrist pain. I do an extensive amount of transcription and wondered if this would be worth the investment.

[Kevin @ Jul 21st 2008 4:18PM]

If the two halves of the split style are independently wired (or daisy-chained) you could mount one to each arm of your chair for the mad scientist look.

[hexhunter @ Jul 21st 2008 4:17PM]

I've seen keyboards set vertically like that before, they are made for people who have disabilities which limit arm movements. I suppose that the company didn't specifically consider that in their synopses for thos product as I am sure Engadget would have commented on that...

- Deus X Machina -

[Sarig @ Jul 21st 2008 4:34PM]

Suppose you've never had to take out sick-leave because of wrist-damage either :(

Count yourself lucky you're good with a normal keyboard, it really sucks if they're not.

[Sarig @ Jul 21st 2008 4:57PM]

and the reply system fails me for the second time today.

[milton thuroughgood III @ Jul 21st 2008 4:49PM]

This look pretty cool and relatively affordable. I only wish there were more ergo keyboards that included a touchpad at the center so the user doesn't have to reach for the mouse so often. looks like kinesis also sells that touchpad as an additional accessory, but priced a bit high at $65.

Adesso has what I described above but the keys are pretty damn loud.

Adesso

[milton thuroughgood III @ Jul 21st 2008 4:50PM]

embedded link failure:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823166028

[m @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:30AM]

i'm with you, sir. i wonder if somebody is sitting on a patent? i'm typing on a cirque ergonomic keyboard right now, which is like 10 years old. it has a track pad beneath the arrow keys, and it's the best keyboard i've ever had. the adessos are apparently some kind of successor to these, and look very similar, but are total junk by comparison. they feel like a cheap toy; the cirque is built like a truck. i can't believe it's lasted this long. i wish microsoft or logitech would just pay whomever and put something decent on the market.

[alexjustdoit @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:09AM]

Well I think the ergonomic keyboard they have NOW aren't good (make my hands and wrist uncomfortable) if it folds apart even more than that, well,
to me that would make one uncomfortable keyboard, hands down.

[alexjustdoit @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:10AM]

@jason (not Jason)

So what if he has the same name?

[alexjustdoit @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:11AM]

Sorry, had my tabs confused. Any way to delete my comment?

[Jason @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:00PM]

Let him go! Stay on the leadah!