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QwerkyToys Qwerkywriter S mechanical keyboard review

REVIEW – As I’m sure the Gadgeteer Kid, my wife, and many friends & family would attest to, I’m pretty old school. While I do love tech-toys and modern conveniences, I could easily see myself living in past decades. So when I came across the Qwerkywriter S, it definitely caught my attention. I’ve been wanting to try a wireless mechanical keyboard paired with my iPad Pro for a while now and the Qwerkywriter S’s Ernest Hemingway vibe pushed me past the line to give it a try.

What is it?

The Qwerkywriter S from Qwerkytoys is a typewriter-inspired wireless mechanical keyboard with an excellent last century, retro look and feel to it. Its design aesthetics are meant to emulate a pre-electric typewriter from way back in the day. The Qwerkywriter S is a second generation device with a multitude of improvements/refinements over the original.

Design and features

The Qwerkywriter S is very well constructed from solid materials with a hardy utilitarian, World War II design to it. But don’t let looks fool you, this keyboard has all of the functions and capabilities as any modern counterpart. The Qwerkywriter S isn’t what I would consider a full-sized typewriter but its key spacing/layout isn’t any smaller than the average laptop keyboard either. The Qwerkywriter S has a pretty standard layout with letter keys, modifiers, number row, and function row. The right side has additional keys including page up/down, home, and the arrow keys.

The main body of the Qwerkywriter is made from a relatively thick, aluminum giving the keyboard a great heft to it. The aluminum chassis has a scratch resistant matte coating applied to it. To contrast its black matte finish, the keys and other hardware have bright, shiny chrome accents. The keyboard is approximately 13″ x 7″ x 2.5″ and weighs in at just under 3 lbs.

The keys are made from a hard black plastic with each symbol stenciled onto their tops. The mechanical keys are Cherry™ MX “clicky” switches for that “ultimate tactile feedback” and sound experience. I think the click sound these mechanical switches produce is cool/endearing but my wife did point out how much the “noise” irritated her when she was within earshot.

The key travel seems like miles compared to my 12″ MacBook butterfly mechanisms and does take a while to get use to. The phase…”hunting and pecking” does come to mind. When compared to my Apple wireless keyboard, the Qwerkywriter S does take up more space/volume of my desk but its weight and design keeps it from sliding around my workspace which my Apple one does often.

As I said, the Qwerkywriter S has most, if not all the modern day features and functions of any other wireless keyboards currently on the market. The Qwerkywriter S has multi device wireless connectivity enabling you to pair it to three devices at one time. Allowing you to quickly and easily swap between devices. In addition to wireless connectivity, the Qwerkywriter S has the ability to direct connect via microUSB cable.

The Qwerkywriter S has a tray built into the back where you would have inserted a sheet of paper into the rollers of a real typewriter back in the day.

The slot is designed to be a tablet stand and does an excellent job of holding my iPad Pro securely in place. The slot has a thick rubber-like foam on the bottom to protect the sides of your tablet. That said, I would suggest Qwerktoys coat the backrest with some soft material to prevent the metal from scratching your back of whatever device it’s supporting.

Qwerkytoys has engineered a programmable macro key that you really can’t miss…the large, chrome Return bar. The carriage return lever comes preprogramed as the Enter function but I found myself using the standard Enter key on the right side of the keyboard 99% of the time.

The Qwerkywriter S has dual function scroll knobs that control volume on the left knob and mouse scroll on the right knob.

The power button is located on the back, rear right side on the keyboard.

The keyboard is recharged via a microUSB port. There is a 1,000mAh internal battery that Qwerkytoys promises keeps the Qwerkywriter operational on Bluetooth for approximately a month. In addition to Bluetooth, you can physically connect the USB cable directly to your computer which enables you to type and charge the Qwerkywriter S concurrently.

What I like

  • Excellent build and material quality
  • Heavy, does not slide around your desk
  • Classic key clicking sound
  • Programmable macro keys
  • Great old world vibe

What needs to be improved

  • Expensive
  • Backrest could scratch your tablet
  • Classic key clicking sound

The Qwerkywriter S is available with US, UK, German (QWERTZ), French (AZERTY), Italian, Nordic, and Spanish key layouts. In addition to a variety of keyboard layouts, Qwerkytoys has recently announced that the Qwerkywriter S will also be available in Pink, Mint, and White.

Qwerkywriter S is compatible with iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows and comes with a one year warranty.

Final thoughts

I grant you the Qwerkywriter S is a bit of a niche device with a look, feel, and sound experience all its own. Its novelty and aesthetics might be lost on many in today’s modern world but I find it a definite keeper. I love its manual Remington typewriter, Ernest Hemingway vibe. Its built-in tablet stand makes it an excellent iPad Pro, stay on your desk wireless keyboard. I’m not sure just how much I’ll actually use it with my MacBook, but I will be putting it on display as desk-art and conversation piece when not paired up with my tablet.

Price: $259.99
Where to buy: The Qwerkywriter S is available on Amazon or directly from Qwerkytoys.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Qwerkytoys.

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QwerkyToys Qwerkywriter S mechanical keyboard review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 3, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard review

REVIEW – Do you like a minimalist keyboard with shallow keys and a modern style to go with your high tech computer or do you like to change things up and go with an eye-catching keyboard that has a vintage style but modern tech hidden inside. The AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard is all that and more. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard is a Steampunk-styled retro mechanical keyboard with modern features like Bluetooth or USB, multi-device connectivity, a rechargeable battery, and backlit keys.

What’s in the box?

  • AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard
  • Palm rest
  • Interchangeable feet
  • USB Type-C cable
  • Dust brush
  • Drawstring bag
  • User guide

  • Mac & PC replacement keycaps

Design and features

The AZIO R.C.K. is available in four styles that include a top plate made of wood or leather. The style I chose to review is the Elwood version with gunmetal trim. Wow it is stunning.

At not quite 13 inches wide x 5.5 inches high, this is a compact keyboard that won’t take up a lot of room on your desktop, but still feels very roomy to type on.

The keyboard is heavy, so that and the large round feet mean that stays put on your desk which is a good thing.

As is, the keyboard has a slight ergonomic rise to the back edge, but if you want the angle even steeper, you can change out the back feet with the taller second set included with the keyboard.

The R.C.K. can be used wired with the included USB-C cable which doubles as a charging cable. If you prefer wireless, you can connect it to up to 3 devices using Bluetooth. I did all my testing with my 12inch MacBook paired via Bluetooth.

The AZIO keyboard supports Mac and PC layouts which you can toggle with the switch on the back. Included with the keyboard is a selection of keycaps that you can swap out for the preferred operating system.

One thing to be aware of is this AZIO keyboard is very tactile and with that comes noise. It’s a clicky keyboard and that will be something you’ll either love or hate as will anyone in the same room with you. This isn’t the type of keyboard that you’ll want to use in a bedroom if there are others trying to sleep.

Here’s a quick soundbite so you’ll know what I mean: azio-keyboard

The slightly concaved backlit keys are round with a matte finish. They are large and comfortable to press.

But another thing to keep in mind is the key travel. Unlike many laptop keyboards and modern desktop keyboards that have slim keys with shallow travel, the keys on the AZIO keyboard press down a LOT. Like a vintage keyboard from days gone by. It can feel like you’re giving your fingers a workout if you’ve never typed on such a keyboard before. The first day or so felt a bit awkward, but I soon become accustomed to it.

The keyboard comes with a matching palm rest which I thought would be uncomfortable, but it wasn’t at all. The wood is smooth and warm and really does add to the overall look of the setup. Speaking of which, AZIO also offers matching mice and mouse pads as an optional purchase.

The keyboard’s battery is 5,000 mAh and will last for about 9 months with the backlight off. With the backlight on, it will last for about 1 to 2 months depending on the backlight intensity setting.

AZIO Retro Classic mouse and leather mouse pad

These accessories are not included with the purchase of an AZIO keyboard, but if you want a cohesive look, they have you covered with their wireless mouse that is available with a black or white leather covering that has a copper, gunmetal, or black scroll wheel.

Like the keyboard, the Retro Classic mouse charges via USB-C and can be connected to your computer with a USB RF receiver or via Bluetooth.

That mouse has a built-in high-capacity 1000mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable battery that will provide up to 4 months of use on a single charge.

The mouse looks nice but I’m pretty fond of my Logitech MX Master 2S which allows me to turn off the ratcheting scroll wheel which I am not fond of. Unfortunately, the AZIO mouse doesn’t have such a feature.

The large 11 x9 inch leather mouse pad is very nice and comes with an adhesive gunmetal and copper ring that you can stick on the logo stamped into the pad.

Isn’t it pretty? And yes, I did figure out that I have the mousepad upside down. Their logo is an A for AZIO.

I haven’t used a mousepad in years and this one has been a nice change. It’s smoother than my semi-textured desktop surface, which makes all my mousing activities faster.

What I like

  • Gorgeous look
  • Excellent craftsmanship
  • Vintage style with modern features
  • Multi-device pairing

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing

Final thoughts

Keyboards like the AZIO Retro Compact Keyboard (R.C.K.) are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Some people won’t like the clickity clackity sound that the keys make while you’re typing. Some might find the key travel to be too extreme. But for mechanical keyboard fans, the AZIO keyboard could become their new favorite. The modern features paired with the look, feel, and luxury construction really do make this keyboard stand out from other mechanical keyboards on the market.

Price: $219.99 (Keyboard), $99.99 (Mouse), $49.99 (Mouse pad)
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by AZIO.

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AZIO RCK Retro Compact Keyboard review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 31, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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AZIO keyboards make me want to go full on steampunk

NEWS – I’ve always been a fan of steampunk themed products because I like their gritty mechanical look and feel. I’m also a sucker for products that combine gears, levers, buttons, leather, and wood into retro-futuristic sculptures that actually do something useful. That’s why these retro compact Bluetooth keyboards from AZIO are calling my name.

AZIO has offered a variety of full-sized keyboards for a while now, but their Retro Compact Keyboard (RCK) series are more… well… compact! They offer these keyboards in all of the materials that I mentioned liking above. They feature mechanical backlit clicky keys resting over a leather or wood plate wrapped in a metallic frame.

Available in black, copper, white, or wood finishes, these are premium keyboards with a premium $219.99 price to match. If you’re ready to spend your tax refund, head over to aziocorp.com for all the details. Amazon carries some of the models as well.

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AZIO keyboards make me want to go full on steampunk originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 5, 2019 at 12:52 pm.

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Get a cool foldable Bluetooth keyboard as a stocking stuffer

Do you need ideas for stocking stuffers or perhaps a gift for the office Christmas party? The BATTOP Upgrade Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard with Kickstand may be the ticket. It’s not your typical foldable keyboard. This one folds lengthwise. What a great idea! It works with iOS, Android, and Windows devices. You’ll have to use a key combination to select operating systems: FN+Q for Android devices, FN+E for iOS devices, and FN+W for Windows devices. In addition, you’ll get about 40 hours of use before you have to charge it using the provided USB cable. The keyboard will also go into power savings mode if it is idle for more than 12 minutes and pressing any key will wake the keyboard. When unfolded it measures 9.25″ x 6.29″ x 0.19″, and when folded it measures 9.25″ x 2.16″ x 0.72″. The BATTOP Upgrade Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard with Kickstand normally costs $26.99 but if you use the code VXXFCUVF, it will only cost you $15.92 on Amazon.

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Get a cool foldable Bluetooth keyboard as a stocking stuffer originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 16, 2018 at 10:30 am.

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Tap wearable keyboard and mouse review

REVIEW – I’m a touch typist and a mousist (is that a thing?). Even if I use a tablet, I want to be able to pair it with a keyboard and a mouse (Android) so I can enter text and navigate much faster than tapping on a virtual keyboard if I have a lot of work to do. I’ve tried alternative keyboards in the past but have always gone back to using a standard keyboard and a mouse for the sake of convenience. I was recently sent a Tap wearable keyboard and mouse to try. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

Tap is a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that you wear on your hand/fingers.

Hardware specs

OS Compatibility – IOS 9+, ANDROID 5+, OS X YOSEMITE+, WINDOWS 8.1+, LINUX UBUNTU
Connectivity – Bluetooth 4.0+
Battery life – 8 hours tapping, 7-day standby

What’s in the box?

Tap wearable keyboard and mouse
Tap portable charging case
Micro USB charging cable
Quick start guide

Design and features

The Tap keyboard comes in a storage case that doubles as the charger. Inside the case, there are posts for each ring.

The thumb post has two electrical contacts and each post is magnetic to hold the rings in place even when the case is bouncing around inside your gear bag.

The case itself is charged with a micro USB cable. There’s a status LED on one end along with a button that you have to press the start the charging process.

The Tap keyboard is available in two sizes and is made of 5 rings, one for each finger and can be worn on either hand. The rings are made of a flexible plastic and are attached to each other with soft woven cables that remind me of shoelaces.

With the Tap keyboard installed on your hand, you can still use your fingers to pick things up, scratch your head, wave hello, type on a traditional keyboard, or use a traditional mouse… Oops, did I just say/type that? 😉

Wearing the Tap keyboard kind of made me feel like a cyborg or an alien with webbed fingers or something kooky like that since the rings are all connected to each other. The keyboard didn’t feel uncomfortable to wear, just different.

The thumb ring is the main control for the keyboard and has the power button on the top silver part of the ring. This button is also the charging status indicator and it has a blue LED ring around it that “breathes” while charging in the case.

There are also two flat bumps on the side of the thumb ring. The top one is the laser mouse and the bottom one is the gliding surface for the mouse. More about those features in a bit.

Let’s getting tapping!

If you’re already a proficient touch typist like myself, you’ll have to re-learn how to type with the Tap keyboard since you’ll be using only 5 fingers instead of 10 to type the alphabet, numbers, and symbols. Learning is made “easy” with the Tap Genius app.




The app has a simple user interface that helps you learn groups of letters at a time by playing a game where letters drop down from the top of the screen and you have to tap them with the Tap keyboard before they reach the bottom of the screen. This fun way to learn is easy at first but quickly becomes complicated and more difficult as more letters are added and complex finger tapping combinations are introduced.

Check out the Tap Code glossary sheet above. It’s not a problem at all to learn to type A, E, I, O, and U as each letter requires just one finger tap. But things quickly escalate as you learn the next set of letters N, T, L, and S which use two-finger taps at a time. Again, it’s easy when you use your index finger and middle finger together, or middle and ring finger together, but things got a little awkward for me when the letter S used the ring and pinkie finger tap. And it just got harder from there. It almost felt like learning to play piano or a guitar and having to learn a bunch of chords.

According to their website, you can learn to use the Tap keyboard in 30 days with 10 minutes of practice a day. I don’t doubt that claim, but you definitely need good hand/finger dexterity to use this keyboard and you need a flat surface to tap on. Although you can tap in the air, the accuracy suffers a LOT.

But wait, it’s a mouse too

I tried using the Tap as a mouse my Android phone and my MacBook and it was pretty awkward and was picky about the surfaces I tried to use it on. Check out the video above to see how it works.

What I like

  • Wearable
  • Fun game makes learning fun
  • Keyboard and mouse features

What needs to be improved

  • Steep learning curve
  • Not for people with poor finger/hand dexterity
  • Need a flat surface for it to work well

Final thoughts

The tech behind the Tap keyboard is definitely cool, but I’m surprised they didn’t go one step further and implement gestures for typing like swipe your hand to the right for space or even drawing the letters out with your finger. I bet I could type faster drawing the letters than trying to tap the finger combo for the letter J which is all your fingers except your ring finger. Try that right now on your desk and you’ll see how awkward it feels. I had a lot of trouble with those types of “chords” because my first three fingers would touch the desk first with the pinkie tapping last. It would often cause the wrong letter(s) to show up because a tap of the first three fingers is the up arrow and a pinkie tap is the letter U. And don’t get me started that ENTER a tap of your thumb with your ring and pinkie.

Trying to use the Tap keyboard was like learning to type from scratch (duh!) and to be honest, it was too tedious for me to use it. I tried it for a week or so and learned enough letters to spell most words, but when put into actual practice using it with my phone, it took me way longer to type using the Tap keyboard compared with either using the onscreen Google keyboard with the swipe feature or pairing my phone with a traditional Bluetooth keyboard and touch typing with both hands.

Does that mean that the Tap wearable keyboard and mouse is a dud? Nope, not at all. It’s just not for people who aren’t stuck in their ways and are already traditional touch typists. I think the Tap keyboard is a step toward what input devices will be like in the future and I can’t wait to see how they will evolve and hopefully get easier to use.

Price: $179
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tapwithus.

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Tap wearable keyboard and mouse review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 21, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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