What’s old is new again in the KnewKey DJ88 typewriter-style keyboard, featuring a stand for a laptop or tablet and a built-in Bluetooth speaker powered by JBL.
The keyboard is currently on the crowdfunding platform Gloture Japan. The website offers “support and digital marketing activities that help get lesser-known products noticed,” noted Tom’s Hardware.
The KnewKey DJ88 retails for ¥57,470 plus tax ticket (about $460). Whether it’s worth the price remains to be seen. however, the brand advertises some interesting keyboard specs.
In addition to the JBL sound algorithms, which provide 360-degree surround sound, the audio system on the keyboard includes an AAC decoding Bluetooth 5.0 chip and a digital power amplifier. Noise output on the two-channel speakers also goes up to 90 decibels from SNR (signal-to-noise ratio). The speakers also use a Harman 45mm full-range driver for high frequencies and a 4D bass subwoofer for deep sounds.
The keyboard design is a die-cast aluminum in a piano black color option that addresses audio interference issues, while the product is primarily a keyboard, the brand said. The KnewKey DJ88 contains 83 rounded keys, which are placed very close to each other. The arrow keys can be used to adjust the audio volume as well as the brightness of the LED lighting under the keyboard.
The design also has front-facing functional buttons that work for tuning the audio and lighting, in addition to controlling audio tracks. The power button is located at the top right of the keyboard.
Both the speakers and the keyboard have a built-in 2200 mAh battery, with the keyboard battery taking over when the speakers run out of power.
Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, the KnewKey DJ88 can connect to devices via Bluetooth and a USB-A cable. Users can connect up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth.
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