In consumer keyboards, the level of customization is essentially zero. More advanced models allow some macro configuration with extra keys, while fully custom keyboards offer multiple programming layers. The Sonder sits somewhere in between, using electronic ink to let users change the key legends to suit their needs.
Want to learn to type on a Dvorak keyboard? The process can take months if you're used to QWERTY, but the first thing you need is the keyboard itself. While there are ways to cover keys on a QWERTY keyboard, it's better to have a more physical solution. Moving keys around can cause profile conflicts on most keyboards, though some enthusiasts with nerves of steel modify laptop keyboards. And what if you need a different layout? Maybe you're studying Japanese or Chinese, or you want custom shortcuts. The web offers software options, but today we're looking at the Sonder keyboard.
At first glance, there's no doubt it's a keyboard designed for Apple computers, but the main feature of the Sonder is that each of the legends on its keys is made of electronic ink (technically, there's an entire screen under the keyboard), so the user's imagination is the limit. Whether it's long sessions in Photoshop or a game of DOTA 2, Sonder can modify the legends on 57 of its 78 keys (the secondary keys are traditional). The keyboard connects to computers and mobile devices via Bluetooth, and recharging its internal battery is as simple as plugging it in. The Sonder also has backlighting, a highly sought-after feature in modern keyboards for working in the dark.
The team behind the Sonder keyboard isn't running any crowdfunding campaign, but you can enter its pre-sale process on the official website. Its current price is $199, but once full availability is reached, the cost will rise to $299.
