Although it may not seem like it, the world of mechanical keyboards custom (customizable) is attractive, and the latest creation from Angry Miao, a manufacturer known for its extravagant designs, is proof of that: A keyboard with a touchpad instead of navigation arrows,
AM Compact Touch (65 cm) It presents a “simple” base: a keyboard with HHKB layout with the feel of 65% format, that is to say with navigation keys, but in the form of a touch panel. Why get complicated and do this combination? The real question for Angry Miao is why not do it?
AM Compact Touch, it’s all about aesthetics
AM Compact Touch has an instead of Arrow Touch panel that allows control similar to arrows with a thumb slide in all four directions. It’s positioned right in the middle of the keyboard to keep the layout symmetrical, and it’s about 2 inches tall and 0.5 inches tall. And much more, according to Angry Miao aesthetical panel gives a “Intuitive feeling that pressing a button cannot be achieved.”
Angry Miao points out that among keyboard layouts, the company believes that HHKB is “most beautiful” (And it’s one of the community’s favorite keyboards). However, the 65% size is the more popular option because of the added functionality of the navigation keys.
This is how the idea came Combine beauty and functionality in one keyboard The idea was conceived and the AM Compact Touch was born: a 65% HHKB keyboard that, in order not to break its symmetrical design, integrates navigation arrows in the form of a touch panel.
The company states that the touch panel also makes it easier to control than arrows, as it is not necessary to move the hand from the starting position. In addition, it can also be used to control the volume by swiping and holding up or down, and fast forward or rewind the video by swiping up and down. The panel has been proven to such an extent and is sensitive enough according to the company that it can be used for music games Input Tangible.
with the slogan “less is more” (less is more), the goal was to reduce the format by 65% “more symmetrical and aesthetic design”, Initially this keyboard was named AM 65 Less, but without the navigation arrows it cannot be called 65%, and in fact the comments of the community led Angry Miao to reconsider the name so as not to cause confusion or not be used in the community before. Do not go against the established norms.
retro inspired
Obviously, design is the fundamental foundation of the AM Compact Touch, which is why Angry Miao took inspiration from ‘Back to the Future’ as well. The silver and black color scheme used on its keyboard is based directly on the legendary Delorean DMC-12 and is intended to “Takes You Back to the 80s”.
To complement this aesthetic “Mixed between vintage and futuristic” Angry Miao also collaborated with its creator, Buggerwork. key capsFor designing and manufacturing a special set for AM Compact Touch.
Back to the Future Keycaps by BUGERWORK
However, the company also draws retro inspiration from the famous Nintendo console, the Famicom, in its 8-bit version, which is complemented by the set key caps Classic FC from the manufacturer JTK.
In total, the AM CompactTouch is available in seven versions/colors, all inspired by different themes, such as Tesla’s Cybertruck and the Netflix series ‘Death Love + Robots’:
- Back to the Future: con set exclusivo back the Future de BUGERWORK.
AM Compact Touch, 8-bit version inspired by the Famicom
- 8-bit: Inspired by the Famicom with JTK’s exclusive Classic FC set.
- Hard Candy: Inspired by the Japanese character Cinnamolol with this exclusive hard candy set from Domikey.
- Night Drive: Inspired by the character Lucy from Netflix’s Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Version with RGB.
AM Compact Touch, Laser Edition inspired by the Cybertruck
- Laser: Inspired by the Cybertruck, it features RGB lights blockers (spaces on the sides) that simulate the front of the truck.
- Make Love: Inspired by the XBOT-4000 from ‘Love Death + Robots’, it features RGB lights blockers With the specific size of the series.
AM Compact Touch, Mech Love Version Inspired by ‘Love Death + Robots’
- all black: Because black never goes out of style.
Moving to the technical aspects, the AM Compact Touch is manufactured with a CNC process. Case cut from a block of aluminum And it takes about five and a half hours to mold each piece. also integrates leaf spring of the company’s latest innovations, the keyboard that allows Adjust your level of flexibility from mild to stiff for different typing experiences.
All variants of AM Compact Touch have RGB lights (visible only on Laser and Mach Love models blockers), can be connected via Bluetooth or cable, and has wireless charging. Yes, on the back of the AM Compact Touch is a coil with the classic Angry Miao logo, which is compatible with the CyberMate allowing it to be used cable-free.
AM Compact Touch, availability and price
The AM Compact Touch will launch on Indiegogo on February 2nd, and as Angry Miao products are known for, it really won’t be cheap. Your Pricing starts at $398 without switch in base version or keycaps, and it will go up to $498 With matching switches and keycaps from the Back to the Future, 8-Bit and Hard Candy versions. The Laser version starts at $450 for the base and goes up to $550 with the switches and keycaps.
A Derecha: Back to the Future, 8-Bit, Hard Candy, Night Drive, All Black, Mech Love and Laser
Finally, The Mech Love Edition is the most expensive: $515 base and $615 complete with customizable engraving on the back.
As said at the beginning, Angry Miao is a company known for its extravagant designs, and as proof we can give the Cyberboard a 65% keyboard, but with a giant LED panel at the back. With AM CompactTouch, the company wanted to convert 65% of the format without losing the HHKB aesthetic. Why? Because he can.
