A
new
company
called
Nuio,
founded
by
two
brothers
with
backgrounds
in
design
and
manufacturing,
is
rethinking
desk
accessories
with
the
goal
of
making
our
computers
more
comfortable
to
use.
It’s
debuting
today
with
a
collection
of
magnetic
peripherals
called
Flow
that’s
centered
around
a
wireless
split
keyboard,
all
designed
to
make
it
easier
to
find
your
perfect
ergonomic
layout,
even
if
that’s
constantly
changing
throughout
the
day.
Tom
Wilson,
the
CEO
of
Nuio
(a
combination
of
new
and
I/O),
previously
worked
at
companies
including
Apple,
Google,
and
Frog
Design,
while
Greg
Wilson,
the
company’s
CMO,
spent
years
at
Frog
Design
and
the
creative
agency
Digitas.
The
brothers
cofounded
Nuio
with
the
goal
of
improving
how
we
physically
interact
with
our
computers.
“There
are
literally
no
right
angles
in
the
human
body,”
says
Tom.
“Yet
we
spend
most
of
our
lives
hunched
over
rigid,
rectangular
keyboards
and
peripherals.”
1/4
The
Flow
keyboard
features
concave
keys
in
both
a
radial
and
wave-shaped
layout.Photo:
Andrew
Liszewski
/
The
Verge
That’s
why
the
Nuio
Flow
is
an
entire
system
of
accessories
and
not
just
a
standalone
keyboard.
It’s
designed
to
strike
a
balance
between
products
like
Logitech’s
Ergo
series
featuring
a
one-size-fits-all
keyboard
with
a
fixed
ergonomic
layout
and
more
advanced
split
options
like
the
ZSA
Moonlander
Mark
I
that
users
can
spend
weeks
fine-tuning
and
customizing.
Through
the
use
of
simplified
peripherals
like
stands,
wrist
pads,
and
a
magnetic
base,
assembling
a
comfortable
keyboard
layout
with
the
Flow
system
is
almost
as
easy
as
using
Apple’s
MagSafe
accessories.
The
star
of
the
show
is
the
$399
Flow
keyboard,
which
has
a
fully
split
design
with
two
independent
halves
featuring
keys
arranged
in
a
radial,
wave-shaped
layout
designed
to
feel
more
natural
for
your
fingers
to
reach.
Unlike
other
split
keyboards
that
appeal
to
those
who
like
to
customize
everything
right
down
to
the
feel
of
the
keys,
the
Flow
uses
proprietary
rubber
dome
switches
and
custom
backlit
concave
keycaps
that
aren’t
designed
to
be
swapped
out
with
third-party
alternatives.
The
Flow
is
instead
targeted
at
those
who
prefer
the
feel
and
quiet
sound
of
a
laptop
keyboard
—
specifically
those
found
on
a
MacBook
—
with
a
similarly
short
key
travel
and
less
resistance
than
mechanical
switches.
Each
half
of
the
split
keyboard
is
made
from
stamped
aluminum,
which,
alongside
the
rechargeable
batteries
in
each
one,
gives
them
a
satisfying
heft.
Aside
from
an
included
dual-headed
USB-C
cable
for
charging
both
halves
simultaneously,
the
Flow
is
completely
wireless.
It
connects
to
PCs
and
mobile
devices
over
Bluetooth
as
a
single
device,
while
a
toggle
on
the
back
lets
you
connect
the
Flow
to
three
different
devices
and
switch
between
them
without
having
to
go
through
the
pairing
process
again.
1/3
Adjustable
stands
are
used
to
attach
the
Flow
keyboard
to
the
deskpad
using
magnets.
A
knurled
wheel
at
the
base
adds
tension
to
lock
in
a
specific
angle.Photo:
Andrew
Liszewski
/
The
Verge
A
rubberized
bottom
helps
keep
the
Flow
keyboard
from
sliding
around
once
you
find
a
layout
that’s
comfortable
for
you.
For
even
more
grip,
both
halves
can
magnetically
attach
to
a
$129
Deskpad
accessory
that’s
also
rigid
enough
to
be
used
on
your
lap
should
you
find
yourself
wanting
to
use
the
keyboard
while
sprawled
out
on
a
couch.
The
Flow
can
be
further
accessorized
with
adjustable
stands.
They’re
$59
each,
but
most
users
will
want
one
for
each
side
of
the
keyboard,
so
two
are
slightly
cheaper
at
$99.
They
connect
to
the
underside
of
the
keyboard
in
a
few
different
spots
using
magnets,
elevating
both
halves
while
also
allowing
them
to
be
angled
in
any
direction
by
about
10
to
15
degrees,
providing
more
layout
options.
When
you
find
an
ideal
angle,
a
tension
wheel
on
each
stand
can
be
tightened
to
lock
its
position.
Once
you’ve
got
both
halves
of
the
Flow
elevated,
you’ll
probably
want
something
to
support
your
wrists.
Nuio
also
sells
a
pair
of
cushioned
wrist
pads
for
$99
that
magnetically
attach
to
its
Deskpad.
And
while
Nuio
isn’t
introducing
a
mouse
with
its
Flow
system,
you
can
add
a
$249
compact
wireless
touchpad
that
supports
gestures
and
does
the
whole
magnet
thing,
too.
Unlike
some
products
from
new
companies
that
look
great
in
promotional
materials
but
underdeliver
on
quality,
the
Flow
keyboard
and
all
of
its
accessories
feel
like
they’ve
come
from
a
team
with
a
lot
of
experience
in
both
design
and
manufacturing.
I’ve
been
testing
the
keyboard
and
its
peripherals
for
a
few
days
(not
the
touchpad),
and
the
quality
feels
on
par
with
what
companies
like
Apple
deliver,
which
makes
sense
given
the
brothers’
pedigree.
There
haven’t
been
any
compromises
made
with
the
materials,
build
quality,
or
functionality
of
Nuio’s
first
products
—
but
that
comes
with
a
steep
price
tag.
Fully
split
keyboards
are
already
generally
not
cheap.
ZSA’s
Voyager
and
Moonlander
Mark
I
both
debuted
at
$365,
while
the
wireless
Dygma
Defy
is
$369.
But
they
all
come
with
built-in
mechanisms
for
adjusting
their
heights
and
angles.
The
Flow
keyboard
with
the
magnetic
deskpad
and
a
pair
of
stands
is
$627,
while
the
entire
Flow
system,
with
the
wrist
pads
and
touchpad,
will
set
you
back
$975.
Everything
in
the
Flow
system,
including
accessories
offered
in
colors
that
include
space
gray,
silver,
gold,
rose
gold,
espresso
brown,
deep
green,
and
midnight
blue,
is
available
for
preorder
today.
However,
only
the
space
gray
version
of
the
Flow
keyboard
with
macOS
legends,
the
matching
touchpad,
and
the
other
accessories
in
black
will
ship
starting
on
December
1st,
2024.
If
you
want
one
of
the
alternate
colors
or
a
version
of
the
Flow
keyboard
featuring
both
macOS
and
PC
legends,
you’ll
have
to
wait
until
January
1st,
2025,
for
those
to
ship.
(Originally posted by Andrew Liszewski)
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