Logitech Craft keyboard has aluminium dial for content creators

Logitech has created a new keyboard optimized for creative professionals. The CRAFT is a low-profile wireless keyboard that recharges via USB Type-C. It should last an entire week on a single load and one of its key features is an aluminium input dial. This large knob is similar to the Surface Dial from Microsoft, it enables you to quickly access context-specific functions.

For example, you can use it to adjust brightness or contrast in tools like Photoshop, or to change the font size in Word. Logitech also equipped the keyboard with smart illumination that detects your hands and adjusts the lighting automatically based on room conditions.

While the knob can come in handy for artsy types, the price of the keyboard is hard to swallow. Logitech says the CRAFT keyboard will ship in October for $199.99.

Today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) announced CRAFT, an advanced keyboard with a creative input dial, setting a new standard for computer keyboards. CRAFT looks and feels better than anything you have typed on and offers a whole new way to immediately access context-specific computing tools with a smart aluminum dial. For example, with a touch, tap or turn you can adjust image brightness, contrast and saturation in Adobe Photoshop, or create and adjust charts in Microsoft Excel®. The creative input dial gives you the ultimate control and input at your desk for precision, efficiency and uninterrupted creative flow.

“Our new flagship Logitech CRAFT keyboard is for all creators who spend a lot of time designing and creating - who want to work with greater precision and feel connected to their work," said Art O’Gnimh, global head of keyboards at Logitech. "The creative input dial gives you instant access to the functions you need, the moment you need them, allowing you to increase your productivity by simply touching the dial. CRAFT puts you in your creative element – every time you sit at the desk.”

The touch-sensitive aluminum creative input dial, called the Crown, recognizes the apps you are using and gives instant access to the tools you need. With a slight touch of the Crown you can instantly access context-specific functions -- like brush size, brightness, chart type, font size -- tap to change the function and turn to change the selected function’s value. Installing custom profiles in Logitech Options™ Software maximizes the creative process when working with Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Adobe InDesign CC and Microsoft PowerPoint®, Excel® and Word® (Microsoft functionalities work on PC only at this time). The Crown brings comfort, immediacy and convenience to your creative process and allows for increased two-handed interactions. You can also have access to global controls - giving you the ability to change desktops, navigate between apps, or adjust volume - and assign one additional Crown function in each of your favorite apps.

CRAFT also features smart illumination with backlighting that detects your hands and adjusts lighting automatically depending on the room conditions. The keys are crafted for comfort, in a full-size familiar layout, with each individual key engineered for stability and precision. CRAFT looks great alongside other premium desktop accessories by Logitech, such as the Logitech MX Sound, Logitech Spotlight Presentation Remote and Logitech MX Master 2S.

Additionally with the touch of an Easy-Switch™ button, you can easily switch between – and type on – any three connected devices, whether you are using a Windows® PC or Mac®. Select from either a Logitech Unifying™ USB or Bluetooth® Low Energy technology to connect to your computer.