Logitech launches 75% mechanical keyboard POP and mouse

Logitech markets the POP Keys, a wireless mechanical 75% keyboard with separate and interchangeable emoji buttons. There will also be a corresponding POP Mouse and a mouse pad in two different sizes.

Logitech markets both the POP Keys and the POP Mouse in three colors; yellow-black, white with shades of yellow and purple, and with shades of pink. The keyboard and mouse will appear on the European market this month. They were already for sale in other parts of the world. The keyboard is a wireless mechanical 75% keyboard that does have an extra row of keys on the right side. It is five special emoji keys. All keys are of course interchangeable, but that is even the intention with the top four of these emoji keys. In addition to the four keys on the board, Logitech provides four extra keys, with other emojis. This allows users to personalize their keyboard. The bottom of the five extra keys also serves to call up an emoji shortcut menu.

The POP Keys is a mechanical keyboard and the switches that Logitech uses are of its own making, but according to the manufacturer comparable to brown Cherry switches. The company has chosen brown because it makes it easy to make the switch from a non-mechanical to mechanical keyboard, Logitech thinks. That also makes it immediately clear who Logitech hopes to reach with the keyboard: young people, who may get their first mechanical keyboard with the POP Keys. Not only the extra emoji keys should appeal to young people, but also the design. With its round keys and considerable travel, the keyboard is somewhat reminiscent of old-fashioned typewriters. As a striking accent, the POP Keys has a golden Escape key.

Logitech supplies the POP Keys with a Logi Bolt USB receiver. The keyboard weighs just over 800 grams and is powered by an included AAA battery. The POP Keys therefore does not have a rechargeable battery, like the also wireless MX Keys. The battery should last three years with average use.

The POP Keys can be controlled via Logitech’s Options software. This allows the function of a number of buttons to be adjusted as desired. By default, Logitech has already made space on the keyboard for functions such as screenshot and mute. A profile can be created for any arbitrary program via the software and the software ensures that the correct profile is activated as soon as that program becomes active. It also already provides presets for many popular programs such as Word and Photoshop. Logitech has no plans to sell additional sets of emoji keys yet.

The POP Mouse is a small and light wireless mouse. It weighs 80 grams and is powered by an AA battery. The POP Mouse is therefore not rechargeable. The battery lasts for two years with normal use. The mouse connects via bluetooth. However, Logitech supplies the mouse without a Bluetooth USB dongle. The POP Mouse is equipped with two silent buttons and also has a third button behind the mouse wheel. Its function can be selected via the Options software.

Logitech also supplies two different mouse pads in the same colors as the POP Keys and POP Mouse. There is a large variant that fits under both mouse and keyboard and a small variant that only fits under the mouse. Both variants are water-repellent. All four products will hit the market this month. The POP Keys will have a suggested retail price of 99.99 euros, the POP Mouse costs 39.99 euros, the large mouse pad costs 19.99 euros and the small 9.99 euros.