A. When we were considering the perfect day to announce the keyboard, we noticed the widespread use of the "101-key keyboard"—a type featuring 101 keys. So, we decided to launch it on October 1st as a nod to that standard.
And I here like a moron using _layers_ in my corne with blank caps. Definitely gonna try to mod this to support at least two real layers per keyboard side.
This must be one of those Japanese "quirky-fun, but useless inventions" things (chindogu). You know, like the toilet paper holder you strap to your head so you're never without a roll, or the vise you use to press two or more well-worn bars of soap together into a single, bigger bar.
In terms of design it reminds me of that bit of Animusic's "Pipe Dream" where xylophone bars of the appropriate pitch travel on a rail just in time to be struck by ball bearings from a stationary launcher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmoUSSVSV7I&t=2m12s
[1] Sidenote: anyone know if there’s a specific significance to September 30 or October 1 in Japan à la April Fools’ Day?
Translated from Japanese from the announcement^:
Q. Today is October 1st, isn't it?
A. Yes, today is October 1st!
Q. What is the significance of today?
A. When we were considering the perfect day to announce the keyboard, we noticed the widespread use of the "101-key keyboard"—a type featuring 101 keys. So, we decided to launch it on October 1st as a nod to that standard.
^ https://blog.google/intl/ja-jp/products/android-chrome-play/...
Wow, they have several other input devices: https://github.com/google/mozc-devices
Geez, apparently there's still a corner of Google where the people are getting paid (presumably) to goof off...
In terms of design it reminds me of that bit of Animusic's "Pipe Dream" where xylophone bars of the appropriate pitch travel on a rail just in time to be struck by ball bearings from a stationary launcher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmoUSSVSV7I&t=2m12s