The engineers at Knewkey liked mechanical keyboards but had issues with the core concept. When people think of keyboards, they think of computer monitors. In their experience, most mechanical keyboard users were gamers, and the keyboards were made for gamers. The group wanted to develop a keyboard to look like a typewriter while keeping up the functionality of a keyboard, but were unable to find one - so they made their own. The Rymek retro bluetooth mechanical keyboard is currently crowdfunding its first production run on indiegogo.
Ferdinand Hao from Knewkey answered some questions about the development of the keyboard. She said that the idea to make the Rymek shaped like a typewriter was the driving design consideration - this dictated the basic footprint along with the size of the electrical components inside the unit. Compatibility between devices was one of the biggest software challenges, but now the keyboard can work with USB or Bluetooth connections on phones, tablets or computer monitors. Windows, Android, and iOS are all supported by the device. The task of pairing the Rymek with many devices on different platforms and different connection systems was done through testing, reprogramming, and more testing.
The full keyboard is 360x190x70 millimeters and weighs 1300 grams. The body is made from ABS and the keys are capped with a polycarbonate/ABS material. The lithium battery that charges the unit can run about eight hours when the full backlighting functions are used, or a week of non-lit use. There are several different display modes and intensities for the LEDs within the keyboard and at the top of the unit, and the knob on the side can be used to control the volume. Knewkey sent one of their first units to my house and it's been fun to play with the keyboard on my phone, a tablet and even with a computer as a keyboard. Bluetooth connection and USB each worked on different devices, testing iOS and Windows. My mid-forties eyes can't appreciate the dancing LED lightshows as much as my teenager can but having a soft backlit keyboard is definitely a nice plus.
Rymek is a great example of engineers and designers creating the products they want to see in the world. Mechanical keyboard users love to discuss the different types of key feel and key sounds and there are videos on the campaign page of Cherry MX Brown, Cherry MX Blue, and Gateron Blue switches. The project is in production phase now and the indiegogo page says that shipping is currently scheduled for August 2018.