Logitech CRAFT keyboard is wheely good (updated 1 March)

Logitech has announced the CRAFT keyboard. It is the first ever with a context-specific, creative input dial that works with many Windows and macOS apps.

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.

Or simply turn the dial to move up and down font sizes in document programs like Microsoft Word. The creative input dial gives you the control and input at your desk for precision, efficiency and uninterrupted creative flow.

“Our new flagship Logitech CRAFT keyboard is for all of us who spend time creating using photoshop or building PowerPoint slides and 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. CRAFT puts you in your creative element – every time you sit at the desk,” he added.

The touch-sensitive aluminium creative input dial, called the Crown, recognises the apps you are using and gives instant access to the tools you need.

With a slight touch of the Crown, you can 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.

Custom profiles can be installed via Logitech Options Software to maximise 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 keyboard also features smart illumination to adjust for room brightness. It supports Bluetooth Multi-point connection for up to three devices and can also use a Logitech Unifying USB receiver.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech CRAFT Advanced Keyboard https://www.logitech.com/en-au/product/craft is expected to be available by the end of February 2018 at www.logitech.com and select retail stores for a suggested retail price of $299.95.

Specifications: https://www.logitech.com/en-au/product/craft

  • Size: 32 mm x 430 mm x 149 mm x 960g
  • Bluetooth LE multi-point or USB Logitech Unifying Receiver
  • Windows or macOS
  • Logitech Options software
  • Battery: USB-C rechargeable
  • Warranty: 1 year

Update 1 March 2017

“We’ve received extremely positive feedback about the CRAFT keyboard since launch, but wanted to support more apps, with more customisation options, for an even deeper and more engaging creative experience,” said Art O’Gnimh, global head of keyboards at Logitech. “We have now added support for Adobe Lightroom Classic CC and also released a SDK so developers can help us make the Crown even more useful for all users.”

Using Adobe Lightroom Classic CC with CRAFT, you can edit your photos faster without taking your eyes off your image. With a slight touch of the Crown, you can easily access 11 different editing tools, such as saturation, tint contrast or shadows, without fidgeting with sliders. A quick tap changes functions, and a smooth turn changes the selected function’s value. The Crown is intuitive and fluid to use, giving efficiency and uninterrupted creative flow to the way you work.
Additional updates allow you to use the keyboard’s Crown in the following ways:

  • Adobe Reader DC on Windows: Zoom, change the page and scroll horizontally.
  • VLC Media Player on Windows: Skip forward and backward while watching a video, or adjust the volume.
  • Preview on Mac: Zoom, change the page and scroll horizontally.
  • Quicktime on Mac: Skip forward and backward while watching a video, or adjust the volume.
  • Safari for Mac: Navigate between tabs.
  • Spotify for Mac and Windows: Play and pause your music, change the volume, or change songs.

CRAFT updates are available today through Logitech Options 6.8, which is a free download from logitech.com/options. For more information on CRAFT, please visit Logitech.com/CRAFT, our blog or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter