Logitech has a new Craft keyboard with a control wheel that works with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
It’s a high end keyboard that seems to have a lot of interesting points.
Source for all images: Logitech
It has more than one wireless connection, instead of the usual one. Either Bluetooth or Logitech’s own Unifying connector is supported. USB C or A cable connection is also possible.
The keyboard is backlit with the keys lighting up as your hands approach the keyboard.
Both Windows and Mac are supported
Input Dial
The big difference is the top left ‘Input Dial’ or ‘Crown’ which can be configured for use with various software including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. There’s also integration with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
It’s not just a wheel, it’s touch-sensitive. Tap on the dial to show the context appropriate options available, then turn the wheel to make your choice.
The name of the dial varies between ‘Input Dial’ or ‘Crown’ with some calling it a ‘Control Wheel’ since it’s a little like the Microsoft Surface feature.
Office-Watch.com had a look at the Office related features. Logitech only mentions Office for Windows.
A small box of options appears at bottom center of the screen.
What appears depends on where you are in a document. If nothing is selected in Word, you get choice of Theme Style, Color or Font. The options change if you select text, an image/object or a table.
Craft is a premium keyboard with a premium price. A whopping US$199 plus tax. By all means, try one, perhaps in a store, to see if it’s worth the money. It’s not available yet, you can pre-order from Logitech.
According to Logitech, here’s what the input dial / Crown can do in Office for Windows:
Word 2016, 2013, 2010
Excel 2016, 2013, 2010
PowerPoint 2016, 2013, 2010
