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...
[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/...
I'd like to think that the Japan office was allowed to keep doing it because they are just so good at it.
There were a lot of good Googe April Fool's jokes, but way too many confusing/weird/lame ones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Google_April_Fools%27_...
(Gosh, it's been a decade already.)
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
If I understand correctly.. the ergodox was the first popular open source keyboard (or maybe the first split one).
But it was the Helix keyboard, and then the Corne which built upon that design, which lead to an explosion in popularity of these split keyboards for makers. Both of these were designed in Japan.
Maybe I misunderstood the concept from the video, but I don't find it appealing.