As Apple is ready to roll out a serious iOS replace right now, which makes digital distractions obtainable on the iPhone’s lock display screen with out even having to unlock the machine, Astrohaus’ distraction-free digital typewriters seem to be much more of essential for individuals who write for a dwelling. The newest mannequin, the Alpha, shrinks the {hardware}, the display screen, and the worth tag.
For these not aware of the Freewrite lineup, the units can finest be described as crosses between a laptop computer and a typewriter. They characteristic full QWERTY mechanical keyboards paired with (till now) monochromatic digital paper shows optimized for one single goal: writing. Though the units do embody wifi connectivity for syncing paperwork to different units, the Freewrites are distraction free and might’t entry electronic mail, surf the net, or connect with social networks of any variety.
The smallest mannequin so far has been the Freewrite Traveler, that includes a folding ‘display screen within the lid’ design just like a laptop computer, however with a $500 price ticket that can alternately get you a properly outfitted Chromebook. The Freewrite Traveler stays a distinct segment product for devoted writers who battle to remain centered. The brand new Freewrite Alpha, by comparability, might attraction to a wider viewers.
Weighing in at below two kilos, the Freewrite Alpha can simply slip into the laptop computer compartment of luggage and backpacks, with a design that’s fairly a bit slimmer than earlier fashions just like the Good Typewriter.
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One huge change on the Alpha is that the Good Typewriter’s box brown switches have been changed with Kailh’s chocV2 low profile switches for a keyboard that appears extra like what you’d discover on a laptop computer, though the keycaps can nonetheless be swapped out as wanted in the event you favor typing on one thing much less flat.
The huge trade-off is that the bigger E Ink screens used on older Freewrite fashions at the moment are changed by an extended and slim “Reflective monochromatic FSTN LCD” show, which must be simpler in your battery. But it may additionally have some glare points relying on the place you utilize the Freewrite Alpha, even with adjustable toes on the underside that may change the viewing angle. The show can also be restricted to displaying simply six strains of textual content with a 15pt font, or 4 strains when these of us with ageing eyes select to bump it as much as a 26pt font dimension.
A 4200 mAh, USB-C rechargeable battery guarantees as much as 100 hours of writing time on a single cost, and whereas the built-in reminiscence can maintain a million pages of textual content, the Freewrite Alpha additionally helps wifi connectivity to exterior storage companies like Dropbox, Evernote, and Google Drive, which makes getting paperwork onto different units a lot simpler.
At $500, the Freewrite Traveler was beforehand the most affordable possibility obtainable, however the Freewrite Alpha manages to get right down to a $349 worth level, presumably made potential with the swap to a fundamental LCD show. You’ll be able to’t purchase it simply but, however you’ll be able to reserve one for simply $1 forward of an upcoming crowdfunding marketing campaign.
