Astrohaus, the company behind the distraction-reducing Freewrite line of writing tools, has announced its latest innovation at CES: the Freewrite Wordrunner, a standalone mechanical keyboard tailored to help writers stay focused and work more efficiently. This new keyboard is set to be available for preorder through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in February, with discounts available for early backers.

The Freewrite Wordrunner boasts a compact tenkeyless design, a durable die-cast aluminum body, backlit "high-quality tactile switches," and multiple layers of sound deadening, making it suitable for use in shared spaces without becoming a distraction to others nearby. However, what truly sets it apart from other mechanical keyboards are its unique features designed specifically for writers.

One of the standout features is the Wordometer, an eight-digit electromechanical counter that continually tracks word count until the user presses a reset button. Additionally, the keyboard features a timer with subtle LED indicators, perfect for quick writing sprints or tracking productivity. These features are designed to help writers stay on track and meet their writing goals.

The keyboard's function row has also been redesigned with writers in mind, featuring dedicated keys for quickly navigating and editing documents. These include keys for undo and redo, jumping between paragraphs, and quickly skipping to the top or bottom of a page. Furthermore, there are three dedicated macro keys – labelled zap, pow, and bam – that writers can customize to their specific needs.

While the Wordrunner loses keys dedicated to controlling media playback, this function is now handled through a rotating red joystick in the upper left corner of the keyboard. This joystick can be pressed or moved in four directions to skip tracks or make volume adjustments.

In addition to its unique features, the Freewrite Wordrunner also offers an extended wrist rest and the ability to connect to and switch between up to four devices through dedicated hotkeys. The keyboard can connect to three devices over Bluetooth, including computers and mobile devices, and a fourth with a USB-C cable.

Although pricing for the Freewrite Wordrunner has not been announced, it is expected to be significantly cheaper than Astrohaus' all-in-one writing devices, which range in price from $349 to $999. Interested buyers can currently reserve a spot in the upcoming Kickstarter campaign for a refundable $1, which promises "priority access" and "exclusive early-bird pricing."

The Freewrite Wordrunner is an exciting development for writers and productivity enthusiasts alike, offering a unique set of features designed to streamline the writing process. With its Kickstarter campaign set to launch in February, it will be interesting to see how the market responds to this innovative new keyboard.