Gen Z is a generation like no other. It’s the first to be digitally native and to have never known life without the internet. It’s also the first to grow up using keyboards and mice instead of fountain pens.
According to Logitech’s research, Gen Z people are expressive, style-conscious and they want to live life on their terms. These characteristics also apply to their working spaces. Gen Z employees want a space that reflects their unique personality, plus they want tools that bring joy into their daily working lives. And who wouldn’t want that? We spend hours at our desks, so it makes sense to personalize the space, so we have somewhere fun to work
All these observations have been carefully noted by Logitech, probably the world’s best-known manufacturer of keyboards and mice. The company’s research on what Gen Z consumers want is reflected in the Swiss-based corporation’s latest mouse and keyboard products which go on sale in the UK today.
Logitech’s POP keyboards and mice consist of a fashionable mechanical keyboard with a retro vibe, plus a cute mouse to match. POP Keys and POP Mouse are available in three stunning colorways and the keyboard has a beautifully addictive clicky typing experience that makes writing so much fun.
Using POP Keys is a lot more inspirational than tapping away on a black or beige keyboard that looks like a tired piece of office equipment that should have been retired years ago. The same goes for POP Mouse. We spend hours pushing rodents around our desktops so why shouldn’t we have ones that look good and feel great to use.
POP Keys is beautifully retro and has mechanical switches with comfy, scooped, round keys plus a new selection of keys. It has a dozen Function keys including shortcuts for Snip Screen, Mute Mic and Media Keys to keep the music playing. Typing on POP Keys is an addictive experience with tactile feedback that makes typing a joy. Five programmable emoji keys provide a shortcut to access your favorite emojis with a single keypress.
The three beautiful colorways Logitech has developed consist of Daydream – a delightful confection of mint, yellow and a restful lavender shade; Heartbreaker – a variation on a theme of rose pink and red that has a red velvet feel about it; and Blast – a striking combination of black and vibrant yellow like a JCB excavator. All three designs are gorgeous to look at and each has a matching POP mouse.
The POP Mouse is beautifully sculpted and includes a special button for opening an emoji menu. Logitech has ensured that emojis are central to the POP range. It’s the world’s fastest-growing language and is used extensively by Gen Z. The special button can also be customized for a huge range of functions that can vary depending on the software being used. For example, the button could be programmed to work as a Mute button when using Zoom or a Save function when working with Microsoft Word. The applications are easy to program and only limited by your imagination.
The POP Mouse is small enough to slip into a handbag or jeans pocket and has a clever scroll wheel that flips automatically between high precision clicking and high-speed scrolling that can zip through thousands of lines of code or a lengthy text document in seconds. The POP mouse has a smooth body that snuggles comfortably in the palm of the user’s hand. The mouse buttons feature Logitech’s SilentTouch technology which reduces the sound of mouse clicks by up to 90% compared to Logitech’s regular mice.
Both POP Keys and POP Mouse can be customized using the Logitech Options software and both devices able to connect. Both the keyboard and the mouse can connect over Bluetooth or the new Logi Bolt receiver to three devices. Bolt is a USB dongle that’s been developed for use in corporate settings and offers a robust wireless link between peripherals and computers and offers an enhanced level of security.
The level of power management that Logitech has managed to produce for the POP range is nothing short of astonishing. POP Keys is powered by two AA batteries while POP Mouse uses just one AA cell. The keyboard can run for up to three years on a single set of batteries and POP Mouse can work for up to two years on its single battery. This is phenomenal performance and ensures that the POP series of products are as environmentally friendly as they can be.
Logitech is constantly looking at sustainability issues. The company tries to use as much recycled plastic in its products as possible and all the packaging is 100% plastic-free. And because the POP Keys use mechanical key switches, the keyboard should last for 50 million key presses which ensures a long and productive life with a lower impact on the environment.
I spent a couple of weeks using POP Keys and POP Mouse and I’m as far from being a Gen Z as it’s possible to be. However, even I was able to appreciate the stunning visual appeal of the POP design and the enhanced functionality on offer by the mechanical keyboard with the programmable keys. These two new products not only look beautiful, but they also function incredibly well and are a great productivity boost.
To get the maximum power from the batteries, Logitech decided not to put backlights behind the keys. If you must have a backlit keyboard, POP Keys may not be for you, but the Logitech’s MX Mini keyboard might be a better bet as it does have a very effective backlit design.
Verdict: Logitech has made a bold move in designing the POP Keys and POP Mouse. These designs stand out from the crowd and can brighten up anyone’s workspace. POP Keys is such fun to type on and can be customized in unlimited ways. The POP Mouse is an ergonomic mouse that matches the POP Keys and is so quiet and easy to use thanks to the clever SmartWheel scrolling. The new POP range gets an unreserved thumbs up from me and is bound to prove popular with Gen Z and beyond.
Pricing & Availability: POP Keys, POP Mouse and a matching Logitech Desk Mat will be available in North America from November 2021 at Logitech.com and from other retailers. The suggested retail price is $99.99 / £89.99 / €99.99 for POP Keys and $39.99 / £35.99 / €39.99 for POP the Mouse. Logitech also sells matching desk mats to further personalize the user’s desk space.
More info: www.logitech.com
