Framework’s new couch keyboard improves on Logitech’s design

If you control your media PC from the couch, you are likely familiar with the Logitech K400. It has been the default wireless keyboard with integrated touchpad for years, but its reputation is less than stellar. Framework CEO Nirav Patel is now directly challenging that ubiquitous device with his company’s own take, banking on widespread user dissatisfaction to drive interest. He frames the entire project as a response to a common pain point, stating that the Logitech keyboard is one “everybody owns and nobody likes.” This candid critique from the typically reserved executive highlights a rare consensus in the tech world about a product that feels like a necessary evil rather than a pleasure to use.

The original K400 design is nearly fifteen years old, and its legacy of mushy keys and hollow, bulky plastic has persisted through newer models like the K400 Plus. Framework’s alternative, set to ship later this year, aims to address these shortcomings. It is built around the same mechanical keyboard components found in the Framework Laptop 12, though initial reviews of that laptop’s typing experience have been mixed. The new peripheral will feature a different touchpad surface and is designed from the ground up as a dedicated couch companion, a project the company initiated while developing the Framework Desktop.

A key technical differentiator is the custom control board at its heart. This board utilizes a highly power-efficient Nordic nRF54 radio and runs on open source ZMK Firmware. It supports simultaneous connections to up to four Bluetooth hosts and includes a USB-A dongle that stores neatly within the keyboard’s body. For a wired option, a USB-C port is also provided. Framework is further enhancing the experience with a new expansion card for its laptops and desktop that allows the dongle to sit flush instead of protruding.

In a move consistent with its modular philosophy, Framework plans to release the control board and the external surface CAD files to the community. This will enable developers and tinkerers to create custom accessories, such as mounts for simulation rigs, even before the keyboard officially launches. By announcing the product now, Patel hopes to foster this ecosystem early. While the final price and hands-on performance remain to be seen, the project represents a direct and thoughtful assault on a market segment long dominated by a single, unloved device.