What's in the Box
FORM Keyboard
USB A-to-C Cable
6 Mac Modifer Keycaps
Keycap Puller
Connecting your Form
Compatibility
The FORM is a multimedia USB keyboard that uses generic drivers provided by the operating system, so no special drivers or software are required. The keyboard is compatible with Windows, macOS, Chrome, Linux, iOS, iPadOS and many other major operating systems that support USB peripherals.
USB Mode
If you prefer to use the keyboard with a WIRED connection, use the included cable to connect to the desired PC. The keyboard will obtain power from the PC so you can disregard the battery and Power switch. Whenever the keyboard is connected to a compatible USB device, the Profile LED will illuminate Green and ALL keystrokes will be sent to that device, so the Profile Switch is disregarded.
Wireless Bluetooth
Overview
The FORM is optimized for a wireless Bluetooth connection via its rechargeable battery. To connect the keyboard wirelessly you will need a Bluetooth-enabled PC, Tablet, Smart Phone, or SmartTV (Note: not all SmartTV’s support a wireless keyboard or touchpad).
The keyboard can be paired with two different Bluetooth host-devices and you can quickly toggle between them with the convenient Profile Switch.
- Profile 1 = White
- Profile 2 = Blue
Initial Pairing
- Disconnect the USB cable and Power On the keyboard. Profile LED should flash rapidly either White or Blue.
- If the Profile LED is flashing slowly, use the Clear command Fn + F11 to place the keyboard into pairing mode.
- Navigate to your PC’s Bluetooth menu and select “FORM”. Then follow the PC prompts to connect.
- The Profile LED will briefly go “solid” when the keyboard pairs successfully.
If you would like to pair an additional device, slide the Profile Switch to the other position and repeat the steps 2 and 3 above.
*Attempting to pair wirelessly while connected over USB can cause problems.
Get to know your Form
Battery
The keyboard is powered by a 2100 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery when not connected to PC. The battery is designed to last for several months with the backlighting disabled. If the backlighting is on you will need to charge the keyboard MUCH more often.
The keyboard will automatically go to sleep after 30 seconds of inactivity to conserve power. Tap any key or the touchpad to instantly wake the keyboard and pick up where you left off. You can power down the keyboard using the Power Switch to further conserve power.
Charging
When the FORM is connected to a computer with the included USB-C cable, the keyboard will run off of USB power and the battery will be charged until full. The Profile LED will illuminate Green.
Note: The keyboard ships from the factory with only a partially charged battery. We recommend charging the keyboard the first night after you receive it. A full charge should take around 6-8 hours. For best results connect the keyboard directly to a USB-A port on your PC. If you are charging from a non-PC, make sure the charger is rated not-to-exceed 5V/500mA to ensure the keyboard does not receive more power than it can safely handle. Charging from a high-powered source can damage the battery, void your warranty, and potentially render the keyboard unsafe.
Backlighting
The FORM features a global white backlight with 4 different brightness levels. Use the command Fn + F7 to decrease (or disable) the keyboard backlight and use the command Fn + F8 to increase the backlight.
Indicator LEDs
The Caps Lock LED illuminates in the corresponding Profile color when Caps Lock is activated on the connected computer.
The color and flash rate of the Profile LED indicates the Active Profile and current Pairing Status.
- Rapid Flash: The keyboard is ready and available to be paired over Bluetooth for that Profile (White or Blue).
- Slow Flash: The keyboard is unable to locate the device that was previously paired for that Profile (White or Blue).
- Off: If the keyboard is awake and powered on, then it is successfully paired and connected to a PC over Bluetooth. Note: To conserve battery the Profile LED will turnoff after 3 seconds.
- Solid Green: The keyboard is connected over USB.
Windows Precision Touchpad
The integrated touchpad makes it quick and easy to point, click, and scroll without leaving the keyboard or connecting a separate pointing device.
1 Finger swipe: Move the Cursor
1 Finger tap: Left Click
1 Finger double-tap: Left Double-Click
1 Finger double-tap and hold: Multi-Select/Drag
2 Finger tap: Right Click
2 Finger vertical swipe: Scroll Up or Down
2 Finger horizontal swipe: Scroll Left or Right (application specific)
Customize Cursor Speed and Scroll Direction
Some operating systems see the touchpad as a “Mouse”, whereas others see it as a “Touchpad”.
- macOS: System Settings > Mouse
- Windows 10/11: Windows Settings > Devices > Touchpad
- ChromeOS: Settings > Device > Touchpad
- iOS: Settings > Accessability > Touch > Enable AssistiveTouch
Multi-Finger Gestures
Windows 10 and 11 machines can recognize various 3 and 4 finger SWIPE and TAP gestures on the FORM. You can customize how Windows responds to those gestures via Windows Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
Regrettably, Apple does not support multi-finger gestures on 3rd party touchpads.
Battery Level
The Battery level can be displayed at any time. Simply hold the Fn key down and then hold down the F12 key and both indicator LEDs will illuminate to reveal the current charge level:
- Green: More than 80% charge remaining
- Yellow: 51 – 80% charge remaining
- Orange: 21 – 50% charge remaining
- Red: Less than 20% charge remaining > Charge Soon
You're Ready to Type!
Layout
- F and J key nubs make it easy to find the home row
- Each hand features an over-sized space bar for easy access
Fn Layer Actions
The F1-F12 keys feature convenient secondary functions. Hold the Fn key down and tap the desired key below. Release the Fn key to return to the base layer.
- F1: Mute
- F2: Volume Down
- F3: Volume Up
- F4: Previous Track
- F5: Play/Pause
- F6: Next Track
- F7: Increase Keyboard Brightness
- F8: Decrease Keyboard Brightness
- F9: Increase Laptop Screen Brightness
- F10: Decrease Laptop Screen Brightness
- F11: Erase the Bluetooth connection on the keyboard, for the Active Profile based on the Profile Switch.
- F12: Battery Status
- Escape: Unlock Clique
- V: Print-to-Screen the firmware version
- H: Home*
- B: Back*
- W: Launch Web Browser*
- T: Launch TV*
*Not supported on all TV operating systems.
Maximizing Touchpad Performance
Some Linux and TV operating systems do not support touchpads. If the touchpad is not performing basic pointing and clicking, please install the “Mouse-Mode” firmware to convert your touchpad into a basic mouse for enhanced compatibility.
Note: Windows Gestures will be lost and Clique is NOT currently supported
Form Mouse-Mode Firmware
Installation Instructions
1) Download the firmware file above.
2) Connect the keyboard to your PC over USB, and double-click the Reset button on the underside of the keyboard to mount a removable drive called “FORM”.
3) Unzip and copy/paste the downloaded firmware file on to the “FORM” drive. The indicator LEDs will flash blue while the firmware is installed. When the indicators stop flashing the keyboard is ready to use.
Important Note: Your computer will likely report a file transfer error once the update is complete, but that can be safely ignored.
Custom Programming via Clique (NEW)
Custom programming your keyboard has never been easier with our new REAL-TIME web-based editor called Clique.
Follow the instructions here to perform a one-time firmware upgrade.
Then connect your FORM via USB and launch Clique with a Chrome or Edge desktop browser.
FAQs
Any tips for adaptation?
Kinesis recommends starting with the Form during a period when you are not under a lot of work related stress. Trying to learn a new keyboard layout can be frustrating, and if you are under a deadline that can make matters worse. However, most people find it’s quite intuitive and not as daunting of a task as they initially thought.
Do not overtax yourself early on, and if necessary try using an online typing tutorial program for some low-pressure practice.
My keyboard stopped connecting to my PC?
If your keyboard stops connecting to your PC, follow these 3 steps:
- Use the Bluetooth Clear command Fn + F11 to forget the PC for the active Profile
- Visit your PC’s Bluetooth menu and forget/erase the Form keyboard
- Re-pair the keyboard from scratch
I forgot which Profile is active?
Simply press and release the battery command Fn + F12 to refresh the Profile LED for 5 seconds.
Love it?
Write a review on Amazon so others can learn first hand about your experience with the keyboard.
Need Help?
Submit a trouble ticket and one of our trained US technicians would be happy to assist you.
