{"slug": "simon-says-buy-this-openai-mechanical-keyboard-thingy", "title": "Simon Says… Buy This OpenAI Mechanical Keyboard Thingy", "summary": "OpenAI and mechanical keyboard company Work Louder are collaborating on a custom macro pad that turns Codex shortcuts into physical button presses, set for release on July 15. The device, which resembles Work Louder's existing macro pad, aims to enhance efficiency and sensory feedback for developers using OpenAI's coding tools.", "body_md": "OpenAI and the mechanical keyboard company Work Louder are up to something on July 15, according to a vaguepost from the OpenAI Developers X account:\n\nYour favorite Codex shortcuts are getting an upgrade.\n\nJuly 15th.\n\n[pic.twitter.com/xZ1ydZyt94]— OpenAI Developers (@OpenAIDevs)\n\n[June 29, 2026]\n\nVibe coding and mechanical keyboards are two hopelessly dweeby tastes that combine beautifully, like [Celsius](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/magazine/celsius-energy-drinks.html) and [peptides](https://gizmodo.com/silicon-valley-is-flirting-with-a-very-stupid-new-way-to-die-2000705108). So it’s only natural that OpenAI would release a thingamabob that turns some of the common Codex shortcuts—presumably some of the ones outlined [here](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/commands)—into button-presses with illumination.\n\nThe device in the X post (which presumably has nothing to do with OpenAI’s [upcoming Jony Ive-affiliated device](https://gizmodo.com/openai-revolutionary-ai-gadget-is-a-phone-a-stinkin-phone-2000751129)) very much looks like a modified Work Louder macro pad, which we at Gizmodo [recommended enthusiastically back in 2023](https://gizmodo.com/best-work-from-home-accessories-desk-monitor-keyboard-1849980633). Figma [released a custom Work Louder macro pad](https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/12/23996534/figma-creator-micro-macro-pad-price-release-dates-specs-features) later that same year. A macro pad is a small array of customizable inputs that sits on your desk, allowing you to do all your favorite key-presses and knob-turns on a device that looks and feels nicer (presumably) than your regular keyboard.\n\nBut that’s just the beginning if you’re a believer in this type of device. The way this sort of thing has been explained to me in dimly lit rooms full of loudly humming CPU fans is that sensory feedback—clicks, bleeps, blinking lights, etc.—cuts down on errors and increases efficiency.\n\nOr, arguably, some people just like when their work tasks feel more like playing Simon:\n\nAnd that’s a legitimate thing to want if you ask me.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/simon-says-buy-this-openai-mechanical-keyboard-thingy", "canonical_source": "https://gizmodo.com/simon-says-buy-this-openai-mechanical-keyboard-thingy-2000779283", "published_at": "2026-06-30 02:34:48+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-06-30 02:54:43.637052+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-tools", "developer-tools", "ai-products"], "entities": ["OpenAI", "Work Louder", "Codex", "Figma", "Gizmodo"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/simon-says-buy-this-openai-mechanical-keyboard-thingy", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/simon-says-buy-this-openai-mechanical-keyboard-thingy.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/simon-says-buy-this-openai-mechanical-keyboard-thingy.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/simon-says-buy-this-openai-mechanical-keyboard-thingy.jsonld"}}