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2.0 Introduction to the Advantage2 Keyboard
2.1 Geometry and Key Groupings
If you are new to a Kinesis Contoured keyboard, the first thing you will notice about the Advantage2™
keyboard is its sculpted shape, designed to conform to the natural postures and shapes of your hands—
which reduces the physical demands of keyboarding. This a sharp departure from the constraints of a
traditional, flat keyboard. While the Advantage2 looks very different from other keyboards, you'll find that
making the transition is actually quite easy because of its intuitive form factor, thoughtful key layout, and its
unparalleled electronic configurability. The Advantage2 keyboard features distinctive key groupings not found
on traditional or "natural style" keyboards. These key groupings shown below, will be referenced throughout
this User's Manual.
(1) Function Keys
(2) Keywells
(3) Thumb Clusters
(4) LED Indicator Lights
Note: The Advantage2 features mechanical function
keys (low-force, tactile Cherry ML keyswitches).
2.2 Introduction to the SmartSet Programming Engine
Kinesis Contoured keyboards have long featured a fully-programmable architecture that allowed users to
record macros, remap keys, and create custom layouts and settings. The Advantage2 introduces Kinesis'
revolutionary new SmartSet™ Programming Engine, which makes the Advantage2 even more powerful and
versatile than its predecessors.
What is SmartSet?
SmartSet technology is the foundation of all the "next generation" Kinesis programmable computer
peripherals. The technology was implemented in our popular Savant Elite2 programmable USB foot pedals in
2015 and then adapted for use in the Advantage2 keyboard. The foundation of SmartSet is using a virtual
removable drive (the "ADVANTAGE2" v-drive ™, named "Kinesis KB" on older models). This virtual drive
exists inside the keyboard to store custom configuration settings as "simple text" files, which can be accessed
and edited from virtually any computer, without any special drivers or software.
SmartSet adds powerful programming features and new ways to build, view and share custom layouts.
Because no software is required, SmartSet works in any operating system that supports USB keyboards.
Virtually any key (168 Top layer and embedded Keypad layer keys) can be copied, moved, or inactivated. In
addition, hundreds of heavy-duty macros (200+ characters) can be recorded on-the-fly and stored in the
keyboard's memory chip, to be assigned to one or more custom layouts and triggered by a single key or key
combination. Furthermore, the no-install SmartSet App (available in early 2018) can reside inside the
keyboard and provides graphical viewing and editing of the keyboard's active configuration.
Basic Onboard Programming Tools
For basic users, customizing the keyboard is accomplished quickly and easily using onboard programming
shortcuts. Hold the dedicated Program Key (legended "progm") and press one of the specially-legended
function keys to perform the desired customization. Details are provided below.
For your convenience, each function key now features a laser-etched legend that indicates which the basic
SmartSet shortcuts. Older models show "disable macro" on F10 but "macro speed" (including disable) is its
function with all recent firmware versions.
Fig 1. Advantage2 keyboard showing geometry and key groupings
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