The TrulyErgonomic has done something that is mind-crushingly obvious. They've given each hand five columns of four keys with the columns aligned pointing at the elbow. Nearly all commonly used characters are in this area. (Only exceptions are / ? and - but they are put very close by.)
Bingo. The problem of ulnar deviation is solved. Achieves the same result as the Kinesis without having an oversized board. I would argue the TEK does this in a better way than the Kinesis. Having the forearms angled inwards is a more natural, relaxed position for me.
I'm totally with you on this. If the keyboard is all one unit, then the TrulyErgonomic approach seems the most logical way to do it. Why nobody else has done this to know is really quite mind-boggling though. It's simply common sense to me.
I don't know that the position of the shift key would make so much difference to me, though without trying it I don't know for sure.
Positioning of some of the other keys though seems a bit strange to me. I think if I used it I'd need to do some remapping. Most importantly, I'm right handed and only use my right thumb for the space bar. My left thumb goes unused. So that separate left space bar would definitely get a commonly used key on it instead of space. Maybe backspace or enter.
I think the arrows would take a lot of getting used to for me. I still like my good old numpad used with the numlock off for cursoring. If I ever tried a board like this out, I'd probably buy a separate keypad to be used for my cursoring. I know, it somewhat defeats the concept if I have to move my hands over to a cursor pad, but several decades of doing that isn't going to be an easy habit to break. I think it'd be easier for me if I could program the board for a numpad on a layer inside the normal typing area, such as J,K,L and up/down a row.
I wish the company would do something to install a bit more confidence in their ability to deliver this so obviously simple improvement to the standard layout. I would imagine if they're successful at all they'll be copied by other board makers.