I created this keyboard with the goal of having a display in each key. It has 72 keys and each key has a 72x40 px OLED display. They keys can change according to language and layout. Also displaying shortcut icons is possible :)
I was about to berate you for trying to claim that you made the PolyKybd, but then I looked at the username.
How much does a display cost? Reminds me of that keyboard that never materialised line 20 years ago by ArtLebedev.
Around 2$ if you buy in big quantities
I think that did materialize, but was rather underwhelming?
Apparently it did. I only remember the three button version. Anyways, it was before its time. Now with the custom keyboard craze, it seems to fit perfectly. Then again, if I wait another 2 years, the chinese will provide me the thing for a quarter of the price.
People and companies occasionally come back to the idea - there’s the recent Flux, Elgato’s macropad (and its numerous imitators), and who was it that was showing off a keyboard with mini-screens while using Dota 2 skill icons as an example
Another way to tackle this problem would be to have a little projector (maybe laser, ideally not) next to the keyboard to shine the labels onto the keys
I’ve literally dreamt of a similar kb design. How much did all this cost?
At the current stage maybe around 400$ if you make a bunch of them at once
That’s not great, but that’s REALLY not bad! As in, totally reasonable for this board! Are you planning on making a whole bunch and selling them?
Well right, you can spend 400$ on a keeb without a single display and no custom software. As mentioned, I plan for a kit ( https://www.crowdsupply.com/polykybd/polykybd ), as I don’t want to assemble all the boards and it will be the fun parts for those who buy one.
I missed that link thanks! I signed up to be notified when it opens. You’re absolutely right. It would be fun. Super nice design!
This looks incredible! Maybe I’ll finally stop forgetting my own custom layouts with this.
So cool!
This is amazing. Displaying hotkeys would be so efficient. Love the idea of the keyboard as an output device!
The build institutions are on the mentioned GitHub and I have a build video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5RpbYzx7gw&ab_channel=PolyKybd
If someone is interested in the kit, you can also pre-register: https://www.crowdsupply.com/polykybd/polykybd
@thpoll I think what I would love to see would be this in a Corne layout. One doesn’t really need all the keys if you have displays everywhere :D
I heard that before. For sure, it’s on the list of the next layouts to consider!
