keyboard News - Page 2 of 9 - CNX Software

September 25, 2025September 25, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 14 Comments

Raspberry Pi 500+ mechanical keyboard PC gets 256 GB NVMe SSD, 16GB RAM, RGB LED lighting

The Raspberry Pi 500+ is an upgrade to the Raspberry Pi 500 keyboard PC, getting a mechanical keyboard with RGB LED lighting, a 256GB NVMe SSD, and 16GB LPDDR4x memory. Apart from that, the rest of the ports and features are exactly the same for the new “Plus” model: two 4K-capable micro HDMI ports, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, three USB ports, a microSD card slot, and a 40-pin GPIO header. Raspberry Pi 500+ specifications: SoC – Broadcom BCM2712 CPU – Quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 processor @ 2.4GHz GPU – VideoCore VII GPU with support for OpenGL ES 3.1 graphics, Vulkan 1.2 VPU – 4Kp60 HEVC decoder System Memory – 16GB LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM Storage 256 GB NVMe SSD preloaded with Raspberry Pi OS; connected to M.2 PCIe 2280 socket MicroSD card slot Video Output – 2x micro HDMI ports up to 4Kp60 Networking Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port Dual-band […]

September 23, 2025September 22, 2025 by Debashis Das - 2 Comments

DuckyPad Pro 20-key ESP32-S3 macropad supports up to 3700+ macros using duckyScript language

The duckyPad Pro is an ESP32-S3-based open-source macropad with 20 mechanical keys, rotary encoders, and powered by the duckyScript engine, for macro scripting and automation beyond QMK/VIA. This allows task automation, application control, and input scripting for productivity, creative workflows, and hacking experiments. The device features hot-swappable switches, rotary encoders, RGB lighting, USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 1.5-inch OLED display. Powered by a custom duckyScript, it supports variables, loops, conditions, and functions for complex macros up to 64 profiles and 3,712 macros total. It offers automatic profile switching based on the active window, microSD storage for quick setup and backup, and optional expansion modules for pedals or external switches. It supports various scripts and (OLED text, RGB changes, button reads) and is compatible with multiple operating systems, making this suitable for streamers, developers, office workers, and security researchers alike. DuckyPad Pro specifications: Wireless MCU – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 CPU – Dual-core […]

September 9, 2025September 9, 2025 by Debashis Das - 16 Comments

QMK-compatible macro keyboard features 0.85-inch LCD keycaps, 2.01-inch display

Waveshare MK10 stream deck like macro keyboard with LCD keycaps

Waveshare has recently released the MK10, a Stream Deck-like macro keyboard featuring ten mechanical keys with 0.85-inch LCD keycaps and a secondary 2.01-inch screen. The macro keyboard also supports AI voice interaction, real-time hardware and weather data integration, and customizable themes with drag-and-drop editing. The company also highlights Home Assistant compatibility for Smart Home control. The device features a dual-system architecture, where an Allwinner T113-S3 dual-core Cortex-A7 processor runs Linux, and a GD32 microcontroller runs QMK firmware, ensuring low-latency mechanical input. The 10 LCD keys can display images or videos with overlay support, and the 2.01-inch screen shows additional status or customization options. The mechanical switches are rated for 50 million presses with a defined actuation force and travel. The device uses an aluminum alloy top case, a hardened 2.5D acrylic lens, and supports two placement methods: flat or at a 40° angle. Waveshare MK10 specifications: Main Controller – Allwinner […]

August 12, 2025August 24, 2025 by Debashis Das - 3 Comments

LILYGO T-LoRa Pager is an ESP32-S3 handheld with support for text messaging, AI motion detection, and NFC

LILYGO T Lora Pager (LoRa + ESP32 S3 Handheld AIOT Programmable Development Device)

LILYGO T-LoRa Pager is an ESP32-S3-based IoT handheld device that comes in an old pager form factor but relies on LoRa for text messaging, GNSS for positioning, NFC for contactless communication, and features AI-assisted motion detection with a BHI260AP IMU sensor. The device also includes a 2.33-inch IPS display (480×222), a QWERTY keyboard, a rotary encoder, an audio codec, a microSD slot, a battery management system, and a wireless charging pad. These features make this device suitable for portable, remote sensing, asset tracking, field communication, and edge AI projects, where GNSS, LoRa, and/or NFC functionalities are required. LILYGO’s T-LoRa Pager specifications: Wireless SoC – Espressif Systems ESP32-S3 CPU – Dual-core 32-bit LX7 processor running at 240 MHz Memory – 512 KB SRAM, 8 MB PSRAM. Storage – 16 MB Flash Wireless – WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.x Storage – microSD card slot for external storage Display – 2.33-inch IPS display (ST7796), […]

July 30, 2025July 30, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Matter-enabled Smart Mechanical Keyboard MK1 targets Smart Home users

THIRDREALITY Smart Mechanical Keyboard MK1 may look like a traditional mechanical keyboard, but it supports the Matter protocol to double as a Smart Home controller. I initially thought it was a ridiculous idea, but as someone who spends 8 hours or more a day in front of a keyboard, it could be quite convenient. Simply press the F1 to F12 keys to control lights, adjust air conditioners, smart shades, and more with minimal distraction. So let’s have a look at the MK1 in more detail. Smart Mechanical Keyboard MK1 specifications: Model Number – 3RMK01069M Wireless connectivity Matter over Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz only, 5GHz not supported) Compatible Devices – Apple Home, Home Assistant, SmartThings, and Google Home (and likely other Matter-certified hubs with Wi-Fi connectivity) Likely based on Bouffalo Lab BL602 chip (See Home Assistant screenshot below). Keyboard 87-key mechanical QWERTY keyboard Customizable display keys Yellow mechanical switches with “minimal noise” […]

July 16, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

FPGA-based Commodore 64 Ultimate keyboard PC is compatible with original C64 games

The last original Commodore 64 keyboard computer was sold in 1994, and since then, the Commodore brand and assets have been owned by various companies over the years, until YouTuber Christian Simpson (Perifractic) bought all assets earlier this year to revive the brand and launch the Commodore 64 Ultimate. The Commodore 64 Ultimate is based on an AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA coupled with 128MB RAM and 16MB NOR flash, and can emulate the original computer, giving access to over 10,000 games and programs made for the original C64 computer. The new computer is a mix of old interfaces with analog outputs for CRT TVs, cartridges, SID sockets, and disk drives, and more recent ones, such as HDMI, WiFi, USB, and more. Commodore 64 Ultimate specifications: FPGA – AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA System Memory – 128MB DDR2 RAM Storage 16MB NOR flash Internal microSD card slot Support for USB flash drives […]

June 19, 2025June 21, 2025 by Debashis Das - 3 Comments

CyberT. – A BlackBerry-like Raspberry Pi CM4-based handheld Linux computer with Kali Linux support

Designed by Carbon Computers, the CyberT. is a BlackBerry-style handheld Linux computer equipped with a 4-inch panel built around the Raspberry Pi CM4. It features a custom QMK-powered QWERTY keyboard, a BlackBerry-style touchpad, HDMI output, microSD card slot, stereo speakers, and an onboard battery management system (BMS), packed into a compact form factor. Compared to Clockwork’s uConsole, which features swappable CM3/CM4 SoMs, a 5-inch display, and optional 4G LTE, the CyberT. focuses on cybersecurity and portable development. While many Raspberry Pi CM4-based handheld devices like the RetroLite CM4 and ReBoi target retro gaming with joysticks or Game Boy-style enclosures, the CyberT., takes a cyberdeck-style approach and runs Kali Linux, or other Linux distributions like Raspberry Pi OS. CyberT. Beta Specifications: SoM – Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) Storage – MicroSD card slot for OS and data storage Display 4-inch 720×720 RGB TFT display (ST7701S controller, TTL RGB interface – […]

May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

OneChipBook-12 is a Cyclone EP1C12Q FPGA development platform with a built-in display and mechanical keyboard

It may look like a netbook from 10 years ago, but the OneChipBook-12 from “8086YES!” is instead an Altera Cyclone EP1C12Q FPGA development platform with a VGA display (LCD form iPad 2), a PS/2 QWERTY mechanical keyboard, a battery, and a few ports. While the OneChipBook-12 is sold as a blank FPGA development platform “with no predefined functionalities”, the hardware is similar to One Chip MSX (1chipMSX), Zemmix Neo, and uMSX systems, which are modern MSX2+ clones, and that’s the main reason people are purchasing the device. OneChipBook-12 specifications: FPGA Altera Cyclone EP1C12Q240 (from the obsolete Cyclone I family) 12,060 LEs 239,616 bits RAM System Memory – 32MB SDRAM Storage – SD card slot (FAT16 file system supported) Display – 1024×768 VGA display Video Output – VGA, S-Video, and CVBS Output interface Audio – Stereo speakers, audio output jack (8), volume control knob (9) USB – USB Type-A port […]