One thing that I think can be considered is to add a second B key to the right half of the keyboard (left of the N key). Reason being that the B key is in the exact middle on a traditional qwerty layout, despite touch typing convention assigning it to your left hand. Could help with the learnability of the keyboard! This is also done in the Alice split layout.
That's an interesting idea thank you for sharing. I didn't consider adding redundant keys since it felt off from a design perspective. Also my thought was hitting "B" with the right hand was improper so it'd be better for the keyboard to assert that people type correctly
I could see that not matching some people's preferences though. I will consider this adjustment though for a future iteration. I think the "y" key could also have a similar consideration
Amazing work! I dont align with all choices (prefer ortho stagger and fewer keys) but this is probably the nicest keyboard I have ever seen. What sort of switches are you using?
Thank you Jake, our switches will be custom scissor switches tailored for the keyboard to get the ultra-low profile and custom key shapes we're looking for: https://read.compose.llc/p/why-scissor-switches
I'm sure you're going through so much but as a reader, I'm really enjoying the journey! Question on the extended edge keys: have you had experiences where the Y key is "shared" between both hands? One problem I've had with some of these split keyboards is that they force the Y key to one hand whereas I find myself using either hand depending on the previous characters.
> One problem I've had with some of these split keyboards is that they force the Y key to one hand whereas I find myself using either hand depending on the previous characters.
We're the same, I noticed myself using my left sometimes for "y" if my right hand was recovering or my left hand was already nearby. I knew it wasn't proper but it came naturally to me
When I started using split keyboards it forced me into "proper" form which I figured was a good thing. So keeping only one "y" on the right side feels better + the design is cleaner
That's amazing, the thing i am mostly in love with is portability. I'm using a magic keyboard right now for travel since it's the only keyboard that is small enough to pack. This looks like it could replace it while being ergenomic
Three of the function keys will be used for bluetooth profile management. They will each have an LED embedded in them so it's obvious what is going on. I dislike keyboards that make bluetooth profile management some unintuitive combination of key presses, it will be obvious on this keyboard without an instruction manual
Keyboard nerd feature request, for entertainment purposes if nothing else:
TLDR: Have the split Space keys customizable, and call it the Hyperspace Bar
You’ve done all the wiring to prevent ghosting (I read up on diodes an n-key rollover but I’m not really that smart).
Does that mean there’s a diod on both Space bars or whatever so they’re each a separate key?
If so I’d throw in (another) vote for a bonus feature that kind of goes against the simplicity principles you’ve laid out
The split spacebar on split keyboards is a unique extra key that’s a shame to waste. And if you want to add appeal to the sometimes super-critical “ergo keyboards community”, throwing them a bone with at least one alternative option like that might go a long way
The particular reason I bring it up is, if you do it, you should sell it as the Hyperspace Bar
Going all the way back to the fantastic FlexPro keyboard from the ‘90s with its chest-busting tenting system (worth searching for pictures).
That may have been the first board to offer such a thing, with an option to turn on Backspace or Return on the split Spacebar
Since backspace is one of the most commonly used keys, and one of the longest reaches for the weakest pinky finger, it’s one of the first/few layout changes I think make sense and have a significant impact
Anyways, I saw the FlexPro in Shift Happens, Marvin Wichary’s 1,000 pg history of keyboards and had to share
For people who want to customize their keyboards, you can reprogram the layout if you'd like easily since we're using ZMK. So if you want to change one of the space bars to do something else you can do that without much work
One thing that I think can be considered is to add a second B key to the right half of the keyboard (left of the N key). Reason being that the B key is in the exact middle on a traditional qwerty layout, despite touch typing convention assigning it to your left hand. Could help with the learnability of the keyboard! This is also done in the Alice split layout.
That's an interesting idea thank you for sharing. I didn't consider adding redundant keys since it felt off from a design perspective. Also my thought was hitting "B" with the right hand was improper so it'd be better for the keyboard to assert that people type correctly
I could see that not matching some people's preferences though. I will consider this adjustment though for a future iteration. I think the "y" key could also have a similar consideration
I’m eagerly waiting for this. As a keyboard aficionado, this excites me!
This shows true product craftsmanship and care!
This is fantastic. Just the aesthetics alone is going to make it easy to pull the gun here.
Thank you Daniel, appreciate the support 🙏
Amazing work! I dont align with all choices (prefer ortho stagger and fewer keys) but this is probably the nicest keyboard I have ever seen. What sort of switches are you using?
Thank you Jake, our switches will be custom scissor switches tailored for the keyboard to get the ultra-low profile and custom key shapes we're looking for: https://read.compose.llc/p/why-scissor-switches
I'm sure you're going through so much but as a reader, I'm really enjoying the journey! Question on the extended edge keys: have you had experiences where the Y key is "shared" between both hands? One problem I've had with some of these split keyboards is that they force the Y key to one hand whereas I find myself using either hand depending on the previous characters.
> One problem I've had with some of these split keyboards is that they force the Y key to one hand whereas I find myself using either hand depending on the previous characters.
We're the same, I noticed myself using my left sometimes for "y" if my right hand was recovering or my left hand was already nearby. I knew it wasn't proper but it came naturally to me
When I started using split keyboards it forced me into "proper" form which I figured was a good thing. So keeping only one "y" on the right side feels better + the design is cleaner
That's amazing, the thing i am mostly in love with is portability. I'm using a magic keyboard right now for travel since it's the only keyboard that is small enough to pack. This looks like it could replace it while being ergenomic
Agreed, should also be easier to pack given the case is built in and the product is half the length
Is there plans to support multiple Bluetooth profiles or do you already have it implemented?
Already have that implemented, the keyboard can switch between 3 Bluetooth profiles
How are you handling the switching? Physical switch on the case or something like a function key?
Three of the function keys will be used for bluetooth profile management. They will each have an LED embedded in them so it's obvious what is going on. I dislike keyboards that make bluetooth profile management some unintuitive combination of key presses, it will be obvious on this keyboard without an instruction manual
Keyboard nerd feature request, for entertainment purposes if nothing else:
TLDR: Have the split Space keys customizable, and call it the Hyperspace Bar
You’ve done all the wiring to prevent ghosting (I read up on diodes an n-key rollover but I’m not really that smart).
Does that mean there’s a diod on both Space bars or whatever so they’re each a separate key?
If so I’d throw in (another) vote for a bonus feature that kind of goes against the simplicity principles you’ve laid out
The split spacebar on split keyboards is a unique extra key that’s a shame to waste. And if you want to add appeal to the sometimes super-critical “ergo keyboards community”, throwing them a bone with at least one alternative option like that might go a long way
The particular reason I bring it up is, if you do it, you should sell it as the Hyperspace Bar
Going all the way back to the fantastic FlexPro keyboard from the ‘90s with its chest-busting tenting system (worth searching for pictures).
That may have been the first board to offer such a thing, with an option to turn on Backspace or Return on the split Spacebar
Since backspace is one of the most commonly used keys, and one of the longest reaches for the weakest pinky finger, it’s one of the first/few layout changes I think make sense and have a significant impact
Anyways, I saw the FlexPro in Shift Happens, Marvin Wichary’s 1,000 pg history of keyboards and had to share
For people who want to customize their keyboards, you can reprogram the layout if you'd like easily since we're using ZMK. So if you want to change one of the space bars to do something else you can do that without much work