Page last updated: 2021-07-02 12:32pm PDT

ℹ️ Status: Production has ended

🪛 Problems? See the Troubleshooting page.

Kailey's Zoom Keyboard

Table of Contents

• Rapid FAQ
• How does it work?
• How much does it cost?
• Cost Breakdown
• Switch from Windows to Mac
• Fun Facts
• How to build from a kit

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⚠️ USB Cable not provided ⚠️

• This is the kind needed (USB Micro-B 2.0; it's very common):
  
• This cable is extremely popular for all kinds of rechargable devices (e.g. flashlights, headphones, Kindle E-readers, many Android phones/tablets, etcs.), very likely you have one already.

For purchase via Amazon:

• Anker, 6ft, 2-pack, braided
• Anker, 3ft, 3-pack

Rapid FAQ

1. Does this work on a laptop?
   Yes, as long at the laptop has a USB port.
2. Does it work with Mac?
   Yes.
3. Does it work with Windows?
   Yes, although the View button may do something a little different due to differences in Zoom software.
4. Does it work on a phone or tablet?
   Sorry, no.
5. Does it work on Linux?
   I lied. This is not a frequently asked question. But I'd be happy to make one for linux.
6. Is it wireless/bluetooth?
   Sorry, also no. This adds both complexity and expense. Maybe next pandemic ;)
7. Can I have a DIY kit? Sure. Please see the assembly instructions to make sure you know what you're getting into.

How does it work?

It's just like a regular keyboard, but small and preprogrammed to match Zooms's keyboard shortcuts

From top-to-bottom the buttons are:

• 🖥 View toggle (on Mac: Speaker/Gallery, on Windows: Fullscreen)
• 🎥 Camera toggle
• ✋ Hand toggle
• 🎤 Microphone toggle (mute/unmute)

How much does it cost?

Materials cost is estimated to be about $10-15.

🛑 That concludes the "need to know" info. You can stop reading now.

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Cost breakdown

This information is included for transparency:

• PCB : $1.85 (Batch 1: 15 boards for $27.80 with coupon)
• ProMicro controller: ~$4.44 (Calc from recent bulk purchase of 30)
• Switches: ~$1.40 (Coming from supply on hand, mixed value. Example product)
• Keycaps: $1.38-4 (Some from supply on hand, some from Amazon)
• Hardware: $1 (screws/spacers, a bit of a generous guess)

Non-monetary:

• PCB design was surprisingly quick. A couple days to learn the program and get a functional design, and some odd hours after that to refine it.
• Each board only takes 15-30 minutes to put together once parts are on hand.
• Software (keymap) design took another few hours to refine. The tricky part was combining Windows and Mac so that there would only be one chunk of code to maintain.
• Cooridnating with people accross different platforms - honestly the hardest part 😵

Change a keyboard from "Windows mode" to "Mac mode"

1. Plug the keyboard in like normal
2. Hold down the "Hand" button for a good 7 seconds
3. Let go of the "Hand" button
4. Press the "View" button
5. Done

To change from Mac -> Windows, repeat, but in Step 4, press the "Mic" button.

Fun facts!

🌟 PCB (Printed Circuit Board) was designed by me!
Nerd info can be found over at https://github.com/trepmal/fourkey

⭐️ This board is powered by QMK. Its function can be customized and recustomized, as long as you're willing to deal with a little code (or tag your local nerd for help). A Zoom keyboard today could be your "top 4 emoji" keyboard tomorrow.

How to build from a kit

➡️ This page is a work-in-progress.