Smartphones with built-in keyboards have almost (but entirely) disappeared. But die-hard physical keyboard enthusiasts have kept their dream alive with accessories like the Clicks keyboard case and plenty of DIY solutions.
The Fairberry project is one of the most attractive DIY options, as it’s an open-source design that should, at least in theory, allow you to connect an original BlackBerry keyboard to at most any modern smartphone.
Simply put, Fairberry is a traditional circuit board (PCB) designed to allow you to connect a BlackBerry Q10 keyboard to modern smartphones with a USB-C, micro USB, or Lightning connector.
The BlackBerry Q10 is a smartphone that was introduced more than a decade ago and has long since been discontinued. But you can still find replacement keyboards on AliExpress for just a few dollars (or buy a genuine Q10 smartphone for around $50).
As for the PCB, developer Dakkaron has designed it to be compatible with the Fairtelephone four smartphone, but users can customize the design to replace the physical dimensions and connector type to make them compatible with any phone they need.
You can then send your design to JLCPCB (or the manufacturer) to place an order.
You’ll also need to modify published 3D case models to fit your phone and then send them to your own 3D printer (if you have one) or place an order through an online 3D printing store.
The Fairberry task has been around for some time, but the 3. 0 edition was released this weekend, with several key innovations adding a smaller board, a Hirose keyboard connector that no longer needs to be hand-soldered, and a 2-zone keyboard backlight, a firmware update, and updated case design.
While Fairberry is rarely as easy to use as a Clicks keyboard, which comes in the form of a fully assembled keyboard case, there are some benefits to going the DIY route. On the one hand, Clicks is only available for iPhone: there is no Android edition yet, and on the other hand, it is only compatible with a handful of the most recent iPhone editions.
Fairberry, on the other hand, theoretically deserves just about any phone that can work with a USB keyboard, as it needs to be modified to fit your phone’s physical dimensions and input.
via /r/Android
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Its ok
Bluetooth keyboards: they exist. These guys:
Does Fxtec still exist? After their crowdfunding, I expected them to release later versions with modern specs and advertising versions. I prefer a built-in horizontal slide-out keyboard.
I also like touch-tone phones and have an fxtec pro1 and a pro1x. Honestly, the Pro1x is a terrible device and the crusade is just bait and switch.
The OG Pro1 and SD835, with local video output, reception has some issues but overall is fine. The Pro1x is a DIY 662 with lousy reception, no video output (which it promised) and a huge scam of around $700 given that Expansys promoted them for $300 before the backers received theirs.
My Pro1x is waiting for cannibalization in case my OG Pro1 breaks.
They are the ones who recently sold the 1080p presentations for Steam Decks. They don’t need other people to know, but they had to claim it legally.
My Pro1X died in its box because the battery is completely dead and there’s no way to reactivate it without taking it all apart and starting it or sending it back. At this point, I don’t know if I care enough to do so. .
GPD Win Max 2 (2024) Gaming Laptop with Ryzen 7 8840U coming soon (crowdfunding late April)
Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a mid-range phone with premium features (144Hz OLED display, 125W fast charging)
Lilbits: This Self-Made ‘ITX Laptop’ Is Ridiculous (In The Best Way Possible)
Daily Deals (04/03/2024)