Hi All,
Here’s ht latest update to the Rolio split keyboard. It’s now almost done, it just needs some minor cosmetic and manufacturability tweaks.
The GitHub repo is here: https://github.com/MickiusMousius/RolioKeyboard
A quick run down on the features (so far):
- The keyboard itself
- Fully wireless thanks to the Nice!Nano controllers and awesome ZMK firmware
- Excellent battery life, I’ve personally been getting 2+ weeks before it gets to 60% with the previous iteration.
- A low profile, compact choc spaced form factor that is similar to the Corne
- Additional “Sometimes” buttons on the bottom row just like the Sofle
- Horizontal roller encoders on both halves
- A backlight that is efficient enough to be used on battery
- A robust chassis so that it can be treated like a normal keyboard
- An FDM version for at home low cost production
- A CNC option for a slick look and very premium feel
- A travel case that can easily be made using any FDM printer
- ZMK Keymap & Custom keycaps:
- The keycaps are fully customized and match the ZMK keymap thanks to FKCaps
- MacOS and Windows modes as part of the keymap to keep the “same” handy macros in both OSs
- All of the symbols and special behaviors can be accessed using at most two keys
- The settings keys and different modes are documented in the key caps themselves (easy to learn).
- The keymap can be easily customized thanks to ZMK, the keycaps can also be customized to suit your needs
I hear you, it’s a slightly bigger stretch, but on the other hand habits are hard to break. Also, if you’re a gamer I could definitely see the dedicated number row as a hard requirement, particularly if you’re not comfortable making custom layouts.
I still use a qwerty layout and have a number row in my numbers layer as it requires less re-training.
I suspect that layouts with a dedicated number row are a transitional form for most people that stick with it, I quickly moved away from the Sofle for example. As before though I can understand the desire for something different.