During the "Openmoko Stammtisch Munich" yesterday, we have once again discussed options to build a special GTA04 keyboard.
And now I think we have found a way to really square the circle. The square being functionality and the circle being cost. The idea is to use: * off-the shelf pushbutons (Panasonic has some nice and very flat SMD buttons readily available at DigiKey) * a Shapeways made custom case * a not very sophisticated PCB with the buttons, a Bluetooth HCI module [1], a small LiIon battery and a microcontroller scanning the keyboard and supporting USB charging Now comes the key idea: having a shapeways printed case makes it possible to think about a keyboard built into a replacement battery cover. It makes it a little thicker than normal, but you can detach it and use it as a keyboard. A first cost estimate: * buttons: 25 ct each i.e. 16 EUR @ 64 keys * case: 20 EUR * bluetooth module: 20 EUR * PCB + MCU: 20 EUR * Battery, production etc. So it should be possible to build such a beast at less than 100 EUR (where we are back at the financial issues we generally have). And, it needs people working on it. Tasks will be to choose a HCI capable bluetooth module and a MCU, write software (firmware), work on the schematics develop 3D data for a Shapeways case. Who would be interested (and has time and skills to contribute) to join a team that starts working on such a project? Nikolaus [1]: something like http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10823 _______________________________________________ Openmoko community mailing list community@lists.openmoko.org http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community