New Agent release and module progress
Hi there, and welcome to our monthly status update!
TL;DR: We've released a new Agent version after a long time without changes. We've made a functional key cluster module, and made progress with the trackpoint module.
New Agent release
It's been a whopping ten months since we released the latest Agent version. We've actually been working on Agent since the latest release quite consistently, but weren't able to publish a release due to the lack of a valid Windows Authenticode certificate. Long story short, we finally have a certificate, and recently released new Agent versions.
Feel free to check out the changelog on the GitHub Agent releases page. We've mostly fixed and polished a number of issues. A particularly useful feature is a dedicated Mac pointer speed preset which you should try out if the UHK mouse pointer movement feels slow on your Mac.
We've also implemented the fanciest UHK feature to this day: Agent shows whether the UHK is split or merged, and displays whether the left half is connected. Obligatory demo follows:
(UHKs are not backlit yet. We'll release a backlight upgrade kit at some point, and future UHK hardware versions will be backlit.)
Admittedly, this feature is pretty useless in itself, but it'll actually be useful in the future. The same mechanism will be used to show the modules. Imagine connecting your modules, seeing them show up, and be able to configure them with a click of a button. And talking about modules…
Functional key cluster module
After a fair deal of prototyping, the key cluster module actually works. Again, obligatory demo follows:
You probably noticed the little thingie at the bottom of the key cluster module.

As you can see, it's an FFC cable. Our current FFC cable manufacturer couldn't make a cable of merely 13 mm length, so we used a much longer off-the-shelf cable for the time being. I actually doubt whether an FFC cable of such short length can be made, but an FPC (flexible printed circuit) can surely be made. But we'll probably end up using a rigid-flex board as the best solution.
Apart from the above slight change, there's another issue. I noticed that the responsiveness of the trackball is lacking compared to the previous prototype. The new, smaller hall-effect sensors are probably not sufficiently sensitive to pick up all the magnetic state changes of the mini trackball.
I wired the old mini trackball breakout board to the key cluster trackball board to be able to test it with the key cluster module, and the change in responsiveness was immediately apparent. The right board is super responsive, and the left one skips the beat very often, especially when moving it quickly.

I think we'll revert to the previous hall-effect sensor, and try to pack them tighter to be able to fit them on the board.
Trackpoint module
We've made progress regarding the interconnection of the top and bottom trackpoint boards. There isn't enough space for an FFC connector on the top trackpoint board which contains the actual trackball sensor, so the cable needs to be directly soldered to it. I designed an FPC for this purpose, and we plan to use hot bar soldering to affix it to the top board.

I used a soldering iron for prototyping purposes. So far, so good!

This module should work well, and I'm excited to write firmware for it, and for the rest of the modules.
UHK unboxing video
ShopzadaPH has made an awesome unboxing video of the UHK which you're welcome to watch:
Your tweets
You guys keep sending your awesome tweets, and we're always eager to read and feature them! If you got your UHK, please share your love!
Just finished the config for my @UltHackKeyboard . Love it! I even use mouse mode after finetuning the speed/acceleration a lot. Didnt expect that! The ergonomics already make a big difference for me. Only thing i dont get is the segment display, which just shows the layout. pic.twitter.com/8UgWqVddoo
— Paranoid Goldfish (@Suchkultur) October 3, 2019
Got my @UltHackKeyboard all set up in tenting mode. After four hours I'm already starting to get used to it. Impressed by the solid craftsmanship of the thing, and I am in love with the Mod layer. Looking forward to lots of productivity! Great job, Budapest friends! pic.twitter.com/FAmON5rvhR
— Charley Kline (@cvkline) September 16, 2019
1-tweet review of @UltHackKeyboard so far:
— João M. (@joaomc) September 24, 2019
Palm Rest is so comfortable.
Split mode + Negative Tilting is much more ergonomic IMHO.
Shortcuts are a godsend and really easy to config. ANY KEY can be customized.
Mouse mode not everyone's cup of tea, but easy to customize too. pic.twitter.com/99x71tNpWG
My life is complete now @UltHackKeyboard this the keyboard for me pic.twitter.com/oIn7Y04R7d
— Khaled Garbaya (learnjamstack.com) (@khaled_garbaya) September 24, 2019
We'll be keeping you updated on all things UHK, and are looking forward to talking to you on 2019-11-11.