Ok guys, huge update incoming!
So we are on the final stages of designing the new version and we should have prototypes soon, but I just wasn't able to refrain myself from posting some of the awesome progress we have made so far on the PCB.
AestheticsFollowing the alien-looks-theme of Evolv, we have reworked the overall aesthetics of the PCB to something out of this world. Nathan has come up with a
weird indeed image replicating the cozy moonlight of an alien world.
Under the hoodThe Evolv75 revision Beta PCB will use an ARM STM32F401 MCU for its availability and price (silicon shortage means nothing in alien worlds). It will support a wide variety of layouts, including ISO (yikes). PCB will feature QMK/VIA support.
The Beta PCB will use a USB daughterboard with JST connector this time around.
FunctionalityThe main characteristic of Evolv, at least functionality-wise, is the usage of a rotary joystick, that is, an "encoder that can also click on the four directions".
We gathered some feedback from the Evolv CE folks and on this IC page. Some people pointed out that the joystick was maybe too much for them and they wish they could just use a run-of-the-mill encoder with no directionals. Other people said that the joystick is a welcome novelty, and while I belong to this second roster, I still think people that just want a simpler thing also have a point.
So why choose?
The Release Beta PCB will support both encoder AND joystick, so both people are happy. Evolv will also have the "encoder modes" feature which allows for multiple functionality of the encoder with a simple holding of the encoder!
There is a downside to this, however: the joystick and the encoder do not support the same knobs, so both will need their own.
For the CE peopleFor the CE guys, we understand that the first support was lackluster and we are probably retrofitting the Alpha PCB with these all-new changes so our first backers are not left thinking they were simple beta-testers. Me and Nathan are working on supplying these PCBs soon.
DisclaimerOf course guys this is just a "teaser update" and the renders here are just that, renders. There are still changes to be made, so the renders are not 100% reflective of the final product but pretty close as far as we can tell right now.
What about case protos, GB dates, pricing...?Case prototypes will arrive soon and first testings are scheduled. For now we have no tentative GB dates or pricing, but we are steadily getting there. Hopefully we will have some more set-in-stone info soon!