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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: ToastyStoemp on Mon, 08 August 2022, 07:18:30

Title: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: ToastyStoemp on Mon, 08 August 2022, 07:18:30
Be Pad
GEON X WOLF

(https://i.imgur.com/JMiJEHx.png)

IC FORM (https://forms.gle/p5qVHroe2J8rWttKA)
Geon Discord (https://discord.com/invite/geon)  Wolf Discord (https://discord.gg/a5vuxv3KMN)

Be Pad is a 5 key macro pad designed for all pet lovers. Who doesn't like squishing the toe beans.
Made with custom ABS caps and silicone pads in a variety of colours to match the looks and feels of your pet and or setup.


(https://i.imgur.com/bca4Jxg.jpeg)

Updates
08th Aug 2022 - Initial IC

03rd Sep 2022 - Material update - Wireless Status
After the huge response from the initial IC we decided to rethink the material, and thus machining process for the Be Pad.
We've decided to opt for injection moulding the case also. This will allow us to make the product more affordable and creative than was possible with aluminium.
After getting into contact with a few factories that are able to machine and run the injection moulding process for us, we have settled on a company that has proven their quality and consistency from previous projects.
Our new estimate cost of purchase would be 60$.

Bluetooth; from the beginning we felt that offering a Bluetooth version of the macro pad was a must. The responses on the IC also very much reflected this.
We're currently not happy with the user friendliness and customizability of ZMK so we are looking into figuring out a software solution that not only this, but other projects could benefit from.
Alternatively we could use QMK with Bluetooth but the cost of the QMK Bluetooth integration is not ideal.
More importantly is Bluetooth certification. To be able to sell BLE devices we need to obtain Bluetooth SIG certification + certification for each zone / country where we want to make the product available.
Certification is a much more complex and time consuming process than we anticipated. We would like to do this right the first time so we're being diligent about each step.

(https://i.imgur.com/l5b8oJD.png)

Specifications
Mount - Top mount
Plate - POM
Typing Angle - 6°
Weight - 325g
Mating - Hotswap

Materials
Case - ABS injection moulded
Keycaps - ABS injection moulded
Keycap tops - Silicone 70A injection moulded
Plate - POM

(https://i.imgur.com/x9a1KEW.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/CDwnKUj.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/xwiNioc.png)

Wired Kit
Case
Toe Bean Caps x5
GEON Switch x5
2U Stabilizer
PCB Hotswap

Wireless Kit
Case
Toe Bean Caps x5
GEON Switch x5
2U Stanilizer
PCB Hotswap (ZMK)
Battery (600mAh)

Colours under consideration
(https://i.imgur.com/bca4Jxg.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/j6Bkp5l.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hDnLQOg.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/O9ESzNb.jpeg)

Pricing & Availability
Based on current estimates & quotes from manufacturers we estimate the price to be 130 60$ (USD).
Will be sold through https://geon.works/ (https://geon.works/)
Additional Toe Bean Caps will be available.

Feedback
Please let us know your preferences through the IC FORM (https://forms.gle/p5qVHroe2J8rWttKA)

(https://i.imgur.com/PIO2hGI.png)

Wired PCB prototypes using the RP2040 with 3D printed case
(https://i.imgur.com/nscQngB.png)

Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: ToastyStoemp on Mon, 08 August 2022, 07:20:04
Reserved for updates

03rd Sep 2022 - Material update - Wireless Status
After the huge response from the initial IC we decided to rethink the material, and thus machining process for the Be Pad.
We've decided to opt for injection moulding the case also. This will allow us to make the product more affordable and creative than was possible with aluminium.
After getting into contact with a few factories that are able to machine and run the injection moulding process for us, we have settled on a company that has proven their quality and consistency from previous projects.
Our new estimate cost of purchase would be 60$.

Bluetooth; from the beginning we felt that offering a Bluetooth version of the macro pad was a must. The responses on the IC also very much reflected this.
We're currently not happy with the user friendliness and customizability of ZMK so we are looking into figuring out a software solution that not only this, but other projects could benefit from.
Alternatively we could use QMK with Bluetooth but the cost of the QMK Bluetooth integration is not ideal.
More importantly is Bluetooth certification. To be able to sell BLE devices we need to obtain Bluetooth SIG certification + certification for each zone / country where we want to make the product available.
Certification is a much more complex and time consuming process than we anticipated. We would like to do this right the first time so we're being diligent about each step.
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: plag on Mon, 08 August 2022, 07:21:15
Finally
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: ankit on Mon, 08 August 2022, 07:21:33
so good. in  :thumb:
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: geonworks on Mon, 08 August 2022, 07:25:25
I think i like a cat
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: panka on Mon, 08 August 2022, 07:32:10
will the files be available at some point? would love to have it on my desk, but i don't feel like i need it to be made out of alu
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: LMarci on Mon, 08 August 2022, 07:33:12
In :thumb:
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: whirlwind on Mon, 08 August 2022, 07:42:31
Amazing!
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: o3okevin on Mon, 08 August 2022, 08:01:13
les go
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: gotgoodiez on Mon, 08 August 2022, 08:15:37
Hope this comes out sooner than later, I am in for sure!
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: Pontus on Mon, 08 August 2022, 08:20:54
Wow this will be perfect next to my greg keyboard  :eek:
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: andromache on Mon, 08 August 2022, 08:44:30
YES
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: Cylent on Mon, 08 August 2022, 09:01:20
This is undoubtedly the cutest macropad I've ever seen.
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: hali on Mon, 08 August 2022, 09:17:31
happy international cat day
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: murpy on Mon, 08 August 2022, 10:01:30
Love this

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: Cipulot on Mon, 08 August 2022, 10:16:38
Stop taking my money  :)

Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: Seunghyun Lee on Mon, 08 August 2022, 10:43:46
reserved
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: treeleaf64 on Mon, 08 August 2022, 11:26:45
Pet Pet Pet Pet Pet Pet Pet Pet Pet Pet Pet Pet
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: Meepergon on Mon, 08 August 2022, 11:51:11
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: irithyll on Mon, 08 August 2022, 11:57:13
nice.
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: CaesarAZealad on Mon, 08 August 2022, 12:00:14
If only there was a raccoon version
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: k-dub on Mon, 08 August 2022, 18:38:22
So stoked. Can't wait to get this.
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad
Post by: popkorn62 on Mon, 08 August 2022, 19:17:46
on international cat day??? wow
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: ToastyStoemp on Sat, 03 September 2022, 10:42:42
Updated the post with some of the changes we're making on the material choices, and explaining what we've been working on behind the scenes to get everything sorted with Bluetooth
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: irithyll on Sat, 03 September 2022, 11:19:40
Really excited about the material change done to make the Be Pad more affordable/ accessible. Definitely seems like a great gift for many people around me. Bluetooth certification definitely seems like a pain, but I hope everything goes well!
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: bkrownd on Sat, 03 September 2022, 18:30:37
Will these work via bluetooth with Mac laptops?  (including the configuration)  I don't use Macs, but I'm thinking of gifting one to someone who exclusively uses Macs.
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: Pyurii on Sat, 03 September 2022, 23:21:02
Wait this is actually really cute :o
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: HarryBackman on Sat, 10 September 2022, 10:36:14
Totally in! And at this price, definitely will pick up a few extras!
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: shodid on Thu, 13 April 2023, 22:08:48
Interested
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: RavenBlackhart on Sat, 27 January 2024, 17:46:31
Interested
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: toniwonkanobi on Sun, 04 February 2024, 23:28:38
Is this alive?
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: Ariella on Mon, 05 February 2024, 10:13:23
Can someone who knows the designers please ring them and beg them to come back?
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: Neongreen on Wed, 07 February 2024, 09:36:56
Really different design… hope it’s live. Been a while :(
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: pelfox on Wed, 07 February 2024, 09:43:00
plenty of time without updates, doesnt seem like this is happening unfortunately because I would totally get this, bonus point if a golden version was offered
Title: Re: [IC] Be Pad - Material Update, Bluetooth Info
Post by: Neongreen on Wed, 07 February 2024, 09:53:08
plenty of time without updates, doesnt seem like this is happening unfortunately because I would totally get this, bonus point if a golden version was offered

Ah that sucks, I know ICs fall through sometimes but it’s a bummer to finally see something with a different design and it doesn’t get made. I know quite a few people that would love this for their setup.