What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
It doesn't have wireless.
I don't need a wired keyboard for 1ms gaming, and wireless is so much more convenient. I can't imagine adding a bluetooth chip would add much to the cost, and of course please keep it optional to do wired or wireless!
Two of these lithium cells and a charger can be had for $14 on Amazon at http://a.co/0lFwoMz, so again I don't think this would increase the price much.
1st off the PCB would need to be redesigned completely to accommodate a battery and its hookups + the wireless controller.
2nd. The case would need a redesign because wireless signal's don't like bouncing thought metal. Ask Apple if you don't believe me. I remember some of the original iphones "your holding it wrong"
3rd. Assuming they got thought all that. A set of AA battery's might power the board for 10-20 mins. The board has more LED's then most air port landing strips. The same goes for the rechargeable battery's.
4th. Assuming you did work around the short comings of the battery your going to now have to contend with the fact that your trying to ship Lithium Ion battery's which thanks to Samsung is no easy or cheap task anymore.
All of this adds up to price. The K-Type this was based off of wasn't a bad board overall. Just Input Club stopped supporting it. Which sucks they keep saying its supported but .. actions speak louder then words.
The Original K-Type was a power hog. I know I was warned trying to have USB Cable over 8 foot was ill advised as it could cause the board to not draw enough power. I also know the board's run warm with certain LED's lighting used. All this add's up to a very Unfriendly Wireless Keyboard. Yea slapping battery on there seems simple enough until you take the time to really think about it.. then its not so simple if anything its overly complicated. Then to top it off 99.999% of people who do want a wireless keyboard are most likely going to op for something more compact. A TKL board makes even less since still.
More specifically, you're right, I agree it would be very technically challenging. You also didn't mention wireless doesn't currently support N-key rollover from what I've seen, which is a disadvantage with high-performance mechanical keyboards. But your points about price and 99.999% of people wanting wireless wanting something smaller don't seem that big of a deal. If they can figure out the wireless and battery design on one size, then it can get added to all different keyboard sizes with minimal additional effort, so every keyboarder can go wireless. I currently use a full-size wireless keyboard, and would actually prefer a full-size version over this TKL version. Additionally, how much extra would it really cost? The keyboard is already $200; I doubt the people paying $200 for a keyboard would balk at paying $250 if they've experienced the freedom of wireless.