I like the idea, but can't you achieve most of the functionality just with an add-on $10 USB 10-key, and your choice of scripting? I have used the crazily versatile Controllermate[1] on macOS to do something similar with a gaming keypad that triggered Applescripts and shell scripts.
It'll send the same codes as any other 10-key you have. That was my issue when I was looking for something similar, as I still use the 10-key on my keyboard occasionally. I ended up getting a Logitech G13 for the same purpose but never ended up clearing the desk space so I could set it up.
Controllermate at least can prevent the normal keypresses from registering for the OS (it's actually tampering with all the HID devices, via its .kext - your comfort level with that will vary, of course). Otherwise, yes, I can imagine that having the odd "6" inserted into the text of the active window could get old.
Yeah, I was thinking this might have a niche in medium businesses/etc, but tbh if they have a bored tech guy they've probably already asked him/her to help automate basic tasks (for which any number of Python/AHK scripts already exist or can be trivially created)
You're right about automating repetitive tasks. Usually they're going to get automated if they come up often enough. But what if you're going to do something tedious for the next 10 minutes, like editing numbers in a data base. You wouldn't write a script because it would take too long. However, with the keypad, you could spend 45 seconds setting up some basic automation and it may save you 4 or 5 minutes in total.
The speed of setting it up makes it possible to do short-term automation which I've not come across before.
Wouldn't it be faster to just input a key accelerator (which you can do on your Mac straight from system preferences -- I would assume Windows has similar)? That way you don't have to take your hands off the keyboard, simply press command-foo.
I doubt cmd-foo is harder to remember than the bindings of blank keys on an accessory device.
Going by the screenshot, it looks like you can do a bit more than the System Preferences keyboard shortcut page lets you! Looks more like something like AutoHotkey, I'd say, but with a non-insane interface.
Yeah, you've got it! You can type text, send keyboard shortcuts, mouse movements, media commands and numpad keys. You can also delay and repeat anything as much as you like.
Now any of that can be done in any combination and it's set up in less than 1 minute.
It hasn't got all the features of AHK - some things have to be sacrificed for simplicity but you are very right in saying it has a lot more to offer than simple key bindings. These are proper macros :)
"I doubt cmd-foo is harder to remember than the bindings of blank keys on an accessory device."
Absolutely. I have a Corsair K90 keyboard with 18 extra function keys (actually that's 18x3) and never use them because I can't remember what G1, G2, G3, etc stand for.
Knowing that you've pressed a button is an issue, too. I have a Sidewinder gaming keyboard with a similar number of macro keys, and often the only indication that I've accidentally tapped one is that I start typing 'W' every few seconds (that's a macro I have for avoiding going AFK in some games).
Less powerful than autohotkey, and requires you to use a separate keypad? Just use autohotkey and the keyboard you're already using? I just bind my capslock to my alternate layer. For instance holding caps turns j,k,l,i into arrow keys.
You could program press and hold of any key to do whatever you like. Or you could use the copy paste buttons on a contour roller mouse. With autohotkey, you can make any key, do anything. The sky is the limit. You could make press and hold c equal copy.
They are really sturdy pieces of kit and they're UTF-8 too so great for custom characters etc. However, they're really expensive in the UK (where I'm from) and the interface is seriously old and clunky so there is room for improvement, especially if you're looking for a more customisable solution.
I actually made something similar using a small program called "luamacros" to intercept keys from a Planck ortholinear keyboard, then I printed out labels to put on the blank keycaps.
I think I've finally settled on a good layout, so I'll be printing up some custom keycaps to permanently print the legends on the keys.
It's surprisingly useful! I've got some buttons to open websites, some to do git-things, some to open terminals to various places on my PC, some to open folders, and a few to open programs.
Yeah, I really wanted something easier to work with as it's a bit of a pain to maintain, and I might see if I can pick one of these up for my office machine!
I was actually able to remap the keys of the Planck with some customizable firmware to remove the layer key and Ctrl/alt/etc... keys which made it easier to work with.
Steelseries keyboads offer the same functionality with numerous easily programmable keys. I use heavily with Sublime Text. Steelseries engine software is flacky on mac though, since sierra update often freezes, fine on Windows.
Ideally keys should have programmable LCD icons aswell, I would happily pay $200 for such. I used to use Actions app on ipad, but a bit slow compared to steelseries, so stopped using.
Hey! Robin here - the creator of TASK: The Amazing Shortcut Keypad. Great to see so many comments and some interesting engagement :D
A lot of you are identifying other ways to achieve this sort of automation either with AutoHotKey or custom scripts and if that works for you then good on ya, no point in changing :)
However, the keypad was designed to give you quick, easy and intuitive automation in seconds. No writing code, no binding keys or running scripts. You just drag and drop and it's there.
It's not supposed to be revolutionary new tech, it's just taking a fairly standard macropad and making it easier, faster and less bother to get working. Added benefits are you can share automation 'recipes' and it'll be open source so you can hack/tweak it to your own needs.
This is a really good point, and in the future it would be really cool to implement it on anything. However, it's tricky to guarantee compatibility with every num pad out there, and there are several pieces of software which try and do this already but come up against numerous problems.
In the spirit of keeping it simple, I'm using an Arduino as the heart of it as they are simple to programme and people can hack and tweak to their own needs, rather than struggling with firmware upgrades etc.
I do really like your idea of making it work with a range of hardware. I'm actually going to release 4 different designs ranging from a single button right up to the 12 mechanical key version you see in the link. That way people can choose their price range. Could be as low as £15 !
It seems that others gave you a good hint. Since it is your software that is making a difference, ditch the hardware, adopt external numerical keyboard and go with that.
> No writing code, no binding keys or running scripts
With all due respect I don't think this is the right pitch for HN crowd :)
Maybe you can provide a non drag and drop interface for power-users? After all your target audience are people who prefer pushing physical keys to moving around with mouse & clicking.
a lot of custom keyboards use a amtel avr controller which is easily flashable with custom firmware. I think I can see a teensy like board in the picture. here is an (the) example in c: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware
I've been a part of many usability studies with 'drag and drop' editors and as easy as we tried and make it, it was still coding. People with coding experience do well, people without coding experience struggle. The other interesting thing we learned is that the macro writer and macro user are very often not the same person. Power users create macros that other users then take advantage of. Needing a physical hardware device for these types of macros might make this type of sharing much harder.
Very cool. Signed up for the crowdfunding update. How are you designing, sourcing, manufacturing your hardware (PCB, buttons, boxes)? What about the software?
We should compare notes. I am working on geting my hardware/software project[1] ready to launch.
I have actually decided not to manufacture and instead, open source everything (upon successful crowdfunding).
This way it works out cheaper, more flexible and generally better for the end user. It also avoids things like import taxes, shipping costs and manufacturing delays.
Instead, I have created 4 designs at a range of different prices, all based around easily available components.
I will distribute software, 3D print files, circuit board designs, build instructions, and tutorials so that anyone can build their own. It will be completely open source.
This means you can tweak it to your own needs, use already purchased components and make as many as you like. I think it works out better for everyone :D
It also saves me the trouble of coordinating all the manufacturing and allows me to focus on the bit I like and am good at - improving the product.
I like the look of Riffpod, neat little product. Got to say I've done something similar with iRigg but no doubt there is plenty to set it apart. Good luck!
Interesting business model. So, are you not going to manufacture anything from the crowdfunding campaign? What are the backers going to be getting as a product - the software, 3D print files, circuit board designs, build instructions, and tutorials?
Thanks for the encouragement on RiffPod. Yeah I have looked at iRig - RiffPod has 2-channel (mic + guitar) streaming, has an headphone/amp output and supports iOS and Android. Those are the main features that set it apart from iRig.
Yep, just as you say, my backers will get everything they need to make their own at home with more flexibility and for a lower cost than I could make it for them. Software, hardware design files, circuit designs etc.
These are the main parts really. I have spent nearly 1000 hours developing the software and the designs so it's really quite valuable in itself.
Ahh that's pretty cool, sounds like you've differentiated yourself - keep it up!
It'll only go open source if it reaches its crowdfunding goal. Otherwise, I won't open source and will have to find a different way to make money from the project. Possibly by closed-source manufacturing.
My mechanical keyboard has all this functionality, built-in. No software. No coding required, as it just remembers your strokes. (Or emulated mouse input via its mouse input controls.)
The same company has a mechanical numpad/calculator that can do the same as this shortcut keypad as well, in about the same package, along with having a calculator and display.
These macro pads are all over r/MechanicalKeyboards. Plenty of parts and kits to get you started if you want to make your own.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'd probably need a USB extension to make it usable and it's probably more costly than other solutions but it's an interesting idea nonetheless.
However, you will be able to make a keypad consisting of anywhere between 1 and 16 keys using the TASK software. In fact, you will be able to make a highly functional single key for about £7 using the designs I will be releasing in the shortcut keypad crowdfunding campaign!
As a clicker for presentations, I'm planning to buy a Sanwa Supply NT-MA1 Optical USB Numeric Keypad Mouse. But I still need to save up money for that.
Slightly off topic but what kind of things are people automating behind macros here? I run autohotkey but only use 2-3 macros daily which are macros to start and kill apps I work on (hard kill to avoid waiting some shutdown time) and an "attach to app" macro.
Not enough to justify buying these. Am I missing out? Any great macros for developers?
I remap CapsLock+hjkl as the arrows. And CapsLock+Space as Return.
But of course I want them to be right at my fingertips. Not on an external "far away" device.
I originally created The Amazing Shortcut Keypad to automate AutoCAD during my engineering studies. Instead of having to type 'line' 'rectangle' 'fillet radius 20' 'snap 5' etc, I now just press a button and it happens instantly.
It sped me up so much and was so much more efficient, I decided to develop the project to help other people... and here I am today!
It's not just long tedious things which are worth automating, but sometimes, it's the things you use really frequently which need a slightly more efficient way to be accessed.
This is great. It's like a mouse only stationary and with lots of keys that you can press instead of clicking. And you can program the keys to do whatever you want! Wow!
I use different solution that is arguable better than this and is right now on the market for not much money. I am talking about MMO mouses. Personally I am using Logitech G600 that have total of 20 programmable keys which can be programmed in 3 layers giving grant total of 60 macros, all within a reach of your thumb. This mouse is able to save macros onto on board flash memory which allows use on any system, even Androidm of course after configuring it either on Windows or MacOS.
Yes, many mouses are doing that, you just have to check with the manufacturer (I had A4Tech and Bloody mouses having this feature). Unfortunately this is not the case for all mouses of one company so while Logitech G600 have this, Logitech M705 doesn't. I found out that mostly gaming oriented mouses have that feature. As for my mouse I have shortcuts for different systems (Linux, MacOS, Windows) set on each layer. Companion utility is needed only for initial setup.
I can also recommend QuadroSync, which basically turns your iOS device into a TouchBar. I don't use it much because I prefer keyboard shortcuts, but it's one of the first apps of its kind that I actually can see myself using for a bunch of things.
The device somebody needs to make is a little 3x2 home/end/pgup/pgdown/ins/del block of chicklet keys with an adhesive back that I can stick on to my Macbook Pro to turn it back into a computer.
Most (all?) other manufacturers have also ruined that little magic block of keys, so there would certainly be a market from folks like me who were brought up in a world where you could delete a character or jump to the end of a row with a single finger.
Charge me $500 for the thing and I'll still buy it.
A bit chunky but yeah, that's sort of the thing. It'd be nice if they had a low-profile chicklet version (or at least included the actual keys with the thing), but I'll order one and see if I can make it work.
Since you're citing a Microsoft page, let me give you my very recent experience.
We've acquired a Surface Book, which as you probably know can be used as a tablet or as a laptop. The tablet part can also be reversed and closed back on the keyboard. This makes for a very nice graphic tablet!
The only problem is that, in this configuration, no more keyboard for the essential shortcut used while drawing in Photoshop and the like.
One solution is to plug an external keyboard. Another solution would be to use this!
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[ 3.5 ms ] story [ 119 ms ] thread1: https://www.orderedbytes.com/controllermate/
"Keypad 1"
"Keypad 2"
or even name the macros:
"Keypad sort"
If I'm not constantly repeating a macro, I like to keep my hands on my main keyboard.
I use VoiceAttack when playing Elite Dangerous in VR.
https://voiceattack.com/
The speed of setting it up makes it possible to do short-term automation which I've not come across before.
I doubt cmd-foo is harder to remember than the bindings of blank keys on an accessory device.
Now any of that can be done in any combination and it's set up in less than 1 minute.
It hasn't got all the features of AHK - some things have to be sacrificed for simplicity but you are very right in saying it has a lot more to offer than simple key bindings. These are proper macros :)
Absolutely. I have a Corsair K90 keyboard with 18 extra function keys (actually that's 18x3) and never use them because I can't remember what G1, G2, G3, etc stand for.
And find out that most are taken by the system or various applications (including ones running as UI-level).
>I doubt cmd-foo is harder to remember than the bindings of blank keys on an accessory device.
It's amazing what a $2 permanent marker can do to fix the blank keys issue.
The more keys you need to press simultaneously the worse it is for some people.
I would like to have a pedal for the delete key, that feels like a car break pedal.
And maybe add a sound effect like "no thanks", and push it when I am deleting tech debt. It would make my job very satisfying.
http://www.hammerspoon.org/
I think I've finally settled on a good layout, so I'll be printing up some custom keycaps to permanently print the legends on the keys.
It's surprisingly useful! I've got some buttons to open websites, some to do git-things, some to open terminals to various places on my PC, some to open folders, and a few to open programs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arn8ExQ2Gjg
I was actually able to remap the keys of the Planck with some customizable firmware to remove the layer key and Ctrl/alt/etc... keys which made it easier to work with.
A lot of you are identifying other ways to achieve this sort of automation either with AutoHotKey or custom scripts and if that works for you then good on ya, no point in changing :)
However, the keypad was designed to give you quick, easy and intuitive automation in seconds. No writing code, no binding keys or running scripts. You just drag and drop and it's there.
It's not supposed to be revolutionary new tech, it's just taking a fairly standard macropad and making it easier, faster and less bother to get working. Added benefits are you can share automation 'recipes' and it'll be open source so you can hack/tweak it to your own needs.
In the spirit of keeping it simple, I'm using an Arduino as the heart of it as they are simple to programme and people can hack and tweak to their own needs, rather than struggling with firmware upgrades etc.
I do really like your idea of making it work with a range of hardware. I'm actually going to release 4 different designs ranging from a single button right up to the 12 mechanical key version you see in the link. That way people can choose their price range. Could be as low as £15 !
What do you think?
Maybe you can provide a non drag and drop interface for power-users? After all your target audience are people who prefer pushing physical keys to moving around with mouse & clicking.
We should compare notes. I am working on geting my hardware/software project[1] ready to launch.
[1] www.riffpod.io
This way it works out cheaper, more flexible and generally better for the end user. It also avoids things like import taxes, shipping costs and manufacturing delays.
Instead, I have created 4 designs at a range of different prices, all based around easily available components.
I will distribute software, 3D print files, circuit board designs, build instructions, and tutorials so that anyone can build their own. It will be completely open source.
This means you can tweak it to your own needs, use already purchased components and make as many as you like. I think it works out better for everyone :D
It also saves me the trouble of coordinating all the manufacturing and allows me to focus on the bit I like and am good at - improving the product.
I like the look of Riffpod, neat little product. Got to say I've done something similar with iRigg but no doubt there is plenty to set it apart. Good luck!
Thanks for the encouragement on RiffPod. Yeah I have looked at iRig - RiffPod has 2-channel (mic + guitar) streaming, has an headphone/amp output and supports iOS and Android. Those are the main features that set it apart from iRig.
These are the main parts really. I have spent nearly 1000 hours developing the software and the designs so it's really quite valuable in itself.
Ahh that's pretty cool, sounds like you've differentiated yourself - keep it up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIkcKXIPrLY
Why would I get a new numpad when I can do this with vi/emacs/etc. macros?
The same company has a mechanical numpad/calculator that can do the same as this shortcut keypad as well, in about the same package, along with having a calculator and display.
These macro pads are all over r/MechanicalKeyboards. Plenty of parts and kits to get you started if you want to make your own.
I'm talking small as in, number of keys. Ideally just one or two keys and a USB connection so that you can interact with a computer.
Think like a clicker.
I mostly use it as a quick play/pause video button.
However, you will be able to make a keypad consisting of anywhere between 1 and 16 keys using the TASK software. In fact, you will be able to make a highly functional single key for about £7 using the designs I will be releasing in the shortcut keypad crowdfunding campaign!
This one:
https://techkeys.us/collections/keyboards/products/onekeyboa...
would be perfect but it seems to be sold out. I'll contact them to get more info.
There's other great options in the website nonetheless.
http://peterburk.github.io/programs/#keymouserial
As a clicker for presentations, I'm planning to buy a Sanwa Supply NT-MA1 Optical USB Numeric Keypad Mouse. But I still need to save up money for that.
Not enough to justify buying these. Am I missing out? Any great macros for developers?
It sped me up so much and was so much more efficient, I decided to develop the project to help other people... and here I am today!
It's not just long tedious things which are worth automating, but sometimes, it's the things you use really frequently which need a slightly more efficient way to be accessed.
AHK
Most (all?) other manufacturers have also ruined that little magic block of keys, so there would certainly be a market from folks like me who were brought up in a world where you could delete a character or jump to the end of a row with a single finger.
Charge me $500 for the thing and I'll still buy it.
Is this what you were looking for?
https://techkeys.us/products/sixkeyboard
Thanks!
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/237179/assign-macro...
We've acquired a Surface Book, which as you probably know can be used as a tablet or as a laptop. The tablet part can also be reversed and closed back on the keyboard. This makes for a very nice graphic tablet!
The only problem is that, in this configuration, no more keyboard for the essential shortcut used while drawing in Photoshop and the like.
One solution is to plug an external keyboard. Another solution would be to use this!