Ploopy is making waves once again in the world of open-source, 3D-printable peripherals with their latest innovative gadget, the Ploopy Trackpad. Known for their unique offerings like trackball mice and 3D-printed headphones, Ploopy has introduced a trackpad that’s all about versatility and customization for tech enthusiasts.
The Ploopy Trackpad stands out for its significant size, measuring 190 × 140 × 20 mm, slightly edging out the Apple Magic Trackpad. Designed for both desktop and laptop users, it supports up to five-finger multitouch gestures on Windows and Linux. However, users should be aware that macOS multitouch support is somewhat restricted due to compatibility issues with QMK, the firmware used.
In its construction, the trackpad is embraced by a fully 3D-printed PLA plastic shell, chosen for its comfort and resilience against daily use. Originally, Ploopy considered utilizing a glass surface for better tracking but opted for ABS to ensure reliable performance across various systems. Nevertheless, with Ploopy’s commitment to open-source development and a community eager to modify, glass surface adaptations might emerge in the future.
The QMK firmware incorporated into the trackpad is a crucial component, providing users the ability to customize multitouch gestures and other functionalities. While QMK is famed for its use in keyboards, it’s a burgeoning platform for trackpads, paving the way for custom features and community enhancements. One exciting aspect is the potential for layering and hot corner shortcuts enabled through QMK, which could even lead to implementing macros on the trackpad.
Though detailed specifications are sparse, Ploopy has shared insights through community forums, revealing an impressive resolution of around 3,000 × 2,000. This resolution is substantial for a device of this scope and is designed to accommodate future features like stylus support. Currently, the trackpad kit includes a stylus which isn’t active in the firmware yet, but Ploopy assures users that stylus functionality is in the pipeline, promising a firmware update soon.
For the DIY enthusiasts, the Ploopy Trackpad is available as a full kit priced at $72.50 (99.99 CAD), or you can opt for a pre-assembled unit costing $94.25 (129.99 CAD) from the Ploopy store. The adventurous can even take advantage of the free instructions and open-source plans available on GitHub to build their own.
This newest offering from Ploopy underscores their commitment to providing customizable, tech-driven solutions for those who love to tinker and optimize their computing experiences. If you’re a tech enthusiast with a flair for DIY projects, the Ploopy Trackpad might be the perfect peripheral to explore next.
