New QMK Firmware, Trackball Guide and Keyboard Diffuser

uConsole
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Hello everyone,

I noticed the existing QMK threads have become a bit dated and the most recent information is likely buried deep in long comment chains. I hope it is okay to start a new thread to re-baseline this information, making it easier for everyone to find a stable setup quickly.

I’ve been spending the last several weeks refining both the software logic and the physical hardware of the uConsole input. Input device is important for the first experience, I would like to solve those “last mile” frustrations we all share.

All these have also been shared with the Clockwork R&D team, some ideas has been acknowledged for the future production :crossed_fingers:.

1. Improved QMK Firmware

The stock firmware is functional, but there’s a lot of room for a more “premium” feel. I’ve re-developed a new QMK firmware that focuses on stability and specific trackball algorithms optimisation for the 5" screen, including handling mechanical errors to minimise hall-effect strange behaviours.

  • Trackball Scrolling: By holding the Select key, the trackball instantly becomes a scroll wheel (supporting both vertical and horizontal scrolling).
  • Power Surge Fix: I’ve implemented a workaround for the known “USB Power Surge” issue. If the keyboard gets stuck in DFU mode due to a power spike, it now auto-reverifies and stays functional.
  • Game Mode: A quick Fn + G toggle swaps your arrow keys to D-pad buttons for a better retro gaming experience.
  • Precison Mode: Select + Trackball (middle click) toggles between the normal movement & precision movement
  • DFU mode is a little more friendly on waiting for firmware upload.
  • As well as a web-based keyboard tester for troubleshooting in case you have key issues

Here is the Source & Flashing Guide**

2. Custom Keyboard Diffuser (Version 100+ :rofl:)

If you’ve struggled (like me) with the key requires strong force to type, and the backlight with light hot spots & unbalanced lighting, I’ve been working on a physical solution. After nearly a hundred iterations of testing different materials and geometries, I’ve finalized a 3D-printable diffuser.

The Main Benefit: Touch-Typing
The primary goal here wasn’t just aesthetics, it was to greatly improve the touch-typing experience. It means it should be clicky but just enough force required to type on each key. This consistency allows your muscle memory to take over, making the uConsole feel like a much more professional typing tool.

The original diffuser actually needs 3-5cm clearance to balance the light. Since the space limitations, I have worked out a physical hacks to make the light more balanced.

The design has been tested & validated by uConsole R&D team, so I have given it free to Clockwork hopefully it will be included in the ‘upgrade’ kit. if you can’t wait, the 3D model or a Pre-printed can be purchased here, and here is the masking guide and photos.

Before:

1280×759 47.9 KB

After:
the yellow-ish is the reflection from the keyboard PCB, it can be eliminated by a white PCB. I didn’t proceed further because it is ok to this level for me after hundreds prints :sweat_smile:. The main point is I can fast typing now without loosing my thumbs.

1197×729 90.7 KB

3. Trackball Maintenance & Mods

I like trackballs, there is probably modern solutions with other digitisers, but man~, I have all the track’balls’ at home. Mechanical is king to me.

If you are experiencing trackball issues, it is mainly because the EVQWJN007 Trackball production is not exactly the same as the original blackberry trackball (not a surprise). Or the trackball unit has left in warehouse build up moisture and it may need to be ‘cleaned’ or ‘roughed-up surface’. The main difference is the ball variation does not provide enough friction against the 4 magnetic rollers to create the hall effect.

You can experiment with other balls, the ball diameter is 5.5mm-5.6mm.

You will be able to fix or maintain it when it is facing issues by using this maintenance & modding guide.

I’m hoping this helps “reset” the conversation and provides a clear path for anyone looking to polish their uConsole experience. If you run into any issues with the firmware or have questions, I’m happy to help out in the comments below!

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QMK firmware for uConsole keyboard
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The latest release now includes Tap-Hold feature for letters, numbers & special characters.

This dramatically reduces need for finger travels when keys require shift modifier. Since it might take some getting used to, it’s default off and can be turned on and saved.

How It Works

The behavior is determined by a timer called the tapping term. The current default is set to 200ms.

  • The Tap: If you press and release the key quickly (under the time limit), it sends a standard character.
  • The Hold: If you press and hold the key down (past the time limit), it acts as a modifier (with Shift), thus you will be able to enter uppercase letters or special keys without pressing the shift modifier.
  • Supported keys:
    • Letters: A-Z (tap = lowercase, hold = uppercase)
    • Numbers: 0-9 (tap = number, hold = shifted symbol like !, @, #, etc.)
    • Special Characters: ` ↔ ~, [ ↔ {, ] ↔ }, - ↔ _, = ↔ +, / ↔ ?, \ ↔ |, ; ↔ :, ' ↔ ", , ↔ <, . ↔ >
  • Quick Duplication: Double-tap quickly to produce two lowercase characters (e.g., tapping A twice = aa)
  • Turn on/off tap-hold: Press Fn+T to toggle tap-hold functionality on or off (default: disabled)
    • The setting persists across power cycles via EEPROM storage
    • When disabled: keys behave normally (single key press/release)
    • When enabled: timing-based tap-hold behaviour applies
  • Factory Reset: Press Fn+C to reset EEPROM settings (mainly used for testing persistence for firmware releases)

Note: Game keys (X, Y, A, B, Select, Start) and direction keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) do NOT have tap-hold behaviour to preserve their functionality.

Special thanks to pxlfvr for providing testing and validating ideas.

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To be sincere are a bit late all this useful updates at least for me, i already changed the keyboard and the pointing system to a new keyboard pcb with better lights and optical trackpad as the trackball was really useless since first start and the keyboard lighting was practically close to zero.

IMG_8215
IMG_82151920×3413 1.42 MB

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I’m curious about this, I missed it the first time I read this post last month. Is Clockwork releasing an upgrade kit for the uConsole in the future?

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Unfortunately I do not know, there is no information being confirmed for what the upgrades are and when it might be released.

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i recently bought this and the difference it made for key register pressure is night and day. this increased my comfort a lot, i can even do mild coding now :slight_smile:

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Try to QMK tap-hold feature mentioned above, there’s no need to type shift key when entering special characters :slight_smile:

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I see. Well I wasn’t expecting you to know any specifics, but rather to confirm that in fact Clockwork will eventually release an official upgrade kit. I haven’t seen any discussion about this anywhere else, sounds interesting! We’ll just have to wait I guess.

1 Like