In the decade or more since small inexpensive Linux-capable single board computers such as the Raspberry Pi came to the mainstream, many a hardware hacker has turned their attention to making a portable computer using one. With such a plethora of devices having been made one might think that the Pi handheld was a done deal, but every so often along comes a new one of such quality to re-ignite the genre. So it is with [Taylor Hay]’s BlackberryPi Handheld. As you might guess from the name, it uses a BlackBerry keyboard along with a square LCD screen to create a beautifully executed Pi handheld in an almost GameBoy-like form factor.
It starts with a beautifully designed and executed case that holds a Pi and a Pimoroni HyperPixel screen. Unexpectedly this is a full-size Pi, we think a Pi 4. The keyboard is a USB enhanced Blackberry module which also has the famous trackpad, and there’s a bezel on the front to protect the screen. The power meanwhile comes from three 18650 cells inside the back of the case, with a power bank PCB. The surprise here is how simple he’s made it by careful choice of modules, the usual rats-nest of wires is missing.
The files are available so you can make your own, and he’s actively encouraging people to remix and improve it. We like this project, a lot, and after you’ve seen the video below the break, we think you will too. Oddly, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen someone try this combination.
Incidentally, this appears to use a BB Q10 keyboard from ZitaoTech, who also has a similar Pi 4 handheld.
Funny, that. As [Taylor Hay] says in the linked article:
“I cant advertise for ZitaoTech after they copied this project without crediting me, after I sent them a pre release render)”
Yea his Keyboards are awesome!! And his handhelds look great too :)
My goal was a more plug and play modular build – plus I want all the IO from a full size pi, I feel pi Zero based handhelds are lacking in that front
ok, make this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_CLI%C3%89_UX_Series but open source
That thing is sick – I had a Sony Clie back in the day! I was the only 15 year old I knew with a Palm Pilot, and as it was Sony I could use my memory stick from my Sony digital camera to transfer pictures to my palm pilot and draw on them with my stylus. AmAzInG!!
Sweet. I love the bbq 10 keyboards but I often wish they weren’t bluetooth. Something about using blue tooth for a device millimeters from the board feels wrong.
Maybe [Hay] can chime in here, but the build log describes wiring the keyboard directly to the USB port… implies no effing bluetooth involved.
Thanks Paul – yep bluetooth isnt used in my setup at all :)
They you probably want https://github.com/Dakkaron/Fairberry
I really like this idea, and, being someone who hates to carry around my phone because of it being, well, my phone, I’m definitely gonna be giving this a shot, I can’t wait to have this thing in my hands
The chunkiness is both a bit absurd and strangely compelling. If it had a hefty metal case, it could double as a self-defense weapon, like those old D-cell MagLight flashlights that police and security guards loved so much.
I see that circular LCD’s seem to be somewhat common recently. Maybe the D-cell MagLight could become the new, hot portable computer form factor. There are probably a fair number of those flashlights still hanging around unused, like the one in my garage for example.
I’m working on something similar but with e-ink display, it should drop in a month or two at https://github.com/rattula. So far I have a http://metan.ucw.cz/outgoing/main_board.pdf in the works, where you plug a RPi zero in order to have a proper power button, sound card, 2xSPI display, etc.
Selling the step files feels like he’s actively discouraging people from remixing it.