While not the first attempt at a keyboard with a screen on the keys (opens in new tab), PolyKybd (opens in new tab) by modder Thpoll is the first I can imagine myself and the wider public using in earnest in the future. And as a recent convert to split keyboards, I am particularly supportive of this project.

PolyKybd is a mechanical split keyboard with an OLED display inside the keycaps. The idea is that the keys can switch to any language, making it a keyboard that supports a universal language; because it is OLED, the letters and symbols on the keycaps are ridiculously bright, making them easy to read under any lighting conditions.

Thpoll posts about the difficulties of adding glyph rendering (opens in new tab) for languages that use Japanese, Korean, and Arabic symbols. To truly support multiple languages, "you have to handle more than ASCII-⅞ characters," and Thpoll explains that any keyboard layout is possible, including macro-pad and stream-deck type layouts for non-typing uses.

PolyKybd supports a number of mechanical switches (opens in new tab). The small OLED display is connected by this thin flex cable so as not to add too much weight to the keys. The keycaps are from Register, and the PolyKybd's typing experience is an interesting one. When it comes to an excellent typing experience, Register doesn't come to mind very often.

PolyKybd's case is 3D printed, and most of the other components, including PCBs, flex cables, and connectors, are easily sourced online; if you want to buy PolyKybd, Thpoll told users of Ko-fi (opens in new tab), "I'm We are trying to sell the kits in bulk," he said, but due to manufacturing costs, he is forced to sell them for $200 or more.

As of now, according to the project log, the hardware development is almost complete. Next, Thpoll is trying to add trackball support to PolyKybd and is also developing a tenkeyless version and a number pad as standalone add-ons.