This kinda sucks, and I hope it becomes an option soon. I’m currently without a laptop and holding out for a 12, but if we’re not geting a backlit keyboard I’m probably going to go a different route.
Well, qmk and zmk look to be out.
Keyboard controller is a chip from ITE tech. I don’t believe either will run on those.
Ifixit teardown
The PixArt touchpad chip looks to read PCT2642QC. pixart.com/products-detail/36/PCT2642QC. No idea yet on the ITE chip’s model. Maybe clearer shots can be had somewhere.
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Fingerprint reader expansion slot?
Bet you could even use a Framework fingerprint sensor, they’re usb. Of course, it would be just asking for volume keys to be added alongside, just a little feature creep.
Comparing the GitHub pages for the Framework 13 Touchpad and the Framework 12 Input Cover, it looks like a future variant of the keyboard will include backlighting. Note that both have pins for KBL_P. While the 12 doesn’t have KBL_N, I assume one of the GND pins could be used. And for those wondering about fingerprint readers, the Power Button board has currently unused USB pins, so I would guess that a biometric option will be available in the future as well…
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I’d say that it can include backlighting, rather than will include it. Same for a fingerprint reader embedded in the power button. When creating a platform, Framework is thinking about the platform serving them for a long time, and they’re looking to avoid compatibility breaking changes that could come up in the future. They are going to include something like a backlight pin in the keyboard connector, and usb near the power button, even if they don’t have plans to use those just yet.
Now, given that the FWL12 seems to be much more popular beyond its original target market than anticipated, I suspect they will indeed come out with upgrades like a backlight keyboard, hopefully relatively soon. It’s just that you really can’t use the presence of those pins as proof that it will happen soon.
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I hope they do bring one out, nice to know the technical headroom is in place for it. I’d love this feature too. …is RGB backlit too much to ask?!
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