Pine64’s PinePhone Linux smartphone and its successor, the upcoming PinePhone Pro, are designed to be modular and extensible with a PinePhone Keyboard case prototype showcased here in April 2021 and aimed to transform the phone into what looks like a PDA.
The design has now been refined, and Pine64 has just launched the PinePhone (Pro) keyboard case for $49.99, together with three back covers with either a LoRa module, a fingerprint scanner, or Qi wireless charging for $9.99 to $24.99 depending on the model. All are now available on Pine64 store.
PinePhone (Pro) Keyboard Case
Key features and specifications:
- ISO QWERTY layout with 54 keys in 5 rows. Note the key caps can be rearranged, so you could easily make an AZERTY or QWERTZ keyboard for example
- 180° hinge for two-hand typing on surface or thumb-typing when held
- Pogo pin connector to connect to PinePhone (Pro) smartphone
- USB – USB Type-C port for charging, and capable of powering both the case and the phone
- Expansion – Internal USB header for expansion
- Battery – 6,000mAh internal battery with manual ON/OFF toggle
- Power Supply – 5V/3A via USB-C port
- Dimensions – 161 x 95 x 21.5mm (while closed)
- Weight – About 190 grams without phone
You’d still have access to all PinePhone (Pro) ports with the keyboard attached including the USB-C port, speaker, microphone, volume and lock buttons, cameras, etc… The firmware for the case is fully open source, but note the keyboard enclosure will only work with postmarketOS, Manjaro Linux, DanctNIX (Arch Linux Arm), and Mobian at this time. The main downside is that the system will be awkward to use to receive/made phone calls unless your use an audio headset.
Other PinePhone cases/back covers
Pine64 also introduced three other cases for the PinePhone (Pro) with one with PineDio LoRa module, the other with a fingerprint scanner, and another with Qi wireless charging. From the back, they would all look the same if it was not for the fingerprint sensor. The inside is not much different either with a 6-pin pogo pin interface, but the internal antenna gives a clue of which model is fitted with a LoRa module.
The PineDio LoRa drivers have been written by JF (CodingField), the fingerprint sensor relies on an open firmware for I2C bridge by Zachary Schroeder which may be based on his “tiny-i2c-spi” project, and I understand the Qi case is purely a hardware project.
Via Pine64’s Blog
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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