Can we use multicolored leds with the olkb? That is, could I have it glow green for layer 1, blue for layer 2 etc?
Can we emulate what Das Keyboard is doing with their 5Q where events on the Internet, or your box, can change the color of a particular key or set of keys? e.g. An email comes in from your boss and a block of keys flashes red. A row of keys becomes a meter to show how much CPU is being used or how close to your sell point a particular stock is. A single key changes color to green to indicate the drop you've wanted is open and it changes to yellow half way through the drop and red the day the drop is to close. Stuff like that. Here's the 5Q http://www.daskeyboard.com/p/5q-cloud-connected-rgb-mechanical-keyboard/
As far as I know, the Planck only allows for single color LEDs to be soldered in. They are all controlled as a single unit, so there are no special effects you can get where single keys light up. I think you can get a breathing mode with QMK, but I don't think it's available by default*.
*All subject to correction from someone more experienced with QMK and the Planck.
No, it won't be able to do any of that. I think the LED are just on or off and not individually addressable, but someone who already had one could probably come in and confirm. Second, nearly all of the functionality in the 5Q comes from the software that is being written for it and I believe that is going to stay proprietary to DAS. If it proves successful I'm sure someone will create an open source version that could be used to access corsair boards or other ones with similar software control of their lighting.
I got in on a 5Q at the lowest kick starter price tier and an still waiting to get one. Even then I have no idea how I will use it or if it will even be worthwhile.
I envy you. I had decided to jump in on that kickstarter but procrastinated until the last minute, got distracted, and missed it. I had all sorts of plans for using it to complement my workflow at the office. One hesitation with the Das Keyboard 5Q is that it isn't programmable. I'd love to have a light come on as a notification then use a layer to make it actionable. People argue, "but you don't look at your keyboard." And my answer is that when someone comes into my cube and my screen saver kicks in, or I lock the screen for privacy, I'm not seeing notifications on the screen but that keyboard could alert me to an emergency RFC, or email from my boss, or any numerous other situations that would prompt me to interrupt the conversation and return to the computer. It's subtle. More subtle than a smart watch. I really like the concept but feel it is halfway done (notification without action-ability).
The K-type from Input Club may be more like what you are looking for. It has individually addressable LEDs like the 5Q, but is infinitely programmable with multiple layers, etc. You should take a look at that.
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