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KeyMod Update: Help Us Pick a Connector

A project log for Openterface KeyMod: Pocket Phone-to-HID Console

Turn your phone into a USB/Bluetooth HID keyboard and mouse for fast local control when a full keyboard and mouse aren’t at hand.

techxartisanTechxArtisan 04/07/2026 at 03:220 Comments

We have been continuing to refine KeyMod, and one small detail is still under active testing: the connector direction.

In this round, we made and tested four prototype versions, labeled A / B / C / D.

                                                                  Prototype options A, B, C, and D

Alongside the overall comparison, we also looked more closely at the physical details of the prototypes.

                                                                           Prototype detail view

At first glance, the differences seem minor. But once we started using them in real setups, it became clear that even a small directional change can affect daily usability quite a bit.

What we are looking at includes:

To evaluate this, we tested the prototypes in a practical bench setup, including phone based control, direct device connection, and quick side by side comparison during normal workflow use.

                                                              KeyMod test setup in daily use evaluation

This stage is not only about whether the connector works electrically. It is also about whether it feels right in actual use.

That is really the question behind this round of testing. A hardware detail that seems tiny on paper can become the kind of thing users notice every single time they plug in and unplug the device.

We also compared how each direction behaves in real plug in scenarios. This gave us a better sense of which version feels more intuitive, which one creates less obstruction, and which one may be more comfortable in long term everyday use.

                                                                          Real use plug in comparison

Another thing we paid close attention to was laptop side connection experience, especially clearance and plug in comfort in tighter port layouts.

                                                             Checking clearance and plug in comfort

Because KeyMod is meant to support practical local control, we want the final connector choice to feel natural in real workflows rather than becoming a repeated small annoyance.

                                                                 KeyMod in practical local control use

We have not finalized the direction yet, so this is still part of the evaluation process.

If you want to follow the project, the prelaunch page is here:

KeyMod on Crowd Supply

We would also really appreciate outside input while we compare these options. You can vote here:

Connector format vote

We would love to know:

Discussions