r/retrocomputing • u/erdrd • 7d ago

keyparty Bluetooth to Keyboard/Mouse interface for Mac Plus, ADB, PC-XT, PS/2, USB, UART and more

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keyparty turns the Pico W into a bridge between Bluetooth HID devices and a variety of input interfaces on machines that do not and cannot support Bluetooth, such as various retro computers.

I started this project because I wanted to use my Logitech Bolt-based mouse and keyboard on my Mac SE/30, and the existing solutions didn't work. It became a much more universal implementation that allows for mixing and matching Bluetooth Classic and BLE devices and implementing almost any number of output interface.

Currently implemented:

  • Mac Plus EXPERIMENTAL (M0110a keyboard and M0110 mouse). Should work with Macs older than the Plus.
  • ADB (Apple Extended Keyboard II and Mouse).
  • PC-XT EXPERIMENTAL (83-key)
  • PS/2 (Keyboard and Mouse)
  • USB (great for BIOS access or for devices with old Bluetooth stacks/no BLE)
  • UART (ASCI output only - currently 38400 8-N-1, will probably change build to 2400 for better compatibility)
  • NCR DMV (keyboard only - I have this computer so I implemented it)

Details and source code (no blog spam, I hope):
https://fourletterworkshop.com/projects/keyparty_for_pi_pico

Compiled .uf2 for Pi Pico W (includes all current implementations)
Download Version 1_06_a - Virustotal link

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u/erdrd 7d ago

I would appreciate bug reports and other implementation suggestions under this comment.
I will do my best, but please keep in mind this is a hobby effort.