Hearing that the Linux 6.15 kernel now supports the Touch Bar in MacBooks jogged my memory on the Flexbar crowdfunding campaign I wrote about at the tail-end of last year.
If you missed it at the time: Flexbar is a USB-powered peripheral inspired by Apple’s now-discontinued touchscreen strip, but designed as a standalone plug-and-play device that works with any laptop, PC, tablet, or smartphone.
I was a tad cynical in my coverage of the crowdfunder. Not because I don’t rate the idea—the Elgato Stream Deck range shows there’s sizeable demand for tactile, highly configurable control decks, HUDs and sequencers—rather the low-ball initial goal1.
ENIAC, the Hong Kong-based team reviving and freeing the Touch Bar after Apple’s decision to drop it from their devices, sought a suspiciously low $2k to make, ship and support the thing.
Hmm. If I see crowdfunding campaigns with incredibly low all-or-nothing “goals” my cynicism (and desire to not get scammed) takes over. Low goals never feel realistic, especially for ambitious projects with such unique part requirements as this.
Is $2k really enough to procure parts and materials, book factory slots, manufacture and assemble it, create packaging, shipping, whilst also investing in the software-side to make it useable?
Which is why the crowdfunding effort was likely not naive, and they already had the means (funds) to make it prior to going on Kickstarter, the latter offering marketing opportunities: “we’re 10000% funded” makes it sound like something with real momentum.
FYI OMG JOEY WAS A PARTY POOPER.
Not only has ENIAC built, shipped and delivered the Flexbar, not only have they continued to release multiple updates to its end-user app, SDK software, and device firmware, but this month they added Linux support too!
Alright, not a biggie: Linux support was mooted during the crowdfunding campaign (and why I wrote about it), but it wasn’t a firm promise, more the equivalent of that noise we all make if invited in person to something we’d rather not go to.
So, fair play: to deliver the device and go beyond their initial pitch to support Linux deserves props2.
I can’t rep, shill, or state how well the Linux side of things is working since I don’t own a Flexbar; I haven’t tried a Flexbar; I know no-one who has bought a Flexbar.
But the end-user configuration ‘Flex Designer’ software is now available to download for Linux (AppImage), and that app can update the device’s firmware as needed.
Though the ‘Flex Gate’ community hub, which lets Flexbar owners share presets, plugins, icon sets and other shortcuts, appears to lack anything Linux-specific (some things available there do work on Linux generically), it is early days for the device.
Flex by buying a Flexbar
Those who missed out on the initial crowdfunding pitch may be interested to know ENIAC now sell Flexbar direct. The price tag is high compared to Elgato Stream Decks, but there is nothing else quite like this and, from backer reports, the build quality is premium.
I will note that from reading the comments a few backers got units that don’t work, others find to find the configuration software lacking, while some Windows users are concerned that the OS flags the app has containing a keylogger3.
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got to say: I figured I’d give an update on this (especially for those who, like me, cocked a cynical eyebrow when hearing about it).
Perhaps optimism is compatible with the 21st century after all.
- Also, I wasn’t sure if Tim Cook n’ co would have a few broadly-worded vaguely-outlined patents it to pull out of its stash, flap in their direction, and say: “oi, nah lads”. ↩︎
- If you’re someone who favours FOSS above-all-else don’t be too generous with said props: ENIAC say it has no desire to open-source any part of Flexbar’s firmware or software. ↩︎
- The team stress the software is fine. As an input device which emits key strokes (underpinning its purpose) it’s likely tripping something. It’s working to issue signed releases for Windows to help mitigate the issue. ↩︎