I’m a author, which you have been most likely capable of deduce based mostly on the truth that you’re at present studying phrases that I wrote. And whereas the instruments of this commerce are easier than these utilized in most different professions, they do nonetheless matter. In the identical method {that a} carpenter needs a pointy aircraft, a author needs a tool that prioritizes the typing expertise. For the extra minimalist amongst us, a desktop PC or laptop computer may be an pointless burden. That’s why Redditor v1c3ntecruz developed the Tapico Typer as a final-year college undertaking.
The Tapico Typer belongs to a rising class of expertise: minimalist gadgets devoted to a single activity. Level-and-shoot cameras, for instance, have been regarded as a dying breed, however they’ve skilled a sudden resurgence in recognition as individuals search to disconnect from their smartphones. Astrohaus sells a few “digital typewriters” that give writers an identical purpose-built different to distracting “do-everything” computer systems. The Tapico Typer achieves the identical objective, however in a way more reasonably priced DIY bundle.
Based mostly on the favored Zerowriter, the Tapico Typer is a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W-based writing gadget. Its solely seen elements are a sturdy Kemove DK61 60% mechanical keyboard and a 4.2” Waveshare ePaper show that’s very pleasant to the eyes. ePaper shows additionally devour little or no energy, so the Tapico Typer has incredible battery life. It’s only an estimate, however v1c3ntecruz offers a ballpark of 10-15 hours of use on a single cost of the ten,000mAh battery financial institution.
The enclosure is 3D-printable and v1c3ntecruz appears to have put plenty of effort into optimizing the structural rigidity. The inside may be very tidy, with every element mounted securely and the cables routed neatly.
When powered on, the Tapico Typer robotically boots into the phrase processing interface, which v1c3ntecruz forked from Zerowriter. ePaper shows are gradual, however this has a half-second partial refresh whereas typing and a full refresh solely takes an extra second. An SD card slot accessible on the outside of the gadget lets customers swap between photographs or again up copies of information.
Of their publish about this undertaking, v1c3ntecruz describes the Tapico Typer as “like a calculator, however for phrases.” I like that analogy, as a result of it cuts to the core of the gadget’s goal. You don’t need your calculator to test your electronic mail or publish to Instagram — you simply need it that can assist you do math. In the identical method, the Tapico Typer doesn’t distract you with superfluous capabilities. Its solely job is that can assist you write.
