Un anticipate Mac device: Control from a Universal Perspective
In the world of technology, the endless maw of the tipsline is always hungry, implying that the authors welcome reader submissions. One such submission came from Bart Jakobs, who demonstrated a creative solution for bridging the gap between old and new technology.
By using an Arduino Nano or a Teensy microcontroller, Jakobs was able to interface old Macintosh Classic devices with modern Macs. The Arduino or Teensy acts as a bridge, emulating Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) mouse and keyboard devices, effectively controlling old peripherals over the ADB bus.
Jakobs ran custom software on the modern Mac that captures mouse and keyboard inputs and sends them through USB to an Arduino Nano. The Arduino, in turn, uses code based on the open-source "abduino" project to emulate ADB devices connected to the Macintosh Classic's ADB bus, enabling mouse and keyboard input on the vintage machine.
While the project uses an Arduino Nano, a Teensy microcontroller can also be used for this purpose. Both can handle the low-level timing and signal protocols necessary for ADB communication, enabling the control and integration of old ADB peripherals, or using the Classic Mac as an input device, effectively bridging the vintage ADB interface with modern USB-based systems.
The key steps in this setup are: 1. Use an Arduino Nano or Teensy to physically connect to the Macintosh Classic's ADB bus. 2. Run firmware on the microcontroller that emulates ADB mouse and keyboard devices. 3. On the modern Mac, run software to capture USB mouse/keyboard input and send that data via serial to the microcontroller. 4. The microcontroller converts USB input to ADB signals, controlling the Classic Mac's input devices or peripherals.
This setup can enable new input capabilities for vintage Macs or allow modern Macs to control legacy peripherals through the ADB bus. For instance, it allows the mouse to be slid from a modern Mac’s display to the Macintosh Classic's 512 x 342, 1-bit display.
While the modification does not replicate Apple's Universal Control feature in its entirety, as it does not support wireless communication between the devices, it does demonstrate the versatility of micro-controllers in bridging the gap between old and new technology. So, whether you're a vintage Mac enthusiast or a modern tech aficionado, this modification is sure to pique your interest.
[1] Bart Jakobs. (2021). ADB mouse and keyboard for Macintosh Classic. Retrieved from https://www.bartjakobs.net/blog/2021/04/12/adb-mouse-keyboard-for-macintosh-classic/
[2] Bart Jakobs. (2021). abduino: Arduino library for ADB emulation. Retrieved from https://github.com/bartjakobs/abduino
This creative solution by Bart Jakobs showcases the integration of old Macintosh Classics with modern technology, using gadgets like Arduino Nano or Teensy microcontrollers. By employing these devices, he bridges the gap between the ADB and USB buses, making home-and-garden tech enthusiasts rejoice and smartphone users curious about the potential of such lifestyle-enhancing gadgets. The versatility of micro-controllers, as displayed in Jakobs's work, highlights their ability to seamlessly connect different technology eras.
