RGB Switches & Upgrade to RP2350/2354

[RyzerPhenix]

I am really interested in building one of these macro pads. The only complain I have about it, is that the switches are only the non-RGB Variants. I would love to have a second version of the boards, also with hot-swap connectors to be able to use RGB switches. Is there a possibility to do this?
Also the more up to date RP2350 and 2354 are out now, there is also a XIAO Board with those μControllers. Could you maybe implement those also into the new design? The pinout might be the same, but I think that it could be that some things in the firmware have to be changed.

Looking forward for updates on this!

[666dsa666]

I believe rp2354 is also 5v compatible which would make pcb easier + pin compatible.
Though I don't see much enhancements beside that on that point.

Using rgb switches is definitely possible and using ws2812b allow you to have only 1 gpio for all led of the module.
Though it get's harder when managing multiple modules leds and power consumption might skyrocket

[RadioPizza]

I've been following this project with great interest and would like to contribute to the discussion about a potential MCU upgrade.

Changing the main debug board

I think it makes sense to use debug boards from WeAct Studio instead of Seeed Studio (XIAO) in the next version. WeAct Studio also has debug boards for both microcontrollers (both RP2040 and RP2350). Their sources, schematics, and 3D models are also published on GitHub. They can be bought on AliExpress cheaper than XIAO.

WeAct Studio RP2040

Dimensions: 53 mm x 21.52 mm
133 MHz ARM Cortex M0+

264 KB SRAM
256 KB RAM
8 MB Flash

https://github.com/WeActStudio/WeActStudio.RP2040CoreBoard

WeAct Studio RP2350B

Dimensions: 41.1 mm x 41.4 mm
150 MHz ARM Cortex M33

520 KB SRAM
520 KB RAM
16 MB Flash

https://github.com/WeActStudio/WeActStudio.RP2350BCoreBoard

Solving the GPIO shortage problem

But unlike the XIAO form factor, they are slightly larger, which allowed them to bring out ALL pins of the microcontroller. And this project just had a problem with an acute shortage of GPIO. All the brought-out MCU pins will allow us to abandon the use of shift registers and connect all buttons directly without extra chips.