Un EXPECTED Mac Gets Universal Command Control
In an exciting development for vintage computer enthusiasts, Bart Jackobs has devised a method to implement universal control-like functionality on a Macintosh Classic, using modern technology. This project offers a fun and educational way to bridge the gap between old and new, allowing users to experience the charm of the past while leveraging the convenience of the present.
The heart of the project lies in the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) interface, a relic of the 1990s wireless technology era that was limited to telegrams and a few telephones. By employing an Arduino Nano or a Teensy microcontroller, users can emulate an ADB mouse and keyboard on their modern Mac, sending keyboard and mouse inputs through USB serial to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then translates these signals into ADB protocol, which the Macintosh Classic can understand.
For those interested in using a Teensy, the board's USB HID support and flexible USB functionality on newer models like Teensy 4.1 make it an excellent choice. With the help of Teensyduino, a PJRC software add-on for the Arduino IDE, programming and deployment become straightforward on macOS.
To get started, connect the Arduino Nano or Teensy to a modern Mac via USB. Run custom software on the Mac that captures keyboard and mouse inputs, and send that input via USB serial to the microcontroller. The microcontroller, in turn, emulates an ADB device to the Macintosh Classic, appearing as keyboard and mouse peripherals.
This innovative approach also opens up the possibility of using old peripherals with an emulated Macintosh. By emulating the ADB devices physically or in software, modern machines or microcontrollers can act as a bridge, connecting legacy input devices to the emulated system.
Bart Jakobs' project is a testament to the ingenuity of the maker community, demonstrating how modern technology can be harnessed to breathe new life into vintage hardware. The project is open to suggestions and improvements, so if you have an idea to contribute, don't hesitate to send it in.
While the project does not currently support Bluetooth communication, it offers a unique and engaging way to explore the world of retro computing and vintage technology. So, why not take a step back in time, and experience the charm of the Macintosh Classic with the convenience of modern technology?
Arduino Nano or Teensy microcontrollers, typically associated with DIY gadgets and smartphones, are key components in Bart Jakobs' project, which allows modern Mac computers to communicate with a vintage Macintosh Classic using the universal control-like functionality.
By emulating ADB devices, either physically or in software, this approach also enables using old peripherals with an emulated Macintosh, thus merging the past and present realm of technology.
