Story

Introduction

BBTrack is a hardware-hacking project that repurposes the optical trackpad from a BlackBerry 8520 mobile phone and transforms it into a compact USB HID pointing device for modern computers. The goal of the project is to retain the nostalgic charm of classic BlackBerry hardware while giving it a new and highly practical role — this time as a tiny, hackable pointing interface.

At the core of BBTrack is the RP2040 microcontroller, chosen for its flexibility, performance, and strong ecosystem support. On the firmware side, the device is powered by QMK, enabling robust USB HID functionality and making customization straightforward for makers and keyboard enthusiasts.

Motivation

This project draws inspiration from the BBQ20KBD, a popular community-built keyboard that reuses BlackBerry keyboard hardware. Seeing how old mobile components can be revived for modern DIY builds highlighted a broader opportunity:

“What other forgotten parts of classic mobile hardware could be brought back to life?”

BBTrack explores that idea — focusing on the iconic BlackBerry optical trackpad as a standalone navigation device. The project also aims to serve as a learning platform for firmware development, USB HID behavior, and embedded design.

Similar Projects & Prior Art

During the early research phase, several related community projects helped shape the direction of BBTrack. These projects demonstrate creative ways makers have embedded or repurposed miniature pointing hardware:

• Trackpad in a Keycap for Corne/CrKbd KeyboardsA clever integration of a compact trackpad into a keycap, enabling thumb-controlled cursor movement on split keyboards.
• thumbMouseA minimal handheld pointing device designed for ergonomic one-handed use — showcasing alternative interaction concepts.

While BBTrack approaches the idea from a different angle, these projects highlight the growing interest in tiny, customizable pointing interfaces within the DIY keyboard and human-interface-device (HID) community.

What’s Next

Upcoming work on BBTrack includes:

• Prototyping the PCB interface for the BlackBerry trackpad
• Implementing QMK driver support for optical motion dat
• Experimenting with additional HID modes (scrolling, gestures, etc.)
• Designing an open-source enclosure for desktop or embedded use

The long-term goal is to release the project as an open-source hardware + firmware platform so others can build, modify, and extend it.

Please note that the BlackBerry 8520 trackpad is not shown in the rendered images. Reference images of the trackpad are provided separately, and the trackpad needs to be manually connected to the PCB.