This $10 PCB Turns Your Raspberry Pi Zero Into a BlackBerry-Like Handheld Linux Device

While we know and love the Raspberry Pi Zero — and its WiFi-enabled sibling the Zero W — if you order one expecting it to do something by itself you’ll likely be disappointed. For many applications, you’ll need a keyboard, mouse, screen, etc., which not only cost money, but make you project less portable. The SnapOnAir Raspberry Pi Zero PCB, however, presents a new option — a board that attaches to the Pi Zero and provides accommodations for a 2.8” color TFT display, along with TCA8418-based keyboard inputs.

The device also allows for the use of a buzzer and audio connections, and it would seem that is has (or soon will have) space for an 1800 mAh battery. While the PCB has many potential uses, if you think it resembles a Blackberry or two-way messaging device of some kind, you aren’t too far off.

The SnapOnAir PCB is listed as being for sale on Tindie for a very reasonable $10, although it’s sold out as of this writing. More info on the board is available on GitHub, so if you want one quickly, or something slightly different to suit your needs, making one yourself could be a viable option!

[h/t: Liliputing]