Javelin's Host Layouts Enable Fully Scriptable Unicode Handling

Javelin's Host Layouts now enable fully scriptable unicode handling. If you've ever wanted to steno with full unicode in Microsoft Word, or emacs (that each have their own unique unicode input methods), this is now possible. All of the default host layouts have been updated and uploaded to github.

Since rebuilding an entire firmware to test a script change would be extremely time consuming, there is a new web tool to update host layouts.

This requires a firmware of 2025-07-12 or later.

Plover 5.0.0.dev3

Plover 5.0.0.dev3

Warning: Version 5 updates the graphical interface library from PyQt5 to PySide6 which requires graphical plugins to be migrated.

v5.0.0.dev3 (2025-07-14)

Features

Core

• Allow higher priority dictionaries to delete entries from others. (#1160)
• Improve orthography rules for ^ify suffixes. (#1680)
• Reduce installer file size. (#1741)

Linux

• Add dvorak keymap support for uinput users. (#1746)

Bugfixes

Core

• Allow uninstall of installed unsupported plugins. (#1739)
• Fix missing font family warnings. (#1740)

Windows

• Do not consider extended scan codes in Windows keyboard capture. (#1357)

Improved Screen Reader Experience on Typey Type

Improved screen reader experience on Typey Type

I just published a change to Typey Type that should improve the experience for people using screen readers. It removes announcements of completed words that were occurring at the same time as the next word for VoiceOver users. A range of other tweaks should make the main text area and other parts easier to use for all screen readers. Please let me know if you have feedback!

There are new sections on the about page about the speak words setting and using screen readers.

I expect the changes will make no difference to people who aren't using screen readers but as always please let me know about any bugs that sneak in.

Go here for feedback.

Silent Switches and Javelin for the Ecosteno

Nolltronics now has a version of the Ecosteno that works with silent switches and supports Javelin!

Silent switches – We’re now making a version of the Ecosteno that has 20g Ambients Nocturnal Silent switches! While they aren’t completely silent, they are significantly quieter than the standard Pro Pink switches we’ve been using.

Javelin – While we’ve had this for a few months now, this is the first announcement we’ve made for it. We’ve moved to the RP2040 processor with extra storage which lets our new Ecostenos and Multistenos work with Javelin! This will allow you to store steno dictionaries to your keyboard, allowing you to plug it into any computer and start typing natively with steno. Note that we’re still shipping our boards with QMK, but the Javelin firmware builder makes flashing Javelin easy if you decide to do so.

Lighter springs – We’ve also had this for a while now, but haven’t formally announced it! Our standard and silent switches are rated at 20g of activation force, but if you’re ready to do some DIY work, you can bring that down to 12g with some SPRiT Kailh Choc 12g Springs! You will have to remove your keycaps and pop open your keyswitches, but once you do, you’ll be rewarded with the lightest keyswitches available anywhere!