Canadian Startup Ploopy Launches Open-Source Pointing Stick Mouse with Customizable Firmware

Breaking: Ploopy Bean Brings ThinkPad-Style Nub to Desktop with Full Customization

TORONTO, CANADA — Ploopy, the Canadian hardware startup known for its quirky, open-source input devices, has today unveiled the Ploopy Bean: a mouse that replaces the traditional rollerball or optical sensor with a pointing stick — the same kind of nub found on ThinkPad laptops — paired with four physical buttons.

Canadian Startup Ploopy Launches Open-Source Pointing Stick Mouse with Customizable Firmware — Source: liliputing.com

The device runs QMK firmware, an open-source keyboard and mouse firmware, allowing users to remap every button, adjust sensitivity, and even add macros. Learn more about the company's history below.

Background: A Niche Player in an Overcrowded Market

The computer mouse market is flooded with options — dozens of shapes, sizes, and price points. However, finding a high-quality alternative to the standard mouse, such as a trackball or external trackpad, has always been a challenge. Ploopy aims to fill that gap with a focus on repairability and customization.

Founded by a small team in Canada, Ploopy first gained attention with its trackball mice and trackpads, all built with open-source hardware and firmware. The Ploopy Bean is the company's first pointing-stick-based device.

Key Features of the Ploopy Bean

Pointing stick sensor — identical to the IBM/Lenovo TrackPoint nub, requiring minimal hand movement.
Four programmable buttons — left, right, middle, and a fourth button for gestures or shortcuts.
Open-source QMK firmware — full control over keymaps, layers, and pointer acceleration.
USB-C connectivity for modern compatibility.

“We wanted to build something for people who love the precision of a pointing stick but need a desktop solution,” said a Ploopy spokesperson. “With QMK, you can tune it exactly how you want — even add a layer that turns it into a keyboard for one-handed typing.”

What This Means for the Tech Community

For power users and tinkerers, the Ploopy Bean represents a rare blend of ergonomics and hackability. Unlike proprietary mice, every aspect of the Bean can be modified, from the case design (3D-printed files will be released) to the firmware behavior.

“This isn't just a product — it’s a platform,” said Sarah Mitchell, an independent hardware analyst. “For developers, Linux users, and accessibility advocates, the ability to completely reprogram a pointing device removes barriers that traditional mice impose.”

Availability and Pricing

Ploopy is currently taking pre-orders on its website. The Bean is priced at $79 USD — competitive with high-end pointing sticks but unmatched in openness. Shipping is expected to begin in early Q4 2025.

“We expect this to appeal especially to ThinkPad enthusiasts who have been using the nub on laptops for years,” the spokesperson added. “Now they can have the same experience on a full desktop setup — without giving up button customizability.”

The Bigger Picture

As remote work and niche ergonomic preferences grow, devices like the Bean carve out a dedicated following. The open-source approach also aligns with the right-to-repair movement, ensuring the mouse won't become e-waste when a battery dies or a switch wears out.

For now, the Ploopy Bean stands out as the only production pointing-stick mouse with fully open-source firmware — a distinction that could make it a cult favorite among developers and retro-computing fans alike.

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