Air Quality Monitor – USA is a new Das Keyboard Q applet that turns three of your keys into real-time indicators for air quality, UV index, and PM2.5 levels in your area. Just enter your five-digit postal code, and the applet fetches live environmental data, lighting up your keys using EPA-based color codes. It gives you instant and unobtrusive awareness so you can make smarter health decisions without interrupting your workflow.
Your keyboard, now aware of the air you live in.
Hi, I’m Aksel. I’m an intern at Metadot, and over the past few weeks I’ve been developing applets for the Das Keyboard Q Series. I am happy to release the first one: Air Quality Monitor – USA.
It’s designed to bring real-time environmental awareness to your keyboard in a simple, unobtrusive way.
Why This Applet Matters
Air quality is more than a city problem. It includes UV exposure on clear days, fine dust particles kicked up by high winds, seasonal pollen, wildfire smoke drifting in from miles away, or long-term exposure to PM2.5 near highways, industrial areas, or waste facilities. These environmental factors can affect your energy, your breathing, your skin, and your overall health. Often, there are no obvious signs.
This applet gives you a quiet signal when those conditions shift. It’s for people who bike, run, commute, live near sensitive zones, or simply want to stay informed throughout the day. And it does that without interrupting your workflow or requiring you to check your phone.
How It Works
The applet lights up three adjacent keys on your Das Keyboard Q to display:
- AQI (Air Quality Index): general pollution level
- UV Index: real-time sun exposure risk
- PM2.5: fine particulate matter that impacts respiratory and cardiovascular health
The applet pulls data from Open-Meteo and updates your keys using the EPA’s color-coded scale:
- Green = Good
- Yellow = Moderate
- Orange = Unhealthy for sensitive groups
- Red = Unhealthy
- Purple = Very Unhealthy
- Maroon = Hazardous
A Subtle Signal That Speaks Volumes
Maybe today’s not the best day to go for that run.
Maybe it’s time to close the window, or grab sunscreen.
Maybe now you know why your breathing feels off.
This applet is meant to be a low-distraction presence, a background layer of awareness that quietly helps you make more informed choices as you move through your day.
Setup is Simple
- Compatible with all Das Keyboard Q Series models
- Enter your five-digit postal code
- Assign the applet to any three adjacent keys
What’s Next
Air Quality Monitor – USA is the first in a series of applets I’m developing during my internship at Metadot. Upcoming releases will explore other domains like space, crypto or time management.
Try It Now
You can find Air Quality Monitor – USA in the Q software’s marketplace today.
Open the Das Keyboard Q software, browse the available applets, and assign Air Quality Monitor – USA to any three adjacent keys on your keyboard.
Want to explore the code and see how it works under the hood? Check out the source code here.
Thanks for reading, and breathe easier knowing your keyboard has your back.