I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm trying to use a Arduino nano every as a interface for a USB button box, from the research I have done it seems its not possible with the controller onboard being the ATMega4809 and it not having support as an HID device.
I'm quite new when it comes to messing with Arduino's and I'm wondering if there is any way to be able to use this board with maybe custom firmware or something as id like to not have to buy another board to complete my project as funds are tight at the moment.
Your board has two processors, the ATMega4809 and the ATSAMD11 (which acts as a TTL-to-USB converter). You will need to re-program the latter so it will identify the board to the PC as a HID.
You might want to research that; I think it can be done but I do not know if it has been done. Be aware that this might interfere with the upload via USB unless an updated ATSAMD11 firmware also provides that functionality.
ill see what I can find in terms of re-programming the ATSAMD11 Chip and see if I can find any info,
Also this may seem like a stupid question but is there any reason why some Arduino and other brands of boards don't offer HID capable chips on all boards? as it was my understanding that any board could be used as an HID device but that may be my inexperience with arduinos and such showing.
The first Arduinos used processors that did not have USB functionality. So communication with the PC was done using an additional chip; the very first Arduino actually used RS232 (not sure what the model is, see below image), later models are using USB.
When Arduino started expanding the range, they started making boards with different processors; some of those processors provided native USB. Example boards are the Leonardo/Micro/Due.
If a board does not provide native USB, it depends on the board if the TTL-to-USB converter can be reprogrammed to provide HID functionality. Original Unos and Megas have the 16U2 that is used as a TTL-to-USB converter; it can be reprogrammed to provide HID functionality. A original Nano uses a FTDI chip and that can't be reprogrammed; similar for a lot of Uno/Mega/Nano clones that in general use the CH340 and can't be reprogrammed.
So you are indeed mistaken that every Arduino can act as a HID.
