Fabric Keyboard for your SmartPhone

[Jerry Raia]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/index.php?showtopic=10742' target='_blank'>http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/index.php?showtopic=10742</a><br /><br /></div><i>"ElekTex has produced a keyboard made of fabric. This keyboard is designed to be very portable and thanks to it's wireless capabilities easy to connect to SmartPhone and PDA devices."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Jerry-pop_key_2.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />Now is this "hardware" or "software"? :) Interesting idea if it ever comes to see the light of day. As pointed out though, it doesn't seem to have a stand for the phone. I wonder if it is washable? :lol:

[adwignall]

I was just reading about this keyboard and drooling. This might be a good $100 keyboard for me when it comes out next quarter... I hope.

Oh, and per the product page (http://www.eleksen.com/index.asp?page=products/wirelesskeyboard/keyboard_2.asp), there's a stand listed right there. They just mispelled "windows mobile smartphone" as "versatile mobile smartphone". Common typo, I suppose :wink:

[Edit] Also, it's somewhat washable. Per the manual (http://www.eleksen.com/assets/ElekTex%20Fabric%20Keyboard%20USER%20GUIDE%20v1.0.pdf):
Your Fabric Keyboard has a stain resistant finish. For heavy soiling, simply wipe the keyboard with a damp cloth.
* Don’t use or place sharp objects on the fabric of the keyboard as this might damage it.
* Blot any spills immediately, do not use cleaning products as these may cause severe staining or damage.
* If the keyboard gets wet allow it to dry naturally, do not force it dry or place on or near radiators or other heat sources.

So yes, you can clean it, you just can't chunk it in the washing machine with the rest of your cotton :D

[Jerry Raia]

Oh, and per the product page (http://www.eleksen.com/index.asp?page=products/wirelesskeyboard/keyboard_2.asp), there's a stand listed right there. They just mispelled "windows mobile smartphone" as "versatile mobile smartphone". Common typo, I suppose :wink:

Ah good, thanks for pointing that out. :)

[MitchellO]

Looks like a good idea. Wonder what its size is like rolled up.

[zrdan]

Looks like a good idea. Wonder what its size is like rolled up.

Configuration Wireless Fabric Keyboard
Format 63-key QWERTY with full-size cursor keys
Dimensions (open) 306 x 114mm (12 x 4.5")
Dimensions (stowed) 126 x 48 x 32mm (5" x 2" x 1.2")
Weight 68g (2.4oz)
Material Sensor – Nylon/PU
Plastic Casing- ABS
Power 2 x AAA Batteries
Battery Life 10 hrs on average usage
Wireless Connectivity Yes, Bluetooth®
Auto Poweroff Yes
Alt Shortcut Keys Yes
Menu Navigation Yes
Status LED Yes
On/Off Button Yes
Alternate Graphic Character Set Yes

[thenikjones2]

These have been out before - for the original SPV (Orange in the UK bundled them towards the end). There used to be a Palm case that wrapped around the unit, and folded out to form a keyboard.

I never had one, but 2 issues worried me:

i. what was the feedback like during typing?

ii. would the keyboard lie flat

Reviews for these earlier versions suggested that these were problem areas.

thenikjones

[Mike Temporale]

I never had one, but 2 issues worried me:

i. what was the feedback like during typing?

ii. would the keyboard lie flat

I did, and these were problems for sure. However, it looks like this keyboard is better designed than the older ones. I don't know that I would pay the money for this over the ThinkOutside device.

[Rebecca]

Cool!

[thenikjones2]

I never had one, but 2 issues worried me:

i. what was the feedback like during typing?

ii. would the keyboard lie flat

I did, and these were problems for sure. However, it looks like this keyboard is better designed than the older ones. I don't know that I would pay the money for this over the ThinkOutside device.

Mike, I agree, the space saving would be minimal and my gut tells me it wouldn't be as good. It's a shame that, for most people, the only way to try one out will be to buy one mail order.

thenikjones