New Wireless Keyboards Coming?

[Brad Adrian]

<a href="http://www.pocketop.net">http://www.pocketop.net</a><br /><br />There's a new Canadian company that says it will soon be selling wireless keyboards for use with Palm and Pocket PC PDAs. The 4.2 ounce (That's 120 grams Canadian) keyboard folds clamshell-like, can fit into a shirt pocket and would allow users to enter information into their PDAs without the need to actually have the PDA perched atop the keyboard.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/pocketopkey.jpg" /><br />[Yes, I KNOW that's not a Pocket PC...]<br /><br />The Web site claims that the design "is the smallest keyboard that offers the user the traditional touch, feel and functionality of a laptop keyboard. The wireless feature gives the Pocketop Keyboard the added advantage of universal compatibility with most Palm OS and PocketPC PDAs."<br /><br />It's an intriguing idea, but the site leaves several important points untold. For example, there's no mention of what type of wireless technology the keyboard uses. Judging from the photos and text, I'd guess it's infrared, but who knows? And, it is also obviously not a full-size or near-full-size keyboard like those from ThinkOutside.<br /><br />Still, for typing e-mails in cramped quarters like airplane seats, coffee shops and my office, this might be just the ticket. We'll have to monitor the site for more information.

[Hans the Hedgehog]

What's wrong with that person's hands? I hope that it's not a "feature" of using the keyboard! :P

Hans

[Mike Wagstaff]

Hey, that's my idea (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=5513#5513)! :D

[marlof]

Mike, I immediately thought of your idea as well. The idea thing is great, now you got to work on your timing. ;)

[bblock]

I thought the same thing, with one addition: put a one-line (or two) b&W lcd text display above the keyboard so you don't even have to have the device open and in front of you. This would likely suggest a Bluetooth connection, and buttons to open a new note (or Word doc).

Who would use such a thing? I'm thinking for myself of being on the bus, or in the living room typing my daily journal, where I don't need to tap and click a bunch of places, and if I make a spelling mistake three paragraphs ago, it doesn't matter.

[marlof]

cramped quarters like airplane seats, coffee shops and my office


Those hands did look familiar....

[miterb]

I downloaded the press release from the site and it states that the device uses the infrared port and is powered by 1-AAA battery. Also included is software to rotate the screen. The price is estimated to be $119. The full press release is at http://www.pocketop.net/press_release_18_march.pdf
I hope it includes MIPS software.

Brad Miter

"Wireless and Universal Compatibility
Utilizing the infrared port available on almost all devices to communicate means there are
no hardware connections to contend with. The Pocketop Keyboard is optimized for the
Palm and is universally compatible with almost all PDAs. It works with the consumer’s PDA
of choice today, and can simply be adapted to their PDA of tomorrow by downloading
the driver software for their new device. Competitive PDA keyboards in the market are hardware
driven — each PDA needs a different hardware connection. Therefore, as users upgrade their
PDAs, they need to purchase a new keyboard."

[Kre]

I mentioned this idea months ago that Think Outside should make a wireless version of their keyboard. So I think its great that at least another company is trying to make it happen. But IR is no good. Unless that plastic piece they show that palm sitting on has a more accessible IR port built into it, as an option... then it would probably be ok. But if it requires the IR port of the pda, then Im not sure how this will work. IR has to be line of sight, and its weak. Too bad they didnt integrate Bluetooth. But I suppose typing with a small screen would require very short range every time, so maybe it would be ok. I just dont know about the line of sight issue. IR ports are on the top of most pdas. So Im not sure how the signal from a keyboard resting close to the table surface is supposed to shoot up at a steep angle to reach the IR port on top of the pda. I guess we`ll see. But regardless, its still a cool idea. Im glad someone came out with it. I just hope the keyboard is as nice as the TO keyboard.

[Sven Johannsen]

I don't know about you guys, but the IR port on my Jornada is on the top. Unless the keyboard is putting out enough to tan you, and bouncing it off the ceiling, I'm a bit skeptical. Now if I just had to turn my J sideways and use Nyditot in landscape, I'd probably like that anyway.

I'm sure that Coffing guy will get a demo :), can't wait for a review (from someone with a Jornada).

[Ed Hansberry]

[Yes, I KNOW that's not a Pocket PC...]

You know they have an image of an IPAQ at their site?

Also, I don't see wireless anything on an airplane, at least in the US. :cry:

[Aceze]

This looks like something I would VERY much consider picking up. I've been looking at getting a keyboard for my EM-500/E-125, but with all the solutions out there being rendered obsolete the minute I upgrade my machine, it's been something I couldnt justify. However, this might just be the ticket for a universal portable keyboard - kudos for Pocketop (and Canadian to boot - rock on!).

And AFAIK, this is not such a new idea - there used to be a product that was out where you could hook up a PS/2 keyboard and interface this with your PDA via a bendable little "wand" that had an IR LED at the tip. Looks like Pocketop just cleaned up the idea.

As far as I can see, it looks like Pocketop will use a similar sort of setup - notice that there is what looks like antenna or something on the top of the picture - where the PalmV has its IR port?

Oh, and btw, if you go to the compatibility page, it has a small picture of the setup with the Ipaq. Apparently it's also set to support the Jornadas. Unfortunately, no MIPS SUPPORT!!! ARGH!

Aceze

[van_mierlo]

[Yes, I KNOW that's not a Pocket PC...]

You know they have an image of an IPAQ at their site?



and here it is
http://www.pocketop.net/images/new-compaq.gif

[Kre]

I was looking at the keyboard more, and those two bulkier pieces on the front of the keyboard, may be situated as such that they direct the IR signal up at an angle. Then the piece that the palm in the picture is resting on, with the plastic piece on top that extends just beyond the front of the palm, may catch the signal and redirect it into the pda`s IR port. The only question is, how does this work when the pda is on its side? Maybe that plastic prop rotates as well. This thing really has me curious now.

[klinux]

Can people with non-purple hands use these keyboards too? :lol:

[aviator]

While I did get the compaq microkeyboard I actually was hoping for a bluetooth one to be available someday. I guess this is the first step to that?

[timmy]

Even though for now only available for Palm, this could be an option if they consider a PocketPC version.. A flexible keyboard that doubles as a case - what a gadget! 8O

http://www.logitech.com/cf/mobile/index.cfm?act=4386

[Steven Cedrone]

With Bluetooth either integrated or available via 3rd party HW, I can't believe no one has done a Bluetooth enabled wireless keyboard.....

What would be great about it is that you can buy one keyboard and use it with any device (regardless of OS, as long as the manufacturer made drivers available), no more buying device/OS specific keyboards ( I know that I have more then one)......

[Quakeslayer]

Another device that doesn't support my PPC. In Oz, the Tosh e570 has had a lot of marketing push for ages, and hence probably is a lot more popular here than perhaps elsewhere. We don't even have a hardwired keyboard, and I am *desperate* for one. I did a lot of research on PPC's before picking the e570, and stupidly (naively) assumed a keyboard would be an easy purchase. Now there is no model available, and this wireless device, which I would puchase in a second, does not list e570 support. I truly pity the average consumer who would buy a Toshiba based on its excellent specs (better than most other PPC's at the moment) only to find if they are fast typers that they can't even buy a keyboard for it. I considered my decision for weeks, did a lot of research etc and am very happy with my decision. If only we could get a keyboard for our device :( Long-time PPC owners can laugh at me, but as an average consumer new to the PPC world I just didn't even think it would be an issue. Imagine the newbie father and mother scenario buying a device in the shop to be told all the peripherals around them cost five times what they should and don't work amongst different devices, despite the fact they are all PPC2002 peripherals! (Here in Aus the Ipaq keyboards are over $250 when I can buy a full sized PC KB for $20!)
MS can enforce every spec under the sun, yet they neglected to mandate a data port for keyboard entry for the PPC meaning every single keyboard is different. Here I am thinking mobile phone suppliers were greedy by intentionally making connectors for data cables and power transformers different for every model, but its even worse in the PPC world. Blame it on my own stupidity if you like, but this process of having to wait (perhaps forever) for a keyboard for my PPC is really making me bitter. The assumption a PPC keyboard would be interchangable amongst PPC devices was the worst assumption I've made thus far. In fact, I didn't even make the association, I just went on the specs, picked the best device at the time, and assumed (wrongly) that I could grab a keyboard any time in the future.
Sigh. Come on guys, stop treating the consumer so poorly. I'm not talking about the 3rd party guys, I'm talking about the big companies who design the devices with greed in mind when it comes to interoperability. The old "lock em into buying our stuff" mandate is alive and well in the PPC industry. I don't even mind that so much, as long as they release SOME sort of devices at all!

Sorry for the long rant, its been a long day and I'm still upset I have to lug a damn notebook into my meetings just to type up minutes when my PPC could do the job if only I had a KB!

[GregWard]

http://www.pocketop.net

Still, for typing e-mails in cramped quarters like airplane seats, coffee shops and my office, this might be just the ticket. We'll have to monitor the site for more information.


Interesting thought seeing Bluetooth and Airline Seats mentioned in the same discussion thread - presumably you can't use BT on a plane? Or can you? If mobiles can interfere with the nav systems I guess BT could/would. Anybody know?

[Brad Adrian]

Interesting thought seeing Bluetooth and Airline Seats mentioned in the same discussion thread

But I think this uses IR, not Bluetooth.

[jlp]

Quakeslayer,

Since all PkPC2k2 have the same processor they can use the same drivers and since this keyboard uses no (incompatible) physical connection then you should be able to use it.

Also all those who would need MIPS support -and me too, I have a Casio E-125- let's just write them a polite email to request this. If they see enough people with such interest they will certainly do it.

[miterb]

I did write the company and received a prompt reply Friday that they had MIPS software scheduled in about 12 weeks.

[GregWard]

Interesting thought seeing Bluetooth and Airline Seats mentioned in the same discussion thread

But I think this uses IR, not Bluetooth.


I realise it's IR (or seems to be) - but the talk re BT just made me think. I vastly prefer BT to IR (well I do when it works!!!) - but I would have thought it would be a no no on planes - so maybe that could (occasionally) be a disadvantage.

Still rather have BT though.

[Dave Conger]

BT is definatly better then Ir....it is so much faster and much more versitle. The keyboard could work well either way, though BT would be just all around better. What would be great it to have it be BT but also let it have the ability to accept a device plugged into it so on a plane you could plug it in, and turn of the BT.

[jlp]

The question for the designers was prtty simple: BT is standard feature in less than 1% of the PDAs, while 98% of them have IrDA.

And tho BT chips are dirt cheap: $5 in quantities, BT cards are still twice to three times the price of these kind of keyboards.

I'm positive that when BT will be standard in many more devices like IrDA is today you'll see peripherals like this using BT. Of course you won't have to wait untill BT is standard in 98% of the devices, just more numerous. Maybe next year they'll come up with it, maybe sooner if the PDA market develops accordingly.

Business is always mathematical, not along the path of what a few people like us would like to have.

[tls]

I don't know about you guys, but the IR port on my Jornada is on the top. Unless the keyboard is putting out enough to tan you, and bouncing it off the ceiling, I'm a bit skeptical. Now if I just had to turn my J sideways and use Nyditot in landscape, I'd probably like that anyway.

I'm sure that Coffing guy will get a demo :), can't wait for a review (from someone with a Jornada).


The website, www.pocketop.net, states that there is rotational software which I guess means that your screen can be rotated so that the IR ports line up better. And on the home page it shows a little red thing on the front - likely the IR - the two larger black cylinders are probably the AAA battery location(s?).

Someone on here also suggested that it is only for Palm OS, but on the compatibility page of the website it shows that it works with HP Jornada and Compaq Ipaq - I guess they didn't see that.

It looks good! :lol:

[tls]

Somewhere I saw that Micro Innovations will be distributing this keyboard. The website for them is: www.mic-innovations.com (I thought... or www.mi-innovations.com). Maybe they know when it'll be available in stores or have more product info...