New Keyboard from Think Outside

[Jason Dunn]

This Brighthand review covers the Palm version of the keyboard, but how much do you want to make a bet that there will be a Pocket PC version out soon enough? I'm very confident that Think Outside will leverage this design into the same markets as all their current keyboards. Now if only they'd release keyboards for more Pocket PC devices...<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/Palm_Ultra_Thin_KB_2_S.JPG" /><br /><br />"Bob Olodort, founder and CEO of Think Outside and the keyboard's inventor, was committed to making a keyboard that is as much like typing on a desktop or laptop keyboard as possible. This means that saving space by reducing the size of each key was out of the question. Therefore, in order to make the new version of the Stowaway smaller than the original, he reduced the number of keys. The original Stowaway has 69 keys, while the Ultra-Thin Keyboard has 51 keys."

[kagayaki1]

If ThinkOutside is checking this post, I couldn't agree more about introducing more keyboards. I feel TO's record for releasing keyboards for different Pocket PC devices is deplorable. I can't think of a more ubiquious hardware item than the foldable keyboard - it really is the item to have.

My main reservation in buying a Toshiba was my concert about TO ever releasing a keyboard for it. After my experience trying to get a Casio keyboard (10 months from when I first heard about it to release), I'm convinced that TO is extremely conservative in their expansion model.

I believe TO must become more flexible to meet the demands of the consumers. The reality is the Pocket PC market is no longer dominated by 3-4 manufacturers, a fact that Microsoft is extremely proud of. If TO wants to sell more keyboards, they need to focus on PPC users.

It only makes sense; since PPC buyers inherently focus on higher end devices with more features, it's indicative of a market that's willing to spend more on accessories that help make their devices even more usable.

Taken a close look at some of the XDA, Dell, Viewsonic, and HP discussions lately? It seems one major component of reviews and discussion boards is what kind of keyboard options are available. EVERYONE is asking about the Dell keyboard, some really neat experiments were done with the iPAQ->XDA adapter to make the Stowaway more universal, some won't buy the Viewsonic until they hear about keyboards, and HP made an interesting decision to make the adapter BACKWARDS on the 1910...(BTW, ThinkOutside needs to come up with a solution, or I will).

After the brillliant release of the 38XX adapter to keep the iPAQ base close to their products, TO needs to examine how to keep their current users. Introducing a new model was a great idea, but only we can get our hands on it as PPC users. Additionally, perhaps the adapter program could be expanded a bit, especially since we all have ARM-based processors in the latest devices. DO NOT MAKE US BUY NEW KEYBOARDS FOR EACH MODEL!!! I will buy one of the new keyboards, but only if I feel TO is committed to one of the user bases that got them off the ground...

&lt;end rant>

-Jason

[JonnoB]

It is pretty small. You can see it here (http://www.thinkoutside.com/products/palmxt-oview.html)

Notice that the keyboard actually has a Palm logo on it? Maybe it is going to be an OEM solution?

[Timothy Rapson]

Both the original and the new thin TO keyboards are exceptionally fine products.

I don't know why every desktop comes with standard, very standard ports for everything, but PDAs each seem determined to do anything but have standard connections. Deplorable, for a product like PDAs who should have benefited from the years and years of desktop development.

All PPCs should have had the active USB of the Casio E200s, right from the beginning. Oh well, we can't go back and do it right now.

As for me, I can get a Stowaway for my Clie NR70V because Sony just paid TO for the design and are selling it under their own brand. I wonder what Dell will come up with? The designs from Compaq, Audiovox, Belkin and PockeTop all seem far short of the Think Outside models. About the only other keyboard I have like was Landware's GoType. I would prefer one of those for $40 than one of the original Stowaways for $90.

With FITALY doing such a good job I am not in such a rush to buy. I am waiting to compare these new thins to the original and hope to have a GoType option before February or so.

[Janak Parekh]

I don't know why every desktop comes with standard, very standard ports for everything, but PDAs each seem determined to do anything but have standard connections.
Because IBM invented the AT and the PS/2 port standards.

PDA manufacturers have been traditionally much more fragmented. Until there's a compelling reason to adopt a standard (financially), they won't. Palm itself used to use a different connector for each of their devices! HP is still not very consistent either (the 1910 connector is similar to the 3800/3900/5400's, but not exactly the same).

--bdj

[jimski]

I agree with the other posts in that next to the AC adapter, a keyboard is the most essential add-on for a PDA. Living without a keyboard through my Kyocera Smartphone and three Clies was a living hell.

The keyboard options available for the iPAQ (3870) were one of the things that convinced me to cross over.

Regarding a comment from an earlier post, don't sell the Compaq keyboard short. I have tried many keyboards, starting with Landware too many years ago, and have found the Compaq keyboard easiest to use. The keys are comfortable and don't make a lot of noise during those quiet meetings and presentations. The best feature is that fact that you can power your iPAQ right through the keyboard.

Yes, I have plugged a zinc battery into the keyboard and sat without interruption (or loss of power) through a 6 hour meeting or seminar.

So let these keyboard suppliers spend 6-8 months deciding if they should introduce a new keyboard to support a killer PDA, just about the same time the killer gets dumped for a new improved (with a new connector of course) model. I will only buy a Pocket PC that already has a keyboard solution.

[Timothy Rapson]

I don't know why every desktop comes with standard, very standard ports for everything, but PDAs each seem determined to do anything but have standard connections.
Because IBM invented the AT and the PS/2 port standards.

PDA manufacturers have been traditionally much more fragmented. Until there's a compelling reason to adopt a standard (financially), they won't. Palm itself used to use a different connector for each of their devices! HP is still not very consistent either (the 1910 connector is similar to the 3800/3900/5400's, but not exactly the same).

--bdj


Yes, I know the history. But what I don't understand is how Palm also saw all this desktop development and didn't make each of their ports the same and then watch all antecedent manufacturers follow suit. Even when a Palm or PPC manufacturer includes a USB port they make all the pin designs in different places that the last guy.

HP is good example. What did they gain by making the H1910 port different? Since the h1910 is smaller than the former Ipaqs in every dimention they could have made it compatible with all the sleeves by simply keeping the port pins the same and making a plastic adapter to slip between the sleeve and the PDA. But, no they made a whole new port on the bottom to do exactly what the old one did. I just don't understand this.

[Perry Reed]

I read about this awhile back (I forget where) and I believe ThinkOutside has committed to releasing Pocket PC versions of the keyboard sometime next year.

My current Stowaway is showing signs of aging (the "D" key has to be pushed really hard in order to work) so I'm hoping the new ones will be out soon.

[heyday]

I tried this new keyboard out at Comdex and it was pretty nice....

heyday

[pewter_tankard]

I agree that connector standards ARE different on PDAs whereas PCs have had standard ports for a long time.

HOWEVER... two possible ways forward are

IRDA keyboards. There already is an IRDA keyboard on the market from www.pocketop.net which can work with most devices providing that their IRDA port is in a relatively sensible place.

...but... better than this would be

Bluetooth. There already are Bluetooth keyboards on the market for desktops (e.g. Microsoft) but none in a portable and foldable form with drivers for Pocket PCs.

Surely this sort of option would give total independence of choice for PDAs in the future. Bluetooth is my choice as it is a secure standardised cable replacement. Ignore physical ports totally.

[Skoobouy]

Connection modules!

Geez, it would've been so simple. ONE keyboard, with a receded connector towards the back. Then, you select and buy an "adaptor" that fits between the keyboard and your device. Have the correct drivers, and that's that! But TO won't be bothered by pro-consumer ideas. :roll:

[Janak Parekh]

Yes, I know the history. But what I don't understand is how Palm also saw all this desktop development and didn't make each of their ports the same and then watch all antecedent manufacturers follow suit.
Short-sightedness, I guess?

Even when a Palm or PPC manufacturer includes a USB port they make all the pin designs in different places that the last guy.

HP is good example. What did they gain by making the H1910 port different?
I don't know. They didn't make it completely different, they turned it around and took out the serial pins. It's total stupidity, IMHO.

Connection modules!
True. They know about it too - they built the 3600-to-3800 adapter, right?

--bdj

[Daniel]

Toshiba was thinking of making a BT keyboard a while ago, I wonder what happened to it? It was meant to be for their PPCs.

Daniel