Upcoming iPaq Micro Keyboard

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1' target='_blank'>http://www.mobileplanet.com/product...65304&listing=1</a><br /><br /></div>MobilePlanet is listing a keyboard as being available this week. I wonder if some of the HP Jornada keyboard designers were finally working on this one... however, it's not on HP's site yet.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/MP965304.gif" /><br /><br />"This remarkably small and lightweight keyboard fits seamlessly and securely to your iPAQ Pocket PC with or without an Expansion Pack attached. Redesigned to include the screen cover, this keyboard also features improved ergonomics and QWERTY layout for greater typing ease. <br /><br />Compatible with the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC h5400, H3900 and H3800 Series."

[bdegroodt]

I have this on my Feb 14th things to do list! Oh yeah, and flowers. Is it me or do I see a red and green key at the bottom- as in Send/End?

[MultiMatt]

I'm confused. The statement says:keyboard fits seamlessly and securely to your iPAQ Pocket PC with or without an Expansion Pack attached
but it looks like the keyboard is actually a sleeve with the ability to have a cover attached...

If that's the case, then why are they mentioning the Expansion Pack?!!!

Matt

[Khufu1]

FYI: I saw this thing in OfficeMax on 2/10/02 so it is actually out. I didn't take a close look, though so I can't offer any info on it.

[ipaq38vette]

Way overpriced
Not just the keyboard, but look at some of the other items at the store. CF Plus expansion for $110. I bought mine for about $85. I hope some other retailers pick up this item. How much was it at OfficeMax?

[bdegroodt]

Way overpriced
Not just the keyboard, but look at some of the other items at the store. CF Plus expansion for $110. I bought mine for about $85. I hope some other retailers pick up this item. How much was it at OfficeMax?

It's listed on the Expansys site as well.

[echo]

sweet! gotta get one. $60 though? what's up with the cover? they werent too clear on what's going on with that. anybody know?

[Paul P]

sweet! gotta get one. $60 though? what's up with the cover? they werent too clear on what's going on with that. anybody know?

It comes with a cover according to buy.com (as are the Plus Expansion Packs):

http://www.buy.com/retail/computers/product.asp?sku=10335233&loc=

Looks sweet

[bmhome1]

This looks almost identical (with styling update) to the Belkin SnapNType (mine cost $10 last month at their web store sale). The top-only view is very deceiving, the keyboard slips OVER the expansion pack/cover (that's where the cover comes in, its the one shipped with iPaq). From the side, the keyboard thickness is nearly 1" high, but it does type well and replicates the 4 covered buttons. But this approach is NOT exactly svelte.

[Paul P]

another view:

http://members.verizon.net/~vze1pdnu/312391-001.jpg

[bdegroodt]

Funny to see that the application keys are in different positions than they are on the actual device. Nice shot of it though. I'm in.

[EvilOne]

Wow! I wish I had an IPAQ, just to get this keyboard! Hopefully HP will keep the form factor on their .Net PDAs so I can get the keyboard too and not wait for a new one to be created! Oh well... I can hope!

[vincentsiaw]

damn, it really look nice, as if it's the part of the ipaq, it's just sweet!

[EddieH28]

ummm, what about the biometric fingerprint scan. its covered

[YMD]

We are expecting the Micro Keyboard 2-14-03. But it look like it will be later, mabe 2/21/03.

[JakobNebeker]

I don't see how this will work with an expansion pack. It is clearly a sleeve.

[Buddha]

Finally a bigger picture of it! Thanks Paul P!
Yes this is going on my 'whish-list' aswell. I still wonder though if the silver sleeve is separate from the keyboard so if you basically get a silver sleeve + the keyboard, that would explain how you can use it with any expansion sleeve (just like the other snap-on keyboards) would be a shame if you can't use it with the CF sleever aswell.

[Venturello]

If it had a CF slow and keep the low profile, it would be PERFECT!

(wonders if the silver sleeve guy can do a mod joining this too sleeves - not as simple as previous cause this keyboard sleeve is already using the expansion connector - but then, I believe, memory and I/O have different pins on the connector - I think)

[Buddha]

Venturello,

I don't think this keyboard uses the expansion connector, I think it uses the sync connector just like the TT Tech SnapNType and other keyboards.

[kfluet]

This looks really sweet.

I see a number of really nice improvements over my TT-Tech SnapNType keyboard:

It looks like it's syncable with the keyboard on. Notice the synch port on the bottom in the larger photo and the sync-cradle-compatible shape.

Fitting over the snap on cover is something I have wished for in the past.

BUT, it also looks like it would be less comfortable to type on due to it being shorter and not having a nice round bottom like the SnapNType.

Here's my theory on whether it's an expansion pack or not: It isn't. It clips on over the cover pack just like the SnapNType. What you are seeing is a silver cover pack. HP has decided to make the cover pack silver in the future. Just a guess.

[bdegroodt]

Anybody notice that the new date on the MobilePlanet link is pushed back to 4/15. Shoot!

[Johan]

Clearly looks like a stylepack with integrated keyboard, sweet stuff!! :lol: Doesn't seem to add more bulk that the normal stylepack. Would have been cool of the keyboard part could be removed, but problem is how to fit the hinge for the coverlid.

I actually thought about trimming off the lid on the stylepack so I could access the buttons for use with the lid on, especially for playing music on the go.