03-22-2002, 09:07 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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New Wireless Keyboards Coming?
http://www.pocketop.net
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.
[Yes, I KNOW that's not a Pocket PC...]
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."
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.
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.
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03-22-2002, 09:11 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 41
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What's wrong with that person's hands? I hope that it's not a "feature" of using the keyboard! :P
Hans
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03-22-2002, 09:32 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 156
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Hey, that's my idea! 
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03-22-2002, 09:42 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,350
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Mike, I immediately thought of your idea as well. The idea thing is great, now you got to work on your timing. 
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03-22-2002, 09:57 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 98
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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.
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03-22-2002, 10:05 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,350
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New Wireless Keyboards Coming?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brad Adrian
cramped quarters like airplane seats, coffee shops and my office
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Those hands did look familiar....
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03-22-2002, 10:10 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 118
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Keyboard uses the infrared port!!
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."
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03-22-2002, 10:50 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 212
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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.
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03-22-2002, 10:53 PM
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Editorial Contributor
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,411
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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).
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03-23-2002, 12:12 AM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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New Wireless Keyboards Coming?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brad Adrian
[Yes, I KNOW that's not a Pocket PC...]
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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:
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