03-17-2003, 08:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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HP Jornada, HP iPAQ, and Dell Thumb Keyboards Reviewed
"It took a while for the thumb keyboard concept to win me over. But, it did and my opinion now is that any Pocket PC I use regularly must have a thumb keyboard option. However, thumb keyboards are not all alike. This review takes a look at the three I�ve been using and makes a plea to thumb keyboard designers to do a better job (and take a lesson from the defunct HP Jornada design team). The three thumb keyboards reviewed were all purchased from the Pocket PC�s manufacturer (Compaq, Dell, and HP). The Pocket PCs used for testing were a Compaq iPAQ 3850, a Dell Axim X5 Advanced, and an HP Jornada 565."
My fellow Mobile Devices MVP Todd Ogasawara put together a great comparative review of three thumb keyboards on the market. While I haven't tried the Dell, I've tried several others, and I've come to one conclusion: the HP method (making the keyboard overlay the device) is the only solution that I find personally acceptable. Everything else is just too big and too ugly. I suppose what I really want is a Pocket PC with an integrated keyboard...it would make email and IM much more useful!
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03-17-2003, 08:11 PM
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Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 749
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The thumb keyboard on my HP J568 is the only way to go for me. I just can't get the 'writing on the screen' thing to work consistently for me and I'm much faster twiddling my thumbs around the keyboard.
Now, if I could just get the O/S updated to allow for the 'menus' to be accessed (like the New selection for Tasks, etc.) from the keyboard!!!
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/drt
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03-17-2003, 08:30 PM
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Editorial Contributor
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,411
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Don Tolson
Now, if I could just get the O/S updated to allow for the 'menus' to be accessed (like the New selection for Tasks, etc.) from the keyboard!!!
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Bingo! If you could get the designers, software and hardware, to get real and realize most folks only have two hands, both of which are being used when you use a thumb keyboard, maybe we could quit holding the stylus between our teeth, ready to use it for the all to often action you can't do with the keyboard.
P.S. The Smartphone OS works. It is not even a touch screen, so everything must be accesible via keys.
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Sometimes you are the anteater, sometimes you are the ant.
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03-17-2003, 08:47 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 145
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I have used the Targus thumb keyboard on my TOshiba e740, and while the experience was pleasant, it is simply too big for my tastes. I would love to get the Jornada-like one for the Toshiba so not much bulk is added, especially length-wise. Anyhow, I did review the Targus thumb keyboard at my site, if you want to read it...
http://www.pdajunkie.net/thumbkeyboard.htm
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03-17-2003, 08:52 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 416
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I could probably find this out somewhere on the web, but I'm lazy.. 8)
How much size does the Jornada keyboard add to a Jornada 567? It sounds like a really beneficial thing, but I don't know if I want a bulkier object in my pocket...
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"And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies' plan. By mixing a little truth with it they had made their lie far stronger."-C.S. Lewis
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03-17-2003, 09:03 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 122
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HP Keyboard
I use the HP full keyboard when I can (meetings, anywhere I'm away from my laptop).
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03-17-2003, 09:09 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 98
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Got the Jornada keyboard earlier last month... it's great and nice, only problem (which I didn't think would be an issue at the time) is the size of my fingers. I'm a 6'4" bloke, and my index finger-tip covers six buttons on the thumb keyboard. Not ideal, so I'm hoping as I get more used to it, I'll get better. Usually just prod the keys with the nails of my thumbs...
Not a bad buy though - the more sensibly shaped members of my household don't have any problem using it at all.
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03-17-2003, 09:33 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by lurch
How much size does the Jornada keyboard add to a Jornada 567? It sounds like a really beneficial thing, but I don't know if I want a bulkier object in my pocket...
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Go to the URL of the article I linked to and check out the photo there - a picture is worth a 1000 words in this case. :wink:
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03-17-2003, 09:36 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Why, oh why did HP lose the Jornada line? I'd love to have seen a (officially released) successor to the Jornada 56x that worked with that keyboard. :cry:
--janak
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03-17-2003, 09:42 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 24
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I have been using the Jornada Thumb Keyboard for several months and it works exremely well. I take notes all the time on it and I haven't had a problem yet. It works really well with the expansion pack/Sierra Wireless card for email and browsing. Why did the HP/Compaq merger ruin such great product line???
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Linear Mode
