12-15-2003, 08:00 PM
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Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 749
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Stowaway XT Keyboard Review
If you're using your Pocket PC for any serious text composition, at some point you'll want to invest in a full-sized keyboard. There are a number of them out there, but the most innovative, compact designs come from Think Outside, with their most recent version being the Stowaway XT. It's had a somewhat bumpy start for the iPAQ line, but all that seems to be behind it now, and the Stowaway XT has become one of coolest accessories for text composition.
Trying to create that "Great [substitute nationalistic reference here] Novel" on a thumb keyboard, or using screen gestures usually just won't cut it -- especially for those of us to tend to be a bit verbose and were 'forced' to learn touch typing at high school (Thanks, Mom!). It gets to the point where you have to compose on-screen, since few other methods can keep up to the thought processes. And the only way to do that is with a full-sized keyboard.
One of the earliest accessory purchases I've made for both my Pocket PCs has been a fold-out keyboard, designed by Think Outside. The first was the Targus Stowaway keyboard for my Jornada 568. It was OK and cool for the time, but it was also a bit on the bulky side, and difficult to fit into a dress jacket pocket (I have to wear a suit to work...). Then, when I moved to the iPAQ 2215, it was time for a new keyboard, and I when I first saw articles on the Stowaway XT, I couldn't wait to get one. I had seen them for the Palm units for a number of weeks in the local stores, but nothing for the iPAQs, and Think Outside's Web site made no mention of the 2200 series. Then Jason announced he had tested one on the iPAQ2215 and found it to work, then it didn't. Then, Think Outside announced a new set of drivers for the Stowaway XT for Windows Mobile 2003 devices and I decided to take the plunge. I found a Fellowes Stowaway XT on eBay and crossed my fingers. (For those who can't wait to the end of the article - it works great!).
Hardware Installation/Preparation
For the majority of the iPAQ series, installation of the keyboard is fairly straightforward. You unfold the keyboard by pressing a black button on the left side, then pulling the top up and to your right -- kind of like opening a book.
Figure 1: Unfolding the Stowaway XT keyboard
(This is by far the coolest part of the process and one that never fails to impress friends and colleagues I show it to.) Then, flip up the support and serial connector, and attach the Pocket PC to the connector. The support is spring-loaded so that it flips up automatically when it's pulled out from the keyboard, and it holds the Pocket PC at a good viewing angle for seeing what you're typing. The serial connector makes good firm contact within the unit, so there is a comfort level that things are not going to come apart while you're working.
To close the keyboard, you flip down the connector, slide in the support, then press a small black button at the top right side of the connector mounting, just above the space between the P and hyphen keys on the top row. (You can see it in Figure 1 above) While pressing this button, pull the right side of the keyboard up and fold it over the left side. Folded up, the keyboard isn�t much bigger than the iPAQ itself.
Figure 2: Comparing the XT keyboard to an iPAQ
For the iPAQ 2200 series, the serial connector mounting will need some minor modifications to allow the unit to sit down firmly on the connector, since the 2200 base is a bit flatter than its cousins. Think Outside is aware of this and has posted a description and pictures of the required mods on their Web site.
Basically, the mod consists of filing away a portion of the curved bits of the connector mounting plastic on either side.
Figure 3: Where to modify the XT's connector for the iPAQ 2200
(Photo courtesy of Think Outside's Web site)
Figure 4: The modified XT keyboard connector
(Photo courtesy of Think Outside's Web site)
I used a Dremel tool to carefully grind away the edges of the plastic and have encountered no problems at all. Unfortunately though, I have to take the iPAQ out of its Proporta metal case to use the keyboard, since the serial connector is not long enough to reach the unit through the case. I suppose I could have ground off more from the plastic, or nibbled the hole in the metal case larger, but I didn't want to go that far. (Oh, for a Bluetooth keyboard!!)
Software Installation
The Fellowes keyboard I purchased came with the drivers on a CD. Just to see what would happen, I tried installing them on my iPAQ 2215. The CD said the drivers were for Pocket PC 2002 and they installed without a hitch. However, when I tried to use them, nothing worked at all. I was expecting this though, so I went to Think Outside's Web site. After downloading the drivers for Pocket Mobile 2003 (approximately 1.25M), you receive a application which you run from the desktop to complete the install on the Pocket PC, using the normal ActiveSync installation routines. I would strongly recommend you install the drivers to the default, main memory locations, since they only take about 244K of memory.
Keyboard Setup
So, once you've got hardware attached and the software installed, it's time to actually start using the keyboard. Think Outside has made this relatively simple, by creating drivers to let the keyboard become another input method and provided a shortcut for it from the Today screen. You can also access the configuration program from a Keyboard icon in Start/Programs.
Figure 5: Stowaway XT shortcut
By tapping on this shortcut, you are presented with the Stowaway Keyboard Config screen.
Figure 6: XT Keyboard Config screen
From here, you enable or disable the keyboard, and configure the various keyboard settings. Once you tap the Enable button, you are presented with a screen to choose the type of keyboard you are using.
Figure 7: XT Keyboard setup screen
For the plugged in version tested here, you select the 'Connected serial keyboard' option, then tap the Setup button. This then takes you to the Serial screen of the Stowaway Keyboard software.
Figure 8: XT Keyboard serial screen
From here, you can tap OK, and you're ready to roll. There is also a Hot Key Configuration screen, shown below.
Figure 9: Configuring Hot Keys on the Stowaway XT
This function allows you to launch whatever programs you wish from the keyboard, using a ALT+FN+number key combination.
Using the Keyboard
I've been using the keyboard for about a month now, in a variety of applications -- from the Pocket Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel) to Textmaker, Convention Star, Pocket Day, BOnTime, etc. All seemed to accept input from the keyboard with no difficulties. Generally, my typing speed is somewhere between 50 and 80 wpm and the Think Outside software was able to keep up with this when I was writing in Textmaker. There was no noticeable delay between my typing and characters appearing the application, and no occurrences of things getting stuck with characters not showing up when typed, then streaming out later. There is a very slight difference in physical size between the original Stowaway keyboard and the XT due to key squeezing from normal 19mm spacing to 18 mm. It's not huge, but definitely noticeable.
Figure 10: Stowaway original and XT keyboards together
Even by Think Outside's own published standards they are at the limit of comfort for inter-key spacing. Generally, it didn't slow me down at all. The vertical key travel feels the same as good keyboards on the better quality laptops. You can even turn on a 'click' sound for each keystroke, but I found this introduced delays in responsiveness which were unacceptable.
I've found I really miss having the fourth row for numbers. Not having it slowed me down quite a bit, since a lot of my work has numbers imbedded in the text, and I was trained to reach for that non-existent row of numbers. Instead, I have to stop, think about what I want to do and find the appropriate combination of Function Key (blue or green) and key to get what I want. I found that when using my fifth finger to hit the Shift Key, I would quite frequently tip the keyboard on its end (left or right), since there's a bit of a space between the keyboard and the desk surface at the ends.
I've used both the original Stowaway four-piece folding keyboard and the XT. The original was a bit more comfortable, (better spacing and a fourth row), but was definitely heavier and bulkier.
Figure 11: Stowaway XT and original keyboards folded
Think Outside claims you can use the XT on your knee, but doesn't recommend it. I'd have to agree, since I'd be worried about the iPAQ falling to the floor from that perch!
There's a power jack on the back of the keyboard which can be used to power/recharge your iPAQ while it's attached to the keyboard. The plug which came with the power pack on my iPAQ 2215 fits into the jack (yahoo!) but it's just a little too long to fit comfortably in the back. It'll work, but you have to snake the cable pretty tightly against the back fold-up support.
Gotchas
Some things to watch out for when using the Stowaway XT keyboard:- As far as I can see on the Think Outside Web site, only the HP iPAQ line is currently supported by the Stowaway XT.
- Since the keyboard uses the serial connector, it's not possible to synchronize your Pocket PC while using the keyboard, unless, of course, you have a Bluetooth connection enabled!
- The key spacing is slightly cramped for those of us trained on an IBM Selectric typewriter, but it is still quite comfortable.
- The keyboard will tilt to either side if you're a heavy-fingered Shift-er, like me.
- The space behind the keyboard to accommodate the power plug from the HP-supplied adapter for the iPAQ2200 series is a tight squeeze and will require you to snake the cord a bit to keep it above the support's rails.
- It can take some time to get used to not having the fourth row of keys, especially for touch typists.
- For Pocket PCs running Pocket PC 2002 and Windows Mobile 2003, you must download the drivers from the Think Outside Web site. The software provided by most resellers will not work.
Where to Buy
The Stowaway XT keyboard is available from a number of different suppliers, and the prices seem to vary. I got mine from eBay, but also I found it on the Think Outside Web site for $99.95US, on the Fellowes Web site for $109.99US, and a brief search of CNet.com brought back prices ranging from $78US to $93US.
Specifications
The Stowaway XT model I tested (90189) is compatible with the iPAQ 2200 (with slight hardware modification), 3700, 3800, 3900, 4100, 5100, 5400, and 5500 models. It weighs 160 gms (5.6 oz) and is 139mm x 99mm x 13mm (5.5 in x 3.9 in x 0.5 in) when closed and 251mm x 148mm x 13mm (9.9 in x 5.8 in x 0.5 in) when opened.
Key spacing is 18mm (horizontally and vertically) and key travel is 3mm. The keyboard is arranged in the standard English QWERTY layout. I'm not aware of any options to change this to alternative layouts (such as DVORAK), nor international keyboards for accentuated or diacritic characters. You can, however, create these characters using keystroke combinations described in the User Guide which comes with the keyboard.
Software Drivers for Pocket PC 2002 and Pocket Mobile 2003 are available from Think Outside's Web site. The drivers take approximately 244K of memory. It is highly recommended to store them in main memory, not on a CF or SD card.
Conclusions
While it's not quite as comfortable for typing as the original Stowaway Keyboard, the XT is by far and away much more pocketable and more convenient to use. It's lightweight, sturdy and quick to set up. It requires minimal desktop real estate, so I can use it comfortably on the plane, with no concern for reclining seatbacks. As a package with my iPAQ 2215, it's unbeatable for serious mobile composition - in fact, most of this article was written using the XT keyboard on my iPAQ 2215! As a bit of a gadget freak, I also really appreciate the 'oooh' factor of showing people how it unfolds, and then being able to create documents on the fly during meetings. I wouldn�t be without it!
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12-15-2003, 08:11 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 291
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Shame you can't get these in the UK for love nor money :roll:
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12-15-2003, 08:17 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 97
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Eanyone tried sunnysoft interwirte on it?
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12-15-2003, 10:00 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,041
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I've been using the keyboard for months and think it's very well designed. Just a few issues though:
1) Add an extra row of keys. I hate using the Fn keys.
2) Make the keys a little more durable. I managed to crack in half one of the space bar keys.
I can type for quite a while on this keyboard and it's rarely a problem with my small'sh yet powerful hands :wink:
BTW, I've only used IPAQ's with this keyboard. The software that comes with the keyboard is excellent.
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12-15-2003, 10:09 PM
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Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 749
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by PR.
Shame you can't get these in the UK for love nor money :roll:
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I haven't seen them 'commercially' available from a Canadian dealer either. Maybe you could try the route I did, and see if there are any on eBay.
__________________
/drt
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12-15-2003, 10:46 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,468
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The XDA II has an XT keyboard available for it.
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12-15-2003, 10:50 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 451
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Oooo, it's so thin! length and width-wise, how does it compare to the original?
And in terms of coolness, I think the original had a bigger wow factor with it's W-style of folding. Never fails to impress, hehe.
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12-15-2003, 11:03 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 40
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I searched for one in the UK for ages and eventually gave up and decided to go down the ebay route...
I got one of ebay for just over �40 and hopefully it should arrive this week!
Having read this review I can't wait!
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12-16-2003, 12:18 AM
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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 yslee
Oooo, it's so thin! length and width-wise, how does it compare to the original?
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Check out the photos - they show all that...
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12-16-2003, 12:58 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 15
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for my quad-fold stowaway keyboard i need to use an adapter for use with my ipaq 3975. Do the XT keyboards have the newer connection?
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Linear Mode
