07-25-2007, 04:00 PM
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Review Coordinator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 451
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Don't Go Away Without Your Stowaway - iGo Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard Reviewed
Product Category: Pocket PC Hardware Accessory
Manufacturer: iGo
Where to Buy: www.igo.com
Price: $149.00 USD
Specifications: www.igo.com (Adobe Acrobat file)
Pros:
Provides laptop class typing for mobile devices;Small and light for a full-sized keyboard;Very power efficient.
Cons:
Initial setup was very difficult because of issues with supplied drivers;Occasional flex and tilting when typing on either end of keyboard.
If you're not convinced that input methods for mobile devices are a big deal, consider the controversy over the on-screen keyboard on the iPhone. From on-screen keyboards to character and handwriting recognition to thumb keyboards, there's been no shortage of attempted solutions on the devices themselves. But there are times when only a full-sized keyboard will do. iGo's Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard is the latest attempt to make a portable full-sized keyboard. Read on to see how well they've done�
The Hardware
Figure 1: All packed up and ready to go... click on any image containing a magnifying glass to view a larger version.
Figure 2: A bit bigger than a typical Pocket PC, but it is a full-sized keyboard...
At 5.47"W x 0.79"H x 3.86"D (139mm W x 20mm H x 98mm D) folded and 6.42 oz. (182 g) with the 2 AAA batteries, the Stowaway is a bit larger and a bit heavier than current Pocket PCs. It's a bit big for a shirt or pants pocket, but will easily slip into most purses or small device carrying cases like a RoadWired Pod.
Figure 3: And the magic show begins...
Unfolding the Stowaway is a simple matter of extending the device support stand and pressing a release button. Unfold the right half of the keyboard and it locks in place. Unfolded, the dimensions are 10.28"W x 2.05"H x 6.97"D (261mm x 52mm x 177mm) with the device stand in place and 10.28"W x 0.59"H x 3.86"D (261mm x 15mm x 98mm) with the device stand detached. Closing the keyboard is also a simple matter� sliding a switch on the top of the keyboard to the right releases the lock and then you just fold it shut.
Figure 4: Here's what a typical setup might look like.
Despite meeting the ISO specification for a full-sized keyboard, the Stowaway is a lot smaller overall than your average desktop keyboard. One design characteristic that contributes to the small size is the use of multi-purpose keys. For example, the number keys is combined with the top row of letters, so the Q key includes 1 and ! as well. There's a blue function key to the left of the space bars and a green function key to the right. A press of that key with no function keys pressed gives you the Q, the same key gives you the 1 with the blue function key and ! with the green function key. Other notable key combinations include the Tab and Esc keys, Caps Lock and Num Lock, and the arrow keys with PgUp, PgDn, Home and End.
Of course, there's more to using a device and keyboard than just typing. What about all of the controls and menus that you usually access with your stylus? The Stowaway has an extensive list of keyboard shortcuts for just about any function you might need. One set addresses moving around a text document and highlighting text. For example, Ctrl + Right Arrow moves forward one word to the right, Right Fn + Right Arrow moves to the end of the line and Ctrl + Right Fn + Right Arrow moves to the end of the document. Replacing Right Fn with Left Fn in the above commands selects text in the same increments.
Another set of shortcuts exists for the OK button, accessing the left and right Softkeys with WM 5 devices and accessing menu bars. Finally, there are predefined shortcuts for launching programs like Word Mobile and Calendar and accessing the Programs and Settings screens.
The Installation
Installation was far more difficult than it should have been or even needed to be. Drivers and configuration applications are loaded from an included CD through your desktop and installed to the mobile device using ActiveSync or WMDC. I installed the drivers on my Loox N560 and attempted to connect to the Stowaway, but all of my best efforts were fruitless. I even tried pairing the devices through Bluetooth Manager, which I was able to do, but I still was unable to use the keyboard. Just to see if I could get anything to work, I tried installing the software on my Blackjack (WM 5 Smartphone). At least the Blackjack was able to connect to the Stowaway, although I found that in using it, the Shift and Caps Lock keys were inoperative.
I was just about ready to give up on the review when it occurred to me to check for an updated driver. Lo and behold, there was one, and after installing it, the N560 was able to connect and it appeared to work as specified.
Now I understand that early drivers can have some problems. However, I expect that the included drivers should at least provide basic functionality and later drivers serve as bug fixes and to provide enhanced features, not as the means to get the product to even work in the first place. I'm a tech head and pretty competent at troubleshooting and even I struggled with the problems that I had with the initial drivers. I imagine that less technically inclined owners might not be able to work their way through these issues and may give up and return the keyboard. At any rate, there's no excuse for shipping such non-functional drivers with a product and iGo gets a big slap on the wrist for doing so.
Configuration
Figure 5: It gets much simpler from here...
Once I had the updated drivers, things went much more smoothly. After specifying the product that you're configuring, you see the screen in Figure 5. All I did from this screen was to tap on the Enable button. The defaults as displayed worked perfectly fine, so I didn't need to tweak them.
Figure 6: Getting connected.
After tapping on Enable in the previous screen, you're presented with the screen in Figure 6. This screen gives lots of help in getting connected, with the status being displayed at the top and instructions in the larger box below. For example, one thing you need to do is to disable the built-in HID drivers. The instruction screen told me that and a button appeared that allowed me to disable those drivers.
Figure 7: So many shortcuts that it's like being on a road trip...
The configuration software allows you do set user-defined shortcut keys that can execute programs, hit the OK button, call up menus, open a file and more.
Using the Stowaway
In actual use, I found the Stowaway to work quite well for such a portable device. In many ways, it reminded me of using a laptop keyboard vs. a desktop keyboard. The keys are close to the size of my desktop keyboard, but have more limited travel as do most laptops. The base of the Stowaway is solid with rubber feet to prevent slipping. It felt pretty solid while typing, but the ends of the keyboard are not supported by the base, so I experiences some minor flexing when using keys on the end, and the keyboard occasionally tilted a bit as well. I'm a touch typist and moderately fast, and I did find that I could type pretty much at full speed, as long as there aren't a lot of numbers and symbols involved. I found the need to use function keys to access numbers and symbols to be a bit daunting, but I'm sure that would improve with more extensive use.
Figure 8: The Input Method Toolbar.
While using the keyboard within applications, you can display the Input Method Toolbar toward the bottom of the screen, as shown in Figure 8. From this toolbar, you can see the status of the keyboard connection, turn key click on or off, access the Keyboard Control Panel and display Help.
Figure 9: For the hunt and peck typists among us, word completion might speed things up a bit...
While typing, word completion suggestions are displayed. You can use the up and down arrow keys to highlight the desired suggestion and hit Enter to accept.
The Stowaway is powered by 2 AAA batteries which have a claimed life of ~120 hours or 3 months of usage. It draws no power from your Pocket PC, but it has an impact on your battery life since Bluetooth must be active to use it.
Conclusions
The Pocket PC has several applications that can be described as desktop class, which makes using one to fill in for a laptop a viable option for many people. If you're one such person, a keyboard like the Stowaway will almost certainly improve your productivity. It feels much like a laptop keyboard in use and if you're a moderately to very fast typist, your speed should ultimately exceed that of any touch screen based input method. It has very efficient power usage and is easy to carry. So if you can benefit from such a keyboard, the Stowaway is a great choice. Just make sure that you have the latest drivers.
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07-25-2007, 11:56 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 12
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Latest attempt? Looks like the same Thinkoutside Stowaway that was already old news when I bought one a couple years ago. And that was $50 cheaper and included the Thinkoutside bluetooth mouse too...
Then again, I guess they've already gotten about as close as they can get to perfection with near-full size folding bluetooth keyboards.
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07-26-2007, 12:22 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 171
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LOL! $149?? Sorry, if I need a full sized keyboard, then I'll be using my laptop. If I plan to send a gazillion text messages, then I'll just log into Joopz.com and send messages from my desk.
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07-26-2007, 01:32 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4
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This isn't a latest attempt at anything. I had this keyboard well over a year back but it used to be branded as ThinkOutside, which they've now got rid of and replaced with iGo.
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07-26-2007, 02:37 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 116
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Relax Guys
Guys, Guys, Guys: Albeit old, this is the latest attempt, or rather the latest-practical attempt.
I bought thig device at around $140 with shipping included and I love it, I could not live without it! I'd pay $200 for it.
I'm taking my Master's classes right now and this thing is perfect for taking notes. Imagine trying to use your laptop and everyone looking at your screen. Instead you'll use your inconspicuous device combined with this compact keyboard and you have a GREAT solution to a pesky problem.
My other alternative would be to handwrite my notes in super speed. But I'd have to take my attention away from my professor. Not to mention I haven�t' changed the battery for this thing after about a month of use.
I also bought the Bluetooth mouse, that was not so practical, it's always loosing its pair with my device after a long (one day) time of non-use.
On the other hand this keyboard never loses its pair.
I love this thing, albeit old, it's amazing
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07-26-2007, 02:46 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 318
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I think it is way overpriced. How can something this old be so expensive to manufacture? My first laptop was $150!!!!
I'd love to have one but the price is just too much.
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07-26-2007, 04:40 AM
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Review Coordinator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 451
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OK, this is a new product that we received from iGo. I haven't had any experience with Stowaway keyboards in the past, so I was unaware that it has been available under another name (ThinkOutside Stowaway Sonoma Bluetooth Keyboard). So that's been established. Thanks for setting the record straight.
By the way, the $149 price is from iGo's store. If you shop around a little, you can find it for under $90 from a number of online stores. So if you're interested but are put off by the retail price, the street price may be more inviting.
Since some of you have indicated that you have experience with this keyboard in its previous incarnation, how about sharing your experience with it, as Frankie1 did?
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07-26-2007, 05:02 AM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 3
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Yes, I used this keyboard some years ago. It looks a great keyboard, but for me, a non-touch typist, I found the tilting at the ends to be totally unacceptable. I had to discard it in favour of one which has all four feet on the ground.
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07-26-2007, 03:58 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 454
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I write for a living, and I use one of these -- for articles and even novel-writing. I find it incredibly comfortable and easy to use.
My one caveat for possible buyers is that the plastic used in making them may crack or crumble over time. ThinkOutside replaced my first keyboard for free because the battery housing and the stand both started to break apart (even though I carried the keyboard in the supplied protective case).
I've now been using the second keyboard for nearly two years, and while it's become a fundamental part of my work-away-from-home gear, the stand has cracked so many times that it's basically unusable (there are limits to the power of superglue).
I wrote i-Go early this week about the possibility of buying a replacement stand from them (since purchasing a whole new keyboard just for the stand seems foolish), but they haven't responded at all.
I don't know if they will respond, if they're willing to help an out-of-warranty customer, or if they've addressed the problem of this plastic that goes 'off', but I figured it was time to mention this fault to the PocketPCThoughts community.
Despite this problem and the disappointing lack of response from the new distributors of this product, I have to say that I'd buy one again.
I've tried other Bluetooth keyboards (and attachable keyboards, back in the days when you had to buy a new keyboard with every new device), and nothing comes anywhere near close to the experience of using one of these (or the larger keyboard they sell, which I used an earlier, non-wireless model of). The first time I had the plastics problem, I bought a Brando keyboard, and it was simply unusable for serious typing. Its keys were undersized, and the keyboard felt like a toy. Not so with the ThinkOutside/i-Go keyboards.
I'll post again if I get any customer service joy from i-Go, but in the meantime, there's some extra information from a long-term user.
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07-26-2007, 04:53 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 92
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hamishmacdonald wrote:
Quote:
I wrote i-Go early this week about the possibility of buying a replacement stand from them (since purchasing a whole new keyboard just for the stand seems foolish), but they haven't responded at all.
I don't know if they will respond, if they're willing to help an out-of-warranty customer, or if they've addressed the problem of this plastic that goes 'off', but I figured it was time to mention this fault to the PocketPCThoughts community.
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My stand has also broken, and I have also written to them, with the same result. No response. Sad, because I distinctly remember reading a while back, in this or another forum, that someone called ThinkOutside with a cracked stand and they sent them another one for free.
Another data point for those of you considering this keyboard :?
James
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Linear Mode
