iPAQ Micro Keyboard with Cover: Pre-Order for $59.95

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobileplanet.com/private/pocketpcthoughts/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1' target='_blank'>http://www.mobileplanet.com/private...65304&listing=1</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.mobileplanet.com/assets/product_images/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 screen cover and for better ergonomics for optimized messaging!"<br /><br />This keyboard is due to ship April 30th, and it's the first one I've seen to really capture the important parts of the HP keyboard design: a sleek add-on that doesn't make your Pocket PC big and bulky.

[bdegroodt]

I want this keyboard soooo badly. It's been pushed back 3 times now. I hope the 4/30 date is a good one this time.

For the heck of it because they are new- 0X :devilboy: :multi: :twak: I'll back away from the emoticon panel slowly now...

[powder2000]

So, from the picture, does the ipaq slide into it like an expansion pack or does it only slide in at the bottom like the other ipaq keyboards? Very well designed by the looks of it.

[bdegroodt]

So, from the picture, does the ipaq slide into it like an expansion pack or does it only slide in at the bottom like the other ipaq keyboards? Very well designed by the looks of it.

My guess is that it slides into it like a cover pack. Otherwise, I don't know how the cover issue can be accomplished, unless you're supposed to use your OOB cover. I hope that's not it. I'd like to have a cover that matches the look of the keyboard. I think a smoke cover and a silver keyboard are a major iPaq fashion foul.

Powder- What's the bombproof thing about?

[WindWalker]

I have to say that is a beautiful thing. Hopefully Dell can take a hint from such a thing.

And....I can't resist the new emoticonssss......aiiiiigh......

:jawdrop: :scatter:

[mc_03]

Is it just me, or are there cell phone call/hang up buttons on that keyboard?? 8O

[bdegroodt]

Is it just me, or are there cell phone call/hang up buttons on that keyboard?? 8O

I asked the same question last month and nobody has chimed in yet, but it sure as heck does look like it. Why else would you have red and green keys on a thumb keyboard? Plus it's compatible with the 54xx series.

[Solarix]

Two things:
1) Wheres the d-pad?
2) Does it have a backlite?

A thumbkeyboard is only killer if it has some sort of internal lighting so u can see what u r typing in the dark, since "touch-typing" is not an option.

[bdegroodt]

Two things:
1) Wheres the d-pad?
2) Does it have a backlite?

A thumbkeyboard is only killer if it has some sort of internal lighting so u can see what u r typing in the dark, since "touch-typing" is not an option.

Oh! Those are good ones! I hadn't thought of the backlight issue until I recently looked into the Good G100 which is backlit. Maybe that's the next mod for the aftermarket folks. Add a tiny white LED behind the keyboard.

D-pad seems to be missing from what I can see of the board.

[Dave Beauvais]

And the biometric fingerprint scanner on the h5400 series? What a pain it would be to have to remove the keyboard everytime you need to swipe a finger.

--Dave

[jffcurt]

When you first set up the 5455 you also create a pin number in case the finger print scanner is being finnicky.

[R K]

$60 is a bit expensive isn't it?
Can somebody try to find a cheaper deal?
$60 will get you a used foldable keyboard on Ebay.
I hope the price drops by the time the keyboard is released.
It does look very cool though.

[Paul P]

Here is a better pic in case some of you didn't see:

http://members.verizon.net/~vze1pdnu/312391-100.jpg

[Unreal32]

I hope they decided to make the function/shift keys "Sticky". To me this is an ESSENTIAL component. The only two that do this now are the Snap-N-Type (which has its own flaws) and the RIM Blackberries.

Can anyone find out about this and post a reply?

[kfluet]

Grr.

Why do these designers insist on moving the symbols around randomly?!?! I know there are limitations but they could at least TRY to maintain the standard keys.

The HP Jornada 560 Pocket Keyboard was perfect. !@#$%^&* were all in order and . and , had their own keys. Backlit too. Why can't they just make an iPAQ version? :confused totally:

[Pony99CA]

So, from the picture, does the ipaq slide into it like an expansion pack or does it only slide in at the bottom like the other ipaq keyboards? Very well designed by the looks of it.

My guess is that it slides into it like a cover pack. Otherwise, I don't know how the cover issue can be accomplished, unless you're supposed to use your OOB cover. I hope that's not it. I'd like to have a cover that matches the look of the keyboard. I think a smoke cover and a silver keyboard are a major iPaq fashion foul.
They call it the "iPAQ Micro Keyboard w/ Cover", so a cover must come with it. That said, I can't imagine how the iPAQ could slide into it like a sleeve while still being able to work with expansion packs.

My guess is that you get two things -- the keyboard, which slides on the bottom like most thumb boards, and a silver cover pack designed to use with the keyboard when you're not using a sleeve. If I'm right, I wonder if you have to use the keyboard with the cover pack, or if it will work with a naked iPAQ.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

1) Wheres the d-pad?

The d-pad is under the keyboard. :lol: Seriously, are there any thumb boards that include a d-pad? I haven't seen any. In fact, I don't think I've seen any PDA keyboards period with a d-pad.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

Why do these designers insist on moving the symbols around randomly?!?! I know there are limitations but they could at least TRY to maintain the standard keys.

The HP Jornada 560 Pocket Keyboard was perfect. !@#$%^&* were all in order and . and , had their own keys. Backlit too. Why can't they just make an iPAQ version? :confused totally:
If the people producing these thumb boards would listen to me (or read me :-D), they'd design a five-row keyboard, with numbers and symbols on the top row, instead of these four-row keyboards where they have to mess up the symbols.

Steve