Well Look What FedEx Just Delivered...

[Jason Dunn]

<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/stowawayxt.jpg" /> <br /><br />Pictured above is the new Stowaway XT folding keyboard for the iPAQ, developed by Think Outside, and sold by Fellowes (it's not on their site yet). You'll notice there are two - thanks to the generous people at <a href="http://www.thinkoutside.com">Think Outside</a>, one is for a giveaway prize! I'll be working on the review, hopefully over the weekend, and aim to have sometime published early next week. As far as I know, no one else has these Pocket PC keyboards yet.<br /><br />First impressions? Amazing design! They have the same high-quality build and finished feel of the previous Stowaway designs, yet it's almost 50% thinner than the previous one. I'm once again frustrated that HP chose to neuter the 1910 by making it useless with external keyboards - an iPAQ 1910 and one of these keyboards would make an amazing mobile workstation.

[Don Tolson]

So, is it 'vendor' specific like the previous Stowaways? (My current one is only for HP's)

I only hope HP doesn't make the same mistake with the 2200 series that they made with the 1900.

[bdegroodt]

How timely. I was just wondering why I couldn't find it on their site. So are these for sale anywhere yet?

[Bob Anderson]

Looks very cool. I can't wait to see your review of the keyboard!!

[Jason Dunn]

So, is it 'vendor' specific like the previous Stowaways? (My current one is only for HP's)

Yes - this is for iPAQ 3800, 3900 and 5400 series. Not sure about the 3600 series, but it should be compatible.

[entropy1980]

2 words..... Suh-----Weet!!! :D Can't wait to hear how it performs!

[Jason Dunn]

How timely. I was just wondering why I couldn't find it on their site. So are these for sale anywhere yet?

I don't believe so - I went to the Fellowes site, and they don't have it listed yet. The end of this month is when they are released I think.

[ikesler]

There is a Targus keyboard being release for the 1910........ at least that is what it says over at Brighthand 1910 forums........ I hope so, since I have one and would LOVE a keyboard that works for it!

[bdegroodt]

How timely. I was just wondering why I couldn't find it on their site. So are these for sale anywhere yet?

I don't believe so - I went to the Fellowes site, and they don't have it listed yet. The end of this month is when they are released I think.

Bummer. I can't decide between that keyboard and the new HP keyboard. 2 different purposes though I suppose.

[entropy1980]

There is a Targus keyboard being release for the 1910........ at least that is what it says over at Brighthand 1910 forums........ I hope so, since I have one and would LOVE a keyboard that works for it!
I wonder how they are doing that unless it's IR or they've come up with some way to hack the USB port on the bottom ... hmm interesting...got a link?

[entropy1980]

Nevermind I think I found what he was talking about...

http://www.targus.com/product_details.asp?sku=PA870U
looks like it's still the 1910's only option....IR...

[snazzy]

There is a Targus keyboard being release for the 1910........ at least that is what it says over at Brighthand 1910 forums........ I hope so, since I have one and would LOVE a keyboard that works for it!
I wonder how they are doing that unless it's IR or they've come up with some way to hack the USB port on the bottom ... hmm interesting...got a link?
yup it works via IR

[G-squared]

The Stowaway XT keyboard will not fit the 36xx/37xx series iPaq, just the 38xx/39xx/54xx series that Jason noted. I received one yesterday as well and it is very sweet! The tactile response is very nice considering that it is only 1/2 the thickness (approximately) of the old Stowaway. Plus, I no longer have to carry around an adapter to use the keyboard with my 3975!

[bdegroodt]

The Stowaway XT keyboard will not fit the 36xx/37xx series iPaq, just the 38xx/39xx/54xx series that Jason noted. I received one yesterday as well and it is very sweet! The tactile response is very nice considering that it is only 1/2 the thickness (approximately) of the old Stowaway. Plus, I no longer have to carry around an adapter to use the keyboard with my 3975!

OK. Now I'm getting a complex. How did you get one?

[G-squared]

I had talked to a local reseller and they in turn talked to their Fellowes rep who just happened to get a couple of the keyboards in. I consider myself extremely lucky considering how long I thought that I was going to have to wait!

[sponge]

I don't like the key layout.. I'll keep my current Stowaway (with adapter :\) I think.

I wonder if some VERY creative hardware hackign could hack the adapter into the current one (ie build the adapter into where the current port is, move the old adapter into the kb. Would be very interesting to see)

[bdegroodt]

I had talked to a local reseller and they in turn talked to their Fellowes rep who just happened to get a couple of the keyboards in. I consider myself extremely lucky considering how long I thought that I was going to have to wait!

:alfdance: &lt;---Fellowes rep rain dance. Please PM me Mr/Ms Fellowes rep. I've been good all year long and all I want is a reasonable input device for my iPAQ.

[msprague]

Just in case you haven't seen this unfold, here is a demo (http://www.thinkoutside.com/products/sDemo2.html) of the equivalent Palm keyboard.

[Mark Johnson]

OK, I bought the Targus for my Jornada 568. Then I got a Toshiba e310 and waited 4 months for them to release the promised keyboard for that one before Toshiba finally announced there would never be one, they would only make one for the e330. Then I got a iPaq 1910, called HP for months and was told (just like Toshiba) that "we're working on it... Should be available soon... blah, blah, blah..." Finally when Pocketop's IR drivers for the 1910 became available, I went out and bought one the same day. I'm finding the "line of sight" issues with the IR port (since it's on the side) to be a pain.

It's clear that the only good way out of this absurd "device specific" keyboard problem is bluetooth. What we really need is the Stowaway XT with bluetooth and the new iPaq 1945 (since it has internal bluetooth but is the same dimensions as the 1910.) I've gotten to the point where even if they were shipping a unit today with the physical connector for a 1910 I wouldn't buy it since I know I'll have something else in six months anyway...

So Jason, when you talk to the Think Outside guys, can you get info on when they will have a bluetooth XT unit?

[bdegroodt]

So Jason, when you talk to the Think Outside guys, can you get info on when they will have a bluetooth XT unit?

Not to stop the rant...because I think your idea is a good one (Though I'd prefer a built in keyboard, but for lots -o- typing, a full size BT keyboard would make life grand!), but I'd think this is more than a Think Outside issue. I'd suspect the BT Keyboard profile would have to be embraced by MSFT and the ODMs to make a market available for Think Outside.

[msprague]

I'd suspect the BT Keyboard profile would have to be embraced by MSFT and the ODMs to make a market available for Think Outside.Why not just use the serial port profile. Don't these add-on keyboards use a COM port now?

[thomas1973]

I was wondering if the Ipaq 1910 could fit the keyboard through an adapter? To my knowledge, and experience, the 1910 uses the same plug as the 3800/3900/5400 series, just turned 180 degrees. I've actually used my 1910 sync cable for both sync'ing and charging my old 3850.

And just a confirmation: The 3600 will not fit, they have a different connector. I recently tried to plug a 3600 to my 1910 sync cable, and it wouldn't even fit.


Thomas.

[mangochutneyman]

It's clear that the only good way out of this absurd "device specific" keyboard problem is bluetooth. What we really need is the Stowaway XT with bluetooth and the new iPaq 1945 (since it has internal bluetooth but is the same dimensions as the 1910.) I've gotten to the point where even if they were shipping a unit today with the physical connector for a 1910 I wouldn't buy it since I know I'll have something else in six months anyway...

So Jason, when you talk to the Think Outside guys, can you get info on when they will have a bluetooth XT unit?

Do you mean something like this?

http://www.flexis.co.kr/web/cube%20copy.jpg http://www.flexis.co.kr/web/p14.jpg
http://www.flexis.co.kr/web/main.htm

Brighthand did an anrticle about upcoming BT keyboards here:

http://www.brighthand.com/article/Dawn_of_Bluetooth_Keyboards

[kagayaki1]

I was wondering if the Ipaq 1910 could fit the keyboard through an adapter? To my knowledge, and experience, the 1910 uses the same plug as the 3800/3900/5400 series, just turned 180 degrees. I've actually used my 1910 sync cable for both sync'ing and charging my old 3850.

And just a confirmation: The 3600 will not fit, they have a different connector. I recently tried to plug a 3600 to my 1910 sync cable, and it wouldn't even fit.


Thomas.

It will fit, but the problem is the unit does not have the proper hardware connections on the inside of the device to relay keyboard commands. Another shortcut :roll:

[Don Tolson]

Yeaaa...bluetooth is definitely the way to go.....It would be cool (and definitely a reason for me to buy again) if the 2200 came out followed closely by bluetooth keyboards.

After all, isn't this the reason bluetooth was developed in the first place???

[Charles Pickrell]

The iPaq 1910 has no serial interface and no ability to host USB. Those are the two ways to connect a keyboard to the port. The 1910 can only be a USB client.

[mscdex]

Seems like Think Outside has forgotten about us 36xx/37xx users. :cry:

[achille]

[Abba Zabba]

How timely. I was just wondering why I couldn't find it on their site. So are these for sale anywhere yet?

I don't believe so - I went to the Fellowes site, and they don't have it listed yet. The end of this month is when they are released I think.

Bummer. I can't decide between that keyboard and the new HP keyboard. 2 different purposes though I suppose.

I saw the hp keyboard at Office Depot and to tell you the truth I don't like its size. It's *WAY* to small for me and despite the fact that they got rid of the numbers I guess there should be some way to lock it so where you could not have to use any type of function combo.

[mscdex]

Seems like Think Outside has forgotten about us 36xx/37xx users. :cry:
Well, you should be proactive. Sounds like its time to sell the old ipaq and buy a newer one... JUST to be able to use the new Keyboard.

and hey... you have ebay

Sell your 3835 for $329
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3024521362&category=38331

And buy your 3975 for $255
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3024895343&category=38331

I have a 3635.... and it most likely won't bring enough money to cover the cost of a new ppc with keyboard. :?

[bdegroodt]

I saw the hp keyboard at Office Depot and to tell you the truth I don't like its size. It's *WAY* to small for me and despite the fact that they got rid of the numbers I guess there should be some way to lock it so where you could not have to use any type of function combo.
How were you able to see the new keyboard? (http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1) It isn't shipping yet.

[Janak Parekh]

How were you able to see the new keyboard? (http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1) It isn't shipping yet.
And who knows if it'll ever ship. :)

Anyway, these two keyboards are different beasts - so why not get them both? :D Or, to be more precise, get the XT and wait another year or two for the mythical new-gen thumb keyboard.

--janak

[bdegroodt]

How were you able to see the new keyboard? (http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1) It isn't shipping yet.
And who knows if it'll ever ship. :)

Anyway, these two keyboards are different beasts - so why not get them both? :D Or, to be more precise, get the XT and wait another year or two for the mythical new-gen thumb keyboard.

--janak

Don't do that to me Janak! You know how I feel about integrated keyboards and that HP solution would be the closest solution for an iPAQ that I know of (Aside from those ugly ones they ship now.).

I'm all over that XT as soon as I can find one.

[Abba Zabba]

How timely. I was just wondering why I couldn't find it on their site. So are these for sale anywhere yet?

I don't believe so - I went to the Fellowes site, and they don't have it listed yet. The end of this month is when they are released I think.

Bummer. I can't decide between that keyboard and the new HP keyboard. 2 different purposes though I suppose.

I saw the hp keyboard at Office Depot and to tell you the truth I don't like its size. It's *WAY* to small for me and despite the fact that they got rid of the numbers I guess there should be some way to lock it so where you could not have to use any type of function combo.

How were you able to see the new keyboard? (http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1) It isn't shipping yet.

I was referring to the keyboard from hp not the one you posted.[/url]

[bdegroodt]

How timely. I was just wondering why I couldn't find it on their site. So are these for sale anywhere yet?

I don't believe so - I went to the Fellowes site, and they don't have it listed yet. The end of this month is when they are released I think.

Bummer. I can't decide between that keyboard and the new HP keyboard. 2 different purposes though I suppose.

I saw the hp keyboard at Office Depot and to tell you the truth I don't like its size. It's *WAY* to small for me and despite the fact that they got rid of the numbers I guess there should be some way to lock it so where you could not have to use any type of function combo.

How were you able to see the new keyboard? (http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1) It isn't shipping yet.

I was referring to the keyboard from hp not the one you posted.[/url]
That is from HP. Which one are you talking about?

[cherring]

You guys have some killer quotes going on in this thread, it's hillarious.

[ctmagnus]

How timely. I was just wondering why I couldn't find it on their site. So are these for sale anywhere yet?

I don't believe so - I went to the Fellowes site, and they don't have it listed yet. The end of this month is when they are released I think.

Bummer. I can't decide between that keyboard and the new HP keyboard. 2 different purposes though I suppose.

I saw the hp keyboard at Office Depot and to tell you the truth I don't like its size. It's *WAY* to small for me and despite the fact that they got rid of the numbers I guess there should be some way to lock it so where you could not have to use any type of function combo.

How were you able to see the new keyboard? (http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1) It isn't shipping yet.

I was referring to the keyboard from hp not the one you posted.[/url]

That is from HP. Which one are you talking about?

Currently eight layers deep! 8O

[Steven Cedrone]

Currently eight layers deep! 8O

You :twak: just :twak: had :twak: to :twak: do :twak: it :twak: ... :wink:

Steve

[Abba Zabba]

You are sending the url for the thumb keypad from hp, I was talking about the actual foldable keyboard here's the url:

http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=109&cat%5Fname=Accessories&dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965238&listing=1

*NOT*

http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=109&cat%5Fname=Accessories&dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1


Sorry to all users especially those that use GPRS for my contribution to this topic. :oops:

[bdegroodt]

You are sending the url for the thumb keypad from hp, I was talking about the actual foldable keyboard here's the...

Ah. Thanks. A couple of people have said they had their hands on these keyboards from local stores and I'm trying to track down the sources.

No need to "defend" your quote. Just trying to find this keyboard (It was supposed to ship 3 months ago.).