New HP Keyboard Coming Soon

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://h20022.www2.hp.com/busprod/pocketpc/options/keyboards/?lsidebarLayId=823' target='_blank'>http://h20022.www2.hp.com/busprod/p...idebarLayId=823</a><br /><br /></div>"This thumb keyboard is designed as an iPAQ Expansion Pack which includes a screen cover protector in addition to being remarkably small and lightweight. The slim keyboard fits seamlessly and securely to your iPAQ Pocket PC and will fit into your desktop cradle while attached. The ergonomic design and standard QWERTY layout enables you to conveniently type quickly and comfortably from anywhere. Productivity on the go!"<br /><br /><img src="http://h20022.www2.hp.com/product_graphics/L312391_001.jpg" /><br /><br />The new HP keyboard pictured above is now listed on the HP Web site as "Coming Soon" for $59.99, and is compable with 3800, 3900, and 5400 series iPAQs.<br /><br /><b>UPDATE:</b> Want to pre-order one? <a href="http://www.mobileplanet.com/private/pocketpcthoughts/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1">click here</a>.

[Don Tolson]

OK, so I'm not really a fan of the fold-over screen protector thingy, BUT...this is really starting to get my juices going over the possibility of moving to a 2200 when they come out!!! :multi:

BTW (kind of related)... anyone know of a utility which will transfer an image of what I have currently on my J568 to a new machine?

[Konrad]

SWEET JESUS.

[Kirk Stephens]

It looks like there will be no need to have George M. modify one of these things...HP actually put some effort into the design end of this accessory

Also...if you look there are 2 keys on the very bottom on extreme ends...one has a red label and the other a green one...just like on a cell phone...so to me this denotes that this accessory would also function to assist users in starting and ending cell phone calls...now all we need is an iPAQ with built in GSM/GPRS

[adamz]

The HP site also says the GSM/GPRS Wireless pack is "Coming Soon":
http://h20022.www2.hp.com/busprod/pocketpc/options/wireless_packs/?lsidebarLayId=823

But that's been coming soon for 2 years. :) Although now it lists the 5400 as being compatible, which we already know it ISN'T compatible with the current version... must be a Wireless pack software update in the works.

The cell phone buttons on that keyboard would work with an iPAQ H5600 Phone Edition... if those models were actually ever going to be produced or released. Maybe they still will??

And.. that keyboard won't work with the 2200 series, and the flip screen is removable I'm sure. Maybe George M, can modify this thumb keyboard expansion pack to also have a silver slider style Compact Flash slot. Hmmm.

[kagayaki1]

Absolutely an awesome solution for those that want a keyboard and protection all at the same time. I've definitely be thinking about this as long as I've owned my ThumbType keyboard. Excellent!

[spaceman]

Mobile Planet is showing a 6/13/03 ship date. at $59.95.

iPAQ Slim Thumb Keyboard Expansion Pack
(http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965304&listing=1)

[JonnoB]

So, if I have my biometric security on, I have to remove this thing to login and then put it back on.....

[dave]

or you could just set the security to PIN OR Fingerprint -OR- Password OR Fingerprint. the keyboard could be used to enter either a PIN or Password.

[sprawlgeek]

Since its designed as a sleeve, For the 3900's you won't be able to use it with your compact Flash NIC's or 802.11x cards...

Here's what I want....

a keyboard silver and good looking just like this, that will slide over
expansion slots and will still have a pass-through connection for syncing, power etc. (just like this one!)

or....

give me a bluetooth stowaway keyboard!!!

sigh



sprawlgeek.

[kagayaki1]

So, if I have my biometric security on, I have to remove this thing to login and then put it back on.....

Hmm...good point. Perhaps they figure it will be more popular with 38xx and 39xx owners. But it definitely has enterprise applications that would directly conflict with the most enterprise device of them all, the 54xx.

I wonder if there's a passthrough for syncing, or maybe an external power port. It may not balance in the cradle properly.

[sprawlgeek]

So, if I have my biometric security on, I have to remove this thing to login and then put it back on.....

Hmm...good point. Perhaps they figure it will be more popular with 38xx and 39xx owners. But it definitely has enterprise applications that would directly conflict with the most enterprise device of them all, the 54xx.

I wonder if there's a passthrough for syncing, or maybe an external power port. It may not balance in the cradle properly.

There is a pass through port for syncing and it will fit properly in the
cradle.

sprawlgeek

[Ethan]

Its nice that the 4 app buttons are replicated but too bad they couldn't figure out a way to leave the joypad exposed....or does the keyboard also duplicate the functionality of the joypad somehow? Would stink to have to remove this thing to play a game.

Also I read on another forum that this adds an inch to the bottom of the Ipaq. As if its not huge enough already! Give me a PocketPC version of the Tungsten C form factor!

http://www.palm.com/products/handhelds/tungsten-c/

[Arne Hess]

Find also a review of the keyboard at PPCW.Net (http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1251).
I got the chance some time ago to test an early sample.
http://www.ppcw.net/images/column/ipaq_5400_thumbkeyboard/DSCN0008_small.JPG http://www.ppcw.net/images/column/ipaq_5400_thumbkeyboard/DSCN0014_small.JPG

[ctmagnus]

Find also a review of the keyboard at PPCW.Net (http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1251).
I got the chance some time ago to test an early sample.

Good review! If I had a 5400, I'd definately get one of these, as I've wanted to get a keyboard for my 3670 for a while but I figure I'm to close to upgrading to justify a 31/36/3700 connector-style keyboard. I just hope that the 5500 won't bring another new connector.

One question though: is the fact that the A is switched with the Q as well as the W with the Z the German keyboard layout, or is HP trying to make the world convert to a new layout?

[Pony99CA]

One question though: is the fact that the A is switched with the Q as well as the W with the Z the German keyboard layout, or is HP trying to make the world convert to a new layout?
I believe France uses an AZERTY layout.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

The Good: It's very sexy and you can even use the cradle while it's attached. :-)

The Bad: It won't work with older sleeves (like my Dual PC Card sleeve). :-(

The Ugly: It appears that you may have to take any sleeve off before you can attach the keyboard, "dock" the two, then slide the assembly back on. I don't know if that's true, though. :|

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

The Bad: It won't work with older sleeves (like my Dual PC Card sleeve). :-(
More accurately: since it's a sleeve, it won't work with any sleeve, new or old. Given sufficiently large SD sizes, this isn't too bad...

--janak

[Dave Beauvais]

Unfortunately, it won't work with my Vaja Morpheus case, either. I don't currently use a sleeve of any kind, but I don't like the idea of not being able to use this case! :)

--Dave

[ricksfiona]

It's a really cool looking keyboard, but if it's a sleeve, there's no way I can use it with my Silver Slider II or any other sleeve. Bummer. It would really help while I IM in Starbucks using my HotSpots account :D

[fudged]

I'm impressed for those that this will benifit. I looks nice and solid.

[Pony99CA]

The Bad: It won't work with older sleeves (like my Dual PC Card sleeve). :-(
More accurately: since it's a sleeve, it won't work with any sleeve, new or old.

Don't be so sure, O Prolific Poster! :-)

According to the story on Pocket Now (http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=news&id=1630), the arms on the keyboard fit above the arms on the Expansion Pack Plus series of sleeves. That's why I hypothesized that you would have to remove the sleeve, dock the keyboard with it, then slide both back on.

If that's really how it works, that should be pretty cool.

Steve

[sting0r]

Ask Arne Hess over at PPCW.NET to try it out since he already had one to test. He didn't mention anything in his reveiw about the ability to dock with another sleeve. I for one am dying for this, even tho it does add a little to the size, it's much smaller then using the microkeyboard (which you can use with a sleeve if u need to), and it provides a cover for the screen so I don't have to leave it in my case then transfer it out when I need to write an email or im something......... I personally use bluetooth more then wifi, so even If I still had my 3970 instead of my 5450 I would be using it. If they would make a bluetooth/wifi combo/with sdio of a 1910 with a built in keyboard, I would be first in line :)

[Weyoun6]

Is it just me or does this keyboard bear a striking resemblence to the Jornada 56x keyboard?

[Janak Parekh]

The Bad: It won't work with older sleeves (like my Dual PC Card sleeve). :-(
More accurately: since it's a sleeve, it won't work with any sleeve, new or old.

Don't be so sure, O Prolific Poster! :-)
Well, we should indeed ask Arne. Looking at the high-res pictures on his site, I'm pretty sure you can't -- it looks molded all around. And as I own a plus pack, I don't see how this would fit. But we'll see. :)

--janak

P.S. Prolific poster? What does that make you? :lol:

[buddr]

I bought one of these yesterday at CompUSA. It really is cool and allows me to also use the extended battery. The keys are easy to use and it seems well made.
Budd

[Pony99CA]

Don't be so sure, O Prolific Poster! :-)
Well, we should indeed ask Arne. Looking at the high-res pictures on his site, I'm pretty sure you can't -- it looks molded all around. And as I own a plus pack, I don't see how this would fit. But we'll see. :)

The link Arne posted didn't work for me. Maybe it's a Mozilla thing, but I didn't see a review.

UPDATE: I just tried it again in Mozilla, and it didn't work. There was only one column of stuff. I opened it in IE and saw the review. I went back to Mozilla and tried it again -- and it worked. Weird.

P.S. Prolific poster? What does that make you? :lol:
Barely half prolific. :razz: I still think you'll pass Jason by September.

Steve

[buddr]

Update: Perhaps they released this a bit too soon. When trying to install the software, I keep getting a "load disk 1" message and the installation keeps looking for a "layout.bin" file that appears to be missing. There is only 1 disk with the keyboard and that does not appear to contain the file. There is no help on the hp website. So, I have the keyboard, but can't use it! Great!

Budd

[Janak Parekh]

UPDATE: I just tried it again in Mozilla, and it didn't work. There was only one column of stuff. I opened it in IE and saw the review. I went back to Mozilla and tried it again -- and it worked. Weird.
The formatting of the site doesn't jive well with Mozilla. I found it made the page extra-wide, and the review was off the main view.

Barely half prolific. :razz: I still think you'll pass Jason by September.
Ha! For what it's worth, I've been staying between 1,500 and 1,700 posts behind him...

--janak

[pro_worm]

Update: Perhaps they released this a bit too soon. When trying to install the software, I keep getting a "load disk 1" message and the installation keeps looking for a "layout.bin" file [...]
Budd

I doubt this will help - but I remember, after purchasing the QPad gamepad for my iPAQ, it wouldn't work until I deactivated my Stowaway drivers. If you have any other type of input devices that work with your PPC (e.g. another thumbpad, or a foldable keyboard) try completely disabling them. This just might help; it worked for me.

[Christian]

This looks to me like one of the most compelling accessories ever... my only question now is how much longer it will take before we finally see a PocketPC with an integrated keyboard from the beginning.

[Pony99CA]

my only question now is how much longer it will take before we finally see a PocketPC with an integrated keyboard from the beginning.
I guess you missed my post from last week (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12834&start=5).

Steve

[Mona13]

I've seen the keyboard on HP's site with "coming soon". Now I can't find it at all.

Hope it will be released shortly.

Which CompUSA did you find one at? I have checked 3-4 around here and they don't have it yet.

[blang]

When I go to their site and put it in my shopping cart is says July 4th. I guess I won't be able to use my 50% coupon. Mobile Planet says that it is due to ship June 13th.