pocketnow.com Reviews the Stowaway XT

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=portal_detail&t=reviews&id=263' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?...=reviews&id=263</a><br /><br /></div>"I've just gotten my hands on the new Stowaway XT keyboard for the iPaq Pocket PC, and I am pretty much in love with it already. From the moment I laid my eyes on it, I knew I was in for a treat. This device looks like a piece of techno art. It is sleek, clean, and oh-so-handy. It takes a little while to understand how the whole contraption works, which is why Think Outside includes a little sticker right on it to show you just how and where to pop open their little typing wonder. Once you take it for a few test runs, though, you'll have the magical process down pat."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/XTBelow1_sm.jpg" /><br /><br />Since my Stowaway XT review is sadly unfinished (the 2003 launch/subscriber services launch/Smartphone Thoughts launch just killed me), I figured I'd link to another review in the meantime. I'll get my review done...someday. :lol:

[Vincent M Ferrari]

Looks nice, but by the time one comes out for the Axim, I'll be so old I won't be able to type anymore :lol:

[madbart]

I want one now! I had a snap on keyboard but found it quite inadeuate!

[droppedd]

ok i want one for my 2210. damn gadgets gonna eat up all my money this way :? . Too many toys... too many toys.

[Birdman]

Where is the universal keyboard for the XDA?

[gorkon280]

This keyboard is available not just for the iPaq, but on lots of PPC's very soon. In fact, here: http://www.davescompaqipaq.com/stowawayxt.htm is the link for a pic of one being used with the 2215. I SOOOOO want one of these, but if it takes a while for these to come out I will just get a Stowaway. The original is small enough for me. I would carry either every day anyway as they are not heavy. At least now that I have an iPaq I can get all of the cool acessories as soon as they come out! :mrgreen:

[Server]

Personally, I have the Pocketop Wireless Ir keyboard, and for the
most part, I'm quite happy. Functions flawlessly, and it equally
well designed to say the least. It also includes screeen rotation
software. If you have sasquatch hands forget about it.

The StowawayXT keyboard looks very nice, but something
I read in the review would turn me off if they don't get to fixing it...

from the review:
"...In fact, every time I hit a function key or a shift key,
the FFirst time I hit it, I get a double character. After that,
I get a single character. FFor example, if I hit FN 11, I get
a double one like you see there in "for." I tested this with
both function keys (the blue and the green) and it happens
pretty consistently. It also happens intermittently with the
SShift key..."



http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/XTBelow1_sm.jpg

vs.

http://www.pocketop.net/images/beauty-reverse-award.jpg

[Jason Dunn]

This keyboard is available not just for the iPaq, but on lots of PPC's very soon.

Are you sure about that? Think Outside has traditionally been very slow to support new Pocket PC models.

[Kathy_Harris]

I HATE the pockettop keyboard. Number & special characters are accessed through hitting an alt like key thus making it far more clunky to use. Because my IR is on the side, I have to reset the device or just type with the words sideways. Yuck! I want the 2215 to support the old stowaway!

[gorkon280]

Are you sure about that? Think Outside has traditionally been very slow to support new Pocket PC models.

Well, I guess I goofed. We can probably count on a XT for both new Compaqs out now. Others? I don't know.

[Christian]

ok i want one for my 2210. damn gadgets gonna eat up all my money this way :? . Too many toys... too many toys.

As far as I can tell, the Stowaway XT driver does not yet support Windows Mobile 2003 (or the iPaq 221x in particular). Just a heads up.

[beq]

Oh I see, it's that nub extension on top of the XT keyboard that on paper makes it look bigger than the Original? Funny how in photos it looks soo much smaller :) Can we see a photo of both when closed, viewed from the top?

Ref: http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14527&start=30#132836

[acronym]

so - what happened to the bluetooth keyboards that were supposed to be ready by march?

[Ed Hansberry]

As far as I can tell, the Stowaway XT driver does not yet support Windows Mobile 2003 (or the iPaq 221x in particular). Just a heads up.
Yup. Ditto the orginal Stowaway with a filed down 3800 adapter. :cry:

[Kati Compton]

I HATE the pockettop keyboard. Number & special characters are accessed through hitting an alt like key thus making it far more clunky to use. Because my IR is on the side, I have to reset the device or just type with the words sideways. Yuck! I want the 2215 to support the old stowaway!
I wonder if there's a way to rig up a set of mirrors so you could type with the PPC in a more "normal" position....

[Server]

I HATE the pockettop keyboard. Number & special characters are accessed through hitting an alt like key thus making it far more clunky to use. Because my IR is on the side, I have to reset the device or just type with the words sideways. Yuck! I want the 2215 to support the old stowaway!
I wonder if there's a way to rig up a set of mirrors so you could type with the PPC in a more "normal" position....

The Pocketop wireless Ir keyboard was designed originally for the palm
where the Ir transmitter is at the TOP and not the side. This is why some
users are frustrated with the keyboard. For traditional iPAQ's
where the transmitter is on top it works great in Portrait or Lanscape
mode. But to answer your question, it is very possible to set up mirrors
(reflectors) but this would be even more tedious setting it up everytime
you needed to type. I suppose its just a question of putting it together.

[Pony99CA]

I HATE the pockettop keyboard. Number & special characters are accessed through hitting an alt like key thus making it far more clunky to use.
You probably won't like the Stowaway XT, either, then. I don't know why Think Outside thought it was OK to make numbers shifted characters, especially on what is supposed to be a full-size keyboard replacement. :grumble:

Steve

[Kati Compton]

But to answer your question, it is very possible to set up mirrors(reflectors) but this would be even more tedious setting it up everytime you needed to type. I suppose its just a question of putting it together.
I would build a unit that *contained* the mirrors.

[dh]

But to answer your question, it is very possible to set up mirrors(reflectors) but this would be even more tedious setting it up everytime you needed to type. I suppose its just a question of putting it together.
I would build a unit that *contained* the mirrors.

The holder for the PDA that comes with the Pocketop includes a slideout mirror so that you can use your device in the normal mode. This part works fine, only takes a couple of seconds to set up and you can move the keyboard or the PPC quite a bit before losing the baem.

When using in portait mode the PPC sits about two inches away from the keyboard. In landscape mode the PPC holder can be attached to the keyboard.

Of course there is not a full keyboard on either the PT or XT. That's the trade off when you want the smallest size possible. Making the keys smaller to cram in more of them would result in a keyboard too small to type on in my opinion.

My main reason for going with the PT was that it can be used with just about any device. (Not an XT for the Axim either)

[Kati Compton]

The holder for the PDA that comes with the Pocketop includes a slideout mirror so that you can use your device in the normal mode. This part works fine, only takes a couple of seconds to set up and you can move the keyboard or the PPC quite a bit before losing the baem.
Ah, well. I won't patent the idea then. ;)

[dh]

The holder for the PDA that comes with the Pocketop includes a slideout mirror so that you can use your device in the normal mode. This part works fine, only takes a couple of seconds to set up and you can move the keyboard or the PPC quite a bit before losing the baem.
Ah, well. I won't patent the idea then. ;)

Maybe the other guys forgot to get a patent and you can beat them to it. Could be your big chance to make a couple of billion Katie.