Dell Releases Bluetooth Folding Keyboard for $99

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5153.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5153.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The Dell executive keyboard is a rebranded Think Outside Stowaway Wireless Keyboard, which communicates with the handheld via Bluetooth and includes a detachable stand to hold the handheld. The stand can hold the handheld in either portrait or landscape rotation, as the Axim X30 supports screen rotation courtesy of Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. Because the Axim is capable of using both its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios simultaneously, that allows the user to connect the keyboard and surf the net or respond to e-mail simultaneously. The keyboard will sell for $99 USD, less than direct from Think Outside."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040721_dellkb.jpg" /> <br /><br />I'm both happy and disappointed about this. Happy because it's $50 cheaper than what Think Outside is asking for the same unit, and disappointed because it's a rebranded Think Outside unit, which means no number row. I was hoping that Darfon could somehow cram BT into their folding keyboard, but alas, that time is not yet upon us. Still, for $99, I might pick one up anyway. How about you? Tempted? :mrgreen:

[Don't Panic!]

If the stand's included I'm getting one tomorrow. I think $50 dollars covers the lack of a numbers row. Hmm... As soon as i get my iPaqs replaced and repaired I wonder...

Don't Panic!
Bobby

[ricksfiona]

I won't upgrade until I get a number row...

[WyattEarp]

Why can't Dell ever create their own products. It's always a rebranded item. And on top of that a keyboard without a number row :? Come now...

$99 isn't a bad price but it doesn't make up for the lack of a number row.

[IIIsynthtaxIII]

dumb question, but where are the numbers and are they difficult to use? seems to me that the lack of a number row allows it to be smaller, which sounds good to me if you are still able to use numbers without it being a huge hassle...

[Pat Logsdon]

The numbers are on the top "qwerty" row. You have to hit the function key + the correct # every time you want to type a number. :evil:

[Zack Mahdavi]

The FCC approval manual was posted a while back when the original Think Outside bluetooth keyboard was released last month. It was clearly evident back then that this keyboard would be based off the Think Outside... now we know it's true. :)

$99 isn't bad at all. That's how much I usually pay for my keyboards. Now, I wonder if this keyboard will work on other PocketPCs....

[Darius Wey]

Is this Dell keyboard exclusively restricted to be used by Dell PPCs only?

EDIT: Whoops, I just saw this.

Now, I wonder if this keyboard will work on other PocketPCs....

Anyway, I'm sure someone out there will know.

[Sven Johannsen]

Funny no-one picked up on this when I mentioned it a week ago

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=29900

My only concern would be what drivers are supplied. The Think Outside site indicates very wide support. I don't know if Dell would invest the time in crippling the drivers to only work with Dell and sell it cheaper or not. Hope somebody finds out, but I bet it will be from a preview. Think Outside is still saying order by 31 July for free shipping, so that implies they aren't shipping yet to me. Anyone got a production retail one?

[WyattEarp]

The numbers are on the top "qwerty" row. You have to hit the function key + the correct # every time you want to type a number. :evil:

That sucks big time. :evil: :evil: :evil: More work just to get a number. That's a big price to pay just for a smaller device.

[Kacey Green]

I'm both happy and disappointed about this. Happy because it's $50 cheaper than what Think Outside is asking for the same unit, and disappointed because it's a rebranded Think Outside unit, which means no number row. I was hoping that Darfon could somehow cram BT into their folding keyboard, but alas, that time is not yet upon us. Still, for $99, I might pick one up anyway. How about you? Tempted? :mrgreen:

I'm with you here, the number row is important, but that price is hard to resist.

[k_kirk]

Any indication when one can be ordered from Dell and when they will ship?

[IIIsynthtaxIII]

Thanks Pat. It sounds not so bad for me, I don't really use numbers all that much, I would mostly use it for essay editing and email. But I bet people who want to do spreadsheet data entry, etc... are pretty bummed. But who knows, maybe I just don't realize how much I use numbers and it will end up being a big pain in the ass! Will it be available on Dell's Canadian website?

[Sven Johannsen]

There is still the impending Belkin BT keyboard. I swear I've seen some references that said it had a full number row. I can't find anything anymore that confirms that, and it may just have been supposition based on Belkin's current models. I recall it was bigger, but that stands to reason. Anyone have any links other than just announcements and the BT qualification sheet? Any meat?

[Pat Logsdon]

There is still the impending Belkin BT keyboard. I swear I've seen some references that said it had a full number row. I can't find anything anymore that confirms that, and it may just have been supposition based on Belkin's current models. I recall it was bigger, but that stands to reason. Anyone have any links other than just announcements and the BT qualification sheet? Any meat?
If you saw a Belkin BT folding keyboard, chances are it was made by Darfon; the Belkin G700 keyboard and the HP-branded folding keyboards are all made by Darfon. That said, a quick Google search found this Brighthand article (http://www.brighthand.com/article/New_Bluetooth_Keyboard_Coming_for_iPAQs?site=PPC) that indicates FCC approval (http://www.ipaqhq.com/forums/showthread.php?p=29361#post29361) for an HP branded, BT Darfon keyboard. No word on when it'll be released, and it doesn't look as elegant as the existing model, but hey, it's got a number row! :mrgreen: I'll wait for that keyboard, I think...

[Daviddjr]

Found this article on Brighthand also, about the Belkin BT Keyboard.

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

As well as a link on iPaqabilities to the Bluetooth Certification for it.

http://qualweb.bluetooth.org/Template2.cfm?LinkQualified=QualifiedProducts&Details=Yes&ProductID=1821

No pics anywhere though.

However if it is the same one as last time, by Darfon, then only Darfon would need to get approval for a BT Keyboard that Belkin brands.

[rmasinag]

There is still the impending Belkin BT keyboard. I swear I've seen some references that said it had a full number row. I can't find anything anymore that confirms that, and it may just have been supposition based on Belkin's current models

You can ask Mobile Planet about the Belkiin BT KB. They are selling it.

As for me Release 2200 series drivers! :drool:

[Marcel_Proust]

Now I'm in a quandry.
I've had the Think Outside keyboard on order for a month, and it looks like they've extended the promised shipping date.
Now I'm thinking of cancelling.
They're letting Dell sell the same keyboard for $99. Nobody has been able to answer if it'll be to work with other Pocket PC's, but it's bluetooth, wouldn't drivers have to be universal?
Or maybe I should just wait for a keyboard with the number key.
oh what to do?

[Marcel_Proust]

There is still the impending Belkin BT keyboard. I swear I've seen some references that said it had a full number row. I can't find anything anymore that confirms that, and it may just have been supposition based on Belkin's current models

You can ask Mobile Planet about the Belkiin BT KB. They are selling it.

As for me Release 2200 series drivers! :drool:


Really - they seem to be preselling the Thinkoutside? Where on their site did you find the Belkin BT?

[Don't Panic!]

Something Just occured to me. If I'm using a bluetooth keyboard I won't be able to connect to my bluetooth phone to get on the web and use the keyboard to post to the forums... Dang! :roll: :puppydogeyes:


Don't Panic!
Bobby

[Marcel_Proust]

There is still the impending Belkin BT keyboard. I swear I've seen some references that said it had a full number row. I can't find anything anymore that confirms that, and it may just have been supposition based on Belkin's current models

You can ask Mobile Planet about the Belkiin BT KB. They are selling it.

As for me Release 2200 series drivers! :drool:


Really - they seem to be preselling the Thinkoutside? Where on their site did you find the Belkin BT?
it put a question mark after the thinkoutside. I meant to say that I thought they were selling a thinkoutside, where on their site do you see them selling the Belkin?

[Willmonwah]

Something Just occured to me. If I'm using a bluetooth keyboard I won't be able to connect to my bluetooth phone to get on the web and use the keyboard to post to the forums... Dang! :roll: :puppydogeyes:

I thought you could connect to a number of devices at the same time with the same bluetooth radio... 8 was it?

Haven't tried it though...

[Zack Mahdavi]

Something Just occured to me. If I'm using a bluetooth keyboard I won't be able to connect to my bluetooth phone to get on the web and use the keyboard to post to the forums... Dang! :roll: :puppydogeyes:

If it uses the same driver as it's sister Think Outside keyboard, then it should be able to do this, as from what I've read, the Think Outside driver doesn't hog the bluetooth connection when it's connected to the keyboard.

[rmasinag]

Really - they seem to be preselling the Thinkoutside? Where on their site did you find the Belkin BT?

I once bought a titanuim case for my 2210, they have been sending me catalog ever since, about every 3 weeks. On the latest one that came 2 days ago, I saw the belkin BT KB along with the Think Outside one, and another no-name brand BT KB

[WyattEarp]

Something Just occured to me. If I'm using a bluetooth keyboard I won't be able to connect to my bluetooth phone to get on the web and use the keyboard to post to the forums... Dang! :roll: :puppydogeyes:

I thought you could connect to a number of devices at the same time with the same bluetooth radio... 8 was it?

Haven't tried it though...

There shouldn't be a problem. When I have my iPAQ, cell phone and headset I usually pair the iPAQ and cell phone to the headset without a problem. I listen to music with the headset and when a call comes in I just hit the button on the headset to answer.

[lapchinj]

… I might pick one up anyway. How about you? Tempted? :mrgreen:
This might not be so “on-topic” but would you or anyone else on this thread get this keyboard for their PDA if you had to buy a BT card also or would you stay with a infrared keyboard like the Stowaway Infrared Wireless. I presently have an iPAQ 3800 hooked up to an old Stowaway with that painful extra adapter. It also has a Memplug dual CF sleeve so where to plug in a BT card is a not an issue.

Jeff-