Bluetooth FrogPad Released: One Handed Mobile Keyboard

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/entry/5462561713634457/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/entry/5462561713634457/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"FrogPad and its partner Gennum Corporation are announcing the official and global launch of iFrog, a portable keyboard with Bluetooth. The iFrog is compatible with all Mac OS X and PCs supporting the Bluetooth HID (Human Interface Device) profile, which describes how a keyboard will communicate with another Bluetooth device. iFrog will include drivers for Bluetooth devices supporting Pocket PC, Palm OS, Symbian and Windows Mobile Smartphone"</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/bluefrog.jpg" /><br /><br />The iFrog is basically a one-handed keyboard to be used with Pocket PCs, PDA's, Laptops, Tablet and Wearable PC's, etc. The letter layout is based on the percent usage of each letter in the English language. Fifteen letters that are used 86% of the time by typists are placed in the most efficient locations on the keyboard. Hmmm, now where have we <a href="http://www.textware.com/fitaly/transopt.htm">heard that</a> one <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32739&amp;postdays=0&amp;postorder=asc&amp;highlight=fitaly&amp;start=0">before?</a> ;-) The iFrog is priced at US$225 and you can find a very positive hands on review of the previous (non Bluetooth version) in the <a href="http://www.tpcug.org/acrobat_files/pcnl2004-09.pdf"> Tampa PC Users newsletter.</a> (PDF). I'm not sure I see the point of using this with a PPC, as you have to have your screen visible anyway. Why not just use <a href="http://www.fitaly.com/fitaly/fitaly.htm">FITALY</a>? Would any of you guys who have used an iFrog care to comment on what you though of it?

[Marcel_Proust]

"FrogPad and its partner Gennum Corporation are announcing the official and global launch of iFrog, a portable keyboard with Bluetooth. The iFrog is compatible with all Mac OS X and PCs supporting the Bluetooth HID (Human Interface Device) profile, which describes how a keyboard will communicate with another Bluetooth device. iFrog will include drivers for Bluetooth devices supporting Pocket PC, Palm OS, Symbian and Windows Mobile Smartphone"

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

The iFrog is basically a one-handed keyboard to be used with Pocket PCs, PDA's, Laptops, Tablet and Wearable PC's, etc. The letter layout is based on the percent usage of each letter in the English language. Fifteen letters that are used 86% of the time by typists are placed in the most efficient locations on the keyboard. Hmmm, now where have we heard that (http://www.textware.com/fitaly/transopt.htm) one before? (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32739&amp;postdays=0&amp;postorder=asc&amp;highlight=fitaly&amp;start=0) ;-) The iFrog is priced at US$225 and you can find a very positive hands on review of the previous (non Bluetooth version) in the Tampa PC Users newsletter. (http://www.tpcug.org/acrobat_files/pcnl2004-09.pdf) (PDF). I'm not sure I see the point of using this with a PPC, as you have to have your screen visible anyway. Why not just use FITALY (http://www.fitaly.com/fitaly/fitaly.htm)? Would any of you guys who have used an iFrog care to comment on what you though of it?

Well I for one think it's good to see people come out with more bluetooth device. I don't think you can compare this to Fitaly - this is more comparable to the new Stowaway Keyboard. I suppose it might be more compact than qwerty and would let you use a stylus with one hand and the keyboard with another. or maybe a latte and a keyboard simulataneously?
However, while I might change from my lovely bluetooth Stowaway to one with a number pad, I'm not sure I would change to this. I wouldn't mind giving it a try and seeing if it fits but 225 US! That's a very stiff price and I would be surprised if they can get people to catch on to it at this premium?


Besides, since the whole point is that it's half a keyboard shouldn't it be half the price. :wink:

[Jonathon Watkins]

Besides, since the whole point is that it's half a keyboard shouldn't it be half the price. :wink:

Yes, I was really surprised at that price. 8O

[Paragon]

I somehow miss the point of this device. What are it's real benefits? It's size...carring size isn't much different from a folding keyboard, so why give up the functionality of a qwerty keyboard for this. It also means learning another keyboard pattern....I'm still working on qwerty. ;) The price is bigger than the keyboard itself. If it is onehanded use and portability they are after a thumboard works better for much less.

Dave

[Perry Reed]

I like the concept. It reminds me of an old ten-key at which one can get pretty fast with practice.

But I really do NOT like the price.

[wbuch]

Why not just use FITALY (http://www.fitaly.com/fitaly/fitaly.htm)?

I don't think this is comparable to Fitaly. I presume with this, you have use of the full screen -- that's why I would never use Fitaly or any other on-screen keyboard, since I don't like to have any of the screen taken up.

That being said though, I don't see the point of this keyboard -- you can't use the keyboard with just one hand -- you still need 2 -- one hand holding it, and the other typing. However, you need to put your Pocket PC somewhere, so presumably you have a table available. So if you have a table available, why not use a full Stowaway or equivalent keyboard? In a way it seems like the worst of both worlds -- you still need a table, yet it can't be as fast as a full size keyboard. I guess the only way I could see it being used is with the PPC strapped on your arm, ala the Mathias half-keyboard, yet I didn't see any mention of that on their website.

[rapster]

I managed to snag one for a little less money than what they're selling for now, and I definitely see the point when its use is with a desktop computer. They're available in a left-hand or right-hand orientation. I have the lefty, one hand always on the keyboard, one hand always on the mouse/trackball.

However, there are 'early adopter' issues - there is very little in the way of training materials right now (especially for the lefty version), and despite many announced deadlines, there are no drivers for devices that do not support the Bluetooth HID profile. In fact, a driver for my Dell Axim was promised to arrive in my email last Friday, then Saturday, and here it is Sunday with nothing received. They say that they will eventually support Palm, PPC, and Windows Mobile including Smartphone.

It is much smalller than the Stowaway; it has 'skid control' strips on the bottom of the device itself and on the slide-on cover (which also slides on the bottom of the keyboard for storage. I could see how you'd set it on an airline tray or on the couch beside you and hold the PPC in your hand.

To be honest, I've never been fond of any of the on-screen text entry methods and I think the full-size keyboards defeat the portability of a PDA. I'm anxious to make it work - as soon as they decide to get the drivers out. I must say, though, that I got a phone call from CEO Linda Marroquin in response to my email regarding order fulfillment issues, and she's been in email contact all weekend regarding the missing drivers.

[Kowalski]

one thing: the price is too high!

[Phoenix]

It looks like a really nice little keyboard. Bluetooth, and I would assume running off of batteries.

But I have to agree with others, the price is ridiculous. Way too high.

And I can't really tell what the benefit would be of using a keyboard like this over a Stowaway BT keyboard. While staring at this keyboard, I tried mock typing out the sentence: "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country." Wasn't easy. And how do you backspace to erase a character easily?

Perhaps it is a little smaller than a folded up Stowaway, but I would think only marginally so. I just can't see the benefit. No matter how good you got at it, you'd never type as fast as you would with two hands. Maybe this keyboard would be more for typing while it was attached to a pant leg or sleeve, like people might use when in a warehouse or in an environment where they were always on the go and didn't have a flat surface and/or two hands to type. Other than that, I can't really see a benefit over a qwerty-based Stowaway BT keyboard.

[manuelpl]

just wait for the thumb keyboards, in Bluetooth.

[Mark Johnson]

I've been looking at this for a few months and really like the idea. I can't wait to try one.

The price is quite high, but I've probably spent at least that much on the "disposable" incompatible device-specific keyboards I've bought in recent years, so I'm open to shelling out ONE more time for a bluetooth unit. But this will most certainly be THE LAST keyboard I buy for a LONG time.

However, this points out once again the absurd lack of BT HID profile support in PPC.

[manuelpl]

If this where to be my last keyboard , then I would wait , it looks like its chunky and bulky , and the price is way to high. Relearning to type , the idea is to buy devices that help your life easier and better, this device is asking you to learn a new language , and you need to be proficient in the language if you want to use it in a functional way

[wbuch]

If this where to be my last keyboard , then I would wait , it looks like its chunky and bulky , and the price is way to high. Relearning to type , the idea is to buy devices that help your life easier and better, this device is asking you to learn a new language , and you need to be proficient in the language if you want to use it in a functional way

Agreed. If I were to get a "small" keyboard, I would rather get a Mathias half-keyboard...at least you don't have to relearn to type with those. That would be pretty cool if those were available with Bluetooth.

[powder2000]

I totally see a market for this. Like they say, CAD is one of the initial markets. I also see this applicable with a smaller computer and mounted in a fashion that allows data collection where one hand is all you have. They might consider making an all-weather unit that can handle being mounted in a car or on a bike. I work for a local government and inventory on bike is not such a crazy idea. If this were mounted on a bicycle in such a way as to allow one hand on the handle bars and the other on the handle bars/keyboard, I could see a definite use. Pretty inovative nontheless.

[johncruise]

just wait for the thumb keyboards, in Bluetooth.

I'm just curious since I have been looking for this for a long time now... have you seen one already?

[stlbud]

I can see some real advantages in using this keyboard in a commercial or industrial environment.

Suppose you are doing inventory in a large warehouse.

What about a reporter at a conference. No place to go with the laptop.

Someone doing property assessment surveys. Walk down the street and take your notes.

This would be great for someone who has limited use of one of their hands.

Each of these could be done with other systems but this gives flexibility that allows the user to enter fully constructed sentences or strings other than numbers.

This looks like some of the keyboards that have been promoted through wearable computer projects.

On the other hand, I've been in this business long enough to have seen dozens of so called ultimate solutions to replace the qwerty keyboard. None have taken hold. The current key layout is terrible, everyone admits it, but with millions trained to use it, there's little chance anything will replace it in the near future. Keyboards such as this will remain a novelty, in the general scheme of things, even if they are better.

[manuelpl]

written on a thumb keyboard

[johncruise]

written on a thumb keyboard

Do you have a bluetooth thumb keyboard?

(just to clarify--I am not talking about Pocket PC with bluetooth and a thumb keyboard... I'm talking about just a bluetooth thumb keyboard).

[Mark Johnson]

...I've been in this business long enough to have seen dozens of so called ultimate solutions to replace the qwerty keyboard.

Keyboards such as this will remain a novelty, in the general scheme of things, even if they are better.

There certainly is a remarkable "return of the undead/the technology that won't-die" feel to QWERTY. It's interesting that something that everyone acknowledges as a really bad design has not only lasted, but conquered.

That said, I'm certainly a member of the minority who is ready to relearn if that's what it takes to upgrade. The problem that this thread is really pointing out is that without a seemless BT-based (or equivalent) way to take one replacement and use it everywhere, these things will, as you said, remain fringe solutions.

[manuelpl]

i was just commenting on the last reply . im on a 6315 with thumb keyboard , while im driving. in the setting hes describing of the frogpad is not good . that would mean carrying 2 seperate devices , keyboard which seems to need to be put flat on a table and tthe pda to see if you are typing what you think your typing. In that case if your walking around in a industrial type setting a thumb keyboard would be the best solution.