Bluetooth Foldable Keyboard for iPAQ h2200, h3000, h4100, h5000, h6300, rx3000, hx4700 series

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.shopping.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpdirect/shopping/scripts/home/store_access.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0382289602.1098904838@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccgfadcmlljmlgdcfngcfkmdfondfgf.0&template_type=product_detail&page=home&site=main&product_code=FA287A%23AC3' target='_blank'>http://www.shopping.hp.com/cgi-bin/...de=FA287A%23AC3</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Improve your data-entry speed and productivity while using your Bluetooth® iPAQ Pocket PC. When open, this keyboard is the same size as a notebook computer keyboard, with a standard, 65-key QWERTY layout. Take notes, compose e-mail, and write reports on your iPAQ. Easily enter tons of data without delay. Fold into an incredibly compact package when you're finished for easy portability. Access critical Pocket PC functions with the shortcut keys. Compatibility: iPAQ h2200, h3000, h4100, h5000, h6300, rx3000, hx4700 series."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/hpbtkeyboard.jpg" /><br /><br />If you're been waiting for an iPAQ-compatible bluetooth keyboard, here's your solution. $99 is a very competitive price, and it has a full five rows for those of you who dislike Think Outside's new design.

[OSUKid7]

mmmm...that one may go on my xmas/bday list. :drool:

[yanathin]

Does that mean it ONLY supports the iPAQ's? I want to use it for my x50v, but the keyboard Dell is selling says it isn't compatible with it... I don't understand how something like this couldn't be compatible.

[MichaelA]

I wonder if this would work with an A620BT...?

[gorkon280]

They always for get the 4300 series. It's like a lost stepchild or something. I bet it would work. In fact, what would stop it working with ANY BT Pocket PC??

[christak]

Anyone seen the dimensions of this thing -- open and closed???

[CorysWorld]

$99 dollars is a little high for a keyboard

[jimski]

$99 dollars is a little high for a keyboard

For a Bluetooth keyboard that you may never have to replace regardless of the device you use?

[jemichael]

Curious if it would work with a PDA2k? :D

[seaflipper]

$99 dollars is a little high for a keyboard

Uh, $99 is actually a good price for a Bluetooth Keyboard. The ThinkOutside Stowaway keyboard is $149 list price. And the HP one has a whole extra row of keys, no function keys to use numbers!

[seaflipper]

Anyone seen the dimensions of this thing -- open and closed???

Haven't seen that anywhere, but considering that when open it's the same size as a standard laptop keyboard AND it has 5 rows, it's got to be bigger than the ThinkOutside BT one.

I'll post back tommorrow when I get mine from HP

[tourdewolf]

They always for get the 4300 series. It's like a lost stepchild or something. I bet it would work. In fact, what would stop it working with ANY BT Pocket PC??

Amen! Can anyone confirm if this works with the 4355? Just yesterday I got so frustrated with the targus universal IR that I gave up and typed a 300 word document with the thumboard 8O

[arebelspy]

For a Bluetooth keyboard that you may never have to replace regardless of the device you use?

Yea, but this appears to only work with those iPAQs. What good is it if you can't use it with your desktop, etc. :(

-arebelspy

[Darius Wey]

For a Bluetooth keyboard that you may never have to replace regardless of the device you use?

Yea, but this appears to only work with those iPAQs. What good is it if you can't use it with your desktop, etc. :(

-arebelspy

You should be able to if you can lay your hands on generic drivers. There are plenty of them out there. :)

[ctmagnus]

Can't get it in Canada yet. :mecry:

Edit: and it'll be $139CAD according to this xls file (http://search.hp.com/gwcaeng/redirect.html?type=REG&qt=FA287A%23AC3&url=http%3A//www.hp.ca/govonline/provincial/pricing/cpq_psc.xls&pos=1).

[gt24]

I would consider this keyboard if I had a yea or ney on if this works with other devices (the Dell Axim X30 High, specifically). It would be cool if somebody tested this with a "generic" driver, or whatever it is called, that or if they forced an HP driver on another device and got it to work.

Until then, I'll reserve my money...

[JonnoB]

Can you use this keyboard while surfing via bluetooth mobile phone? What about at the same time using a BT GPS device?

[Sven Johannsen]

Can you use this keyboard while surfing via bluetooth mobile phone? What about at the same time using a BT GPS device?

I would imagine so. I can do that with my X30 and the Dell BT keyboard. Different profiles, so they can be accessed at the same time. Somebodey would want to check this though, with this device specifically.

Just as an FYI, I did get ThinkOutside drivers and loaded them on my HP4155 and can use the Dell branded keyboard with it.

On the driver question, though, it is entirely possible for HP to create a driver (BT psuedo-profile) for this keyboard that won't load on other devices. They did just that with their CF camera, in the Jornada days. There were some third party programs that would use the camera, but they supplied their own camera driver.

I'm really surprised this thing came out of the blue like this. We've known it was coming for a while, but I would have expected some review devices to have shiped and posted about. It is after all only the second PPC BT keyboard out, and it has a number row, something that has put a lot of folks off the ThinkOutside model. Belkin is supposed to make one too. Suppose this is it?, and we'll see the Belkin one for other devices soon?

[Darius Wey]

"Bluetooth foldable keyboard for iPAQ h2200, h3000, h4100, h5000, h6300, rx3000, hx4700 series"

Now here's a thinker: why isn't the iPAQ h1940/h1945 on that list? :?

[manuelpl]

As soon as someone knows that it can be used on devices other than ipaq please let us know, this is a deal breaker for me. If not ill be waiting on the Belkin keyboard. I know this keyboard will work on my 6315 but the point is to buy a keyboard and not have to buy another any more.

[seaflipper]

"Bluetooth foldable keyboard for iPAQ h2200, h3000, h4100, h5000, h6300, rx3000, hx4700 series"

Now here's a thinker: why isn't the iPAQ h1940/h1945 on that list? :?

You guys, I just got my keyboard. I am taking some pictures and uploading them and will have them posted shortly. I don't have my sync cable with me, so I can't setup the software yet on my hx4700, but first impressions of the design is that it's very nice. It's light, but SOLID, brushed aluminum casing with rubber sides.

Also, for those of you who asked about the various models, I can confirm that the documentation that comes with the keyboard states specifically that it will work with both the h1900 & h4300 series even though it does not say so on the website. There are inserts inside the box that have specific insturctions on which ROM you need to have updated to in order for it to work on those models however. In fact, with all but the newest iPaqs there are notes on which ROM you must have installed for it to work. But just to confirm, the h1900 & h4300 series is specifically mentioned, so it will work with those units. Good news

[manuelpl]

Ok I see that its probably not going to work with other pda's except ipaqs

[seaflipper]

Ok I see that its probably not going to work with other pda's except ipaqs

Time will tell. I only have iPaq's, so it's not a problem for me, although I would like to get it to work with my new SMT5600 Smartphone!

[davidb67]

Anyone able to show pics comparing previous HP/Compaq folding keyboard vs this new one - closed size obviously.

Seaflipper, does this new b/t keyboard "lock" when in use - i.e could you sit it on your lap without it folding?

[manuelpl]

Please post any information you can gather from the keyboard.

Does this work with non-ipods ? what are the possibilities of that happening ? Is the keyboard useable on your lap does it close on you ?
Distance ? speed ? hotkeys ?

[vmobilesoftware]

I just want to confirm that the Dell (Think Outside) keyboard is working with iPAQ 4700. As long as you have Widcom BT stack it willl work. I guess the other way around shall work as well.

[Manatee]

I just went to HP's website, and now it says the keyboard is $129!!! 8O

A 30% price increase in two days? What will it cost next week?

[manuelpl]

Depends how you visit the HP website , you get different prices. Go back to the main page go to hpshopping , and then look for the keyboard the price will go back to 99

[Manatee]

I haven't been able to get it to say 99. I see the non-Bluetooth for 99, and the Bluetooth for 129. :(

[manuelpl]

HP raised the price does bastards.

No fear get it from Mobileplanet for $99

http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=3715&pf%5Fid=MP965651&listing=1

[Manatee]

Ah, much better. Thank you. :D

[manuelpl]

I just spoke with a slaes guy and they still have some left. However he could not tell me if this will work on anything other than ipaq.

IF anyone could find out if this keyboard will work on non-ipaqs , please inform us quickly im itching to buy it.

[dmck]

I received the bluetooth keyboard today. I was fortunate to get it before they raised the price. It works very nicely with the h6315. I also have the non-BT keyboard and I was often frustrated with it because there was frequently a short delay between typing and words showing up on the screen. There is no delay at all with the bluetooth keyboard. It seems very sturdy.....it does have a sliding lock mechanism, although the lock seems a little weak and doesn't keep it securely flat. There's actually a separate piece of paper that comes with the keyboard that says to "Unlock the Keyboard before Closing" "otherwise it will result in damage to the locking mechanism and the keyboard." Given the flimsiness of the lock, I can see how you could easily damage it.

Overall I'm pleased with it.

[manuelpl]

Can You test the keyboard on a non - ipaq pda.

[4ru]

Can You test the keyboard on a non - ipaq pda.
It works fine with any widcomm enabled PDA

Review:
http://www.mobile-review.com/pda/review/hp-ipaq-bluetooth-keyboard-en.shtml

[manuelpl]

i just ordered mine from mobileplanet

[christak]

Description:
Operating system: Pocket PC 2002, WM 2003, WM 2003 SE
Chip: CSR BlueCore2
Interface: Bluetooth 1.1
Distance: up to 7 m
Profiles supported: Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP)
Battery: 2 AAA batteries
Power consumption standby: 1 mA
Power consumption during printing: 12 mA
Dimensions (closed): 145x98x19.5 mm
Dimensions (open): 285x98x14.5 mm
Weight: 175 g.

...and as mentioned above it works with "other brand" PPCs...

8)

[lapchinj]

I just received the keyboard Friday and it looks pretty nice. Even though it's been mentioned that the lock is a little fragile I guess that might be part of the design otherwise it would be too big and heavy.

Anyway I just got a h4155 last month and as soon as I read 5 row keyboard and BT I had to try it and not wait for other companies promises. The first thing I saw that turned me off was that owners of 4100 and 4300 units that have a ROM version of 1.10.03 or 1.00.14 would have to reflash their ROM. I was not happy :( .

I waited until Saturday night to finally make the decision to flash the ROM thereby wiping out all the apps I put in over the past month - but I really wanted to use the keyboard. I downloaded the latest ROM (I thought) and installed it. The installation says that all one has to do before the installation is do a soft reset. But after the installed failed a number of times I read the PDF that came on the CD and it mentioned that a hard reset has to be done before the installation. Even though there were problems surfacing it seems that HP had all the fixes so I wasn't yet mad :evil: .

After I flashed the ROM I installed about a dozen "must haves" such as AF and PI. Afterwards I installed the keyboard which went smoothly. The only thing is that I kept getting an error trying to enable the keyboard driver that said "DKBdriver is not a valid Pocket PC application". After some looking around I see that the driver that the ROM that was installed was in fact 1.10.03. At the moment I don't know if it was my mistake or HP's but to say the least I'm not a happy puppy. I know that there was nothing on HP's web site that made me think that it wasn't the latest since I was following the links for the latest drivers (at least I thought so) :twisted: .

Well I'm rushing to finish this post so some other unlucky soul doesn't have the same problem as I. After I reflash the ROM again if I don't see any other posts reflecting my opinion of the keyboard I post an update. This better be a good keyboard because it will go right out the window since I’m really not into flash dancing.

Jeff- :cry:

[lapchinj]

OK - now I'm mad :evil: :evil: :evil: . It seems that the latest update is 1.10.03. I can try one that's earlier than 1.00.14 or in between or such but like I said before I'm not into Flash Dancing. OK - it won't go out the window so fast but it will go up on the shelf until I find the correct drivers. If a newer driver than 1.10.03 is not available then at least they should say to use version such and such not leave people hanging.

Anyway is seems everyone has been asking if the keyboard will work with this or that PPC but I think the real question is which PPC's that it does list as being compatible does it work with? This is definatly not the way I wanted to start off my Sunday.

Jeff-