Bluetooth Keyboard in development

[OcellNuri]

There is a keyboard in development that uses Bluetooth. It is made of soft rubber and can roll up. Hopes are this would work with the NX and BTMS. I saw the story at PalmInfoCenter. Read more at the link below.

http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=4829

[Muzikfreakah]

My friend was able to buy a bluetooth keyboard and mouse from microsoft, really cool gadgets! Havent tested them for delays or lags yet though....

[LITTLESIX]

sweet looking keyboard. You know I gotta try one when it comes out.

[LITTLESIX]

Originally posted by Muzikfreakah
My friend was able to buy a bluetooth keyboard and mouse from microsoft, really cool gadgets! Havent tested them for delays or lags yet though....

I saw this in the store. In theory, would this keyboard work with the NZ? If I'm not mistaken, the BT kit I saw this in had an access point for anything bluetooth. (I'm a total BT novice)

[SW Geek]

There need to be Drivers on the PDA to translate the "Bluetooth" into "Keyboard". Bluetooth is just a communicaiton path - Much like USB, Serial, 802.11, etc.

You can't connect a USB mouse to the PDAs that have a USB connector for much the same reason - No Drivers.

[Albert Hon]

Originally posted by SW Geek
There need to be Drivers on the PDA to translate the "Bluetooth" into "Keyboard". Bluetooth is just a communicaiton path - Much like USB, Serial, 802.11, etc.

You can't connect a USB mouse to the PDAs that have a USB connector for much the same reason - No Drivers.

Yes, not a really Bluetooth keyboard...because PDA has no HID profile so far....and the most important....I have a rubber type keyboard in hand...the click feeling is really bad although it is water-proof

[fc2003]

I agree with Albert Hon that the click feeling with the rubber type is bad compared to my Palm keyboard, especially for typing long pages. I get a sample when I visited the Seoul factory. Even if it works with NZ , I wonder how many users will carry NZ plus the flexible keyboard.;)

[LITTLESIX]

If the communication between the two worked effectively, I would easily. I have too much entry to do. Keyboard (rubber or otherwise) would make my life easier.

[Albert Hon]

Originally posted by LITTLESIX
If the communication between the two worked effectively, I would easily. I have too much entry to do. Keyboard (rubber or otherwise) would make my life easier.

Yes, but NZ is just an OS5 platform, I think that the OS5-supporting keyboard will come to market soon. I am working for the partner of Belkin and I think that our OS5 driver is almost ready....... You can wait for wrote email to Belkin for more info about the firm schedule.

But I really would like to said , rubber type keyboard is very bad to type....you will feel regret soon, tell the truth, if thinkoutside has a BT module on it's XT... I prefer to use that type keyboard rather than rubber type one.

[scudco]

What the hell is the use of a BT kb for a PDA? I like having my NR keyboard that is plastic and acts as a stand for the PDA. Are you going to leave your NZ in the cradle and sit on the couch controlling your PDA from there? Makes no sense to me.

[LITTLESIX]

Originally posted by scudco
What the hell is the use of a BT kb for a PDA? I like having my NR keyboard that is plastic and acts as a stand for the PDA.

Currently, unless somebody rushes to market, there are no keyboard options for the NZ. The port on the bottom of your NR is more than 1/2 up the back of the NZ. The NR keyboard is not going to function.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by scudco
Are you going to leave your NZ in the cradle and sit on the couch controlling your PDA from there? Makes no sense to me. [/B]

NO, I actually use my PDA outside the house ;)

I use it primarily for work, and that's always on the road taking first responder reports. A hardshell keyboard (like I used with my NR) was next to worthless again. As to typing on a rubber one, I've tried this company's foldables for desktops and still can manage just as fast. If it works with the NZ, I'll be buying one.

[OcellNuri]

Plus, with the clamshell devices such as the NR, NX, and NZ you don't need to have the keyboard act as a stand for the device. You don't need to have it sitting in the cradle. You can put the devices in tablet mode and stand them up in the shape of an A. I use this on my NX all the time to read books while I'm eating. You could use this with a wireless keyboard and it would be great, the unit stands itself up and you don't have to worry about plugging anything in.

[scudco]

Well if the market is there...

[LITTLESIX]

Gotta admit - the prospect of this is pretty cool...

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=659

Don't know squat about it, including when or if we'll ever see it stateside. I'm curious as hell to know more about it.

[Albert Hon]

Originally posted by LITTLESIX
Gotta admit - the prospect of this is pretty cool...

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=659

Don't know squat about it, including when or if we'll ever see it stateside. I'm curious as hell to know more about it.

It is with many concerns
1) No typing feeling, will hurt your finger ...you have to see doctor after about one day typing
2) can't touch-type...no dots at F, J
3) Power comsumption is too high

good
1) water proof
2)dust proof

From my point of keyboard making, it will fail in the market...I have seen that last year , but I don't think the market is there, Thinkoutside or Belkin even Pocketop's keyboard is far better than this kind keyboard. I have tested this kind of keyboard in a seminar last year, I only feel it's fantastic....but don't think it is really worthy to do. I have not heard any one who will launch this keyboard to market this year...you have better forgot it.


The tech is not too hard
A projector makes a image on table or flat surface, then a IR transceiver scan the motion of your fingers. But due to the Uni-direction of transporting of light, it still has problem in this kind of keyboard.

[quiksilver]

Albert,

Is Belkin planning on developing a Bluetooth version of its G700 series? As in a normal keyboard, not a rubber one.

A Bluetooth keyboard would be superior to existing IR (aka Pocketop) versions, much like today's RF or Bluetooth mice are superior to older IR ones. A Bluetooth Belkin would also get rid of silly connector problems (like the connector change from N-series to T-series to NZ-series) and essentially make the keyboard compatible with all potential (and future) PDAs out there, simply with updated drivers.

[Albert Hon]

Originally posted by quiksilver
Albert,

Is Belkin planning on developing a Bluetooth version of its G700 series? As in a normal keyboard, not a rubber one.

A Bluetooth keyboard would be superior to existing IR (aka Pocketop) versions, much like today's RF or Bluetooth mice are superior to older IR ones. A Bluetooth Belkin would also get rid of silly connector problems (like the connector change from N-series to T-series to NZ-series) and essentially make the keyboard compatible with all potential (and future) PDAs out there, simply with updated drivers.

I have no idea about if Belkin would like to make a BT G700 keyboard, But I agree what you said, the BT keyboard is a strong weapon, it seemed that Thinkoutside is developing a BT keyboard now. Maybe somebody can write a mail to ask when they will have a BT keyboard...I think that it's very easy to make a BT keyboard

[EdFrmBrighthand]

I've sent email to every handheld peripheral manufacturer I can think of asking about plans for Bluetooth keyboards. Belkin said it would have one out around May but wouldn't give any details. No one else was even willing to commit that much.

[Albert Hon]

Originally posted by EdFrmBrighthand
I've sent email to every handheld peripheral manufacturer I can think of asking about plans for Bluetooth keyboards. Belkin said it would have one out around May but wouldn't give any details. No one else was even willing to commit that much.

I have heard that Thinkoutside is working with a third party for a bluetooth keyboard and almost ready, you can try asking them again....they may give you a further schedule

[zeke87]

I'm definately going to bluetooth keyboard once I get a new PDA after my T-415 and Pocketop IR Keyboard bite the dust (which are both working excellent by the way, no complaints). I'm wondering though, could one use their keyboard and use the blue tooth for something else at the same time? I'm not too familiar with newtorking yet.

Z

[Albert Hon]

Originally posted by zeke87
I'm definately going to bluetooth keyboard once I get a new PDA after my T-415 and Pocketop IR Keyboard bite the dust (which are both working excellent by the way, no complaints). I'm wondering though, could one use their keyboard and use the blue tooth for something else at the same time? I'm not too familiar with newtorking yet.

Z

Don't forget the power issue, you only can type about 4 hours in bluetooth keyboard, make no sense.......,

[zeke87]

Ya, never thought of that.

[Albert Hon]

Originally posted by zeke87
Ya, never thought of that.

Once you make a bluetooth keyboard, but only can use 4 hours, you bring a garbage with you everywhere.....that's why no one make a BT keyboard for PDA....the selling must be bad...Or maybe you need to buy battery everyday....it's crazy

[zeke87]

My IR keyboard does a good drain on battery after couple of hours of use as well. I can use it for more than 4 hours though.

[Albert Hon]

Originally posted by zeke87
My IR keyboard does a good drain on battery after couple of hours of use as well. I can use it for more than 4 hours though.

I know, the IR keyboard is a uni-direction transmitting, but bluetooth keyboard has a big area transmitting area, it's not fair to compare IR with BT. I am sure, even you have the best power saving mode , you can only type 3 hours ....except you have a big battery....and that makes it lose the characteristics of " portable and mobile".

[zeke87]

Yes, that's true. I'm tired, I'm not thinking , because yes, it is unfair to compare the two, I should've realized that, becuase of the fact that it is transmitting farther, requiring more "juice". (would be interesting if you could type from across the room (not practical though :))) Anyways...

[robrecht]

Any ideas on whether you could use a bluetooth keyboard (to write emails) while you're also connected online through a bluetooth phone?

If not, probably wouldn't want a bluetooth keyboard.

[SW Geek]

As the Bluetooth spec is written, each connection is unique. You can have N simultaneous connections to N devices .

[Spiral]

That would be quite amusing to put your NZ in liek you backpack or pocket (have the keyboard and NZ already connected, if drivers are ever made that would be) and just be typing on a keyboard, people would wonder if you were crazy or something, just typing on a keyboard randomly.

[zeke87]

That would be cool...