Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard? - Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Accessories

I was at OSCON a few weeks back and the thinkgeek folks were there. They had a Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard hooked up & I played with is for a few seconds.
Its a bit pricey, but has anyone tried it?

rickcaudill said:
I was at OSCON a few weeks back and the thinkgeek folks were there. They had a Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard hooked up & I played with is for a few seconds.
Its a bit pricey, but has anyone tried it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very well!!!

bt laser kb
Just sold mine on ebay, came with my kaiser
It's a brilliant ice breaker in pubs, girls love it, but it is rubbish to actually use.

Why so? The only thing i image being hard about it is that you have to rest your palm on the ground rather than an elevated surface.

A buddy of mine had one for a while...he had nothing but good things to say
about it but i have particularly long fingers and i was tripping the key recognition for the keys below the keys i was going for. so id go to type "ASDF" for example and id get "AZSXDCFV"... but that may just be something you learn to work around in time. seemed neat though

I used to have one for my treo. Takes some getting used too, but if you can get good at it, you can type really fast.
As far as responsiveness, and accuracy, never had a problem with it.
Only problem I ever had was drifting off the home keys and typing like a row off.

Related

Keyboard requires some force...

I have an oddity... when using the slideout keyboard, I have to press hard, past the clicky feeling, to get some characters to show up. Is this a bum unit? Anyone have any suggestions?
sheesh, for this kind of money, you'd think there'd be some quality control.
Thanks in advance
WIG
Sounds like it may be one of the dodge models... What's your model number? (under the battery, in HERM6xx format)...
wig said:
I have an oddity... when using the slideout keyboard, I have to press hard, past the clicky feeling, to get some characters to show up. Is this a bum unit? Anyone have any suggestions?
sheesh, for this kind of money, you'd think there'd be some quality control.
Thanks in advance
WIG
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is one of the known problems of early TyTNs (I think up to at least serial numbers 630F... devices). Mine had the same problem - however, after a few days of use it almost disappeared.
It's definitely not something that can be fixed by a software update. You may want to give your device a few more days, and if that doesn't help, send it back for an exchange.
Cheers
Daniel
I found that as you used the keyboard more, the more responsive it became. If I used letters infrequently they can need a firmer push. Over the last month the keyboard has become better and better
My first Vario II had a couple of keys ('a' and 'e') which had this problem. I found it a little annoying because I am quite light on the keyboard so I was missing letters out all the time in texts.
I have since had the phone replaced because it developed the alignment problem and my replacement Vario II keyboard is perfect, it does not require any extra effort at all on any key.
It seems some are more sensitive than others.
Generally it does seem like the buttons require more force than the ones on a HTC Wizard. I think it's something you just get used to after you use the device for a while. I'm still going back and forth between my two devices so am constantly reminded of the differences between the two.

Screen size enough for meeting notes?

Hello,
If I buy a Hemes it should make a lap top obsolete, but I am worried that the screen will not be big enough for taking notes on meetings.
Does anyone here use it for meeting notes and what´s your experience from it.
Of course I will buy a foldable bluetooth keyboard to use it with.
/Danne
I often use my TyTN for taking meeting notes. It's certainly not as fast as typing on a laptop, but it's hard to beat the fact that I always have it with me
The TyTN isn't going to make your laptop obsolete. That's just crazy talk.
It is nice to have around, however.
richy240 said:
The TyTN isn't going to make your laptop obsolete. That's just crazy talk.
It is nice to have around, however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you motivate your answer please?
I will of course still have my home computer still. But I don´t see any reason for having a lap top IF I can use it to take notes with.
Danne
Typing is cumbersome, but a Bluetooth keyboard might help with that. They're still kinda expensive though. Also, the screen is kinda small so referencing notes taken a moment ago might be difficult.
On the plus side, you wouldn't have to lug around a laptop (as if they're really that bad), plug it in, etc.
It just might work for these purposes.
I'd like to chip in here. I'm addicted to gadgets and the internet; I even took my laptop to the Christmas party.
I'm a trainer and I'm always on the move, going to people's offices. Now that I've got email and internet browsing set up, I'm using the TyTn more and more. It's almost become my primary device.
When I'm in my office all day, then yes the laptop comes out. But most days the TyTn gets used more. The key thing I've noticed is that at home for casual browsing I quite frequently can't be bothered to get the laptop out any more. There's a couple of sites I like to keep up with (mainly here and The Register) and I just check them out on the PDA from time to time.
I can't help you with meeting notes, Danne, as I don't do it. I would point out that you can load software to make your PDA act like a dictaphone though, which might help.
Overall I think the "laptop replacement" question rests on what you use the device for though. For some it's quite possible.
I have completely replaced my laptop with my TyTN. I have a ThinkOutside BT keyboard that I use when I'm on the road or in meetings.
Just record the entire damn meeting
Mouse
Sleuth255 said:
I have completely replaced my laptop with my TyTN. I have a ThinkOutside BT keyboard that I use when I'm on the road or in meetings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds good, do you use a mouse as well? Is it even possible to connect a mouse?
And I guess you never experice that the screen is too small.
/Danne
Thanks
...for your replies so far.
Sorry about the delay to ansvering, we have a different time zone in Sweden you know
Danne
Danne said:
That sounds good, do you use a mouse as well? Is it even possible to connect a mouse?
And I guess you never experice that the screen is too small.
/Danne
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have good eyesight, so I use small fonts to maximize screen realestate. ThinkOutside's drivers include BT mouse support but I've never tried it. I wonder if it actually places a movable mouse pointer on the screen?
The ThinkOutSide keyboard has built in shortcuts for the Office apps, softkeys, Today & start button and I use these alot. Most mark/cut/copy/paste functions are available on the keyboard as well. What's nice is that I have IM (communicator mobile) and DirectPush email going. With this setup, I can dynamically respond to emails and IMs without touching the screen while the meeting's in session then easily switch back to my notes (I use PW for note taking since it has text formatting capabilities).
Having PIE available for Realtime Googling (to check the Bullsh!t factor during Vendor presentations) is nice too
Ok, thanks. Hopefully I feel the same way about the size. A am not shure what PW stands for but Word or Wordpad will probably work fine.
PocketWord?
Jepp, I guess so I do not own a smartphone yet som I don´t know about the programs.

Wizard OR Excalibur?

Excalibur aka Dash. or Wizard?. I know that they are two different animals, but i like the smallness of the dash. I have been using the wizard for a while and am pleased with it. Is web browsing the same as it would be on the wizard or are more webpages unviewable?
I tried the Dash for 2 weeks and returned it in favor of the Wizard. It had many nice things about it, like the Internet Sharing way of tethering, but a couple of things I couldn't figure out, like how to get to Voice Dial in less than 11 keystrokes, and that Voice Dial would stop working for me. I was always pulling out the stylus.
At the end of the day, the Wizard with the remapping program installed was just easier for me to use, with the stylus only rarely required. I also liked the more typical headset jack in the Wizard.
elorimer said:
I tried the Dash for 2 weeks and returned it in favor of the Wizard. It had many nice things about it, like the Internet Sharing way of tethering, but a couple of things I couldn't figure out, like how to get to Voice Dial in less than 11 keystrokes, and that Voice Dial would stop working for me. I was always pulling out the stylus.
At the end of the day, the Wizard with the remapping program installed was just easier for me to use, with the stylus only rarely required. I also liked the more typical headset jack in the Wizard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm...stylus...Dash?? How hard do you have to push on a non-touchscreen to get it to register?
bittermormon said:
Umm...stylus...Dash?? How hard do you have to push on a non-touchscreen to get it to register?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I question whether Elorimer has ever had a Dash in their hand. If he/she has then my apologies.
LOL....that's pretty funny. For a real answer, tho, you might want to check over at howardforums.com. They're more into the dash over there.
unfortunately the'yre all about the Gash over there. Maybe that explains the influx here??
elorimer said:
I tried the Dash for 2 weeks and returned it in favor of the Wizard. It had many nice things about it, like the Internet Sharing way of tethering, but a couple of things I couldn't figure out, like how to get to Voice Dial in less than 11 keystrokes, and that Voice Dial would stop working for me. I was always pulling out the stylus.
At the end of the day, the Wizard with the remapping program installed was just easier for me to use, with the stylus only rarely required. I also liked the more typical headset jack in the Wizard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Voce dial with Dash AKA S620: keep HOME pressed a while= 1 keystroke
Internet sharing cames from AKU 3.0= Test (or wait) a new ROM
Do you like BIG or SMALL? Depend what and who you are but both are great devices!
bittermormon said:
Umm...stylus...Dash?? How hard do you have to push on a non-touchscreen to get it to register?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm.. sorry, brain cramp. It was only 7 weeks ago too. Still, I think it was 11 keypresses to voice dial, cause pressing the home key didn't do it. I think I wished it had a stylus.
I have the Dash and K-Jam. I used the Dash for an entire weekend as my only device when I left the state without a laptop. I went back to my K-Jam and have not looked back. The Dash is a novelty in comparison.
I missed the touch screen.
I missed the apps.
I didn't like trying to get used to arrowing all over the place.
I hated how when I am entering information into a web form. I have to hit enter on the box before I can type, even though I have it highlighted/selected. If you don't hit enter first, you lose the first letter you type.
I FRIGGIN HATE XT9!!! It won't go away. It's a nightmare that I can't get rid of.
I went a whole week last month out of state with my K-Jam and I came home happy I had it. I had no laptop and was called by the office to do some work. I was able to fill out some forms as well as create a couple word docs and email them to work the same day. It was awesome.
If they have 3G coming soon, get the TyTN. If not, the K-Jam (Wizard) is awesome.
Feel free to ask any questions. I have them both and will be keeping them both.
Now if you want a comparison of my Dash to my MPx220, the Dash rocks in comparison.
-Mc

Stock case, no keyboard

Has anyone opted to use the supplied case and leave the keyboard at home? If so does it lighten the load, reduce the bulk, and work pretty well? I realize it removes the ability to view the secondary screen, but for those who don't use the keyboard for much this seems like a way to mitigate the "pain" of carrying the thing around, especially if a bluetooth headset with caller id is used. Anyone?
Thanks
Tref said:
Has anyone opted to use the supplied case and leave the keyboard at home? If so does it lighten the load, reduce the bulk, and work pretty well? I realize it removes the ability to view the secondary screen, but for those who don't use the keyboard for much this seems like a way to mitigate the "pain" of carrying the thing around, especially if a bluetooth headset with caller id is used. Anyone?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a different supplied case than the one with the Ameo?
I can't use the secondary screen with mine as the case isn't transparant.. :-/
Stock case is fine....for the moment!
Yeah ive opted to use the case without the keyboard, im finding im getting on with it well (especially since I purchased a Jabra 8010 headset, with caller id and vibrate)
This is great (altho im still getting used to 'whats that vibrating noise? oh its the headset, oops!' hehe!)
I find these work well together, it doesnt matter that I cant see the caller display thats there when the keyboards there.
As regards to typing, ive tried all of the options that are available Resco Keyboard, SPB Keyboard, the lot, and they are all ok, but i still go back to the standard keyboard on the bigger setting so the keys are easy to push. 90% of the time, with fast typing im fine, and happy not to be carrying the keyboard round, which i find worse than the onscreen keyboard.
Its not because of the feel of the keys on the hardware keyboard, its the layout. I just cant get used to it, and ive tried. I dont find it impossible to type, and I guess if i used it more then id get used to it, but the benefits of not carrying it around, outweigh the benefits of having the keyboard with me.
Id prefer a 'Skin' type of case, but even then, id be worried about the screen getting damaged, so for now, im happy to stick with the standard case that came with the Ameo.
jmdrizen said:
Do you have a different supplied case than the one with the Ameo?
I can't use the secondary screen with mine as the case isn't transparant.. :-/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have an Advantage yet. I'm in the market for a replacement for my Wizard and have it narrowed down to either the Advantage x7501 or the Nokia E90. But there are so many production problems appearing with the E90 that I'm leaning heavily toward the 7501. Plus the OS (M$), is a known evil and my software for the Wizard will mostly work fine on it. If I do buy one I will likely carry it without the keyboard so long as I can do so while keeping the screen 100% protected, just as tomchap is concerned about.
I rarely use the keyboard on my Wizard and I suspect I would not use it much with the 7501 either, mostly because I don't need to compose much on my phone, and don't browse the web much either while I'm out and about. So for me the trick will be to find a way to carry it without the kb yet keep it protected while still being able to access the it quickly when I need to look something up in a rush. I have a BlueAnt v12 with caller id, so the phone can stay cased while I'm answering calls. FWIW my idea of an ideal case would be a crystal case with a flip up screen cover.
Thanks for the replies
I am putting the phone in my pants pocket without the keyboard. With the keyboard it is too thick. Without, it 'just' fits! W/O the KB the form factor is now in that sweet spot where I don't notice the bulk as much.
Plus, I am used to graffiti text input with my old Sony Clie, Palm OS, so leaving behind the kb is not a big deal for me.
Keith Walker
Are you pocketing it while it is cased, or without? If cased, are you using the case that came in the box?
I think he puts the phone in his pocket without any case.
If so, in which direction does your screen point ?
mojo2000 said:
I think he puts the phone in his pocket without any case.
If so, in which direction does your screen point ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do the same and the screen is on my body/leg.
I found that this causes a lot of wear on the screen protector (you DO have one right?)
But i was too scared to have the LCD face outward just in case of a bump.
Yes I use the leather case that the 7501 came with.
I am more worried about the camera port getting scratched than the screen, which I have a screen protector on.
Tref said:
Are you pocketing it while it is cased, or without? If cased, are you using the case that came in the box?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Kaiser + SDHC + Bluetooth Keyboard = Never Carry a Laptop Again

As an ASU student that takes a ton of notes, I am extremely pleased to shed my laptop. After acquiring an 8GB SDHC and a Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard, I have made my Kaiser into the perfect Laptop Killer.
Here is a link to the magnificent keyboard that made this all possible:
http://www.igo.com/product.asp?sku=2524884
I got mine from J&R Electronics' website where they're offering a sale. While the keyboard is a little bit bigger than I would like, the keys are a joy to press and I can achieve up to 100 WPM after initially getting used to it for just a few minutes. It is a bit cumbersome to carry in one's pocket (it would only fit in a rear pocket of mine), but I carry it in my messenger bag since I have to take written notes and file papers throughout the day.
Either way, I'm happy to shed the few pounds of my tablet laptop.
I'd highly recommend this keyboard and am happy to say that the drivers, from what I have tested, work perfectly.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if this is the same keyboard:
http://www.amazon.com/Stowaway-Ultra-Slim-Bluetooth-Blackberry-Handhelds/dp/B0002OKCXE
Then you have been robbed !!!
WoWOWOWOWWO!!! 80% off?!?!?! I gotta get that before Amazon runs out of stock or corrects the price. Thanks for the great find.
As for the Kaiser as a laptop killer, not quite But I suppose I can see how that can work for a college student.
Thanks for the Amazon link! I just ordered one. Which driver are you using for the Kaiser?
If that keyboard supports the HID profile you won't need a driver -- I'm using the Freedom Universal Keyboard, which supports SPP or HID. HID support is built into the WM6 stack, so you don't have to install a driver.
Yep that's the one. Oh well. Either way, I do not use the default HID driver because I like to make use of the hotkeys etc. I use the driver from igo.com.
klasikahl said:
Yep that's the one. Oh well. Either way, I do not use the default HID driver because I like to make use of the hotkeys etc. I use the driver from igo.com.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn bro i feel bad 4 u. It's alright try to get some type of partial refund or something. Checkout slickdeals.net they said it was 29.99 for a while. This post just reminded me to buy one. Anyways if you feel like it was worth what you paid even it was more than that it doesn't matter. I heard there's a dumb sticker on it can you confirm?
Mine is branded with the ThinkOutside logo on the front which isn't too bad and the standard FCC info, barcodes, etc on the back. The thing that irks me most about the keyboard is that the locking mechanism when it is folded out seems somewhat cheap (a 1cm piece of plastic). Oh, and they should have used a USB rechargeable LiPoly battery instead of 2 AAAs. The keyboard would be much more portable if the battery part was shaved off the top.
Honestly I think the thing was worth the $100 I paid for it, so I'm going to buy a spare for $30.
I have been on the Amazon uk site and they do the Think Outside keyboard for £17.99!! Think i might get one.
Think Outside Keyboard
Cant find any bluetooth keyboard anywhere else any cheaper....
Hey congrats on your find klasikahl, you've got the setup I'm hoping to use in grad school. What I'd really like to have though, along with this keyboard, is a number pad and a MoGo bluetooth mouse!
I have heard a few complaints about the keyboard though. Is it hard to remove the phone stand? Also, if you hit a key on the far left or right of the keyboard, does it all **** to one side? No biggie either way really, but I was curious.
You might want to try one of these keyboards. I have one and it works well. An alternative to the built in keyboard if you can type fast. ie 50wpm
http://www.itechdynamic.com/en/products_spec.asp?cid=7&pid=07010
ziggykd said:
Hey congrats on your find klasikahl, you've got the setup I'm hoping to use in grad school. What I'd really like to have though, along with this keyboard, is a number pad and a MoGo bluetooth mouse!
I have heard a few complaints about the keyboard though. Is it hard to remove the phone stand? Also, if you hit a key on the far left or right of the keyboard, does it all **** to one side? No biggie either way really, but I was curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not hard to remove the phone stand. Merely bend it back off of the keyboard (as if you're going to break it) and it will pop off before breaking any pieces. Because of the portable design, the left and right sides of the keyboard do not touch the surface beneath when the keyboard is expanded. If you hit a key on the far sides, it will likewise tilt to one side, but this is a very minimal annoyance.
I am able to type 90% of my desktop speed with this little guy. My understanding about the "virtual" optical keyboard that was posted is that the key registration is not perfect, and also there's no tactile response (the ThinkOutside keyboard's response is great).
LMAO damn man thread creator got owned bad. Thats why I always check amazon when I buy stuff to see if I can't find it for a lower price.
I liked the price so much that I bought two, one for me and one for my fiancee. Gotta love Amazon though, it took a whole week to arrive (gotta love Amazon holiday shipping)... The sticker haunted me 2x
Got mine from Amazon today, very nice design! The software really lets it do a lot. At first the Tab and Back Space Keys were stuck down but after som fiddling they now work fine. The biggest problem was removing the helpfull but stupid open/close instruction sticker that came on it, took 1/2 hour with GooGone adhesive remover....
Mine came today
Yup, based on the $29 price, I grabbed one too (actually, had a $15 off coupon sitting in my account - who knew). It came today!
Thanks for the heads up
RemE said:
The biggest problem was removing the helpfull but stupid open/close instruction sticker that came on it, took 1/2 hour with GooGone adhesive remover....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine Tuesday, and had the same issue with that damn sticker. Otherwise it's great!
I bought one too. Maybe they are $29 bucks until they unload the batch with bad tape. Still a great deal.
klasikahl said:
Yep that's the one. Oh well. Either way, I do not use the default HID driver because I like to make use of the hotkeys etc. I use the driver from igo.com.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Kaiser isn't listed on their drivers web page. The drivers that came on the CD (WM5) aren't working on my Tilt either. Which drivers in particular are you using klasikahl?
I D/L'd the drivers from the iGo website, they are also WM5 drivers but work fine on my Kaiser. It did ask to disable the HID driver and I said yes, then it went thru the pairing process. I had to make the KBD discoverable, pair and done. It adds a SIP keyboard choice, in fact if I have another soft keyboard selected and then open the iGo, the Kaiser will auto select the iGo SIP and take off working, very nice.

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