There has been a lot of interest in a proper, external, keyboard for the XDA.
After reading a lot of reviews and testing what I could get my hands on, I have concluded that the ThinkOutside Stowaway Wireless Keyboard is probably the best around.
This keyboard is mainly sold in the USA, but an alternative exists; the Palm Wireless Keyboard.
I have created a small review including large pictures on my website:
http://www.mahal.dk/keyboard
Regards
Michael
Nice review, Michael!
Wouter
Thanks.
Several of my work mates have tried the keyboard and appear very impressed by the quality - and the power of the XDA II + Keyboard.
Regards
Michael
nice review, you seem to be really happy with that keyboard,
But..., have you tried the official XDA II keyboard?, it locks in the open position so can be used on your lap, and doesnt need any batteries to use it,
I am going to order hte official keyboard i think and see how i go with it
I believe I have. I used to own an Ipaq 5450 with the HP Foldable keyboard. From what I can see at the pictures I found, it might very well be the same keyboard.
The HP is sort of pulled apart then pushed together again to assemble and lock it.
If this is the same keyboard, I was not happy and found I did not use it. The main reason was that they keys was not quite large enough and had the right feed-back for touch typing. Also, very annoyingly, the space bar needed a very hard push in the right hand side. This often caused me to miss a space.
Finally, there was no mapping to those extra 3 letters we have, meaning I had to get the stylus out each time I had to use one of those letters.
On the plus side, I could charge my Ipaq when using it, but only after having the bottom connector replaced.
The price was also much higher, almost 100 GBP, the Palm Wireless Keyboard that I find better is only around 35 GBP.
Battery drain is minimal btw.
Regards
Michael
Do One need SD or CF Bluetooth card ?
Do I need to buy an SD or CF Bluetooth card to use my QTEK 20202 with the Stowaway Bluetooth Portable Keyboard, anyone know?
Regards, Johnny
Saw this a few days ago, and it got me salivating, although I can't really justify getting one; I don't spend that much time typing on my Imate.
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=110909
It projects (yes projects) a keyboard onto a flat surface in front of it, then detects which key you press on the projection by means of a second ir beam. And it's about the size of a cigarette lighter.
Feedback on the site says it works with the XDA II.
I'm sure I read about this idea years ago in a sci-fi novel. It's nice to see things like that come true. Maybe I will get one. Hmmmmm......
bodstrup said:
The price was also much higher, almost 100 GBP, the Palm Wireless Keyboard that I find better is only around 35 GBP.
Michael
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the palm keyboard work with XDA2?
That or similar laser projected keyboard was on Gadgets Gadgets Gadgets on TV the other night and they demonstrated it using an XDAII.
It looked like it worked very well But you have to have a flat surface. Also typing on a flat surface would feal strange to me i think.
Hi,
The time has finally come, my contract is up and I'm looking for my next phone.
I've been umming and ahhing for a while now and I'm still at a loss
Tired of my Touch Dual, missing a hardware keyboard, missing my Universal if truth be known. In fact, if it wasn't so damn big, I'd still be using it.
So, want a good speck to see me through to the WM7 devices (if they make em).
Hardware keyboard is a must.
So far have the hots for the Touch Pro 2, shame about the lack of 3.5mm h/phone socket.
Then there is the upcoming Xperia 2, looks nice, but still lacks some performance (according to the few reviews I've read)
Help me out folks, any more sugestions to the pot? Which one would you settle for and why?
Thanks
Mav
I must agree, hardware keyboard is a must
I would recommend TP2, the 3.5mm adapter is so small that you dont even notice.
Xperia 2 will not be made by HTC for me would not be an option.
Or wait a few months, great devices with hardware keyboard will be presented
The 3.5mm audio is something i would want. The UK TP2 doesn't have one from what I can see.
Any heads up on the other devices that are coming soon that could be of interest? If I need to, I will hang on to my Touch Dual, but it's boring the heck out of me at the moment. I guess, the end of the 18month contract is up in 10 days and it's time for a change, but I could hold off for a while. The problem with mobile devices is that there is always something new around the corner. You could wait forever
The Samsung Omnia Pro B7610 is out the end of Sept (or maybe 6th Oct with win 6.5)
800mhz with hardware keyboard and 3.5 Amoled screen.
Could be interesting with the Samsung App Store opening next week for WM devices
Its time to replace my raphael, its starting to show the wear for the tear. Im looking for a winmo or android phone with a keyboard and a headphone jack that does att 3g. I'm pretty ticked that the new att rhodium dosnt have a headphone jack. Is there anything out there?
That small detial on the Rhodium with no 3.5mm jack is nothing!, also some USA models have it
Or you can buy a tiny adapter and with it you´ll have the best hardware keyboard device to this date!
hardware keyboard is very important (at least for me) as to this date not any virtual kb gives you the comfortability and typing speed as a normal one.
I suggest you to take a look in the last 2 categories of this list: http://wiki.xda-developers.com/
The best for you would be to go to a big electronics warehouse and play with different phones for a while.
It is amazing how many new and cool phones have been developed in 2009, specially since middle of this year.
You should definitly take a look at the Nokia N900, as well as try out modern smartphones without keyboard (iPhone 3GS, all the Android phones, etc.).
It is amazing to notice that a keyboard is not that essential anymore, when the phone features a high-resolution screen (480x320 to 800x480!) and excellent touch-screen. Don't pay too much attention if it is capacitive or whatever technology - try them all out and see for yourself.
HTC alone has so many different devices, one really gets confused, wishing one could buy them all.
But then there is Acer catching up with some pretty cheap, yet cool devices, with great screens.
Buying a phone today should take into consideration:
- price (can you afford it)
- screen estate (it's never big enough / resolution high enough)
- fast CPU (nothing is more anoying than lag)
- functionality (messaging/outlook/internet/youtube/office/whatever you need)
All I wanted to say is that these points fit to much more phones then lets say one year ago. And Windows Mobile is not the only player anymore.
Cheers,
vma
So i just read a review of the X1, and its a fuze with a headphone jack and a bigger screen... anyone else out there vouch for the X1?
That review is very good.
I'm now thinking to buy one
coming from the x1 i must say it was a complete waste of my money. of course its much cheaper now.
first few months of usage was great but then slowly the it just fell apart.
the keyboard became unresponsive, phone hangs and lags much.
even after repair the keyboard slowly became screwed up again.
and the last month i was using it, even the touchscreen became unresponsive occasionally. and im not a rough user at all.
but thats just my take on it.
as far as wm/android phones with 3.5mm and keyboard, theres samsung omniapro b7610. and upcoming xperia x2 and motorola droid.
Take a look at the Motorola Droid...
But, wanting that 3.5 jack eliminates so many better PPC's!
At the top of any page at XDA-Developers, there's a link called "Device Database". Click on this, then at the top of that page, choose "PDAChooser". Then, input all the parameters you want. For example, I checked "Audio Out", "Keyboard", "Integrated Cellular Phone", "Any" (under supported cellular data links), and I set "Pos. Device" to "Touchscreen". That returns quite a few results. Then, all you have to do is pick any device from those results and see if it runs an OS you like and uses AT&T 3G bands.
My Samsung BlackJack II aka i617 has kicked the bucket and I'm using my old Moto Razr until I find a replacement. I'm not inquiring you to search google for me, I just would like to know if you know any that are decent. I want another Front-Facing QWERTY device, but I can't think of many that are 'Smartphones' and of that form factor except for these few I have below:
Samsung OmniaPro B7330--------------------------Palm Treo Pro
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I'd prefer it to have a Touch-screen (not a requirement though) and must have fairly modern specs. Also are there any Android phones that meet this requirement? I willing to take recommendations for all OS's as long as it's fairly customizable.
Unfortunately, touchscreen devices with a frontal qwerty keyboard are terrible.
The Samsung Epix is a decent touch screen device. It has a stylus and optical navigation pad that can be used just like a laptop mouse pad (meaning their is a mouse cursor). However, the keyboard is ridiculously terrible and unintuitive.
There is also the Palm Pixi which has a keyboard and touchscreen right in front of you. However, the keyboard is very, very minimalist and small. The keyboard is also very bad.
There really are no good devices with a frontal keyboard and touchscreen interface. At least, not yet.
Luckily, their is a new Sony Ericsson phone coming out real soon. It's called the Sony Ericsson Aspen. It will not by amazing in terms of technical aspects because the processor is presumed to be around 500 megahertz, which is slow for a Windows Mobile device. But from my experiences with qwerty keyboards on phones like these, the Sony Ericsson Aspen will have a pretty good keyboard.
If you really need the quick access and efficiency of a smart phone keyboard, I highly suggest you to purchase a Nokia E-series device or a BlackBerry device. These phones lack the touchscreen, but they excel in this form factor. Windows Mobile and Touch Screen phones do not excel in this form factor.
I suggest the Nokia E72, it is fast and efficient with a great keyboard. However, the BlackBerry 9000 or the BlackBerry 9700 have an even better keyboard.
So here is a quick summary:
According to the form factor that you're looking for, Touch Screen devices have terrible keyboards and are inefficient. However, Nokia E-series devices or BlackBerry Bold Series devices tend to have the better keyboards and are designed to work really well with their operating system.
Just know this if you decide to listen to me: Nokia E-series devices have a good non-touch screen operating system. BlackBerry devices are designed for email and messaging and have the best of the best keyboards with this form factor, but I think that the operating system is a bit boring and lack software development.
Thanks for the reply poetryrocksalot. I was considering the Pixi Plus, but the only models available so far are CDMA and i need a unlocked phone.
When I said fairly modern specs, I meant a phone that didn't have hardware from 2006. I just neeed something that was faster than my previous phone, the Samsung i617. Also what I meant was that I would like something with a touch-screen but it's not biggy if it doesn't.
krjcook said:
Thanks for the reply poetryrocksalot. I was considering the Pixi Plus, but the only models available so far are CDMA and i need a unlocked phone.
When I said fairly modern specs, I meant a phone that didn't have hardware from 2006. I just neeed something that was faster than my previous phone, the Samsung i617. Also what I meant was that I would like something with a touch-screen but it's not biggy if it doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nokia E72 has a ARM 11 600 MHz processor, 5 Megapixel camera, Modern Look, Decent RAM considering the average RAM size for Symbian devices, LED Flash, 3.5 mm headphone jack, active noise cancellation microphone technology, up-to-date S60 Series 3rd Edition OS (considering the fact that it came out fairly recently), a microsd card slot, accelerometer, optical trackpad, FM Radio receiver, Digital Compass built in, flashlight integration.
BTW, of all of these devices, the Nokia E72 has the best camera (except for the Sony Ericsson Aspen).
The Palm Pixi Plus has a 2 Megapixel Camera, no FM Radio, no flashlight integration (you need someone to develop software and it isn't out yet), no microsd card and only 8 gb of memory for now, no digital compass built in, no active noise cancellation, and the OS is in it's infant stages
The only thing that makes the Pixi modern over the E72 is that the Pixi is a touch screen device. Furthermore, it's 2010 and the Sony Ericsson Aspen hasn't even came out yet, but it is a disappointment to see that it has 3 megapixel camera.
I am really against purchasing a Palm Pixi plus. By purchasing this, I think that you are basically saying: "I don't really care about the front facing keyboard, I just care that it has a capacitive touch screen and a fun interface". If this is your priority than I really hope you purchase a WebOS device with atleast a 3.5 inch diagonally long screen.
By the way, the Nokia E72 has been praised for being one of the fastest Nokia device out there right now. Symbian devices do not need as much CPU as windows mobile devices, so the processors are usually ARM processors around 400 megahertz. Even the Nokia N97 has a 400 megahertz CPU. The E72 is an exception.
HTC Trophy.... But it aint out yet.
adamdon89 said:
HTC Trophy.... But it aint out yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I can not believe I totally forgot about this device. I should have mentioned it.
However, there are some things to mention. This image is fake rendition by an unofficial artist
Here is the link and some proof: http://pocketnow.com/tech-news/recent-htc-trophy-image-looks-good-but-fake-artist-render
Here is the actual image that was leaked: http://www.techdigest.tv/HTC Trophy.jpg
I am looking forward for HTC to implement the artist rendition!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't forget the Maple, I love it's keyboard, although the HTC inner circle which is heavily hyped on it isn't that great, but it has no touch screen
cmstackar said:
Don't forget the Maple, I love it's keyboard, although the HTC inner circle which is heavily hyped on it isn't that great, but it has no touch screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right!
HTC Maple
It´s one of the best options for bar smartphones
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=1782&c=htc_snap_s521__captain_htc_maple_100
Please don't get the HTC Maple. It's very low end.
I suggest waiting for the HTC Trophy to be officially announced or for the Sony Ericsson Aspen. Or get the successor to the E72 if it comes out.
Completely disagree
Have you had one?
or you just talking light
It´s one of the best actual options
Trophy looks nice but it´s not here today for sale
Here the low end specs:
http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=1826&id2=1782
Thanks for the reply. I've decided that I'm going with a windows standard device, because their cheap and simple then I'll upgrade to Windows Phone 7 or Android later this year. But the problem is that now I'm stuck choosing between the HTC Snap and Samsung OmniaPro B7330. They have similar specs, except that the OmniaPro has a Bigger Screen, More Ram & Rom, a higher res camera, and It's cheaper everywhere i look. Here's a link to the comparison: http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=1826&id2=2032
Is HTC's software good enough to waiver the samsung better spec and lower price tag.
Hopefully this will be the successor of Samsung i780/Epix.
http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=15101
krjcook said:
Thanks for the reply. I've decided that I'm going with a windows standard device, because their cheap and simple then I'll upgrade to Windows Phone 7 or Android later this year. But the problem is that now I'm stuck choosing between the HTC Snap and Samsung OmniaPro B7330. They have similar specs, except that the OmniaPro has a Bigger Screen, More Ram & Rom, a higher res camera, and It's cheaper everywhere i look. Here's a link to the comparison: http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=pdacomparer&id1=1826&id2=2032
Is HTC's software good enough to waiver the samsung better spec and lower price tag.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't say that the software is much better, but the keyboard is phenomenal on the snap, 2nd favorite keyboard on any mobile device. And if the keyboard is anything like Samsung's other models, it will be decent, but not great
I'm really optimistic about the Samsung Pivot. If the device we're seeing now is the actual release model, than I would definitely get it. It reminds me of the Nokia E61 (terrific keyboard!).
This is the Samsung Pivot:
This is the Nokia E61:
Horrible designs indeed...
poetryrocksalot said:
Unfortunately, touchscreen devices with a frontal qwerty keyboard are terrible.
The Samsung Epix is a decent touch screen device. It has a stylus and optical navigation pad that can be used just like a laptop mouse pad (meaning their is a mouse cursor). However, the keyboard is ridiculously terrible and unintuitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you owned the Epix? I have, and it is a very good device. I had it for 2 years, never had a problem like everyone else says. I had mobile shell on it for a bit running fine, then switched to manilla 2D with real vga. The keyboard was great, much better than flat keyboards. I typed faster than anyone I knew could on other phones, I even used to type up notes in class.
However it has been discontinued, so the chances of getting a new one are very slim. It just didn't have the appeal and didn't sell, but with windows 6.1, maybe a possible official 6.5 upgrade(doubtful since it was discontinued, however ms website says april 2010), and everything an htc device has except for a g sensor and a perfect touch flo. I liked it, too bad mine decided to stay in my pocket when I went for a swim. HTC Touch Diamond 2 in 3 days wooohoo
brunodemelo said:
Have you owned the Epix? I have, and it is a very good device. I had it for 2 years, never had a problem like everyone else says. I had mobile shell on it for a bit running fine, then switched to manilla 2D with real vga. The keyboard was great, much better than flat keyboards. I typed faster than anyone I knew could on other phones, I even used to type up notes in class.
However it has been discontinued, so the chances of getting a new one are very slim. It just didn't have the appeal and didn't sell, but with windows 6.1, maybe a possible official 6.5 upgrade(doubtful since it was discontinued, however ms website says april 2010), and everything an htc device has except for a g sensor and a perfect touch flo. I liked it, too bad mine decided to stay in my pocket when I went for a swim. HTC Touch Diamond 2 in 3 days wooohoo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not own the device but I have handled the device and typed on it every time I have the chance when I see one. The keyboard is terrible.
The BlackBerry on the other hand is very, very good.
I bet you really like Windows Mobile...well if the Samsung Epix had the keyboard shape and form of a BlackBerry, than I am pretty sure that you are would like your Epix even more.
Anyways, sources say that the Samsung Pivot will be like the successor to the Epix. Fortunately the keyboard is like old E61 keyboard which is a keyboard that is actually better than the new E72 keyboard.
I understand that the Epix keyboard have a more honest feedback (meaning that you are certain that you clicked a button), however, the keys are very firm. You really need to press a little on the keys for the input. Firm keys prevent typing fast. Productivity takes a bit more time on these keyboards. The E72 and the BlackBerry have less firm keys meaning that speed typing is permissible.
Also, the best way to test keyboard is to do a speed run typing on the Epix and the BlackBerry 9700. That is what I did. The results are that I am less likely to make a typographical error on the BlackBerry 9700 than the Epix when I typed the same sentence at full speed.
poetryrocksalot said:
I do not own the device but I have handled the device and typed on it every time I have the chance when I see one. The keyboard is terrible.
The BlackBerry on the other hand is very, very good.
I bet you really like Windows Mobile...well if the Samsung Epix had the keyboard shape and form of a BlackBerry, than I am pretty sure that you are would like your Epix even more.
Anyways, sources say that the Samsung Pivot will be like the successor to the Epix. Fortunately the keyboard is like old E61 keyboard which is a keyboard that is actually better than the new E72 keyboard.
I understand that the Epix keyboard have a more honest feedback (meaning that you are certain that you clicked a button), however, the keys are very firm. You really need to press a little on the keys for the input. Firm keys prevent typing fast. Productivity takes a bit more time on these keyboards. The E72 and the BlackBerry have less firm keys meaning that speed typing is permissible.
Also, the best way to test keyboard is to do a speed run typing on the Epix and the BlackBerry 9700. That is what I did. The results are that I am less likely to make a typographical error on the BlackBerry 9700 than the Epix when I typed the same sentence at full speed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that is the case for you. It is different for everyone, and each and every person gets used to their phone's keyboard in a few days. I can't just pick up a blackberry and hope to do a fair speed test as I am used to the Epix. Only way to find out would be someone who has never typed on either phone.
About the pivot, that thing is quite ugly. It might have a better keyboard but thats pretty much it over the Epix, and some more memory.
Chinese Blackberry clone with WM 6.1 Pro
http://www.nowsupplier.com/new-w088...one-quad-band-single-card-gps-wifi-p-378.html
This device has a keyboard and WM professional, I dont think it has a touch screen, but it looks to be a good cheap device, although it lacks 3G. Quad-band GSM and GPRS, with WiFi and TV antenna.
Just my two bits.
adamdon89 said:
HTC Trophy.... But it aint out yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree and it's coming soon! You can pre-order it here:
http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wir...c&utm_term=HTCTROPHYBKEU&utm_campaign=froogle