Searching for a Keyboard Accessory for the Zenfone 3 Ultra. Opinions Welcome! - Asus ZenFone 3 Ultra Questions & Answers

Since purchasing my ZF3U, and even before when I had my Huawei P8 Max, which was also of the same size, I have been searching for a suitable external keyboard accessory with the following features and I very much hope someone out there will either find one matching my preferences or you never know, our friends in Asia may read my message and get an OEM manufacturer to design and manufacture the perfect keyboard for us. Here are the features I am looking for:
-5 Row Qwerty Layout with Numbers Row,
-Identical Overall Size to that of the ZF3U or Huawei P8 Max so that all devices of similar size can make use of it,
-Backlit Keys,
-Wireless or Bluetooth, IR and/or NFC compatibility,
-In-Built Kickstand or Holding mechanism to hold the device firmly in place (Think of Lenovo Helix Tablet style Keyboard mechanism)
-Ultra Thin/Low Profile with tactile key switches giving laptop keyboard typing experience,
-Possibly comes as built into a Metal or TPU type material case so that the phone is protected with the case and the keyboard is placed on the Flip Cover of the case and when unfolded, the keyboard can be docked on to an integrated device placement on the case (Think of the cases that currently exist for the Ipads or the Galaxy Tablets but a smaller, thinner version),
-Placement for a Stylus or Integrated Stylus attachement built into the case, (would be awesome when image editing on the go-preferably with Wacom digitiser)
-Possible Touchpad that slides out and has digital number pad for on the go number crunching,
-Finally! Type C or Solar Charging of the inbuilt battery
WHY?
Given the size and the featureset offered by this device, I think a keyboard accessory with the right features as stated above will make this device and others indispensable. Those of us who used the Nokia Communicator series of phones would understand the reasons behind my logic. Just imagine typing on Ms Office, QuickOffice, TextMaker HD or OfficeSuite and many other apps on the ZF3U or Huawei P8 Max or even Lenovo Phab Plus with a good keyboard accessory. That would be priceless. Let us all remember that all popular brands are increasing their device screen sizes so suitable physical keyboards would add enormous purpose and value to such devices and take productivity on the go to the next level especially when they are designed to be easily docked and carried around as an attachement to the device in the form of a case .
I have already looked at some suitable keyboards including:
ZAGG Pocket
LG Rolly and Rolly 2
Folding Keyboard with Touchpad
Folding Keyboard Non Touchpad
Rii Mini i4 Keyboard
Rii K16 Keyboard
Rii I24, I25 or other similar keyboards which are not match for my preferences but offer quality features.
FelTouch Magic Keyboard (This is currently the most perfect match to my specs but still not ideal due to lack of tactile keys and lack of ultra thin profile)
To help us with our quest for the perfect keyboard, I have already forwarded a proposal to an Asian OEM manufacturer and hope they will address my wishes favourably. Lets see. I will keep you updated.
Hope you enjoyed the reading and lets hope someone will either help to find one or make one.

I had a look through Brando's offerings and the closest I could find was something that might need adapting.
http://shop.brando.com/Dell-Streak-7-Case-with-Bluetooth-Keyboard_p06164c1609d118.html
unfortunately they don't provide useful dimensions.
the Dell Streak 7 is a little bigger than the AZf3U
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=8130&idPhone2=3881&
---------- Post added at 10:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 PM ----------
this looks quite promising: http://usb.brando.com/Bluetooth-Ultra-Slim-Keyboard-HB2000-_p03152c34d15.html
it's 206 x 82 x 14 mm
compared with 186.4 x 93.9 x 6.8 of the AZf3U

Related

The perfect keyboard for the XDA II (and I) ?

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.

Physical Qwerty keyboard for One X: what options do we have?

Hi guys. I came to the One X after owning a huge load of smartphones equipped with physical qwerty keyboards. I do type decently on the One X, but I miss the precision of physical qwerty.
What options do we have, among either Bluetooth and NFC keyboards? I know there are some horrible chinese keyboards, but I consider those quite useless.
There is for example a Logitech Dnovo Mini, how could we hook it up (physically) to our One X? How long would it take to the phone to recognize it? Would there be any lags in typing?
Has anyone found another way?
Post your thoughts here!!!
Best
Tony
Can't speak of the Dinovo Mini specifically, but I have this full -sized Logitech Bluetooth keyboard, that I bought for my HTC Flyer tablet. Don't really use it that much. But it gets recognized by the tablet very quickly (as fast as any other BT device, like headset). Typing is very responsive, and has no significant lag. If the Dinovo Mini works anything the same (and you like the form factor), I think you would be pleased with it.
It's not likely we will see a slide-out keyboard for the One XL.
The camera bulge and shape of the phone makes producing the cases troublesome. The placement of the camera is also an issue, a slide out keyboard would cover the camera and flash.
The only phones that have historically gotten keyboard cases are flat-backed phones with the camera in the corner. The iPhone 5 will be geting a keyboard, the LG nexus might as well.
Our only hope is that the one X+ is the same shape as the one XL, so if anyone makes a keyboard for that phone we could use it as well.
If you just want a keyboard, any bluetooth keyboard will work. A quick search for "bluetooth mini keyboard" will show you plenty of results.
What existing bluetooth keyboard are there as best options? As far as size goes, I'd want a 7.7" keyboard max (better if 5"). I'd really want to skip links to the chinese samples for sale on eBay, those aren't going to fit my requirements for a reason or another.
I have seen the Logitech Dinovo Mini Keyboard. I'd have to invent a way to attach the two as if they were a single device, most of the time. Did anyone do that?
Thanks!!
Tony

[Review] Sliding Bluetooth Keyboard with Backlight

I thought that since some of us here prefer keyboard input with real buttons, you might be interested in this nifty little device.
This is exactly what the title says.
It's a
Bluetooth Sliding Back-lit Keyboard.
Nutshell Version
Build Quality: 6.7/10
Functionality: 9/10
'Buyability': 7/10
Slightly more detailed version
Comprises of a detachable case (for you to attach phone to) and the keyboard itself
Build quality is what you would expect from most generic chinese products
It is a little plasticky?
The case where you snap on your phone feels slightly sharp, could have been rounded
It was a little bit difficult to remove the phone from the case
Standard clicky buttons
Backlit is a huge plus. I like to be able to see the buttons in the dark without relying on the screen's light
Pairs easily as a keyboard
Can be used in conjunction with emulators (this is awesome. If you the detachable case as your normal daily case, you can easily slip the phone onto the keyboard and game away)
Finally, check out the pictures.
You sold on this device? Click me for an example site of where to purchase
Credits: Andy and Honeycomb Andy as Models for the photoshoot.

Mini keyboard for S5 Available?

This has received terrible reviews, but I do like its form factor:
http://www.amazon.com/TOPĀ®-Bluetoot...-3&keywords=bluetooth\+keyboard+for+galaxy+s5
Anybody use anything else?
Jake
jakfish said:
This has received terrible reviews, but I do like its form factor:
http://www.amazon.com/TOPĀ®-Bluetoot...-3&keywords=bluetooth\+keyboard+for+galaxy+s5
Anybody use anything else?
Jake
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know - the reviews aren't worth their time for the product. the description of the product itself is clearly ESL which doesn't build confidence about the budget they had in making this thing. However two of the 3 critical reviews are either irrelevant (doesn't fit his note 3... ) or unreliable. The one that specifies criticisms has such poor grammar as to be undecipherable in some places, but does point out the bulk and possibly poor hardware design of the case. I don't expect this thing to be thin, but it's ridiculous that the description and specs don't mention the actual SIZE of the product. It's weight is more than 10 oz though which is getting up there.... worrying for sure.
However the same reviewer also comments that the text you type is "perpendicular"... presumably he isn't aware of how to choose apps that can work in landscape or know enough about his phone to know how to enable rotation. So all in all we have one clear negative which is the bulk of the product.
I don't want a bulky keyboard/case either, but it may be a requisite since at least this keyboard has real buttons.
I wish people would talk about the keyboard feel/action (is it actually possible to type on (Despite the misaligned qwerty layout) or is it too hard to press fast... stuff like that).
I also wish the real dimensions were published.
So I do agree with you - I want something like that but with at least enough information to be worth spending $50 or more to get (After taxes/shipping/exchange rate etc as I'm in Canada). No way I'm throwing away that much money unless I know it's worth it.
For big bucks there is that new laser keyboard they keep promoting before movies in theatres LoL.... but (a) I expect it's super expensive and hard to find, and (b) can you imagine typing on anything LESS responsive than just a desktop surface without being able to feel key edges or motion??
Anyhow.... ideas would be welcome here.
---------- Post added at 12:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 PM ----------
ya know, honestly I'd rather have an unfold able bluetooth keyboard that reaches near full size and has decent action that I can put in my other pocket than deal with a crappy keyboard case only to have such a small keyboard as to be only marginally better than typing on the phone itself.
so a foldable full size qwerty keyboard that gets really small and thin for pocket carrying sounds ideal.
Is there such a thing (that doesn't cost $500)?
http://www.cellphoneshop.net/s5btokey.html
I ended up rolling the dice on this--it was 20usd/free shipping. Worth a look-see. And I think it's the same one so extravagantly priced on Amazon. It's on a slow boat from China, so fingers crossed. While waiting, I also went ahead and purchased/installed "External Keyboard Help Pro," an amazing app that allows full key/character customization of a bt keyboard. I set up the layout on a Ipad bt keyboard, but since the coding is unicode rather than hardcode, I'm hoping the layout/keystrokes will transfer successfully to the arriving mini keyboard.
I had forgotten the laser keyboard, but I'm with you: how good could can the form factor be?
If this thing ever gets here, I'll certainly post back my impressions. I do see that same keyboard kicking around on ebay for under 20usd, sans case, but I don't know if such ubiquity is good or bad.
Thanks for your thoughtful post,
Jake
I've had a bluetooth keyboard for probably 18 months now... Got it on special for 5.99 GBP, made by Xenta.. It is not attached to the phone but I keep it in my work rucksack, along with a bluetooth mouse. The only downside about it for me is that the buttons are rubberised. IF the buttons were more like a blackberry this keyboard would be ace - but you do need to sit the phone somewhere so you can type using the keyboard. A plus is that I can use this keyboard with any device that accepts bluetooth keyboards, hence it has been paired with my HTC One X+, Samsung Note 3 and S5.
6 Pounds - can't go wrong.
Here's a better one that says it has a mouse feature built in. http://www.ebuyer.com/247588-xenta-...keyboard-with-mouse-touchpad-2-4ghz-rf240-50k
Rubberized keys seem to be a complaint about other brands of keyboards as well--it must be the cheapest way to make them sell for 6 Pounds
My en route keyboard is also rubberized. Should be an adventure in qwerty.
The mousepad from your link's model draws complaints--I had a vague little optical mousepad on my Sidekick 4G that would freak out in sunlight. It's hard to make these things both cheap and good.
I'm most interested in whether the contraption will a) fit in a front pocket of jeans b) be useful as a phone when it sits in the case
Jake
This is why OEMs should look into hardware keyboards again. This is what made the original G1 great.
Sent from my toaster
The keyboard/case arrived and for 20 bucks, I have no complaints. It paired right away and afterwards, when bt is enabled on the S5 and the keyboard is turned on, it connects fast and without problem.
As for the keyboard itself, it ain't no HP Jornada 720 or any other handheld computer. The keys are rubberized and own a certain mushiness and obviously, it's a smaller layout than any h/pc.
If this analogy rings a bell with anybody, I would compare usability to the Psion Revo keyboard. The tactile sense b/w the two is literally hard and soft, but their sizes are similar and the typing vs mistakes is roughly equal for both the Psion and this.
The phone casement is velcro-ed and to enable a quasi laptop mode, you loosen the phone's bottom half to set it at a slight angle.
The External Keyboard Helper Pro saves the day: I programmed a second Shift key, key-mapped many punctuation alternatives (mostly smart quotes, etc), key-stroked apps (e.g. alt-w = word processor). Everything was done without root.
You can tell by its thickness that the case/keyboard/phone will not fit into a jeans' front pocket, which is where I like to carry my S5. I would imagine it would fit into the front pocket of dress pants, but noticeably so.
Wish me luck posting these pictures,
Jake

[Q] Keyboard choices

So there the expensive official keyboard, the cheaper logitech keyboard..
Can anyone who has tried these post a small review? I've seen reviews of the official samsung one but not the logitech.. the logitech one would suit my black model tab to match my S5
Or.. is it just a stupid rip off (as it seems buy the prices) and get a much cheaper bluetooth keyboard
TBH I'm not sure if i'll even use it, but.. i like to have everything for my devices
Idk where to find the link in the YouTube app but go search for Samsung Galaxy tab S keyboard and I recommend the logitech one since it's cheaper and better and it also has a case with it with decent protection. I too like to have all stuff for my device. I'm not even sure what to get yet as they're still expensive, maybe the prices will go down eventually.
Sent from my SM-T805
Not sure if you are aware but if you register your Tab with Samsung at their website, they will email you a coupon code for 50% off any 3 accessories. This will allow you to get the official keyboard at just about the same price as the Logitech one (about $10 difference). I can't comment on the Logitech but I do have the Samsung one and I do like it. Also like how well it matches and still maintain relatively low profile.
Cheers didnt know you could do that ill sign up
anyone try a 3rd party ebay keyboard, like Ebay Item # 251714259830 ( Would post a link but under 10 posts so I can't )
I love the official keyboard for all the usual obvious awesome reasons. But I really miss a trackpad while in laptop mode.
I found the Amazon Fire Keyboard right in the same BestBuy where I got the official keyboard. It's smaller than the Samsung in every dimension, height, width, thinner, lighter, WITH a trackpad, and yet the keys are actually larger. Has almost identical features and keys. Like all 12 F-keys, and a back button that works as Esc key at least in a couple terminal/ssh apps which I need. Ctrl, Alt, etc. And to top it all off, I paid $150 for the Samsung and the Fire was only $79 open box but clean. Only $89 unopened.
It's a wonderfully slick little keyboard. Perfectly flat, thin, light, simple, clean.
However all in all, I haven't yet made up my mind which is the better overall kit. There are some pros & cons about each.
Since I want a pointing device, I'm comparing not just two keyboards but two complete kits.
Using the Samsung keyboard means I have to carry a mouse or trackpad or some kind of pointing device other than touching the screen, and I DON'T have to use any kind of case. (I don't like cases.)
Using the Fire keyboard means I don't have to carry any extra pointing device, but I DO have to put the book cover on the tablet to provide a kickstand since the Fire keyboard doesn't. It also means I'm carrying two loose items instead of two items snapped together into one item.
I found a pretty slick little (expensive, and not as small as I'd really like) bluetooth mouse that goes well. HP Bluetooth Mouse Z8000. It looks like there are no buttons, or like the entire mouse is one big mouse button, but in fact if you press on the top-left or top-right, it has distinct left and right mouse buttons. It has a capacitive touch sensitive top surface that provides a virtual scroll-wheel. Just swipe your finger on the spot where a scroll wheel would normally be, and it works. It takes 2 AAA batteries, no usb recharging port.
So I have two possible configurations I'm comparing:
1) Official keyboard + mouse.
PROS: Mouse is actually pretty optional. If I leave it behind in the car, I can still touch the screen directly. So when max convenience matters, just grabbing the tablet & keyboard snapped together is better than grabbing the tablet and Fire keyboard as two loose items. This mouse works a lot better than the trackpad in the Fire keyboard. Mouse has normal left & right buttons and scroll. No need for book cover or other case. Keyboard provides all that is necessary, neat and clean. Looks better, peices all match well. Samsung keyboard has slightly better keys and compatibility: Samsung has PgUp/PgDn/Home/End, Fire does not. Samsung layout is closer to standard pc, particularly the {[ }] |\ ;: ~` keys, the very existence of PgUp/PgDn Home/End keys, and the fact that they are doubled up with the arrow keys in the obvious way, where the Fire keyboard puts display brightness on Up/Dn, and nothing on Left/Right. The primary functions of all of the F-keys are standard universal Android or hardware functions, not Samsung special. Only Samsung special key is S-finder, and that's a secondary Fn function and is off to the side not on a central F-key. Keyboard provides kickstand. It's much more convenient to grab the naked tablet when you want to. The book cover snaps in place very strongly and is hard to pry off, and to snap back on. While it's effortless to combine or separate the tablet and keyboard cover.
CONS: Lumpy extra loose object carrying the mouse. Ugh! Samsung keyboard + mouse is a more expensive total kit than Fire keyboard + book cover, though not by a lot. 3 total battery powered objects to recharge or replace: Tablet, keyboard, mouse.
2) Fire keyboard + book cover.
PROS: Smaller, thinner, lighter. Cheaper. Built-in pointing device. Only 2 total battery powered objects to carry and keep charged instead of 3: Tablet and keyboard. Both objects rechargeable by micro usb, no batteries to buy, or leak. Kit, tablet + keyboard, is flat, no mouse lump. Kit is a little cheaper. Keyboard is more useful with other devices than the tablet. It isn't shaped specifically to fit exactly one specific tablet. You can use it for home theater pc, PS3, phone/phablet, anything. Book cover provides two tilt angles vs the Samsung keyboard only provides one.
CONS: Keys are less standard. F3 is a shopping cart, Amazon remember. Android "home" is a dedicated button where F1 should be. `~ {[ }] += :; are all in odd places. PgUp/PgDn/Home/End don't exist at all. Trackpad doesn't work as smoothly, accurately, or effortlessly as the mouse. There IS one mouse button, in the form of the whole track pad clicks. That provides only a left-click function, and click-dragging (dragging while holding down the button) is very awkward and mostly doesn't work well, as you are trying to slide across a surface that you are pressing down quite hard on. No right-click. No scroll-wheel. Requires some other way to prop the tablet up, IE: book cover. Keyboard says "Amazon" on the back, and I hate Amazon (WalMart of the Internet).
A few things that are notably pretty good, or bad, but the same for both kits, at least for me:
* Both have all 12 F-keys. (good)
* Both have all 12 F-keys as secondary Fn+F# keys, not primary functions. (inconvenient)
* Both have android back button that functions as Esc key in at least a few terminal/ssh apps. (good)
* Both have Ctrl & Alt (good)
* Both have 4 arrows, and in a reasonable spot. (good)
* Both have capslock with light (who cares?)
* Both have Android Back, Home, and Menu buttons. (good, menu is particularly handy now that it's removed from the device itself and the overflow button doesn't always appear on screen)
* Both have Delete (good)
* Both lack Insert (bad)
* Both lack Scroll-Lock/Num-Lock, Print-Scr/SysRq, Break (bad)
* Both charge by micro usb and claim to last for months. (good)
This pic shows Left: Samsung keyboard + HP mouse. Right: Fire keyboard + Samsung book cover. In-use and packed for travel.
Post content cannot be empty. Please try again. (ok, now it's not empty, that was useful...)
KEYofR said:
I love the official keyboard for all the usual obvious awesome reasons. But I really miss a trackpad while in laptop mode.
I found the Amazon Fire Keyboard right in the same BestBuy where I got the official keyboard. It's smaller than the Samsung in every dimension, height, width, thinner, lighter, WITH a trackpad, and yet the keys are actually larger. Has almost identical features and keys. Like all 12 F-keys, and a back button that works as Esc key at least in a couple terminal/ssh apps which I need. Ctrl, Alt, etc. And to top it all off, I paid $150 for the Samsung and the Fire was only $79 open box but clean. Only $89 unopened.
It's a wonderfully slick little keyboard. Perfectly flat, thin, light, simple, clean.
However all in all, I haven't yet made up my mind which is the better overall kit. There are some pros & cons about each.
Since I want a pointing device, I'm comparing not just two keyboards but two complete kits.
Using the Samsung keyboard means I have to carry a mouse or trackpad or some kind of pointing device other than touching the screen, and I DON'T have to use any kind of case. (I don't like cases.)
Using the Fire keyboard means I don't have to carry any extra pointing device, but I DO have to put the book cover on the tablet to provide a kickstand since the Fire keyboard doesn't. It also means I'm carrying two loose items instead of two items snapped together into one item.
I found a pretty slick little (expensive, and not as small as I'd really like) bluetooth mouse that goes well. HP Bluetooth Mouse Z8000. It looks like there are no buttons, or like the entire mouse is one big mouse button, but in fact if you press on the top-left or top-right, it has distinct left and right mouse buttons. It has a capacitive touch sensitive top surface that provides a virtual scroll-wheel. Just swipe your finger on the spot where a scroll wheel would normally be, and it works. It takes 2 AAA batteries, no usb recharging port.
So I have two possible configurations I'm comparing:
1) Official keyboard + mouse.
PROS: Mouse is actually pretty optional. If I leave it behind in the car, I can still touch the screen directly. So when max convenience matters, just grabbing the tablet & keyboard snapped together is better than grabbing the tablet and Fire keyboard as two loose items. This mouse works a lot better than the trackpad in the Fire keyboard. Mouse has normal left & right buttons and scroll. No need for book cover or other case. Keyboard provides all that is necessary, neat and clean. Looks better, peices all match well. Samsung keyboard has slightly better keys and compatibility: Samsung has PgUp/PgDn/Home/End, Fire does not. Samsung layout is closer to standard pc, particularly the {[ }] |\ ;: ~` keys, the very existence of PgUp/PgDn Home/End keys, and the fact that they are doubled up with the arrow keys in the obvious way, where the Fire keyboard puts display brightness on Up/Dn, and nothing on Left/Right. The primary functions of all of the F-keys are standard universal Android or hardware functions, not Samsung special. Only Samsung special key is S-finder, and that's a secondary Fn function and is off to the side not on a central F-key. Keyboard provides kickstand. It's much more convenient to grab the naked tablet when you want to. The book cover snaps in place very strongly and is hard to pry off, and to snap back on. While it's effortless to combine or separate the tablet and keyboard cover.
CONS: Lumpy extra loose object carrying the mouse. Ugh! Samsung keyboard + mouse is a more expensive total kit than Fire keyboard + book cover, though not by a lot. 3 total battery powered objects to recharge or replace: Tablet, keyboard, mouse.
2) Fire keyboard + book cover.
PROS: Smaller, thinner, lighter. Cheaper. Built-in pointing device. Only 2 total battery powered objects to carry and keep charged instead of 3: Tablet and keyboard. Both objects rechargeable by micro usb, no batteries to buy, or leak. Kit, tablet + keyboard, is flat, no mouse lump. Kit is a little cheaper. Keyboard is more useful with other devices than the tablet. It isn't shaped specifically to fit exactly one specific tablet. You can use it for home theater pc, PS3, phone/phablet, anything. Book cover provides two tilt angles vs the Samsung keyboard only provides one.
CONS: Keys are less standard. F3 is a shopping cart, Amazon remember. Android "home" is a dedicated button where F1 should be. `~ {[ }] += :; are all in odd places. PgUp/PgDn/Home/End don't exist at all. Trackpad doesn't work as smoothly, accurately, or effortlessly as the mouse. There IS one mouse button, in the form of the whole track pad clicks. That provides only a left-click function, and click-dragging (dragging while holding down the button) is very awkward and mostly doesn't work well, as you are trying to slide across a surface that you are pressing down quite hard on. No right-click. No scroll-wheel. Requires some other way to prop the tablet up, IE: book cover. Keyboard says "Amazon" on the back, and I hate Amazon (WalMart of the Internet).
A few things that are notably pretty good, or bad, but the same for both kits, at least for me:
* Both have all 12 F-keys. (good)
* Both have all 12 F-keys as secondary Fn+F# keys, not primary functions. (inconvenient)
* Both have android back button that functions as Esc key in at least a few terminal/ssh apps. (good)
* Both have Ctrl & Alt (good)
* Both have 4 arrows, and in a reasonable spot. (good)
* Both have capslock with light (who cares?)
* Both have Android Back, Home, and Menu buttons. (good, menu is particularly handy now that it's removed from the device itself and the overflow button doesn't always appear on screen)
* Both have Delete (good)
* Both lack Insert (bad)
* Both lack Scroll-Lock/Num-Lock, Print-Scr/SysRq, Break (bad)
* Both charge by micro usb and claim to last for months. (good)
This pic shows Left: Samsung keyboard + HP mouse. Right: Fire keyboard + Samsung book cover. In-use and packed for travel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I'd stick with the Samsung keyboard. As you highlighted, its a single piece to grab and works well together. The mouse you picked up actually looks cools and doesn't actually look that big. You can probably find a case to house all three together so that you have a single item to grab. Another sleek mouse is the Logitech Bluetooth mouse. It's small, and lightweight. Only issue is expensive, about $60. Also, if you just picked up the Samsung keyboard, return it. You paid way too much. If you register you Tab with Samsung, they will send you a 50% off accessory coupon. You can then get it for about $80 shipped.
I think I am leaning that way. Using the Samsung keyboard and the separate mouse most of the time. I'll use the Fire keyboard for something else like my phone or the TV. Or give it to someone who has a Kindle Fire HD.
I think the Fire keyboard is turning out to be like when I see a shirt that just looks amazing on the hanger, but no matter what I do, looks like crap on me. No denying it's an amazing shirt. No denying it still does me no good.
KEYofR said:
I think I am leaning that way. Using the Samsung keyboard and the separate mouse most of the time. I'll use the Fire keyboard for something else like my phone or the TV. Or give it to someone who has a Kindle Fire HD.
I think the Fire keyboard is turning out to be like when I see a shirt that just looks amazing on the hanger, but no matter what I do, looks like crap on me. No denying it's an amazing shirt. No denying it still does me no good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, is the samsung keyboard case friendly?
Offica said:
So there the expensive official keyboard, the cheaper logitech keyboard..
Can anyone who has tried these post a small review? I've seen reviews of the official samsung one but not the logitech.. the logitech one would suit my black model tab to match my S5
Or.. is it just a stupid rip off (as it seems buy the prices) and get a much cheaper bluetooth keyboard
TBH I'm not sure if i'll even use it, but.. i like to have everything for my devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I picked up the Logitech Type S keyboard case before I knew I was going to get a 50% coupon from Sammy and I love it. They keyboard is almost identical in key size, feel and key travel to the Logitech keyboard I use for my desktop minus the F-Key row. What I like over the style of keyboard that the Sammy keyboard is that it locks the tablet in rather than simply balancing the tablet in a trough. This makes it very secure for using it on your lap (I have a long train commute with no tray tables). It obviously folds to use as just a tablet, but it is obviously not as easy to pull the tablet out of the case which doesn't bother me but might some. The pairing is always very fast. Further, the design, feel and materials of the case are very premium. This is one of the nicest tablet keyboards I have ever used and truly makes my 10.5" tablet an ultrabook (the 128 GB sd helps there too ).
I'm extremely happy with the Logitech Type S keyboard.
Is there any case that is friendly for 10.5 and samsung keyboard that offers drop protection? I dont want to carry 2 things around. Thanks
Just so everyone knows, I ordered the Samsung keyboard in bronze on 17 Jan and it was on backorder. It's now 17 Feb and I still haven' t seen a keyboard. Samsung customer service isn't very helpful. They could care less! Yes, I'm using my 50% off coupon.
Sent from my SM-T800 using XDA Free mobile app
Guardsix said:
Just so everyone knows, I ordered the Samsung keyboard in bronze on 17 Jan and it was on backorder. It's now 17 Feb and I still haven' t seen a keyboard. Samsung customer service isn't very helpful. They could care less! Yes, I'm using my 50% off coupon.
Sent from my SM-T800 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I am not sure it is actually on backorder. Personally I think Samsung is playing games with the 50% off coupon. I had the same issue with the Samsung S mouse. Waited 3 weeks and got no response from Samsung. Emailed them twice for updates and no response. Third time I emailed them to cancel order as I would not authorize Credit card charge, then I get an email response. Terrible customer service. I know when I ordered mine, there were a few just sitting available at Best Buy. Same with your keyboard, I've seen them available for weeks in the stores. I truly believe Samsung just doesn't want to honor the coupon IMHO.
Ive had nothing but bad experiences when ordering from samsung mobile. I have a dev note 4...what a train wreck that was. On another note my girlfriend is recieving her bronze keyboard for the tab s 10.5 on the 20th. It will be delivered to the house from best buy.
I use the Logitech Type S with my 10.5. Been very usefull and works perfectly. The only complaint I got, is the lack of backlight on the keys.
I would prefer backlighting. I've read very good reviews about the Type S keyboard. Maybe they will make a version with backlighting shortly?
Sent from my KFAPWI using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I'd like a keyboard with track pad and backlighting. Track pad is the most important feature... does anyone know of any good option?
There are some cheapo ones with trackpad, but I don't know of any serious one, unfortunately. Also touchpad doesn't work well with android, yet. I have Apple keyboard&trackpad.
Then, there is the Lenovo keyboard, with trackpoint, which might be an alternative.
cbb77 said:
Yeah, I am not sure it is actually on backorder. Personally I think Samsung is playing games with the 50% off coupon. I had the same issue with the Samsung S mouse. Waited 3 weeks and got no response from Samsung. Emailed them twice for updates and no response. Third time I emailed them to cancel order as I would not authorize Credit card charge, then I get an email response. Terrible customer service. I know when I ordered mine, there were a few just sitting available at Best Buy. Same with your keyboard, I've seen them available for weeks in the stores. I truly believe Samsung just doesn't want to honor the coupon IMHO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, I am about to begin the process of disputing through PayPal. Their official site still shows "ships within 1-3 days" but they pulled the same back order BS on me - after collecting my money of course.
I gave them one final chance to ship by Monday, then I am disputing the charge, getting my money back, and returning my Tab S 10.5 to Best Buy and never buying from Samsung again. They've been stringing me along lying the entire time, all because they don't want to honor their "gift" to me. Piss poor customer service.

Categories

Resources