Possible Bluetooth Keyboards thread [Archive] - maemo.org

Mike Cane

12-22-2005, 04:07 PM

Found these on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bluetooth-Wireless-PDA-Keyboard-HP-Palm-Nokia-Sony-Moto_W0QQitemZ5843208585QQcategoryZ3728QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Portable-Bluetooth-Smartphone-PDA-keyboard_W0QQitemZ5844559457QQcategoryZ15389QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

This one looks very enticing to me:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bluetooth-Keyboard-PDA-PALM-TABLET-POCKET-PC-DESKTOP-XP_W0QQitemZ5842520509QQcategoryZ15389QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem

-- edited to add:

Vendor's ebay store w/other BT stuff:

http://stores.ebay.com/Asia-Direct-Sales

Mike Cane

12-22-2005, 04:25 PM

Others:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?ref=yahoo&pfp=yahoo&product_code=333551&cm_ven=yahoo&cm_cat=&cm_pla=&cm_ite=feed

-- I never saw this in-store!

This thumbboard now seems to be available in the US? --

http://www.getyourtech.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8269&OVRAW=%22bluetooth%20keyboard%22&OVKEY=blue%20tooth%20keyboard&OVMTC=standard

Here too:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/i-software/127996.html

And here too, in stock:

http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=124250

Mike Cane

12-23-2005, 05:43 PM

Hmmmm... that Chinese one that interests me, I wonder if it's the same manufacturer as this:

http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_archives/Jul01/images/Casio-GOTYPE.jpg?404=was

-- the veritable Landware GoType keyboard!

Mike Cane

12-23-2005, 07:30 PM

I *knew* this keyboard --

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bluetooth-Keyboard-PDA-PALM-TABLET-POCKET-PC-DESKTOP-XP_W0QQitemZ5842520509QQcategoryZ15389QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem

-- looked familiar! See --

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/travelboard_review

How's that for being cranially-retentive?

ElGatoFlojo

12-28-2005, 12:05 AM

I have a keyboard that looks VERYsimiliar to the 'SurpTime' bluetooth keyboard. And after some tinking its working.

So, I bought this keyboard at Fry's, its called a 'Golden Lantern Bluetooth Freedom Keyboard. (Freedom Keyboard (http://http://www.freedominput.com/Freedomkeyboard/index.htm) ). If you follow the steps listed here (http://http://maemo.org/maemowiki/ApplicationCatalogWip#head-4a4f68c90279affe9fb2a474f5e00e9a37b280ba) its pretty easy to sort out. Right now I have to run a xterm and then the program by hand. But its workable. Since I spent some time tinkering with it I figured I'd at least post that its confirmed and working. I at first thought I was going to have to give up and return the keyboard because there's no HID profile on it. But as always, there's a way around everything

Got it for $99 at Fry's!

Mike Cane

12-28-2005, 04:11 PM

Live via free 770 --

Your links don't work for me. Which Freedom KB do you have? The one that folds or the handheld one?

thoughtfix

12-28-2005, 05:36 PM

I'd see how it worked first. After all, it offers:
"Universal wireless connection to bluetooth PDA, PCC, snart phones."

Priceless.

I'm considering a frogpad but I don't know if I want to deal with both technical compatibility AND learning curve at the same time.

psj

12-28-2005, 06:11 PM

I have the handheld freedom keyboard and it works fine

ElGatoFlojo

12-28-2005, 06:13 PM

Thats weird, I did the whole url thing and all. Well, I'll put the links in by hand then.

http://www.freedominput.com/Freedomkeyboard/index.htm

Its the folding one. So far its working pretty well. I have to start the script by hand but otherwise it works just fine. There's no ESC key but I can live with that. Everything else seems to work just fine with it so I'm pretty pleased.

This is the link to kbdd to get it working with the 770

http://http//maemo.org/maemowiki/ApplicationCatalogWip#head-4a4f68c90279affe9fb2a474f5e00e9a37b280ba

Live via free 770 --

Your links don't work for me. Which Freedom KB do you have? The one that folds or the handheld one?

bradb

12-28-2005, 06:40 PM

I at first thought I was going to have to give up and return the keyboard because there's no HID profile on it. But as always, there's a way around everything

Got it for $99 at Fry's!

Great price, but I don't think that HID is an issue at this time - it's not supported (but I sure hope so, a mouse would be cool).

BTW, the problem with your posted links is an extra "http//" got inserted.

Brad.

Mike Cane

12-29-2005, 02:40 PM

I've decided to get this keyboard:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bluetooth-Keyboard-PDA-PALM-TABLET-POCKET-PC-DESKTOP-XP_W0QQitemZ5839621945QQcategoryZ39005QQcmdZViewIt em

On order. Will write about it when I get it.

I still wish the Zippy 610 was BT. Damned nice KB, that...

Oy, check out this mini BT mouse! Anyone tried a mouse with the 770 yet?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Bluetooth-Wireless-Optical-Mouse-Apple-Mac-XP-Wc_W0QQitemZ5847699061QQcategoryZ15388QQcmdZViewIt em

RogerS

12-29-2005, 07:24 PM

OK, that's less than half the price I've seen anywhere else for a BT keyboard. I'm half persuaded already.

How big is it? Have you tried one out and found it acceptable?

Details, man! Enough so I can order before all 20 are gone.

Mike Cane

12-29-2005, 07:44 PM

Tch! You've not read the thread!

Seems to be the BT version of this:

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/travelboard_review

I've not fondled it. I'd rather have that Zippy 610, but no BT version of it. . .

Wait for my review. That ebay seller won't run out of them.

- live via free 770 @ NYPL.

Thax

01-03-2006, 10:49 AM

I see the Think Outside Stowaway for 90 dollars on amazon. It has a full HID profile so it will work. I would stay away from cheap knockoff stuff with proprietary drivers just for convenience and future uses.
I tested the Frogpad BT keyboard last year. I have one now (left handed), it is nice and small but you have to learn to use it. Being one handed, it takes some time to be proficient but I can do about ~40wpm. The only issue I have is re-pairing, they make you carry around a paperclip to get to the pairing button. What a huge PITA.
I might pick up a Stowaway just to see if it is easier to use, at least in pairing with BT.

I use the ssh a lot for linux server admin, so a keyboard is great.

Hedgecore

01-03-2006, 02:22 PM

While this isn't a fold-up keyboard, it has a small footprint: The Logitech DiNovo - - I connected to a co-workers' flawlessly.

And humourously, Windows XP asked him for a 6 digit security PIN - - the 770 did not.

Mike Cane

01-05-2006, 09:16 AM

Ohmanohmanohmanohmanohmanohman!!!

Look at THIS keyboard!!!

http://ces.engadget.com/2006/01/04/motos-txtr-bluetooth-keyboard/

We have GOT to get this working with the 770!!

Mike Cane

01-05-2006, 09:18 AM

While this isn't a fold-up keyboard, it has a small footprint: The Logitech DiNovo - - I connected to a co-workers' flawlessly.

It worked with the BT KB plug in? Still not small enough for me, but good news that there's another choice.

brothers

01-06-2006, 08:49 PM

FWIW, I received the Freedom Mini keyboard from Extensys today, and it took about five minutes to get it working - downloaded and installed the BT keyboard widget from the Maemo site, fired up the keyboard, tapped the BT keyboard icon on the 770, and everything worked.

Haven't completely worked out the mapping - nothing in their manuals applies to the 770 - but all the standard stuff is pretty obvious. Only real annoyance is that "." (dot) is a shifted character - makes entering URLs less easy than it could be. Since the source for the BT keyboard plugin is available, maybe someone will work up an optimum mapping for the 770 (or maybe they already have, and I haven't figured it out).

Really nifty little device - it's smaller than I had imagined (even seeing it in front of a credit card on the freedom site - figured that was hype - it's not). It's not something you would write "War and Peace" on, but it's way easier than the on-screen virtual keyboard for entering bunches of bookmarks or RSS feeds or whatever.

- Dennis Brothers

wendo

01-07-2006, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the info Dennis. I just placed an order for the Freedom Mini Keyboard from Exapansys a few minutes ago. Good to hear it works with the 770; now I just have to wait for it to be delivered.

gnuite

01-07-2006, 04:09 PM

Has anybody noticed that Freedom is making a successor to their original Freedom Bluetooth Keyboard? They fixed one of my main gripes: it now has a dedicated escape key!

http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=124252

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be in production yet - only available for pre-order. Does anybody have any idea when it will be available? The website says December 2005, but that's obviously wrong.

Hedgecore

01-07-2006, 04:13 PM

Mike: Flawlessly. He held the 'connect' button (read: Logitech) and I searched for input devices... 3 seconds later he was tapping away on my 770's notepad. Even when typing really quickly it didn't miss a keystroke.

Mike Cane

01-07-2006, 04:44 PM

Ah, that is good news.

Well, I might as well tout on myself: I screwed up that Apple BT KB test a few weeks back. My weakening eyes did *not* notice the new BT icon on the right. I still tried to connect using the included BT icon for phones!!

I've been meaning to get back to the Apple Store for a new proper test, but haven't been in the neighborhood (or it's been too damned cold to go out of my way to it!). Maybe later this coming week...

Mike Cane

01-11-2006, 09:01 AM

Chinese Bluetooth Keyboard in the House!

http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6793#post6793

-- edited to add: Since confirmed that the KB itself does work. It paired with an iMac at the Apple Store and I could type on it just fine.

Mike Cane

01-12-2006, 07:56 AM

@ desktop:

The keyboard works!

http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6944&postcount=220

agentdr8

01-14-2006, 03:50 AM

Congrats on getting that keyboard working. I've been following the thread (or rather, lurking ;)) for a while now.

For those with other keyboards (like the Freedom, TO, Nokia) if you wish to utilize some of those shortcut keys, you'll need xmodmap (http://butterfeet.org/maemo/keyboard/) and possibly xev (http://www.steinbauer.org/download.php?32a01bbe1ff9179760ef55871a383971) to do some keycode generating. Once you've figured out what keycodes those shortcuts are sending, you can map them to other keys and/or functions by way of xmodmap.

For those unfamiliar with xmodmap, check out the man page (http://www.xfree86.org/4.2.0/xmodmap.1.html)

Frooble

01-14-2006, 12:06 PM

Is there a list somewhere of keyboards that have been gotten to work? Like there is for Bluetooth phones.

arivero

01-15-2006, 01:36 AM

Is there a list somewhere of keyboards that have been gotten to work? Like there is for Bluetooth phones.

Well, basically every HID keyboard should work straigh from the command hidd --search and some old, no-hid, keyboards, can work if they are supported by the foreign package kbdd. Mine was old, a "Smart", and I needed to install this package.

Fifer

01-15-2006, 01:23 PM

brothers

01-15-2006, 01:39 PM

Can anyone who's got the Freedom Mini working give me some pointers? The keyboard works fine with lower and upper case characters, but I can't seem to access numbers or punctuation. Any press of the 123/Num key generates an odd character (like an equals sign but the parallel lines are at the top and bottom of the character space). Am I missing something basic?

Hmmm... Haven't seen that. Note that you have to hold the 123/num key while pressing the key whose shifted version you want, unlike the on-screen keyboard.

- Dennis Brothers

Fifer

01-16-2006, 03:20 AM

Note that you have to hold the 123/num key while pressing the key whose shifted version you want
I don't get that far Dennis. As soon as I press the 123/Num key, the odd character appears and auto-repeats for as long as I keep the button depressed. I think I'll re-install the bluetooth keyboard application and see if that helps. If not, maybe my keyboard is faulty?

eskin

01-17-2006, 08:02 PM

OK, with the latest BT plugin and xmodmap I was able to get around the multiline browser field problem with the ThinkOutside keyboard. Using that info, I was able to make a custom .map file, but I can't copy the .map file into the /var/lib/install/usr/share/kb-maps/ directory without being root. So I tried using sudo, but I have no idea what the root password is for this device. I tried the one suggested, "rootme", it doesn't work.

I'm so close to having this work, its insane to have to reflash the device just to get root access, can anyone help me copy this one file?

aflegg

01-18-2006, 04:54 AM

Getting root access does not require re-flashing your device (and hence losing all your data & settings); it does, however, require using the Flasher tool to switch R&D mode on.

Switching R&D mode on alone should not lose your data. You don't even need to provide a firmware image to the command.

http://maemo.org/maemowiki/HowDoiBecomeRoot

slackwaresupport

01-20-2006, 11:14 AM

GUYS!
im diggin this keyboard.. what do you think.. will it work?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Stowaway-Bluetooth-Portable-Keyboard-PDA-PC-NB_W0QQitemZ5856115445QQcategoryZ48676QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem

aflegg

01-20-2006, 11:22 AM

Works for me, and a few others on here.

anson

01-20-2006, 04:44 PM

Yep, works for me, too. Go get it from amazon at near same price and free shipping.

Supergeek

01-23-2006, 02:36 PM

That Freedom Mini bluetooth keyboard looks really spiffy. I'd like to see some kind of bifold wallet-type holder that will securely hold the 770 one one side, and the Freedom Mini thumb keyboard on the other.

Ali3n0

02-01-2006, 08:32 AM

Hi guys! I'm from Italy, and I'm going to buy one 770... I'll use it for remote admin via ssh and for writing in some blogs, so I need a really *usable* keyboard... don't matter the size, it only has to stay in my bag... suggestions?
(ps don't matter for the italian layer, a normal QUERTY it's okay ;-) )

wendo

02-01-2006, 08:38 AM

IMO, the Stowaway is the best folding keyboard. Tactile-wise, it feels great and I have very few miss-types. While the Nokia is nice, the keys are a bit smaller and slipperier than the Stowaway.

cobalt

02-02-2006, 12:49 AM

Hi everyone,

I haven't spent the time to add software to the 770 yet, but I wanted to point out that the Logitech diNovo bluetooth keyboard/mouse set has a separate, battery powered numerical keypad with media controller buttons and some other function keys, plus it works as a standalone calculator and displays the date and time. If the dinovo keypad works with the 770, it might be useful for entering large amounts of number data. It's about as large as the 770, and i don't think there's any way to lock the keys to prevent battery loss from accidental key presses. I was kind of looking around for a dedicated bluetooth keypad (since I have the Think Outside Stowaway for my pda with terrible number entry) when I realized that I already have one with the diNovo.

wendo

02-02-2006, 12:31 PM

Received my Freedom Mini Bluetooth Keyboard recently (the little portable keyboard available from Expansys.) Obviously it's not the Stowaway, but for portability and those times I don't want to carry bulky things, it's quite nice. It also works with my PocketPC which is an added bonus. Thumbs up.

=DC=

02-02-2006, 02:28 PM

I know this is the Possible Bluetooth Keyboards thread, but I was actually wondering if it might be possible to use a Bluetooth mouse with the 770? I could see there might be an issue to fool the UI into allowing the mouse to control the pointer and clicks as well as the context menus, but it would be cool never the less to be able to use a mouse to navigate on the device. Just thought I'd throw that crum of an idea out to see if anyone wants to run with it or run away from it.

RogerS

02-02-2006, 03:30 PM

Actually, moving my hand off the keyboard to pick up the stylus then over to the propped up 770 screen is more awkward than moving to a mouse.

I wonder if any keyboards have touchpads in them to move the mouse? None that any have described so far do, AFAIR.

matt_sparks

02-03-2006, 01:53 AM

:cool: hi all - i use a stowaway bt mouse with my hp4700, best device i've purchased for it yet. the only issue i could see is that to use the mouse with win mobile, you must install stowaways drivers. so if someone could code up something in linux - maybe we could get it to work on the 770.

luminaix

02-04-2006, 05:26 PM

I just received through ebay the "chinese bluetooth keyboard", extolled by Mike Cane. The keyboard links with the nokia 770 in the same way as the ThinkOutside Stowaway, i.e. by pressing control, alt and alt simultaneously. It is almost the same size and layout as a laptop keyboard, but heavier and bulkier. A few keys, like the ascitilde ~, need to be remapped by xmodmap. This keyboard is cheap without being nasty :)

llywrch

02-08-2006, 09:57 PM

My Bluetooth keyboard arrived from Amazon Friday, & after 5 days of light use (1/2 to 1 hour a day average), I have managed to go thru 2 pairs of AAA batteries. (I measured the spent batteries with a multimeter & found that their charge has dropped to 6.8 volts, too low for the keyboard.)

Is this typical? Does the BT keyboard drain the batteries even when it is closed & not being used? Or is there some trick to turning the keyboard off so that there is no drain on the batteries?

Geoff

vodka

02-09-2006, 04:05 AM

fanoush

02-09-2006, 06:43 AM

(I measured the spent batteries with a multimeter & found that their charge has dropped to 6.8 volts, too low for the keyboard.)

? 6.8V is too much even for 4 batteries together, one has 1.5V

Is this typical? Does the BT keyboard drain the batteries even when it is closed & not being used? Or is there some trick to turning the keyboard off so that there is no drain on the batteries?
Geoff
I was also surprised. It works like this with my bluetooth iPAQ foldable too. I used to remove batteries or put a piece of paper between them when not used but later I bought 2 pairs of rechargeables so it is no such big problem. I have one spare pair prepared. Looks like some keyboards work like this. Mine even has very long buffer for characters so I can write very long text on it when it is 'turned off' and later 'turn it on' and connect to N770 and the text is displayed on N770.

llywrch

02-09-2006, 05:26 PM

? 6.8V is too much even for 4 batteries together, one has 1.5V

While I might be able to claim geek points for having a multimeter, I'll quickly admit to losing at least as many because I don't use it enough to know how to read it correctly. (The correct reading might have been 0.68 volts.) I was more puzzled that the BT keyboard was acting as if the battery was dead, & the Multimeter indicated that it still had a bit of a charge in it: assuming that 0.68v was the correct reading, the indications on the gauge led me to believe it considered the battery questionable at 0.6v, & clearly needing replacement at around 0.5v.

I was also surprised. It works like this with my bluetooth iPAQ foldable too. I used to remove batteries or put a piece of paper between them when not used but later I bought 2 pairs of rechargeables so it is no such big problem. I have one spare pair prepared. Looks like some keyboards work like this. Mine even has very long buffer for characters so I can write very long text on it when it is 'turned off' and later 'turn it on' and connect to N770 and the text is displayed on N770.

I bought some AAA rechargables a few years ago, but I was disappointed in their poor job of holding a charge. I'll probably be happier if I just remove the batteries when I'm not using the keyboard, & not rely on these batteries. In either case, this means I have one more reason to buy a pouch/utility belt to carry my Nokia around with me. :-/

Geoff

Fifer

02-10-2006, 08:15 AM

An AAA battery indicating a voltage of 0.68V is dead. I suspect you've misread the meter.

j.pickens

02-10-2006, 12:20 PM

Just a quick message to say that the bluetooth version of the Virtual Keyboard (http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/) works on the N770. It takes some getting used to and sometimes it's a little too sensitive, but way cool in combination with the Nokia.

The Win/PPC drivers allow to set sensitivity and monitor battery etc. These features are of course not (yet?) usable from the tablet.

rgrds,

vodka

Vodka,
That is definitely the UBER-GEEK product of the year!
I saw the ads for it, and wondered how it could possibly work.
So, do you have to lift your fingers away from the projected keys to use the keyboard?
Can you "touch type"?
Are you happy with the usability of the thing?

I can just imagine how freaked out people would get when you whip this thing out and start typing.
It needs to have a "scanners" mode where the laser window does a vertial linear scan of the area to really scare people!
Kinda like this:
http://www.tomatoad.com/chris/theremax/gort.JPG

Nyrath

02-10-2006, 01:09 PM

Ohboy... I was heroically refusing to give into the temptation to get one of those laser keyboards, and now you come along and tell me it will work with my 770!
Blasted thing costs 2/3rds of what I paid for the 770, but it is just too cool for words. And the few reviews I've read say the thing actually works like a champ.

paolo

03-10-2006, 07:44 AM

dear friend, i have a cygnet bt keyboard, i use it with my cellphone, i had try to pair with the 770 but seem quite hard! I launch the connection but after few time 770 prompt me bt connection error.....
What is HID that you wrote as need to connect the keyboard to the 770? How i could know if my keyboard is HID compatible? I read the supplier informations an specs but nothing is reported.
Did you push some special keys on the keyboard to pair the device?
thank you in advance for your help

pucouajio

03-26-2006, 01:50 PM

Looking for a BT keyboard for my new 770 which should arrive in the next few days, I came across this Chainpus BK-300 at http://www.chainpus.com/index.html to be launched on 1 April 2006. Details seem a bit sketchy (no news on price or availability yet).

If it's inexpensive enough, I might well give it a try, but really I would prefer one large enough to touch-type on.

dandrewk

03-26-2006, 02:32 PM

Hmmm, looks a bit more complete than this (http://reviews.cnet.com/Think_Outside_Stowaway_Universal_Bluetooth_keyboar d/4505-3134_7-31125478.html), but I don't know about those flat keys.

Does anyone else remember the IBM PC Jr? :eek:

Nyrath

03-27-2006, 09:47 AM

pucouajio

03-27-2006, 03:21 PM

That Think Outside one does look like the one for touch-typing on. I'm a bit reluctant to shell out for one, but when I've been using the on-screen keyboard on the 770 for a bit I will probably change my mind on that (hoping the 770 will arrive tomorrow so I can start playing^h^h^h^h^h^h^h working with it).

I had a lovely folding keyboard which I used with my old Palm computer; I think that was designed by Think Outside if I remember rightly.