Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

+1

Don't really care about ugradeability/customisability, just make it great OOTB...
So long as it's quite versatile,* & has excellent built-in functionality/utility/usability, that's enough.
Then you'll have a solid device, that won't cost as much as a device that also focuses on ugradeability/customisability.
But I know from an ODM's POV (i.e. you), the latter might be more appealing... ;)

*& hence mitigates the need for ugradeability/customisability

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

+1 on your +1 Jalyst ;)

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

€150 is a lot of money for a keyboard...
But hey, there isn't an alternative, so maybe I'll pay it. But....
For that price I want to be 100% sure it's good.
I want to try it, keys have to work flawless. No double presses, no multikey presses because of the design of the keys (small, middle of key has to be higher, as on N900).
Design doesn't have to be top-notch, but it should look like a normal keyboard. Not like this one:
http://www.jollausers.com/wp-content...OH-667x419.jpg
Why not: black board in white plastic. Can be done better. It looks DIY, not €150. Metal hinges visible. Could house a bigger board (or in such a way the camera is always unobstructed).

For €150 I also don't expect "mickey-mouse"-solutions. It doesn't need a lot of extra power, it works (no instability issues) and no switching on/waiting things. I think it's ok to switch it on, but then it needs to work right away.

That's my cup of tea. I want to pay that much for it, but it should be worth the price. And: a minimum of 2 years normal guarantee.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

I'd be ready to fork out 150€ if it's a quality thing, that is, it works as it's supposed to, both with native and Android apps. That being said, I'd prefer the extra money to go into testing and enhancing build quality (removing glitches, double presses, pimping up the software etc.), rather then customization and design frills. I couldn't care less about those.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Ok, thanks for the replies!

What I understand:
-custom colours and materials is not wanted
-typing experience should be flawless
-higher price possible, but comes with huge expectations
-software should be fully integrated

Some remarks:
-custom colours is possible, but has to be decided somewhat early in process, it affects the design. if this is not wanted by you, makes live easier for me. during rev1 had some requests for different colours, hence the question/idea
-the whole camera covering issue will not go away, because the camera is in the middle. it will leave a big hole in your keypad. but i have a trick up my sleeve to eliminate this issue
-the focus is on making it more professional, so no DIY solutions. this is a major focus point
-keypad will be bigger

If there are people that want to add anything, or disagree about anything, shout out!

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

These are by far the most important points IMO...

Focus on them & only them & you'll have a better chance at executing very solidly, hence (possibly) justifying the asking price, whilst also increasing speed of delivery.
Once you've nailed that sharpened focus, you can broaden it further with the 3rd TOHKBD iteration.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

^This.
Focus hw/sw/design quality, forget about customisability, for now at least.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

I would find it nice to have different keyboard layouts to chose from. Just would love to have a qwertz Keyboard. More customizability isn't necessary in my opinion.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Well....explain, please.
Huge expectations is maybe a little bit much....because it's still a bit DIY (by you), but I do expect it works good and it does look good.

The rest what's mentioned: sounds great.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

But
What means that I care most about functionality :)

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

http://oi58.tinypic.com/2itq2vb.jpg

will be revealed in first rev2 proto video


maybe :p

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

wouldn't it be better for the keyboard layout to simply make a little "cut out" for the flash LED when the keyboard is pulled out instead of the two big holes?
after all, the other ½ can be exchanged if in "photo safari"
possibly w/ a "photo" ToH, with tripod fixation, additional Xenon flash (+ battery) & knows gawd what more :D :rolleyes: :cool:

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

I think that different layouts would be a need (I would need a spanish qwerty layout), but other customizations are unnecesary, and it's better to focus on functionality and price.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

+1 on functionality and reliability. With that price it's usability must be good/very good, and it must work consistently and reliably. That should be the main focus. Throw out customizability and easy modifiability if they get in the way of reaching functionality and reliability.

I might pay 150€ for it if it really is functional and reliable. If it's price was 100€, I wouldn't demand as much functionality, but I still wouldn't spend even that much money if it wasn't reliable at least.

Just my two cents.

PS: don't still make it look like a frankenkbd : P

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

That's my opinion, too.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

That sums up my opinion quite well, too.

150€ is quite a lot of money for a keyboard - for the same money, you can get an Android smartphone with hardware similar to Jolla's...

But with a fully functional and well built ("professional feeling") hardware keyboard the Jolla would really be a unique device again.
I can live with limited/no choice of customization (although I would love a German layout QWERTZ keybord) if function and quality are good.

For 100,-€ I could live with a device that blocks the camera when keyboard is opened (not that much of a deal to snap it back in - but NOT acceptable the other way round, e.g. keyboard has to be pulled out to take a photo), but a 150,-€ device should make it possible to take photos in both states.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Okay cool, I think I have enough opinions about this subject to continue for a while! Thanks all! I'll do my best :)

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

I know you already discounted this idea

But a vertical keypad, like N95/N96, would solve the camera access issue as someone mentioned earlier.

It would also be (potentially) possible to make it thinner, coz you will have more support (opening mechanism along the longer edge of the phone)

Just an opinion :) - pls don't take it otherwise

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Since this is -as you mention- discussed before, I would like to refer to my previous answer about this idea.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

First mock-up proto is on the way, pics/video this week!

http://oi58.tinypic.com/246vnv8.jpg

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Looks ok, but there isn't much to see...

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

I know! And I have the parts here and they look AWESOME!

Just cant decide whether to do pics or video! AAAAAAA

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Both. Duh... :p

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bv_mU78IUAAE4fp.jpg

video tomorrow!

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Is it just me or are those concave keys/buttons?

tldr: Yay!!! :)

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

so far, so good! ;)
well, very good :cool: :D

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Great work! This is looking so good already! Crossing fingers for being able to get my hands on one. Wish there was a preorder/prepay option. :)

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

just voted
on DIP_TOH -- lots of toggles! -- orders 8/12

a hardware keyboard is a MUST have.
if one wants more, well... isn't the trend towards simplified interface with function drop-in / pop-up as needed / appropriate?

read your posts there & agree about the Quality over quality of functionality of the TOH development process
however, i was wondering... if you already added the holes for camera / flash on the inner part of the TOHKBD rev2, how much complexity / cost would it be to add a camera button?
just like the hardware keyboard, it's one of those fundamentally useful features, must-have of sort...
but yeah, why not a phone answering button, flash light button, whatnot button...

PS (back to topic): will there be an ESC key?
slash ( / )?
that's the kind of keys w/out which a keyboard under Linux loses a lot of its... usability :-\

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

No indication on what the price will be and do not know yet if all new things I want to do are possible yet. When this is clear however, there will probably be this possibility, because without I would run into liquidity issues very fast.



I don't understand what you are trying to say. Please elaborate!



Not much cost or complexity, but finding a 2-stage camera button that fits within 0.6mm height is a challenge. You are very welcome to join the hunt! (2.2mm if it fits in a cutout)




Andrew is in charge of the keypad and has full creative freedom in this. This was his latest render of what he had in mind, but some minor details will change. Happy?

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

That render looks awesome. I didn't think I needed a keyboard, but if it turns out somewhat like that with good functionality it's a must have!

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Well just shut up, and take [all] my money.

I have a tohkbd1 I don't use (several reasons, but mostly as some keys don't register), but the quality and much better integration (better than recycling parts) of this tohkbd2 prototype got me.

I'm in. No matter what.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

I can buy 1, maybe 2 with öäå -keys!! Looks so awesome :eek:

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Wow - that is gorgeous!

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Good job, Dirkvl...it looks good.

As I can see on the render of the keys, there isn't an escape key. I also miss a DEL key and the ` (for making an accent grave, like ò à è ì. A home/end key could come in handy also.

I hope you will post more detailed pictures and a "final" version of the keys. So far, so good!

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

The magnet idea is totally wicked!
I just wonder if the stength of 2 buttons is enough.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

I will make sure it is.

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Hello everyone !

I just registered on the forum to answer to that post, but be sure that I follow every topic on this forum since a long time.

I would like to warn you about the using of magnet on the keyboard.
I have a Jolla since 8 months, but I only drop my old HP Pre3 since 5-6 months. And there is a strange thing that I surely remember, this is when I charged my Pre3 on the wireless charger (touchstone), there was a strong magnetic field all around it (it was able to reset my electronic clock near it), and when the Jolla was around (about 50cm), it was bugging totally. The screen wasn't responding well, some apps got launch without action, and he can't be wake up with the power button. But everything went back to normal when I took away the charger.
I hope it will not make the same thing with a simple magnet...because the idea is supra-great :D

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

Good point. However;

• wireless charging uses an alternating magnetic field, like a transformer does, and button magnets create a static magnetic field, even the strong ceramic ones.
• I have tried a wireless charger (Samsung Qi pad + Nokia Fatboy) with Jolla and the device worked OK while charging, even though charging process itself was sporiadic with Fatboy (which uses some Nokia technology that is not fully compatible with standard Qi)

I grant that "touchstone" might be different from "Qi", but both are wireless charging standards. Hence I find it difficult to believe Jolla would be affected by magnetic fields...

Re: TOHKBD rev2
 

I am interested in this new keyboard, will it be ship globally?