Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

Looking at an iPega 9023 gave me an idea. The iPega 9023 attaches to the sides of a device and provides gaming controls on the sides; plus it includes a mechanism for adjusting to different device sizes.
https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.ne...SeyEfXLM.large
Wibrain UMPCs and other UMPCs had an excellent split keyboard layout. This layout should be made into a bluetooth attachment with a mechanism similar to the Ipega 9023 so that it could adjust to multiple device sizes. Such a device would provide keys on both sides of the phone or tablet. Maybe a touchpad could be included similar to the Wibrain umpcs
https://c.slashgear.com/wp-content/u..._1-980x420.jpg

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

Pity no one came with this idea instead of magnetic TOHKBD while it was still relevant.

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

Perosnally, I never liked those split-keyboards :)

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

Neither do I. But anything that snaps to the unit properly is better than magnets.

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

The downside is that it's going to be rather large... I'd even dare to call the combo unpocketable! :p

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

You keep just the phone in the pocket. The keyboard it clips into can be in the bag and used only when required and convenient.

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

Devices with split Qwerty keyboard:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_Pad
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_E70

Interesting form-factor...

Thank you. Best wishes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Per aspera ad astra...

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

https://gigaom.com/wp-content/upload...msung-umpc.jpg
The Samsung Q1 has a similar layout.

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

Yes, but then you have to carry a bag with you...

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

I don't think the magnets were a bad idea, they actually solved a lot of complicated design issues and allowed for a slimmer keyboard. What was missing in my opinion was a counterweight in the keyboard (but it would have been bulky) and a thingamajig to secure both halves together, so that one could hold just the keyboard while typing on the move or in public transports without feeling like a funambulist taking risks. Something like a rudimentary ----T---- slider, where ---- ---- is the bottom face of the phone half and T the middle of the upper face of the keyboard half.

I think I asked that question to Dirkvl during development and he said it would be too complicated and beat the point of the easily detachable TOH (I believe it could still have been detached easily by sliding out if one end of the slider was left open).

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

I've been toying with the idea of modding my TOHKBD so it does slide.
I've got a couple of ideas in mind. It's just a case of finding time and the fact that TOHKBDs are not easy to come by so I have to get it pretty much right first time.

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

OK, so after having a look at how things work, I've marked out 1 possible method. It's such a simple idea too.
In the images below I've marked out for 2x slots to be cut into the back cover where 2 free running, shallow head screws will slide.
They will pass through the slots and screw into the actual keyboard below, hopefully not damaging anything inside, (maybe contact Dirk, Kimmo or Andrew to find out what's in that big space at the top of the keyboard).

Keeping the original circuitry intact should negate the need for bluetooth as it should connect through the original TOHKBD software.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psqdwdcstc.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps2hzubn3c.jpg

Re: Idea: Split Keyboard Bluetooth Attachment
 

I've spoken to Dirk on Twitter, looked at the design schematics and can't see why this shouldn't be possible. Watch this space.