Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

The one thing that would almost completely cure any 810 envy I have would be a keyboard.

Since I use a Nintendo DS as a case for my N800, all I need is a slim 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard I can velcro into the other half of my case.

Is there such a thing? I've found three candidates, but none are close to that size, and they all look fairly clunky.

If I had such a thing, the only advantage the 810 offers is built-in GPS (a significant advantage, to be sure). But OTOH, I have 2 SDHC card slots.

Sure hope the GPS software from the 810 will work with my BT GPS, though.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

You mean a non-folding keyboard that small?

That's going to be tough, most people either prefer full-size bluetooth keyboards, or else they buy a device with a built-in keyboard (which I appreciate is what you're trying to avoid...).

This may be the nearest you'll get, but it didn't get a very good review:

http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/revie...i_keyboard.php

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Not sure where to get this or if it's available but I would like to get one.
http://www.intomobile.com/2007/11/07...nt-cut-it.html

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Obviously, I'd settle for something close to that size. At least, smaller than that size.

Basically, I want the 810 keyboard, only with bigger keys and no D pad, with BT.

I could *almost* make something that would hold my Dell BT keyboard. That would be pretty awesome. Pity I suck at the whole "making things" thing.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

That looks *much* too thick, but otherwise isn't too bad.

I think I'm leaning to trying to make a case that would hold my BT keyboard and tablet. The 810's single card slot -- let alone its only being a mini slot -- make me unexcited about getting one. If I can solve this, and get the OS2008 firmware, I'm gonna be pretty generally happy with this device for the next two or three years, I think.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

The freedom input version can be found on ebay.

And freedom input keeps saying they're coming out with a new version, soon (that has keys more like a moto-razor, and no dpad thingy).

http://www.freedominput.co.uk

(note: I am _NOT_ recommending them, just clarifying information)

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Are you talking about the Freedom Slim Keypad? That looks like it *might* be okay. OTOH, if it's $100, I'm going to keep thinking about a case that will just hold my folding BT keyboard.

I forgot to mention: anyone making a keyboard gets bonus points if there's a decent way of getting a Meta key (as well as control). This is a Unix device. I'm still outraged it can't run emacs... :-)

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

That's merely a relabelled Freedom Mini. These are all over the place. A bit clunky, but IMHO better to handle than its thinner successors, as it still has got calculator style keys.

Sevo

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

yeah, the freedom slim keypad.

No sympathy here. I'm a vi user :-)

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

1.38" x 3.6" x 1" projection keyboard; probably too thick.
And I haven't tried one, but I think
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/8193/

5" x 3.5" x .4", so it's too big for your specs, but some others watching this thread might care:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/6c82/

I don't think I'd like either the old freedom mini or the freedom slim, which is said to be out this month. But check the freedom mini duo (3.6 x 2.8 x 0.24 folded):
http://www.freedominput.com/site/ind...d=14&Itemid=29
Not sure if that 2.8" is a killer for you or not. The N800 is 3" tall, so it's still smaller than that. But you said 2.5", maybe the other half of said case is smaller. Looks like a nice keyboard to me.

I'm using the Palm diptych here:
http://www.antonline.com/p_PalmOne--...rd-_317227.htm
Folded, it's exactly the width of my N800, though it's taller. I throw it in one jacket pocket, and the N800 (in it's sock) in another. It's quite ruggedly built for such a thing, so when folded, it doesn't really need to be in a case. I think I will be getting a hard case for the N800, but I don't need the keyboard to fit in the case. OTOH, this keyboard is big enough, perhaps I should make the case mount on the keyboard. (Not sure what I'll do when spring rolls around.)

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Here's the thing. I have something similar to that. What I want is a way to use a keyboard walking around. Those fold-out ones are *great*, but not really suited to that.

The freedom mini duo looks really tacky and cheap. And I've read some less than favorable reviews.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Not a fan of the touchscreen keyboard? :)

I've been doing ok using my thumb nails, but tactile feedback would sure be nice, as would unobscured views.

I think that unreleased freedom slim keyboard (the blue one) looks great, but I can't see myself spending more than $20 or so on what's basically a thumb-board, and it'll probably be a heck of alot more than $20.

Picking up one of the folding Stowaways today, I expect it'll be nice when I have a place to actually set it down :)

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

I'm of the opinion that the onscreen keyboard will actually be better for this than any separate thumb board.

I don't have terribly huge thumbs, but I've had better luck with the onscreen keyboard than I did with the old Zaurus (5600 series) thumb board, which is basically the size factor you're looking at with these attatchable keyboards.

R.
==

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

I have a freedom mini duo. I can't get it to work with my N800 (works fine with my mac, though).


Another one to look at, which has full-size keys, but is chorded to be a 1 handed keyboard, and is of similar dimensions, is the frogpad. (just realized that the thinkgeek link someone posted was to the frogpad)

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Let us know what you figure out. I have been wanting one of these as well and have been obsessing about the following three choices:

1) Just belly up to the bar and get an N810 (I will be in Chicago in a few weeks with time to head to the Nokia store, I hope they have one because I want to play with it before I decide what to do).

2) Go with the new freedom slim keyboard with the RAZR-like keys if they ever actually ship it. Every month it has slipped a month on their web site although the site is down right now maybe they are updating it.

3) Go with the Frogpad and climb the learning curve. This would basically be a leap of faith for me.

Cheers,
Fred

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

ffarber:

That's basically the choices I've been debating for weeks. Ultimately, I decided on the first choice, and ordered my N810 yesterday.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

The frogpad is an interesting design. But I think it's too thick for what I want.

My Dell folding keyboard has a stand thing built in. I'm starting to think that with velcro, I could attach the tablet to the keyboard for when I'm carrying it, and then I could velcro the keyboard to the extended stand when I'm wanting to type on it. The result would be a bit ghetto and ungainly, but I think might actually be solid enough to type on when walking around.

And there would be the tremendous advantage of having a (more or less) full size keyboard.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Sorry to chime in without a real suggestion but, I would recommend just getting better at typing on the touchscreen with your thumbs, trying to shoehorn in an alternative unless its specifically built for what you want I think will result in less than desirable results. I use a Thinkoutside folder and with a little forcing on the leather I can pack my N800 and the keyboard in the same carry bag (thinkoutside one) which fits nicely in a winter coat or suit coat pocket. If I need to type while on the bus or something I use the onscreen board.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Yeah, that has been my approach all along but I have not been making as much progress on the full screen keyboard as I would like. In particular I can never get the letter 'o' to be responsive, could be the angle at which I am attacking it. I also have a Think outside keyboard but it is a little obtrusive to set up in a meeting and start typing on. Hence the desire for something that I could use one handed or in stealth mode.

Fred

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

I have been doing just that. But, the full screen keyboard is insufficient for my needs, because you cannot see the full application while typing. There are also cases where its return key doesn't actually get sent to the application in a manner which is useful (in VNC, trying to send the return key to my desktop IM application just never registers, so I can't send IMs from my desktop ... which is odd, because the return key does get sent to terminal windows).

My original goal had been to make a case for the N800 which incorporated a freedom slim keypad, thus making a sort of tiny laptop. But, freedom actually killed that themselves (by not releasing the device anytime in the last 6+ months that they keep delaying it).

I'm now expecting that the N810 will have killed the need for such an add-on thumb keyboard. When I need to see both the full screen AND type with my thumbs, I'll just use the built in keyboard. Hopefully it'll work well through VNC, too.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Johnkzin-

Let me know how the N810 works for you because I am in exactly the same boat. I am very concerned about the location of the navigation rockers requiring that the keyboard be open just to do basic activities (at least that is what the pictures look like).

Cheers,
Fred

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Fred: I'm similarly concerned about the button layout on the N810. I'll post something once I've been using it for a bit. (it hasn't arrived yet)

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

For the Freedom mini, I've got one 10-letter word:

Suuuuuucks!

It's not a bad keyboard layout, especially once you dick around with xmodmap to make it truly sing, but the big selling point to it is that lovely little clip that locked onto my 770 and felt almost like it was meant to be.

Then the clip broke, right at the hinge.

Then Freedom's official support stance came up. Since the new Slim Keypad is *almost* out, they're not supporting the Mini Keyboard. Maybe you'll have better luck with the Targus version, I don't know. Targus does have near-legendary support, after all. As far as I'm concerned, however, Freedom could release a pill that, once ingested, gives me the ability to form hard-light objects with Bluetooth HID profiles, giving me a full-sized keyboard floating right in front of me with tactile feedback and such, and I *still* wouldn't buy the damned thing.

Nice enough device, terrible company.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

My experiences with them aren't any different.

1) no answer from them, at all, about why I can't get the mini duo to work with the N800. Like I said, it works _fine_ with my Mac (where I don't want/need it), but doesn't work at all with my N800. (keeping in mind that the mini duo supports BOTH HID and SPP modes)

2) no response at all from them at all (not even a "we can't disclose that right now") about when the slim will actually be released, as I kept getting my hopes up about using it with my N800, and then at the start of the last 3 months having my hopes dashed when they'd delay it AGAIN. These people are the epitome of products that slip on delivery deadlines so frequently that the product might as well be vaporware.

3) before I heard how well the iGo/Thinkoutside Stowaway keyboard works with the NITs, my gf askedme what I wanted for my birthday ... so I said the freedom full size folding bluetooth keyboard. She ordered it 2 months ago. 2 of them got lost in shipping to her (UPS does stupid things in Arizona, apparently), so she had them change the delivery address to go direct to me instead of to her ... so she couldn't wrap it for me, but hopefully I'd actually get it this time. 3 weeks later, Freedom still hadn't shipped it to me. She told them to give her money back (she's now going to get me the iGo via Amazon ... she feels bad that she's 2 months late on getting my birthday present to me, but it's really the combined faults of UPS and Freedom).

(just to be fair: the first two problems are entirely the fault of UPS not honoring the "sign for delivery" requirement; it was the 3rd attempt that was Freedom's fault, in that they simply never shipped it to me)


Their devices sound promising, but I honestly can't recommend them on any level. If you need a thumb keyboard, buy an N810. If you want a full size keyboard, buy an iGo. Whatever you do, do NOT buy, nor plan on buying, a Freedom-Input product.

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

OK, you've convinced me. I guess I am down to two choices...

Frogpad or
N810

I will be at the Nokia store towards the end of the week. I hope they have an N810 to play with.

Fred

Re: Wanted: 4.5" x 2.5" BT keyboard
 

Here I am in the Chicago store trying out an N810.
the good:
Noltcably smaller than the N800
OS2008 looks good but that is rectifiable on the N800
there is a keyboard
the bad:
the keyboard is just about as clumsy as the full screen N800 but you can still see the app screen
sliding it open to do anyhtghing

the verdict:
I will try a frogpad.
Fred
posted on thw N810