I figured that was it, but just now learned it takes several clicks to get the virtual keyboard up (the first time anyway). For me anyway.

Whoa-- message sent and received! sweet! Now if I could just get calls working... usually nothing happens but just now when I called out to my cell from my N810, the N810 started ringing!

UPDATE: okay, I see what's happening with calls...

1) I dial out from N810 to cell using Dial central
2) a few seconds later my PC rings-- I had Google Talk logged in there also.
3) after a couple of rings, I see that Google Talk is sending a call to my N810
4) I answer, and a few seconds later, my cell phone rings, showing the Google Talk number on caller ID
5) I answer the cell, and then it and the N810 are connected

Odd behavior, but at least calls connected. My only problem now is being able to hear the recipient on my N810... a problem I'm troubleshooting elsewhere.