Customer Reviews

PalmOne Infrared Wireless Keyboard for Palm PDAs

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Update/Caution: As of early October 2004, PalmOne has a "Universal Wireless Keyboard driver" update on their T3 web page. That is NOT the correct driver for this keyboard - the driver for this keyboard is available from the Palm Accessories page for this keyboard and appears to have last been updated in 12/2003. I experienced system problems after installing that incorrect driver, so be sure you're getting the right one (the pictures show the UWKeyboard with a different key layout).

I've had one of these for a few days now, and it seems to work very nicely. The lack of dedicated number keys is indeed a minor annoyance as is the position of the lower hinge (at the spacebar) but everything else has worked quite well with my Tungsten T3.
There are several things to be aware of when you get one of these:
* The driver software in the package is almost certainly out of date, so you should download the newer version from the Palm website. Be sure you get the drivers for the correct keyboard since there are two different wireless ones.
* On a T3 you'll need to set landscape mode to left-handed orientation because of the position of the IR transmitter.
* While it seems tight, the IR wand is long enough to work with an extended T3 in landscape mode - you'll have it at what seems an odd angle, but it works. If you use the flipover cover that comes with the T3, you'll need to have the T3 sitting a bit further out and further to the right (the base of the T3 won't be down in the holder area), but it still seems stable - you don't have to remove the cover in order to use the keyboard.
* On-screen buttons that don't match the preprogrammed names reachable with the blue Fn key can be selected using Ctrl-Cmd-Letter where Letter is the first letter of the button (or any unique letter in its name).
* The default in the Keyboard driver is to only look for a keyboard signal for a short time after the Palm is powered on - generally 10-30 seconds depending on how you set it. After that it will stop looking in order to save power. That means if you turn on your Palm and use it a bit before dropping it onto the keyboard then it probably won't still be looking. If it finds a keyboard, it'll stay on just fine. Most people can probably set this down to the lowest setting and never notice it.
* The up-arrow key is also the "?" key, so if you need to go up while selecting you have to use the blue Fn key (since Shift-Up will just get you a "?"). This'll be clearer when you look at the keyboard. Otherwise selecting text works as you'd expect (Ctrl-Shift-arrow to select words, etc.)
* There's a quick reference/help area in the Keyboard driver that you install on your Palm. It has some useful tips and is always with you (unlike the PDF manual).
* The keyboard does use power on the Palm since the IR port has to be on, so your battery life will be lower while you're using it - lower still if you're using both the IR keyboard and a BlueTooth cellphone as a modem. It's still good for a day or two depending on how much you use it (and the shorter battery life is something T3 owners should already be aware of).
* The Tab key can be configured to either switch fields or insert a TAB character by default, with the other behavior available by using Fn-Tab.

UPDATE: After using it for a while, all of the above still stands but I have two additional notes:
* When the Palm is looking for a keyboard, it's looking for a keypress - that's what sends a character and makes the Palm realize there's a keyboard present and just being in the keyboard cradle isn't enough. If you miss that window of time you can force it to look again by either powering off and back on or by switching to the Keyboard application and telling it to look again.
* I use a shopping list program and I've found that in some grocery stores the lighting used in refrigerated/frozen foods sections can make the Palm keyboard driver think that a keyboard is present and sending characters (frozen 'p's?). If you run into this, your best alternative is to cover the IR port with your finger.

The keyboard is a little thinner than my Stowaway keyboard, but bigger in the other two dimensions. Unlike the Stowaway's clever foldout design, this one just folds out in half. Pop the latch (which also serves to support the backrest for your Palm) and fold out the right half of the keyboard. In fact it looks remarkably similar to ThinkOutside's wireless keyboard.

You are greeted with a 3 row keyboard layout (with a split spacebar and other function buttons on a 4th row). A blue Fn key gives you access to the numbers and PDA related functions, while a green Fn key gives you access to symbols.

I like the wireless part. The keyboard's IR port swivels into position above my T3. No connector to snap on to, which is good. I've already worn out one button board on my Visor because of the constant snapping into and out of the keyboard.

I suspect anybody who touch types more than 20 wpm probably won't be too enamoured with this keyboard. The hinge just happens to sit where I normally rest my thumb to hit the space bar which keeps me from hitting the space bar properly. I have to hold my thumb in an awkward position to hit the space bar. Maybe I'll just have to train myself to put my thumb a little farther out to clear the hinge.

Having the numbers and symbols compressed into the top row of letters is also inconvenient if you're typing a lot of numbers mixed in with text. Really slows typing down having to reach for those extra modifier keys. It also means the right hand number keys are all in the wrong position (compare with a full-sized keyboard to see just how out of position they are). If you're just doing straight text, it much less of a problem.

Key spacing is all right, somewhat narrower than the original Stowaway keyboard design. 19mm vs 18mm may not sound like much, but it sure feels like a lot.

I think whoever came up with the 3 row keyboard design was never much of a touch typist who entered a lot of numbers. I suppose eventually I'll get used to it, but man, it sure makes typing slow.

This keyboard is one of the best designed pieces of hardware I've ever seen. You can see the attention they gave to details, from the lock that becomes the pda support, to the rubber strips that won't let the keyboard and the pda slip. You'll never write as fast as in your desktop, but It's a nice package for the portability you get.

If the hardware is great, I can't say the same about the keyboard driver. If you are writing in a language with a lot of accented letters (portuguese, french, spanish...) the software makes it almost useless for any serious writing. It's so clumsy that to put a simple tilde (~) in a letter you have to push 4 keys at the same time! Great to slow you to death and to give you some RSI. Why you can't just press the accent, and then the letter (as you do in all international keyboards) is beyond my understanding. You'll be able to use it just for some notetaking without accents.

I've bought the wireless version because I have a Clié palmtop. Palm licenses this keyboard from Thinkoutside, the makers of the Stowaway keybards, and their site says that the wireless model is compatible with almost all palm models. Since I plan to go back to a palm sometime soon, I've bought this for compatibility. After reading the README file, everything worked fine. Unfortunately the price for the infrared connection is a more intensive use of the pda battery.

I had successfully used a Palm Keyboard with the Palm 105. After purchasing the Tungsten E (which I love) two months ago, it was time for the keyboard. Prices have dropped considerably.

However, installation was fraught and I was ultimately forced to do a hard reset in order to complete the keyboard installation. Of course, I then had to reinstall any third party applications. The calculator managed to disappear en route too.

Design is a little clunky. The old keyboard opened with the touch of a button. One has to wrestle with latch on the new keyboard and ladies, you might break a few nails as you do so. The holder that is supposed to keep the handheld in place is all but useless. An upcoming flight will be an interesting test.

Notwithstanding these criticisms, I was very impressed by Palm's e-mail support which was active on Xmas Eve and during the day and am glad to have the keyboard working.

If you need the keyboard, you can't go wrong at this price.

Bought this last week. After loading the keyboard driver I was able to place my Palm T3 on the keyboard holder and begin typing.

I have used other keyboards for the Palm and by the time I got the PDA docked properly ont he connector I usually forgot what I was going to type...

This works exactly as designed. The only knock on it that I've read is that you must turn your T3 to left handed mode if you want to type in landscape format.

This is a very useful device.

Basically to compare it with the palm portable keyboard which I had before, I'd rather have the universal PPK. The wireless keyboard:
-needs batteries to run
-deactivates the IR if you're idle for a certain amount of time so you'd have to go back to keyboard preferences to reactivate it. You can set the length of time before it turns the IR off (for "power users"), though, but I guess this option is given so that you can try to conserve batteries.
-IR connection affected but external factors like was said in other posts
-the way it folds up: won't that plastic thing that keeps it shut wear in time? PPK just clicks closed.
-the plastic material that the IR keyboard is made up of, including the IR wand: doesn't seem to be very durable. I had to look for a case for my unit to keep it protected.
-you need to press extra buttons just to type numbers & stuff

-I guess the advantage of it's being wireless is if you're having problems with your unit's hotsync port - but you can always have that repaired by palm (you need it to hotsync, too)

I suppose it depends on the needs of the user, but for me, I'd rather have the PPK. :)

Indeed...I was afraid this product wouldn't live up to the expectations I was having, but it did. You see, this is the second keabord I have bought for my pda, and the first one was a HUGE dissapointment.
I don't even remember the brand of that keyboard (the brain tends to block painful memories), but I sure remember being disgusted by the manufacturer's bogus claim that it was a "full size keaboard" which would let you type "just like a laptop". Some nerve.
However, I disgress. This Palm infrared keyboard works just fine, I can easily touch-type with it at speeds of about 40 wpm, and I don't understand why all the reviewers complain about the hinge in the middle of the space bar...I sure have no problems with it.
Of course, nothing in this world is perfect. If you use it to type in a language other than english (as I do), you will have to press 3 or 4 separate keys for a single character...but I have gotten used to it.
In short, I would recommend this product to anyone who needs to enter a reasonable amount of data into their pda's on the go, not just use it to view phone numbers and dates.

I have large fingers and I was able to use this keyboard just fine. The command key combinations I've found to be a real time saver. Since I don't use numbers or foreign characters that often, I've had less of an issue with that problem than the other reviewers.
It's a little wider when closed than I would like for my pocket, but I don't see how it could be any narrower as thin as it is.
As a complete newbie to PDAs and handhelds, I was thrown by what may seem obvious to long time users. You can't use it in full sunlight. At least, not without covering up the infrared port and wand connection. I have found it ideal for use in restaraunts and at dusk time and evening. Especially outside at night typing by candlelight.
I also had the space bar hinge problem, but quickly adjusted my thumb accordingly.
It's a well-designed, well-made product, and I'm happy with my purschase.

Some people have compared this to the Palm Universal keyboard which uses a connector which PalmOne has abandoned now (look at Tungsten T5).

There is the fact that this keyboard works with
1. Palm OS Handhelds
2. Pocket PC Handhelds
3. Series 60 Smartphones
4. Windows Mobile Smartphones
5. Symbian UIQ Smartphones
so I think it's a very smart decision to buy this. I had bought it for my Palm Handheld, but I found out that I use it with my phone more often. But now Nokia has abandoned IR so it may be smarter to buy the bluetooth version of this keyboard.

About the batteries: Nearly one year has passed since I bought this and I still use the batteries that came with the package.

About the other languages and numbers: The reviewers are correct, the keyboard's weakest points are those. But it's possible to write new layouts which may make things easier.

I'm using this with a Clie TH55, and it has been great. I've had two previous keyboards with connectors that have been obsoleted when I've changed PDAs. Because this one is wireless, I shouldn't have to change keyboards next time I change PDAs.

It takes some time to get used to no dedicated number row, but you do get used to it.