NEWS: Pocketop style Hard Keyboard for the SPV on its way

[Guest jmjarvis]

Hey Guys,

I've just received this reply back from Pocketop Inc after asking them if they have any plans to release their style of hard keyboard for the SPV:

"We are looking into this currently, but do not have anything in the way of dates to annouce yet. Another month we should be able to ."

You can find out more about their products here: http://www.pocketop.net/

Finally a keyboard thats as sexy and as "gadgety" as the SPV. :)

Jas

[Guest Machineman]

That would be great!

Much easier! and a nice gadget

[Guest jmjarvis]

The thing I love about this is that unlike current keyboards available the SPV is not connected/plugged into the keyboard.

I am in the market to buy a keyboard and found myself in a position where I was about to "make do" with the fabric one because the www.deltasoft.ch hard keyboard is ugly and looks too cluttered.

But this seems to be perfect. Lets hope we don't have to wait too long.

Jas

[Guest Monolithix [MVP]]

Wouldn't you need to have the SPV upside down (or some crazy mirror arrangement)?

[Guest jmjarvis]

Nope :) thats the other great thing.

If the design is similiar to the one they have for PDA's it will have a cradle that the SPV sits in. This cradle has an IR receiver at the top which then, by the looks of it, has an IR transmitter on an arm that sits over the top of the IR receiver of the phone/PDA.

You can have a look at the demo here :

http://www.pocketop.net/demo-flash.shtml

Jas

[Guest gradiation]

i want one, i want one, i want one :(

Would much prefer a hard keyboard like this than the fabric one, as i've said before, it's much more keyboardy :)

[Guest john.sw]

It seems that you have not tried the Flexi-Keyboard - you should - IT'S FANTASTIC!

Not only is it convinient to carry about, it is also incredibly easy to type with, and quick too.

What ever keyboard you have, you still need to stand up the SPV in order to see the screen. The Flexi-Keyboard has a built-in stand (cradle) that also connects the SPV to the keyboard. It takes under 2 seconds to set up, and away you go.

You can select:-

Keyclicks ON or OFF

Backlight ON or OFF

Repeat Rate (with test mode)

Repeat Delay (with test mode)

Sensivitity (with test mode)

Calibrate

Hotkeys (9 available)

The Flexi-Keyboard also has:-

Quick buttons for Internet Explorer/Contacts/Email&SMS/Calendar/Call List

On Hook/Off Hook buttons

Home Button

Back Button

Two menu buttons (like the ones nearest the screen on the SPV)

Tab

Function

Caps Lock

Shift

ALT and much more.

There is also a jack-socket for the mains unit.

Although I don't do games, I understand that it also works as a joystick - apparently, you hold your fist, centered on the "H" key and twist your hand about as if you were holding a joystick. Strange but true :wink:

Also, it is an official Orange product.

The best buy I have found is at http://www.freedom-mobiles.co.uk/aspv.htm

Best wishes,

John

[Guest Vector]

Another suttle plug by john.sw :) :wink:

That Hard keyboard does look pretty sweet tho :twisted:

[Guest simon11]

It looks sweet! But is it not bigger and heavier than the Flexikeyboard?

[Guest gradiation]

In relation to the hard keyboard, if the PDA version is anything to go by, you should be able to sit your fone in a cradle and have a wireless keyboard. surely this offers more freedom

[Guest Paul [MVP]]

Do you work for freedom mobiles john?

P

[Guest Monolithix [MVP]]

The thought had occured to me as well... :)

[Guest jmjarvis]

he he he

The main reason for the post was to make people aware that another keyboard product was on its way. I was about to hand over my hard-earned :wink: cash simply because we had 1 fabric style keyboard and one hard keyboard to choose from. I didn't like either. I thought that was going to be pretty much it - I mean what else can you do with a keyboard ? That was until I saw the Pocketop product.

The Pocketop product might not be for everybody - it just depends on your requirements.

I've heard that the flexi keyboard can suffer if you are a speed-typist. I've also heard that its much better if you lay it flat maybe under a book for a little while before using it and certainly performs much much better on hard surfaces. Maybe someone could either confirm/deny this after all I don't own one.

The deltasoft product simply looks too complicated. They've cluttered the product and for me personally I'm not sure how I'd get on with the keyboard being split down the middle like that. I'm sure you Microsoft Keyboard guys could cope better but I'm an old fashioned kinda guy and like my keys all together. :wink: Anyone here purchased one of these ? If so how are you getting on with it ?

As for the pocketop product well its just so damn sexy. It fills my requirements completely. Having a keyboard that I can roll up and pop into my pocket is not one of them BUT having a keyboard thats infrared, that can work with most palm OS and Pocket PC PDA's (compatability list still growing) certainly is. I'm not sure I'll just stick with my SPV for absolutely everything and am looking to invest in a PocketPC so this keyboard with come in very handy. :wink:

Jas

Oh and no I don't work for Pocketop nor Freedom Mobiles :)

[Guest j_sincla]

I've got this keyboard and use it with my Pocket PC.

It is a sleek, slinky and slim but frankly the keys are too small, dont have good depth and the infra-red is a bit of a pain (i.e. you can to use the stand with the mirror and fiddle around.

[Guest jmjarvis]

Well they said in a month we will know more.

I've just received this back after emailing them on Tuesday:

Jason,

Nothing new on the Orange SPV. In fact, that might actually be a new development - no news. For the time being it doesn't look like we'll be going after this market, as Microsoft doesn't seem to be pushing it very hard.

Disapointing.................very disapointing :cry: :cry: :cry:

Comments ?

Jas