Windows Phone Thoughts: Arrr, Matey, Stow That Serial Keyboard - This 'ere's Cap'n Bluetooth!

Product Category: Keyboards -- full size
Manufacturer: Think Outside
Where to Buy: Pricegrabber [affiliate]
Price: $93.43 to $149.95 USD.
System Requirements: The keyboard is certified for Asus MyPal A620, Del Axim X3, iPAQ 194x, 221x, 415x, 435x. It will also work with Pocket PC 2002 or Windows Mobile 2003 with Socket SD or CF Cards. Keyboard driver (v3.1) requires 406K of memory, which must be installed to main memory to work consistently. The keyboard supports Pocket PC, Symbian, Windows and MAC operating systems. A full list of compatible products (Smart Phones, etc.) is provided on the Think Outside Website.
Specifications: Closed: 139mm x 99mm x 13mm (5.5” x 3.9” x 0.5”) Open: 251mm x 148mm x 13mm (9.9” x 5.8” x 0.5”) Weight: 160g (5.6 oz) Key spacing: 18mm, Key travel: 3mm. Layout: English QWERTY (4 rows)

Pros:

• Lightweight, sturdy construction;
  
• Very easy setup/configuration;
  
• Good overall keyboard feel;
  
• Batteries should last three months, under normal use;
  
• Complete, ready-to-go package, including batteries and a carrying case!;
  
• Detachable PDA/Phone stand;
  
• Same driver supports Stowaway Bluetooth, XT, and IR keyboards!

Cons:

• 4-row design, so numbers and symbols are accessed with a FN-key combination, which will slow down 5-row touch typists;
  
• Still a bit tippy if you rest your hands on the ends of the keyboard;
  
• Connection does not show up in the Active Connections list of Bluetooth Manager.

Summary: It’s been a loooonnnggg time coming, but the wait has been worth it. Based on the award winning design of the Stowaway XT keyboard, Think Outside is now shipping its Universal Bluetooth version, which, because of the Bluetooth enablement, should mean the end to the need for device-specific keyboards. So now, you can use the same keyboard for your Pocket PC, laptop and smartphone. (Although I don’t suggest you have them all connected at the same time!) Generally, the typing feel is exactly the same as the Stowaway XT, but how is it for setup and use?

Well, read on, gentlefolk!