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-by Tong
Zhang, Senior Editor
How would you like to use your keyboard without
any wires? You can do exactly that with this wireless keyboard
designed by Pocketop Computer Corporation. In the US, this
keyboard is marketed and sold by Micro Innovations as the
Wireless Link.
This Pocktop wireless keyboard uses standard
IR communications to eliminate the use of the serial port
and cables. As long as the PDA and the keyboard are within
IR (infrared) range you can just type away on this extremely
portable keyboard. Needless to say, this is great for people
who switch PDAs: now you don't have to buy a new keyboard.
Although the Pocketop keyboard is optimized for the Palm
platform, we find that using it with Pocket PCs is just as
easy, making this keyboard a universal choice for PDA owners.
As more new PDA come out, this keyboard will likely be the
first one to support them, since they need only write a driver
and don't need to manufacture a keyboard with a new connector.
For Palm V and 500 series owners, Pocketop
includes hinges that slide into the side rail on your Palm
and link your keyboard to your Palm in parallel. While
linked, the Palm + keyboard can be folded into one unit
for transport. The included rotational software allows
the screen to be viewed in landscape mode (either side,
along with upside-down) when the PDA is linked to the keyboard.
The rotational software works on many models, see the Pocketop
site for complete compatability.
The Pocketop wireless keyboard has a slick
looking design. The physical setup varies depending on where
the IR port is on your PDA. 1) If your IR port is on top
and your PDA has side rails like Palm V and m500, you only
need the keyboard itself, and not the included stand with
IR reflector. You'll use the Palm in landscape mode if you
connect via the side rails, since that lays the Palm on it's
side. 2) If your IR port is on top but you don't have the
railing on the side of your PDA, you'll use the stand that
comes with the keyboard. The stand has a support wire at
the bottom for your PDA, a retractable leg on the back to
make your PDA stand up in an adjustable angle, and a retractable
reflector that reflects the IR beam. 3) If your IR port is
on the side like the Handspring Visor, you can use the stand
without pulling out the reflector.
The keyboard, when folded, is as big as the
Palm m515 and weight less than the m515. The keyboard cover
is made of aluminum with rubber tips all around the edges
to prevent slippage while typing. The keyboard is self-powered
and comes with one AAA battery. It uses Power Saving Technology,
which allows the keyboard to only use the power when a key
is depressed. The keys on this keyboard are in different
sizes. The Pocketop's Contour Key design is intended to make
the typing experience on this keyboard as much like touch-typing
as possible. The middle row of letters are close to the size
of a laptop keyboard; the top and bottom rows of letters
are slightly shorter, but with raised edges to keep your
figure on the keys. All other function keys are half the
size of a regular keyboard. There is also a stylus holder
on the right hand edge. The tactile feedback is crisp but
not as loud as a laptop keyboard. The middle letter row of
keys is comfy; the smaller keys take some getting used to. |
Above: Palm m515 attached via side rail,
using included swivel stylus to support Palm
Above: iPAQ with Pocketop, using included
stand + IR reflector
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The function keys are color coded on this keyboard;
one key represents one of 3 things when combined with these function
keys. This is why the keyboard is small, yet has all the major functions.
The Number/Number Lock keys are in red color; the Punctuation keys
are in olive green; and the Functions are in blue, which provides
most common actions like Cancel, Delete, Show, Send, Details, etc.
With more combines with Function key, Control key and Alt key, you
can add international characters, symbols (trade mark, copy right,
etc.), foreign currencies (Euro, Pound and Japanese Yen), and more.
There are 4 buttons on top right hand side that replace the PDA hardware
buttons and soft buttons in the graffiti area combined with Function
key.
As Pocketop wireless keyboard is optimized for Palm
devices, some function key mappings are for Palm functions that don't
exist on Pocket PC (pressing these Palm-specific function keys will
do nothing if you're using a Pocket PC).
On both Palm OS PDAs and Pocket PCs, you'll run the
installation CD and sync your PDA to install the driver software.
It takes up 42K on Palm and 91K on Pocket PC. For Palm OS devices,
when you click on the Wireless Link icon, you can set up the Controls,
Settings and CmdKeys. In the Control setting, you will find Enable
Keyboard, Screen Rotation (Normal, Reverse, Left, Right), and Idle
Timeout. When the IR keyboard is active, Hotsync and Beaming are
not available. In the Settings, you can set your Repeat Rate, Repeat
Delay, Maximum Repeat (10-40) and Enable Key Clicks. There is also
a testing area. In the CmdKeys, you can assign opening any applications
by using the Cmd key and the number keys, up to 9 applications maximum.
For Pocket PC, when you click on the Wireless Link icon, you'll see
a checkbox that allows you to enable the keyboard, Function key assignments,
Text macros and Date & Time format. You must disable the keyboard
to sync. Beaming must be turned off in the Pocket PC's communication
settings when you use the keyboard.
When I tested it on Palm m515, the keyboard worked very well with all the built-in
Palm applications such as Address, Memo, Notes, etc., and it worked well
with Documents to Go, but it didn't work with WordSmith. It worked with all
the built-in Pocket PC apps, including Pocket Word and Pocket Excel on the
iPAQ.
Pros: highly portable, IR communications eliminates
wires, innovative design, landscape view on Palm V and m500 series
is a huge plus; Cons: doesn't completely feel like a true touch-type
keyboard, doesn't support WordSmith on Palm OS (though if you try
disabling FineType it may work for you).
Compatible with many PDAs, visit Pocketop's web site
to see if you PDA is supported.
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