Hi
Does anyone have recommendations for a fold away keyboard? I'd prefer if it wasn't bluetooth to save on battery (on both devices).
Thanks
feridoun said:
Hi
Does anyone have recommendations for a fold away keyboard? I'd prefer if it wasn't bluetooth to save on battery (on both devices).
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats wrong with the onscreen KB? Better alternative is to use a fullscreen keyboard like SPB's - save's the carrying around I must say !
i'm adept at using the block recogniser but a seperate keyboard would be better
to be able to touch type, i.e. faster, more comfortable and not have to look at the screen and be able to look at the speaker or notes etc.
apparently there are no mini-usb keyboards for the artemis and i may get the stowaway bluetooth keyboard for 40 pounds.
Artemis is external keyboard compatible?
If I buy a external keyboard, Artemis knows what to do with it?
Does anyone know if the iGo Stowaway bluetooth keyboard does work? I can't see this device on any of the compatibility lists and I don't know how compatibility works (if it's based on OS, model, or what) so could I use it with my XDA Orbit?
The iGo Stowaway keyboard DOES work with a WM6 Orbit. You have to use a different driver though. I am using the XDA Exec WM5 driver and it seems to work fine.
The keyboard itself is alright considering what it is. The only bad point is that it comes with a STUPID BLOODY STICKER right over half the casing and loads of keys which is ABSOLUTE HELL to peel off, it keeps tearing and you will be trying to get it off for half an hour. It will leave horrible residue all over many of the keys and the casing, I tried for ages using isopropyl alcohol and there's still crap left on the keyboard.
I bought the iGo stowaway. I never installed the original software, it just works out of the box but not the special keys. I love it, it's perfect. Didn't have a problem with the sticker
Anjow said:
The iGo Stowaway keyboard DOES work with a WM6 Orbit. You have to use a different driver though. I am using the XDA Exec WM5 driver and it seems to work fine.
The keyboard itself is alright considering what it is. The only bad point is that it comes with a STUPID BLOODY STICKER right over half the casing and loads of keys which is ABSOLUTE HELL to peel off, it keeps tearing and you will be trying to get it off for half an hour. It will leave horrible residue all over many of the keys and the casing, I tried for ages using isopropyl alcohol and there's still crap left on the keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get Label remover, which is based on citrus juice, very good at getting rid of the crap left
Driver
Anjow said:
The iGo Stowaway keyboard DOES work with a WM6 Orbit. You have to use a different driver though. I am using the XDA Exec WM5 driver and it seems to work fine.
The keyboard itself is alright considering what it is. The only bad point is that it comes with a STUPID BLOODY STICKER right over half the casing and loads of keys which is ABSOLUTE HELL to peel off, it keeps tearing and you will be trying to get it off for half an hour. It will leave horrible residue all over many of the keys and the casing, I tried for ages using isopropyl alcohol and there's still crap left on the keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I am struggling with the driver for the Ultra Slim. I used the driver off their website for Wizard (I think), but they had specific for Ultra Slim. Now all they have is the Universal Bluetooth driver. I would appreciate a link or e-mail with the driver which works on Artemis. BTW Ultra Slim keyboard worked really well for me in past. It's great keyboard. Thanks in advance.
Related
I've used three SX66 vairiants of the Blue Angle and all of them have Crappy Bluetooth reception. You have to have the phone is your shirt pocket on the side where the headset is.
I know its not the headset as we have tried 4 headsets and they all work great with other Bluetooth phones. I can answer my Nokia phone from 2 offices down the hall with my Logitech Traveler. On my SX66 I cant answer it from my Cargo Pants Pocket with out getting masive static.
All the SX66s I've used are the BT v 3900...
Any Suggestions?
Same Friggin' problem
I have been up all night searching for an answer to this as I thought it was perhaps a problem related to upgrading. Then I remembered it was doing it before I upgraded. I wonder if it has anything to do with radio version, etc.
I would really, REALLY hate to go back to using the default earplugs that tangle if you think too hard.
Come on guys, is there a BT reception fix I'm overlooking? I was in a conference call yesterday from home and it sounded like someone was balling up candy wrappers in the phone on my end and the other's until I had to disable the headset and continue with the XDA IIs to my ear. :evil:
no bluetooth fix sorry.
radio has nothing to do with bluetooth
Reception really suck.....hope someone here can help....
I've been looking at this issue as well.
Per the nekkid blue angel pictures from the wiki, the bluetooth antenna looks to be a tiny chip looking thing...
Has anyone considered (or even did) replacing it with something a bit more substantial?
The wifi antenna is kind of small as well. GSM antenna looks OK.
try I Tech Clip II mini.
this is what I have been using for the past 4 months and has been great.
I have tried different types of Jabra BT, Mobile traveller.. none has worked and waste of money.
until i find this one... works great.
jdc said:
Per the nekkid blue angel pictures from the wiki, the bluetooth antenna looks to be a tiny chip looking thing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Jdc,
I cant find the pic you are talking about, if you could give me a pointer to where the bluetooth antenna is I see if I can come up with anything.
nuttja said:
Hi Jdc,
I cant find the pic you are talking about, if you could give me a pointer to where the bluetooth antenna is I see if I can come up with anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=BA_Technical
and
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=BlueangelNakedPictures
I can't find the page that lists which one is which now (naturally once I'm looking for it, it hides), but IIRC the wifi antenna is that small clipish looking thing at D-20, the bluish one at H-20 is the bluetooth, and the big green thing at the top of the board (letters C-K, numbers 1-6) is the GSM antenna.
Looking closer at the board, it would almost appear that there is an external antenna hookup as well for the wifi?
If I didn't have a cracked screen, I'd take mine apart to find out. I'm worried that if I did, the screen would totally stop working. :-(
That seems a bad location for the BT aerial to me with the charge socket at the back and all that shielding above.
I read an article about moding a usb dongle :
http://www.pentest.co.uk/documents/bt_dongle_mod/bt_dongle_mod.html
I’m thinking maybe we could try something similar on the Blue Angel but with an internal aerial in a better location, a bit like these ones on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200142840418
what do you all think?
nuttja said:
That seems a bad location for the BT aerial to me with the charge socket at the back and all that shielding above.
I read an article about moding a usb dongle :
http://www.pentest.co.uk/documents/bt_dongle_mod/bt_dongle_mod.html
I’m thinking maybe we could try something similar on the Blue Angel but with an internal aerial in a better location, a bit like these ones on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200142840418
what do you all think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, it is a bad location. Especially if one considers that often, one holds the unit in hand at that location, covering up the antennas.
Assuming that is the bluetooth antenna (I'm fairly sure it is, considering that is looks similar to the one in the dongle you linked to), I would think that it would be better to use one of those wifi antennas in the ebay link (or something similar) and try to keep everything internal to the phone. Since bluetooth does run on the same frequency as wifi, in theory, it should work.
No one wants to use a phone with a bunch of wires hanging off of it, otherwise why would we be complaining about the bluetooth range?
Now, if that other connector looking part is the wifi, the battery normally covers it. Unless there is a way to extend that to another user added jack, the same idea(s) for the bluetooth would apply.
I do not know how tight the clearances are inside the angle, as I've never opened mine. one would think that there might be a way to run the antenna wire on the inside of the back, or along the sides of the plastics. Perhaps around the GSM antenna area? Or would that cause too much interference to the phone/bt/wifi?
smtownsend said:
I've used three SX66 vairiants of the Blue Angle and all of them have Crappy Bluetooth reception. You have to have the phone is your shirt pocket on the side where the headset is.
I know its not the headset as we have tried 4 headsets and they all work great with other Bluetooth phones. I can answer my Nokia phone from 2 offices down the hall with my Logitech Traveler. On my SX66 I cant answer it from my Cargo Pants Pocket with out getting masive static.
All the SX66s I've used are the BT v 3900...
Any Suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love the read about this, but there was quite a discussion about this problem when the BA was released. I argued it with orange for pretty much the entire length of my contract, it was a faulty bluetooth driver. and surprisingly enough O2 and t-mobile got it right with their XDAIIs and the MDA III firmware's but Orange didn't get it right till almost about a year or more later. needless to say it started working after i pugraded the firmware later on. since then i'm now runnign t-mobiles firmware on it with the o2 active program ( hahaha yea best of both ) and it's been fine for me. So look into upgrading to any of the offical roms from whatever network your looking for, if' you've already unlocked the phone, great as should remain unlocked, if doesn't just re-run the unlocker
cyberjak said:
surprisingly enough O2 and t-mobile got it right with their XDAIIs and the MDA III firmware's but Orange didn't get it right till almost about a year or more later.
So look into upgrading to any of the offical roms from whatever network your looking for
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is an XDA iis form O2 with the last offical O2 firmware wm2003 1.40.242 WWE on, I`ve also tried T-mobiles 1.42 and upgraded the radio to 1.15 but bluetooth still sucks with a headset!
Maybe you got lucky or maybe its the headset you are using.
Bluetooth reception
Has anyone got an update on this subject since Aug 07?
I have the SX-66 version (Cingular/AT&T)
I have had this phone Since the middle of 2006.
I have upgraded to what I believe is the most up to date programming mods that are available: (other than WM5/6, of which I have planned to do in the near future, I have tons of software and utilities that only run in 2003 edition and I would have to reacquire.)
BA---PH20B1
WM2003 2nd edition
Ver. 1.42.00 WWE
Build date: 09/05/05
Radio Ver.: 1.15.00
Protocol: 1337.45
ExtROM: 1.40.125 WWE
BT- PPC/PE Ver.: 1.0.0.3900
The thing about Modding the chip or placing an antennae jack IS that, all of which that is exposed, in the naked pics of the Blue Angel, are all in fact, canned and can be difficult to expose, to do any modding, without micro precision equipment and a steady hand. I have accomplished modding regular cell phones this way, however, this device is a bit more at risk and can get expensive and messy. I have a few boards, I have acquired through buying spare parts for mine in the case of accidents, of which I have performed with ALL the help of these forums. I will work on this, at this point IF you folks do not have any other alternatives, outside hanging pointless wires hanging around (me thinks that is WHY the bluetooth and wireless technologies were implemented?) With any success, I will report, outside failure, with some sort of procedure and details, that maybe someone with a bit more knowledge and expertise can modify to a possible easier closure on this REAL problem. Sure there are maybe better devices that can, maybe measure up to this Blue Angel, but I love my Angel, even with the flaws!
It has been a great challenge and all of the possibilities that XDA development has brought to the table.
In the last 2 years I have had this phone this is my FIRST posting.
The Bluetooth has been my ONLY real problem. I have to carry it in my shirt pocket using a BT headset and it is still really bad at that. I have used some of the best headsets and gone to great expense, to try and alleviate what I thought, by chance, that I could have finally found one that would superceid
the problem, however, to no avail, I still have the same problem.
If by chance that I could actually find a bigger chip, I think I would have to have the right drivers for it and will have to lead a command string, I am guessing through going to the kitchen and cooking up some ExtROM for the 'moddapplication'?
Blackberry has, I think, one of the strongest chips available. I have a 7100t that i could answer from 300 ft of a house with walls. My 650 isn't that good.
I apologize for being long winded, I suppose I am catching up from not communicating in the past, but I followed the rules of this site, and I haven't needed to ask a question and not needed to help someone else, because you guys have had the answers in these forums. Without further a'due........
Finally, if you have any FRESH ideas or direction on this bluetooth delima, outside using a can opener, .........***please***, let me know............
Best regards,
gcopher
http://www.michellebrown-and-mmd.com
I have seen this keyboard mentioned a few times, but not seen anyone say they bought one, or used one. http://www.freedominput.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=137&Itemid=140
Well, mine turned up today, and works really well.
http://twitpic.com/26wdc
You have to install the driver to make the softkey buttons and function buttons work, but it will pair and work as a normal BT keyboard without that (obviously using the drivers gives a far better experience).
As it's a RAZR style keyboard, the buttons aren't as easy to type on compared to a proper thumb board, but you can type pretty well, and it means you can leave the Touch HD in a cradle or proped against something and use the keyboard to type, and control the device with hardly any screen taps required.
No idea about battery life yet, but they claim 1 hour charge gives 4 hours use.
The blue backlighting is quite uneven, and the underside looks a little cheap considering it's £49.99 price tag (it was a birthday present, so I was OK with the price hehe), but I can live with that.
Charges straight from a mini USB port, and it works with any device that supports bluetooth HID (WinMo, Symbian, XP, Vista, Linux and so on) and also supports SPP for Blackberry devices. The support for berries confised me a little as it was released before the Storm, so why would anyone want this when the device has a proper keypad anyway?
Oh well, off to practice my typing on it more, but will answer any questions you may have about it if I can.
I can't get mine to work
I had my Freedom Slim Keypad for about 3 months and so far have not been able to connect it to my Treo Pro . I install the drivers and nothing seems to work. When I try to pair it . It ask me type in pair code. Of course I pick 0000 or 1234 and nothing works. What did you do to get yours to connect and work?
Hi,
I´m thinking about a BT mini keyboard. Someone is already using a BT keyboard? Is it working properly?
Thanks in advance.
I'm using the Apple Bluetooth keyboard ($69 most places) and when it pairs it works well. I had some issues with pairing where it wouldn't do it a second time until I changed some setting on the tablet. When it works, it works well except for the directional keys. I wish there was a way to remap those so they make more sense. LOL
I should add, I bought several other keyboards, and this one was the best in both size and quality. I bought a Zippy and those chicklet sized keys were horrible (but it was cool to be able to pair it with other devices and soft-switch between BT devices). I also tried two of those folding ones and found out real quick how much those suck when you are trying to type on a keyboard on your lap. One didn't have a "lock" mechanism, so it just folded and made a V shape when in use. The other one had some flimsy plastic mechanism to lock it which lasted about 20 minutes...and I'm a soft-touch typer. If you tend to beat on your keys, that would last about 20 seconds. LOL
On a side note, I do find it somewhat funny that I buy an Apple keyboard to work on an Android device...kind of like forcing a Hatfield and a McCoy to get married.
Update:
I am noticing some problems with the Archos 101 and a bluetooth keyboard. It seems I can either have bluetooth on and paired, or wireless on and connected, but when both are active it seems to really have problems. Dropping the keyboard, not able to connect to the router, etc. Turning either off resolves the issue for the other.
On a side note, it also trashed a whole slew of files I had on my MicroSD card...
I just purchased and began using today the Logitech® Tablet Keyboard for Win8/RT and Android
[Was gonna post a link or URL here but not allowed to as new user]
So far I am very impressed. Was easy to pair yet secure where you need to enter a code on the keyboard that displays on the SGN 10.1. Has solid feel, used (4) AAAs that are installed when you get it. Bought at Best Buy for $69.99.
Has a hard carry case that apparently can double as a stand....have not tried that and don;t plan to as I use the Belkin cover that stands the SGN 10.1 up nicely.
I use the Samsung soft keyboard most so I didn't have to turn off SwiftKey or anything. I do notice that the soft or virtual keyboard pops up more often than I would like, but it is easily enough dismissed.....if someone has a way to improve that I am all ears by the way.
Will update later but really liking it so far.
pwscott said:
I just purchased and began using today the Logitech® Tablet Keyboard for Win8/RT and Android
[Was gonna post a link g=here but not allowed to as new user]
So far I am very impressed. Was easy to pair yet secure where you need to enter a code on the keyboard that displays on the SGN 10.1. Has solid feel, used (4) AAAs that are installed when you get it. Bought at Best Buy for $69.99.
Has a hard carry case that apparently can double as a stand....have not tried that and don;t plan to as I use the Belkin cover that stands the SGN 10.1 up nicely.
I use the Samsung soft keyboard most so I didn't have to turn off SwiftKey or anything. I do notice that the soft or virtual keyboard pops up more often than I would like, but it is easily enough dismissed.....if someone has a way to improve that I am all ears by the way.
Will update later but really liking it so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is it. http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/tablet-keyboard-android-win8-rt
Video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pIN9rwyCpAw
$49.99 on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Keyboard-Windows-Android3-0-920-004569/dp/B009JPBPWO
.
.
good luck with it..
kkretch said:
I think this is it. http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/tablet-keyboard-android-win8-rt
Video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pIN9rwyCpAw
$49.99 on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Keyboard-Windows-Android3-0-920-004569/dp/B009JPBPWO
.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine has a lag between inputting and what you've inputted appearing on screen.
Sadly in the UK (ane EU) Logitech are a few years behind the market and only sell the Apple version.
I didn't have any luck with this keyboard. It was laggy and also every now and then repeated keys infitely. I tried it out on my Windows 7 laptop and had similar issues. I ended up going with the Galaxy Tab 8.9 Keyboard Dock instead.
Logitech KB Still OK Here
Still OK here so farwith Logitech Tablet Keyboard with my SGN 10.1 No real lag that I notice.
Demati said:
I didn't have any luck with this keyboard. It was laggy and also every now and then repeated keys infitely. I tried it out on my Windows 7 laptop and had similar issues. I ended up going with the Galaxy Tab 8.9 Keyboard Dock instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pwscott said:
Still OK here so farwith Logitech Tablet Keyboard with my SGN 10.1 No real lag that I notice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had nothing but atrocious lag. On a note of 10.1
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk HD
I have two Logitech keyboards. I purchased the android keyboard many of you are talkiing about a year or more ago. There was some lag.
I just got the Note 10.1 couple weeks ago. I got this keyboard since I was in money spending mode http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/10704?crid=27
The newest keyboard is much smoother, never times out, and is easier to type with. Just my opinion. I just tested both.
I'm jyst barely smart enough to be somewhat dangerous but not nearly as smart as most that follow this stuff. My guess is the new keyboard is more compatible with bluetooth and I wonder if the way they charge has something to do with it. I think the first keyboard charges with batteries and times out. The newer keyboard K810 is a plug in charger. You can let it sit for 30 minutes and it starts up right away the second you start typing.
jkhawk said:
I have two Logitech keyboards. I purchased the android keyboard many of you are talkiing about a year or more ago. There was some lag.
I just got the Note 10.1 couple weeks ago. I got this keyboard since I was in money spending mode http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/10704?crid=27
The newest keyboard is much smoother, never times out, and is easier to type with. Just my opinion. I just tested both.
I'm jyst barely smart enough to be somewhat dangerous but not nearly as smart as most that follow this stuff. My guess is the new keyboard is more compatible with bluetooth and I wonder if the way they charge has something to do with it. I think the first keyboard charges with batteries and times out. The newer keyboard K810 is a plug in charger. You can let it sit for 30 minutes and it starts up right away the second you start typing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that is pricey. Can u post some pictures to see how big the keyboard and touch look
Sent from my GT-N8013
Logitech Tablet Keyboard for Windows 8, Windows RT and Android3.0+
This is the keyboard that I did not have much luck with. There is a similar model logitech sells as well. I think it is the predecessor to this one.
i just purchased this keyboard http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/tablet-keyboard-android-win8-rt?crid=1242 about 1 month ago and it works great for me
how light and thin with tablet combined is this compared to a netbook?
How portable/compact?
Has anyone noticed anything? I keep reading how this tablet has been designed for use with the keyboard, but nothing concrete has ever been said, that I know of. Sure, it's sleek and it's magnetic and it charges from the tablet. But actual KB functionality, how is it different than, say, a Logitech K810 or any other bluetooth keyboard, especially those designed for Android, with a proper home (and sometimes recents) button?
One peeve I have always had with Android is the way it handles the US International layout. It's not the same standard MS and Apple (iOS) use. To input something like an "á" you need to press Alt. I wonder if they'll ever fix that. In the meantime I use the splendid app External Keyboard Helper, but if you're not rooted it's not 100% seamless, you need to manually select EKH in the input dialog when connecting the BT keyboard.
andy o said:
Has anyone noticed anything? I keep reading how this tablet has been designed for use with the keyboard, but nothing concrete has ever been said, that I know of. Sure, it's sleek and it's magnetic and it charges from the tablet. But actual KB functionality, how is it different than, say, a Logitech K810 or any other bluetooth keyboard, especially those designed for Android, with a proper home (and sometimes recents) button?
One peeve I have always had with Android is the way it handles the US International layout. It's not the same standard MS and Apple (iOS) use. To input something like an "á" you need to press Alt. I wonder if they'll ever fix that. In the meantime I use the splendid app External Keyboard Helper, but if you're not rooted it's not 100% seamless, you need to manually select EKH in the input dialog when connecting the BT keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I, too, am curious about this. It is pretty cool how the keyboard kind of completes the design. However, I can't really justify spending $150 on it when I have a $20 Anker BT keyboard that works perfectly fine with my Nexus 10, and should work the same with the Pixel C.
a lot of manufacturers make accessories in an attempt to increase profits from sales, google is no different. google places a big checkmark on design issues throughout all the products it deals with. the design is what sets this keyboard apart, not the function. google even offers two designs of the keyboard. it was interesting to me that each design cost the same to the buyer when it appears from the specs that the folio would probably cost more to make.
Google should have never advertised the keyboard accessory like it was necessary when it definitely isn't. It made people think that this device would be more productive than any other android tablet when it's not. Even a iPad Air 2 with a keyboard is more productive due to tablet optimized apps than any android tablet except maybe for Samsung tablets who at least try to make interface customizations for tablet optimization.
It's worth every penny
As someone that bought the keyboard, heck I bought the Pixel BECAUSE of its keyboard - I also bought the excellent Dell 7840 and it's keyboard, and have 5 BT keyboards in various storage nooks around the house, used on my Note 10.1 or iPad original - so I know a thing or two about what I want. Oh, and I recently sold my semi-loved Chromebook Flip to help fund this beast of a tablet...
Anyway - this is the first typing experience I've had on a tablet that makes it feel like a laptop. So what, you ask? So I was looking for a great typing experience for productivity reasons. And the keyboard (not folio) delivers this in spades. Yes the design integrates perfectly with the tablet. Yes the magnetic system and charging mechanism are awesome and very Apple-like (the old Apple that designed products to JUST WORK and perform so well it was almost magic). Yes the pitch is great - no your enter key is not identical to a laptop but you can get used to it (and I am not a great typist).
The real thing that makes a difference tho? Funny enough its that dang hinge. The ability to customize the angle of your screen is HUGE. Don't underestimate the difference 5 degrees makes when you are on your lap, then on an aircraft seat table, then at a restaurant - every bit is welcome and makes the experience BETTER.
So would I recommend the keyboard? If you are ponying up for this tablet (and lets be honest there are number of good alternatives at less cost), and you intend to do any amount of typing, do not think twice - buy the keyboard at the same time - you won't regret it.
Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk
davedigerati said:
It's worth every penny
As someone that bought the keyboard, heck I bought the Pixel BECAUSE of its keyboard - I also bought the excellent Dell 7840 and it's keyboard, and have 5 BT keyboards in various storage nooks around the house, used on my Note 10.1 or iPad original - so I know a thing or two about what I want. Oh, and I recently sold my semi-loved Chromebook Flip to help fund this beast of a tablet...
Anyway - this is the first typing experience I've had on a tablet that makes it feel like a laptop. So what, you ask? So I was looking for a great typing experience for productivity reasons. And the keyboard (not folio) delivers this in spades. Yes the design integrates perfectly with the tablet. Yes the magnetic system and charging mechanism are awesome and very Apple-like (the old Apple that designed products to JUST WORK and perform so well it was almost magic). Yes the pitch is great - no your enter key is not identical to a laptop but you can get used to it (and I am not a great typist).
The real thing that makes a difference tho? Funny enough its that dang hinge. The ability to customize the angle of your screen is HUGE. Don't underestimate the difference 5 degrees makes when you are on your lap, then on an aircraft seat table, then at a restaurant - every bit is welcome and makes the experience BETTER.
So would I recommend the keyboard? If you are ponying up for this tablet (and lets be honest there are number of good alternatives at less cost), and you intend to do any amount of typing, do not think twice - buy the keyboard at the same time - you won't regret it.
Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't doubt that the keyboard is high-quality, but that wasn't my concern. I already have very good BT keyboards and I don't mind not having the hinge. As far as I can tell, this keyboard doesn't have a home key? Does it have a "recents" key, or do you just Alt+Tab like on any other one? Right away I can see that since there's no right Alt I couldn't use US Int'l layout for Spanish characters very comfortably (imagine having to use only left Shift for caps). I would still have to use External Keyboard Helper I guess.
I think I'm in a similar situation as davedigerati. I used a Nexus 10 with a bluetooth keyboard for years previously. It was a very similar experience. At times, I'd get ddoouubbllee keys, but nothing major. Everyone can complain about the Android ecosystem, but I actually enjoy using Android w/ a keyboard (and a mouse!).
...but this keyboard 'feels' better. I'm not talking about the key action or even typing experience. The hinge and magnets makes it feel like a laptop. When I used my Nexus, I'd throw it in the laptop pouch of my backpack. My keyboard would go in the main section. With the Pixel C, it's much more like a laptop.
davedigerati said:
It's worth every penny...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I really like the keyboard, I'm not really sure I'm ready to say it's worth every penny. This thing was expensive! I generally have no use for backlit keyboards; the keys have all been in the same location for years....but since they've messed with some of the keys, it may have been useful. I'd take 1 month of battery life in exchange for backlit keys and some way to know the battery status.
The lack of some character keys is quite annoying. I mean, I guess I'll get used to pressing [...] + [shift] +[o] for a bracket (that took much longer to type than I'd like to admit), but it's not optimal. I'd also really appreciate a delete key or the ability to make [...] + [backspace] = delete.
Considering you can buy a nice, portable BT keyboard for around $30 and you could probably get a nice case for around $30; I'd say the Pixel C keyboard is at least worth $100. I mean, you're getting a solid keyboard that you don't have to worry about charging (ever), a ridiculously awesome magnetic hinge that functions as the best tablet stand I've ever seen, and protection for the tablet itself. It provides a nice, compact method to take both devices with you. Maybe the other $50 is covered by the aesthetics? So conflicted...
Android doesn't display the virtual "touch keyboard" when a hardware keyboard is detected and because of that, what's unique with the Pixel C keyboard is that the OS "knows" when to activate the hardware keyboard and not, depending on its position relatively to the tablet.
kgersen said:
Android doesn't display the virtual "touch keyboard" when a hardware keyboard is detected and because of that, what's unique with the Pixel C keyboard is that the OS "knows" when to activate the hardware keyboard and not, depending on its position relatively to the tablet.
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You mean if it's attached or not? Any BT keyboard will do the same when it's connected or disconnected. Android will activate the soft keys when the BT keyboard is no longer connected. For instance, with the Microsoft Foldable keyboard, I fold it, and Android enables the soft keys. I open it, and they get disabled. There is also a toggle to enable soft keys with the BT keyboard connected if you want.
andy o said:
You mean if it's attached or not? Any BT keyboard will do the same when it's connected or disconnected. Android will activate the soft keys when the BT keyboard is no longer connected. For instance, with the Microsoft Foldable keyboard, I fold it, and Android enables the soft keys. I open it, and they get disabled. There is also a toggle to enable soft keys with the BT keyboard connected if you want.
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if you take the tablet and move away from a BT keyboard while staying in BT range the OS doesn't switch to soft keys.
if you move the Pixel kb under it or away from it even a few centimeters the OS switches to soft keys. There is a positioning involved. That's just what I meant.
But I agree it's a minor feature.
Main advantage of this keyboard is the mechanicals - I find it so much nicer to use than my N9 from a holding or desktop position.