Develop Bugs

Question- Anyone using a BT keyboard?

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...

[Q] Asus Transformer-like Keyboard and Mouse?

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone of you know if samsung has a keyboard and mouse similar to that of the Asus Transfomer. I searched over amazon but I couldn't find anything. It is not necessarily made by Samsung, it could be made by other manufacturers.
http://cdn4.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/asus_transformer-625x499.png

Samsung has their own docking keyboard, which works fine. Next to that, as the keyboard is white, I have added a white wireless bluetooth mouse by Logitech, which works fine as well.
Who needs a laptop after that.

Doodle said:
Samsung has their own docking keyboard, which works fine. Next to that, as the keyboard is white, I have added a white wireless bluetooth mouse by Logitech, which works fine as well.
Who needs a laptop after that.
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Click to collapse
I've seen that but what's interesting about the Asus keyboard/mouse is that it is very slim and it can be folded while if you want to hold the samsung keyboard, you will have to use a both hands maybe

No, I use it in my lap as a keyboard without needing two hands. The connection is secure. The mail advantage of the keyboard are that it has a number of special keys, and that it does charge the Tab wile inserted in the keyboard. Mail disadvantage is that it does require you to use the samsung stock software keyboard on the tab. The external keyboard requires that.

SamerBerjawi said:
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone of you know if samsung has a keyboard and mouse similar to that of the Asus Transfomer. I searched over amazon but I couldn't find anything. It is not necessarily made by Samsung, it could be made by other manufacturers.
http://cdn4.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/asus_transformer-625x499.png
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Click to collapse
If you can get your hands on this official keyboard case, this I think beats the Asus transformer in style and portability, though battery life will take a toll since it's bluetooth. Problem is, I can't see any US vendors selling it.
http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-3126_7-10008260-4.html

i got the keyboard dock as well. Went with the white one instead of the new bluetooth keyboard from samsung with a folding case since i don't wanna use bluetooth to preserve battery life.
The advantage is that its rock steady in its position and you can easily have it your lap on teh bus for example. the downside is that you can adjust the angle. although i'm fine with the angle the way it is but they could have maybe made it a bit more adjustable somehow.
i also got the official usb adapter which i use for mouse, works so far with every mouse i've tried, and its snappy!
i would recommend a wireless mouse with a tiny usb dongle instead of bluetooth. mainly due to battery life. i'm getting one myself, just using a wired mouse atm.
on another note, the usb adapter works quite well also, even tho its a bit on the large side i'm content with it. to my own surprise i plugged in my old usb saitek cyborg gamepad (looks like a x360 controller only you can switch place with the d-pad and left analogue stick) and it worked perfectly with my emulators!
one suggestion on the usb adapter tho, if you're using it for mouse you are better of plugging in the mouse first and then plugging the adapter into the keyboard dock (with mouse already plugged in). Seems like a lot less risk of breaking it that way. that's why i don't like adatpers that much, but guess it's the price to pay when you get as slick and slim tablet as the galaxy tab. no UBS port from start. still it has better placement of the pin connector than ipad for example since you can't have it netbook style in apple's keyboard dock due to that fact, but the galaxy tab becomes just like a netbook when combined with the keyboard dock.
also the keyboard dock is not a hassle to bring along on the road and it feels sturdy and well built. and it's also about half the price of the new bluetooth keyboard with case, at least here in sweden. I might get the bluetooth one for portability since it's obviously a bit less space demanding, but not much compared to the keyboard dock. but at the current price i'll hold off a bit since i'm so satisfied with my solid keyboard dock. feels good to type on too IMO.
i'll end my rant now

Jnn1 said:
If you can get your hands on this official keyboard case, this I think beats the Asus transformer in style and portability, though battery life will take a toll since it's bluetooth. Problem is, I can't see any US vendors selling it.
http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-3126_7-10008260-4.html
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Click to collapse
I have this Samsung Folio BT Keyboard. Love it. Works very well. But for home i use the samsung charging kb dock. Love it too

Rapoo E6500 bluetooth keyboard for Android

Review: Rapoo E6500 bluetooth keyboard (written in Polaris Office w/E6500)
Ordered the Rapoo E6500 from eBay (seller name by request)(am not affiliated with the seller). Shipment tracking showed 2 days from Shenzen to San Francisco, then 4 more days to the Los Angeles area. Total cost was ~$50USD
Packaging was great, envelope was a watertight bubblewrap coccoon inside of which was another plastic bag around the boxed keyboard.
Pictures:
Bubble wrap: db.tt/10NloTOJ
Bag: db.tt/PDYz82QF
Box: db.tt/2ZFGBvD2
Keyboard: db.tt/NntCV3vS
Inside the box: the keyboard, a USB mini B cable and a manual.
The keyboard had just enough charge to pair - easy process although initially I missed that ENTER is required after the pairing code. I blame old eyes.
This version of the Rapoo is designed for Android in that the top row of keys (which double as Function keys) are hard-wired to: Home, Back, Search, Web, email, Rewind, Play/Pause, Fast Forward, Mute, Decrease Volume, Increase Volume, and finally, Lock.
At the bottom near the space bar is a Menu key which brings up the application menu.
I haven't figured out what the actual Function keys do or how to program them. In addition to F1-F12 there are FnPgUp, FnPgDn, Fn-Home, and FnEnd, all of which are handy to have.
Key action is good, F and J are embossed so touch typists can find them. Not being one of those I find myself adapting pretty well to the smaller layout but accuracy is not yet what I want.
Some quirks:
Del is right above Backspace but I don't find myself missing either often. Certainly hitting backspace a fair amount right now!
There is a Windows key; doesn't seem to do anything here.
The apostrophe and bracket keys are at the bottom right - I have to look to find them.
The unit is a sturdy steel tray with the logic board and battery bonded to the bottom back, giving it a wedge shape. The bottom front edge has little rubber feet. It has a power switch on the bottom and a physical connect button. So far it has auto-connected for me and so I haven't needed the connect button.
Best Feature: Build quality
Worst: CAPS LOCK - same gripe with every keyboard. Don't want it at all, especially doesn't need to be one of the biggest keys.
Will update with battery life information as it's learned.

Thanks for your review.
I almost purchased the E6300 for my Note (E6300 is the Apple iOS version), and luckily I found your review.
My only concern with the keyboard is that is it too small?
The last keyboard I had for a portable was a Sony PEGA-KB100 for Clie. It was about 240mm wide when open. I felt it was an excellent design with scissor key action and the key to key pitch was just right for my hands.
Could you measure the letter key sizes, and the approximate pitch from key to key?
Do you know if the key switch actions are scissors design?
Keith

Which version of Android are you using it with?
I have purchased the E6300 to use with my Nexus 7 (Android 4.1.2 stock) but I have to re-pair it every time i want to use it.
If I turn it off and then a bit later on again it connects just fine, but no key on the keyboard works.
I have this same problem on my Nexus 7 and my Droid 4 running 4.0.x
I have read reports from other people saying the keyboard used to work with Android 2.3 but having the same problem after upgrading to 4.x.
If you can confirm this keyboard works with android 4.x I will get mine exchanged.

I have also Nexus 7 and E6300. Disconnect problems drive me nut!!! Should I exchange it to E6500? I just want to be sure that E6500 has no problem...
Regards.

skd said:
I have also Nexus 7 and E6300. Disconnect problems drive me nut!!! Should I exchange it to E6500? I just want to be sure that E6500 has no problem...
Regards.
Click to expand...
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I got myself an E6500 and it works like a charm.
The keys tend to 'stick' if I have bluetooth mouse paired at the same time (e.g. pressing 's' results in 'ssssssssssssssssssss'), but this is more related to the Nexus 7 as it gets better or worse when switching between different kernels.

Ok many thanks. I have sold my E6300 and bought an E6500 from ebay
(I'm using lingo wireless usb mouse. I have heard problems about two bluetooth devices...)
Regards.

Best keyboard and mouse setup for your i9300

Hi Guys!
I've been wanting to get a decent wireless keyboard and mouse to use on my S3.
I've seen the cheap mini ones with a mouse pad on ebay, but I'd be after a proper mouse and a real enough sized keyboard to type with.
Has anyone tested the Apple bluetooth keyboard and the magic mouse? I see those as beneficial for transportation, flatter and easier to store away. Minus the price of course
I've seen that a few like Toshiba, Samsung, Motorola have done their own portable keyboards for such uses, but very few seem to have bluetooth mice any more which can be paired.
So, your ideas, XDA?

Pretty much after posting this I hopped on ebay and looked around. There were some cheap Motorola Atrix Work and Play Kits going, so I ordered one, not really caring about the dock it comes with. Arrived this morning.
The box was pretty heavy. The dock actually feels very solid and high quality, shame you cant use it here... unless I break one of the connectors off leaving just the micro usb........ tempting. But then it's still a bit oversized.
Onto the keyboard. Very solid, good feel with the keys, standard laptop size. Function keys for app shortcuts don't work (although they register a sound on the phone), but the media keys do. play/pause, stop, skip, volume up/down mute. Search (opens google now) menu key, home key, back key. Seems to be able to wake my phone and unlock it too
My only issue is it seems to be similar to the american keyboard layout. A couple of keys are different though, so it maybe some european country's standard.
The mouse I am pleased with. It's standard size for a mini-mouse, again feels solid. All buttons and scrolling work fine.
Now to try and make it work with various FPS games. I may have read in a few places that it's possible.

Kurai Kitsune said:
Function keys for app shortcuts don't work (although they register a sound on the phone)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have root go into /system/usr/keylayout/ and mod the text files, you should be able to assign them to anything as long as you know what code you want them to open, take a look at the atrix files to see what they were generating
Sent from my GT-I9300T using xda app-developers app

What does the keyboard do that any BT KB doesn't?

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
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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...
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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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.