The PalmOS Minute - Using Larger Keyboards
Posted on Monday, July 08 @ 17:49:12 PDT by Carl Brooks
In our hurried hectic world, people are looking for things that are fast--like fast food, fast cash from the ATM, even fast credit. The PalmOS Minute is intended for those in a hurry. Used as a supplement to its full online Palm resource site, Palmloyal.com, it is designed as an attention-getting thought-starter that will encourage individuals to apply PalmOS principles and practices to their daily lives. This week we are examining ways to improve input into the PalmOS device. Today we will take a minute to look at some keyboard accessories that allow you to have nearly PC-like keyboard entry input into the Palm device.
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Boy: Watch this! (taking his hands off the handlebars) Look Mom, no
hands!
Mom: Be careful, that's not how you ride a bicycle!
Carl Brooks: It is cool to be able to do things with one hand (or no hands), but it's a whole lot better to do it with two hands. The PalmOS device have become much more than the simple organizers that it was portrayed as a few years back. These tiny computers are
capable of doing many different task that previously was only possible on
desktop or laptop computer. Using Graffiti is like the kid riding the bike
without holding the handlebars; it works great for short intervals. As more and
more complex programming come to the PalmOS device, we will continue to look at
alternative input methods. Using a near full-sized keyboard is better for longer
input intervals or when you need to input tons of texts away from the desktop.
Using a full-size keyboard is like grasping the handle bars with both hands and
going the distance.
I define a keyboard as a separate physical device that attaches to PalmOS device and allows both hands to be used to input into the PalmOS device. There are different options for going to a keyboard.
The smallest of the keyboards is the Glidepoint PDA Pocket Keyboard. Cirque's
Pocket Keyboard™ provides a simple, intuitive and affordable input solution
for the PDA user. The Pocket Keyboard has capacitive touch keys a design that
allows it to fit into a shirt pocket. There is a model for most branded PalmOS
devices, except the Sony brands. It 3.850 in. long, 2.685 in. wide, with a depth
of 0.400 in. and a weight of 1.9 oz.. It is powered by two (2) CR2032 Lithium
Coin Cells. Price: $29-$42.
Next in line, in regards to physical dimensions, is Landware's GoType.
GoType!'s rigid, field proven single piece design involves no complex moving
parts, just open the protective clam-shell hood, drop in your handheld and start
typing. That's it. No additional cable hookup or battery is required. There is a
model for most branded PalmOS devices, except the Sony brands. Weighing less
than 12 ounces, and measuring 10" x 4" x 1",
the design includes an integrated protective hood that closes and protects the
keyboard when not in use. Price: $40-$50. It is study enough to use on your lap.
The Goliath of the bunch is Think Outside's Portable Keyboard - Stowaway. The
Stowaway's full size keys and spacing won't cramp your fingers, and it
delivers the same tactile feedback of the best notebook computers. Full size
when you use it and pocket size when you carry it, Stowaway is the no-compromise
keyboard you can take anywhere. Ships for For: Palm m100/105, III, i705, V/Vx,
VII & m125/500/505 - Handspring Visor Deluxe, Prism, & Platinum - Sony
CLIE S300-320, N610CS-CV & N710C - Kyocera QCP-6035. It requires a
pretty flat surface for use, as it will want to fold if used in your lap. Price:
$79-$109. Also sold under the Targus brand.
I have the Stowaway Palm III version for my Palm IIIc. I use mine whenever I am in a meeting or at school - times when I am away from the PC for a length of time and need to input a lot of text.
There is a good chance one of these will fit your style and device.
Amazon.com
normally carries some of the keyboards for less
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Want to listen to Audible books on your PDA? All you have to do visit Audible.com to signup for their program and start listening to great books. Let them know we sent you there, enter our username, godschoice, when you register at Audible.com. AudibleReady® Palm Handhelds include the Tungsten C, Tungsten T Series, and Zire 71. All models play Audible formats 2 and 3 and can hold up to 64 hours of Audible audio using a 256 MB expansion card. Remember, when asked "If an Audible customer referred you, please enter that person's username", please enter godschoice.
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The New Palm Smartphones: Whether the Palm OS (Verizon Wireless 700p or Sprint 700p ) or the Windows Mobile (Verizon Wireless 700w) is your mobile cup of tea, Palm delivers the palm Treo 700. More memory, better camera and faster Internet speeds than what the fantastic Treo 650 (Unlocked,Cingular,Sprint) provides.
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Re: The PalmOS Minute - Using Larger Keyboards (Score: 0) by Anonymous on Thursday, July 11 @ 15:33:39 PDT
Great article.
Couple of other data entry methods I need and use.
First, most portable way is to use virtual/ on-screen keyboard. Fitaly?
Second, Q-Pad from thinkDevice (www.tdevice.com). It is a keyboard built in to a slim leather case. I find this to be most compact keyboard that is real keyboard that I can use anywhere.
Third, if I really have a lot of typing, I will type on my desktop PC then hotsync.
Why bother with slightly less than laptop keyboard which is difficult to carry around.
But, if I am away from my desktop PC and my laptop, and I need to type multiple pages of text then folding full size keyboard will be my next choice.
Thanks for the good article.
Robert
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