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Still Does Not Work With 755p
User: Dan Bloemer, Oct 17, 2007
Pros:
Nice layout, great feel.
Cons:
Annoying clicks, battery drain.
I can confirm and update Geralds June 2006 comment that it does not work properly with the 755p (yet). Before purchasing, I called iGo/Think Outside/Mobility Electronics (three names for the same company!) to ask if the keyboard supported the 755p yet. The rep I spoke with confirmed that it did, so I purchased one here at TreoCentral. Unfortunately, there are two major driver problems, even with the version 4.2 driver I recently downloaded from the website.
The first problem is that whenever the keyboard.prc driver is installed on the treo 755p, it makes two annoying clicks every two minutes (the same sound as made when a key is pressed on the treo), even when the keyboard driver is supposedly disabled using its preferences screen. While some might consider this a minor issue, I keep my treo with me almost everywhere (I use it as an alarm clock as well as a phone and PDA). The clicking is loud enough to disturb me when trying to go to sleep. In addition, when it clicks during the day and I am not using the treo, it makes me think I forgot to turn the treo off and am inadvertently pressing keys on the treo keyboard. The clicking is bothersome enough to make me consider this a major issue.
Secondly, when the keyboard driver is installed (again, even if it is "disabled" by its preferences), the treo battery life is greatly diminished. I found that my 755p, with a two-month-old standard battery, would only last about six hours before completely dying. Normally, I get more than a days worth of usage before the treo shuts itself off for a low battery condition. It seems likely that the keyboard drivers power management code needs to be updated to work properly with the 755p. Deleting the "Keyboard" application and resetting the treo returns the treo to normal battery life (and stops the clicking).
The only work-around I have found for these issues is to delete the keyboard driver and reset the treo when not using the keyboard. When you want to use the keyboard again, copy keyboard.prc back to main memory and re-pair with the keyboard. Note that you cant download keyboard.prc directly you must run the setup.exe that comes inside the zipped driver file from their website, then (before Hotsyncing) copy keyboard.prc from your \Palm\[username]\Install folder to your miniSD card. That way, it is available for copying back to main memory whenever you want to use the keyboard. This is a pretty kludgy work-around, but it does work.
When I wrote iGos support about the clicking (I had not yet noticed the rapid battery drain), this was the reply I received (after four business days):
"Hi Dan,
It may be a problem with the driver that is causing the Treo to click like that. I was not aware of this happening on the 755p, but have heard of it on differrent models and it usually drains the battery in about 4 hours until the driver is removed. We do not have a fix for this issue at this time and recommend you return the keyboard to the store of purchase and obtain a refund. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Best Regards,
iGo Product Support"
Another small annoyance is that the keyboard is clearly targeted more at Windows operating systems, since it includes Alt, Windows, PrtSc, ScrLk, and similar keys. In addition, the four application keys on the right side of the keyboard have icons that dont match the ones on the treo. After awhile, a user would remember which key worked for which application (plus, you can customize the Fn-number keys to call specific applications), so I dont consider this a major shortcoming.
Im also sorry to say that they went with a glossy metallic look to the outside of the keyboard, similar to many new laptops, rather than the flat black of the original Stowaway keyboard. Sorry, it may look great when brand new, but it shows fingerprints terribly after you pick it up the first time (they even include a fingerprint-wiping cloth with the keyboard). I much prefer a matte finish that looks good even after much use. It does come with a thin neoprene carrying case to protect it when traveling.
On the plus side, the keyboard does have full, standard key spacing and depth, plus a full row of number keys. The keys feel great, very similar to the renowned ThinkPad keyboard such as the one Im typing this review on. A great improvement over the keyboard driver that came with my original Stowaway keyboard for the Palm Universal Connector is that you now have access to Home and End functions, as well as Word Left and Word Right navigation. Those functions were all missing in the original keyboard. This keyboard uses much of the same mechanical design as the original. When assembled, you can type on it in your lap (with each side supported by one thigh), although it bows slightly downward in the middle. You cant support it in the middle, however, or it will fold up. It should work fine on an airplane tray, and it comes with a removable stand to hold up the treo so you can easily see the screen. The design is clearly engineered for light weight rather than robust strength (my uncalibrated kitchen scale says 11 oz. or 312g, incl. battery), so I recommend being gentle with its mechanism when opening or closing it. Like the older model, however, it is strong enough to work well as long as you dont abuse it.
The driver now offers a secure connection mode. This could be important since you are sending your keystrokes using radio, in contrast to the direct connection of the original model. However, I dont know if this mode offers truly strong security or mere prevention against casual eavesdropping. Historically, writing software to provide strongly secure transmissions has proved surprisingly difficult, even with todays free availability of well-tested algorithms such as AES.
Overall, the keyboard is well-designed, and the software (except for the clicking and inoperative power management features) seems to work properly. If you are buying this for one of the older treos, perhaps it will work fine for you. It is certainly easier for extensive typing than the built-in treo keyboard. However, if you have a 755p, Id recommend waiting until a new version of the driver (later than 4.2) is available before buying it, unless you are willing to put up with the limitations of the current driver and the work-around I described above. Assuming they fix the driver problem, Id give the product four stars (reserving one because the keyboard layout isnt PalmOS-specific enough). Well worth the price if you travel a lot, and dont want to break out and boot up a full notebook just to do some typing.
Does NOT work with 755p
User: gerald posner, Jun 8, 2007
I bought this for my 755p- it does not work with it - will hook up to treo as a trusted bluetooth device, etc. but won't type - stowaway tech says they don't have a driver for it yet nor does palm
WAIT - it's not 755p compatible yet
Does NOT work with 700p
User: Joe Brown, Jan 18, 2008
Does NOT work with Treo 700p.
I tried multiple different drivers (there isnt one directly for the 700p???), and none work. Resets phone, sometimes in loops, until you hard reset and backup.
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