The Ultimate PDA Keyboard

Late in 1999 I purchased a Visor PDA over the Internet. I’ve mentioned this flexible Palm OS mini-computer before in other View, and became aware of a product to make it even more flexible. Although I had seen it in early January, the add-on wasn’t available until May. A company called Think Beyond from Solana Beach, near San Diego, created this collapsible keyboard for the PDA market, and I finally had a chance to put this versatile tool trough its paces.

Using a cradle connected to my Mac, I synced the program that allows the keyboard to function with the Visor and was ready to use it.

I could learn to love this toy. It's more than a toy actually. It’s something I've been waiting anxiously for. I saw the prototype for the Stowaway in San Francisco at Macworld Expo in January, and finally here in early May I have it in my hands. Next week I'm attending a conference out of town and will be using this to write. I just know I'll be the envy of those around me who are taking notes with their heavy laptops, or worse yet, by hand. The problem with laptops for typing notes, aside from the aforementioned weight, is the the battery life. With my Visor, or any Palm device, the batteries last for well over a month of heavy use.

While attending the Computer Using Educators Spring Conference I was able to take session notes easily. I discovered that the Visor stayed in the cradle even when the attacked keyboard is turned sideways or even upside down. The keyboard can also be folded in half and will still function, although it is difficult to remember the key placements when typing upside down with your left hand.

By tapping on the down arrow key you can scroll quickly through any document.

The stowaway is also available for any Palm series computers, and even Windows CE PDAs. A friend of mine just got one and we were comparing the features. Although the look is identical, the connection is not as secure on the Palm III. That’s not a drawback, but my buddy was impressed when I turned the keyboard upside down and the Visor stayed attached. In his Palm it slipped out.

So far the only problem this keyboard exhibited was when I traveled to type these words is Mexico. I spent a weekend with my friends Andy and RoseAnn. I was visiting their cattle ranch just north of Ensenada and wanted to write at night. When I plugged the visor into the keyboard and activated the backlight to see what I typed in the dark, it failed to connect. I had to restart the Visor several times before I was able to activate the power-hungry backlight feature. It did finally work, but this is a minor problem that wouldn't stop me from making a purchase. I'm sure the next version of the connecting software will address this minor flaw.

Although I was happy with the GoType keyboard I purchased for my original Palm III, the Stowaway is a much better product. It has a solid feel to it and the keys are much more responsive. With the abilitiy to open into a full sized keyboard, I heartily reccommend this as a useful addition to anyone wanting to write away from their regular computer. Although the writing would be equivilent to a rough draft, being able to write anywhere at anytime with this lightweight solution is a major benefit.

Cost: $99.

Available: Comp USA, Staples and from the Targus site (check local stores for availability)