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'Roll-Away' keyboard

By jamiebennett - Posted on July 10th, 2008
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A few times now on the N800 I have found myself wanting to do something more than finger type with the on screen keyboard (OSK). Usually I can type quite fast with it but when you are doing complicated character, symbol and number input it can be a royal pain in the (you can guess the rest). So my solution?

I went and ordered a 'roll away' keyboard from ebuyer.com (direct link here). It's a £4.99 lightweight and ultra-slim silicone keyboard which looked great for my travelling needs.

The nexos keyboard looks great but practically, in use, it's pretty dire. I find myself hammering the keys because if you don't, it doesn't register the presses. It's slow to type on and I'm pretty sure that my words per minute is better with the OSK than with the nexos. Shame really as I though this could be the answer to a more useful tablet for me.

To balance the argument, my logitech hard (as in not silicone) usb keyboard works a treat although its a little less portable.

Rollaway keyboards
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/15/2008 - 15:21.

I tried a similar setup and found typing too cumbersome to be worth it.
Glad to hear the slow key registering is a trait of the funky keyboard not the Nokia USB Keyboard interface, I'll have to try it again with a regular one.

another keyboard
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 07/11/2008 - 14:31.

I got the iGo Stowaway keyboard, and I'm mostly happy with it. It folds up nicely and has decent key feel for the size. The only problems I have with it are:

  • it seems to suck batteries while closed somehow, so I've taken to reversing one of the batteries in the case so that it doesn't work. When I want to use the keyboard, I just flip the battery back around the right way
  • there is no support under the right and left edges (just in the center) so if you bang the enter key too hard the entire keyboard tilts and flops around on the table.

Other than that it's a really nifty device and I recommend it.

Logitech diNovo mini
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 07/11/2008 - 12:24.

Hi Jamie,

Another solution which works great for me is to use the Logitech diNovo Mini keyboard. It sports Bluetooth and pairs flawlessly with the NIT.

Sure, it's a thumb keyboard but it has proven to be quite comfortable, portable, and practical for me.

Marty

big block on the LHS
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 07/11/2008 - 11:09.

What's the big "key" on the left hand side? is it just where the electrics are held? From the pictures on ebuyer, it looks like it's labelled as Caps Lock, which would make it the biggest capslock key in history.....

(Plus - just found your blog: don't suppose you'll be attending LugRadio Live UK next weekend? http://www.lugradio.org/live/UK2008/ )

It is the CAPS key
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 07/11/2008 - 12:38.

Yes, the 'key' acts as a caps lock key but its also where the electrics are.

As for LugRadio Live, yes, I'll be there :)

http://linuxuk.org/node/16
http://linuxuk.org/node/29

If any readers are attending the event, come say hi.