New Keyboard and Case Coming for Sony's T Series

Posted By: Ed Thursday, June 13, 2002 8:14:16 AM

Belkin has announced that it will soon be releasing the G700 Series Portable PDA Keyboard. When open, the G700 is a full-sized keyboard. However, its interlocking design allows it to fold up. This is the first keyboard to directly support Sony's T series. There will also be a version for Palm's Universal Connector. The G700 series will be available June 24 for $80.

Dr. Palm is close to releasing a new flipcase made of black leather for the T series. The cover is closed with a magnetic clasp.

The Clié is held in place by two arms, though it can slide relatively easily between these. Because the sides are mostly open, the Jog Dial and speaker port on the T650C can be used. By sliding the handheld down farther between the arms, the user can HotSync and charge in the cradle without needing to remove the handheld from the cover.

This case is still in production and it will be available on June 18.

Thanks to Reggie for the tip. -Ed

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There ya go Adam!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 8:26:15 AM #
Who said no accessories?


G.

RE: There ya go Adam!!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 3:34:12 PM #
It was at my Circuit City Last Night. I would have bought it instantly, but I want to see the new sony small keyboard first.

Keyboard - WooHoo!

chybinj @ 6/13/2002 9:42:17 AM #
Finally, a keyboard for the T series connector - which means that it *should* work with the NR series too (which is what I am using for my primary PDA now)

Looks a lot like the Compaq 3800 series keyboard - which is very nice to use.

Regards - John

RE: Keyboard - WooHoo!
ssummer @ 6/13/2002 10:21:09 AM #
I'm curious, is there that much difference between typing on the NR's built-in thumboard versus a folding keyboard to justify the additional purchase?

RE: Keyboard - WooHoo!
Roy @ 6/13/2002 10:21:30 AM #
Not sure for NR. It says T series. Yes, same connector, but will the NR seat the same way in the keyboard as the T would? I would love a keyboard for my NR too, for really long reports/memos. But I don't think this is going to work with the NR. I'll wait til Aug for the Stowaway.

Maybe this will work, hopefully I'm wrong.

Roy

RE: Keyboard - WooHoo!
robrecht @ 6/13/2002 10:30:04 AM #
In my experience there is a big difference between using the NR70's thumbboard and a full-size keyboard. Although the NR70's thumbboard seems quite good, much better than that of the Treo, you can't touch type on a thumbboard and therefore speed is greatly reduced for longer text.

Thanks, Robrecht
RE: Keyboard - WooHoo!
chybinj @ 6/13/2002 10:32:49 AM #
SSummer - while the thumb board is nice to have and it comes in handy, I would really like a full KB for typing longer documents, etc. Of course, your's and others mileage may vary on that one...to each their own I suppose.

Roy - I hope it does work. Looking at the larger photo of the "T" with the keyboard, it looks as if it is resting on a platform and that there is no physical connection @ the bottom of the Kbd other than the port. But then again my glases are a little dirty right now ;-) Anyhow, this is different than the thinkoutside units that have those connectors molded to the shape of a particular machine (from my past experences anyhow, I think that changes with the palm Universal Connector)- but we'll see. Hopefully, I can try one out at PCExpo in NYC in a few weeks.

Regards - John

RE: Keyboard - WooHoo!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 3:12:30 PM #
Hi,

Is is definite that a stowaway will be available in August of the NR? I really want one, but was under the impression that they weren't going to make one.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

RE: Keyboard - WooHoo!
rsuplido @ 6/13/2002 3:35:03 PM #
Here are more pictures of the Belkin keyboard:

http://www.cliesource.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?thread=000067



Reggie
http://www.cliesource.com

RE: Keyboard - WooHoo!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 8:35:07 PM #
So...can anyone confirm: will with work the the NR series?
RE: Keyboard - WooHoo!
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/15/2002 1:43:23 AM #
The press release doesn't mention the Clié NR-Seies, so this is not very likely.

"the G700 Series Portable PDA Keyboard will be available for the following handhelds: Palm m500, m125, m130, and i705 series(F8P3502); Sony® CLIÉ™ T series (F8Y1501); and the Toshiba® e310 series (F8A1500)."

Another leather case?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 10:42:12 AM #
Dr. Palm should have released a flip-top hard case for the T series...just like the one they released for the N series...

Whats the point of buying a leather case that offers no side protection? this case is basically just an extention of the leather flip cover included with the clie.

another bad product.

RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 11:51:19 AM #
I would prefer a hard case as well. I have asked "Dr. Palm", and they have told me in an e-mail (dated May 15) that "we are not planning to do the hardcase for Sony Clie T615 at the moment". Maybe they'll change their minds?

- Rene

RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 6:33:40 PM #
Put me down for a case similar to the flip cases made for the Palm V / M5505 / M515 by paralleldesign (www.paralleldesign.com). I had one for my Palm V and loved it. So much so that's it's availability was almost enough to make up opt for the M515 over the T615. A version of it for the Sony, that connected to the built-in hooks in the back and with a magnetic closure would be fantasic, IMHO. Even better, a titanium version.
RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 12:12:19 AM #
those cases look nice....but they only cover the screen.....i would worry about pushing the buttons accidentally when the clie is in my pocket.
RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 9:19:27 AM #
Here's a second vote for a T-compatable ParallelDesign cover. If anyone reading this has a Palm V- or 500- series, *go there and check it out*. All it does is hard-protect the screen, and you can use the buttons and read through the screen. It's the thinnest and lightest hard screen protector out there.

I sent them a note earlier this week begging for a model to fit my T615C; haven't heard anything back yet.

RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 12:54:09 PM #
I really love this case. This case is similar as XIGMA PDA case design but it is too much colourful on it. I love all black style. It can shows up all the CLIE style with brand name. Where I can buy it?
RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 1:16:15 PM #
It looks great and found it in:

http://www.seidioonline.com/store/dynamicIndex.asp

Is it coming from company?


RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 1:22:24 PM #
Is it compatible with new coming CLIE T655. Where I can buy it?

I found the review from:

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/xigma-clie-tseries-review.html

RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 1:35:20 PM #
This leather cases is ideal for dynamic, young professionals who value uniqueness and style. The U-clip design allows more of the PDA to be seen and allows the PDA to be easily removed or replaced.
RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 1:53:03 PM #
For CLIE T655? I'm not so sure this is a good case for the new coming T655...you would have to open the case to take pictures (for the most part). And I can't see how easy to access the Jog Dial, speaker port and another buttons.
RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 1:59:26 PM #
This is great! Most of Palm V and M505 case are using pen holder design without side protection.

This is ideal for executive.

RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 9:07:39 PM #
"For CLIE T655? I'm not so sure this is a good case for the new coming T655...you would have to open the case to take pictures (for the most part)"

What are you talking about?

RE: Another leather case?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/15/2002 10:20:15 PM #
Original SONY CLIE leather case also hasn't the side protection. I don't think it has any issues.

http://shop.brando.com.hk/cliet615ccase.php

NR series keyboard

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 11:40:01 AM #
I wonder if they might come up with a smaller keyboard for the NR series. I have extremely small hands. In fact, they each are only two inches across. Do you think they will be coming up with a keyboard attatchment for the NR series this size?

Compare to Palm keyboard?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 12:04:33 PM #
How does this folding keyboard compare to the Palm Portable Keyboard a.k.a. the Stowaway keyboard?

-Jeff

RE: Compare to Palm keyboard?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 12:22:39 PM #
I haven't worked all the bugs out of my time machine yet (Julius Caesar says 'Hi', BTW) so I won't be able to tell you until it is out on June 24th.
RE: Compare to Palm keyboard?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 1:43:15 PM #
" haven't worked all the bugs out of my time machine yet (Julius Caesar says 'Hi', BTW) so I won't be able to tell you until it is out on June 24th."


WEIRDO. =P

Too expensive?

popko @ 6/13/2002 12:36:07 PM #
Well, this looks like a nice keyboard. But they are asking for $80 ... oh well.

Does any company that makes a keyboard where all you have to do is get a new adaptor of some kind in order to use the keyboard with a different kind of handheld. I just found buying new keyboard evey time I change/upgrade my handheld is getting more expensive than I can afford.

RE: Too expensive?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2002 7:56:20 AM #
For the Palm products, you might look at midwestpcbdesigns.com for adapters. I don't know of anyone making adapters across different PDA manufacturers...
RE: Too expensive?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/15/2002 2:22:07 AM #
check out the Pocketop KB that uses an infared [therefore universal] link. They're still working out kinks with drivers but it will work for various brands of Palm OS pdas, including Sony Clies. see Cliesource.com for ongoing discussion.
RE: Too expensive?
Ed @ 6/15/2002 10:14:00 AM #
You can read more about the Pocketop wireless keyboard here:
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=3493

However, if you are looking into it because you think the Belkin keyboard is too expensive, the suggested price for the Pocketop one is $120, though people have found it in stores for less.

---
News Editor

Jot

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 1:00:34 PM #
Is there any character recognition program out there that is being keept current?

Jot, Teal Script and other have not been updated in years, and they do not work with the NR.

RE: Jot
Kaitou @ 6/13/2002 1:53:07 PM #
Both Jot and TealScript work with the NR actualy, TealScript better then Jot though. Jot doesn't know when you minimize the graffiti area, and keeps letting you write, so you can't select things that would normaly be covered up. TealScript doesn't have that problem.

I actually have this keyboard

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 5:11:41 PM #
I have been looking fo this type of Product, however as many of you know, the 3rd party accessories market for Sony Clies have been fairly light.

As mentioned in the Review of the NR-70V, If you have to do extended "writing" then Graffiti can give me writer's cramps. A keyboard of any type makes things much easier as Handspring has officially recognized.

So far the keyboard is very convenient.

I was concerned about the Tactile Feedback of the Keyboard, but so far it's been OK. Touchtyping is fairly easy and quick once you get used to the proportionately smaller size.

The actual keys are slightly noticeably smaller though and I find myself hitting 2 keys by accident because they are so close together.

What is cool about the keyboard is the Closed Size and the mechanism that expands/contracts the Keyboard.

Closed, the Keyboard is the same thickness of the Clie 615C with stock Cover and is about 5.75" x 3.75".

The Keyboards expands in a way similar to an IBM Notebook with a "butterfly" keyboard that IBM made 5-6 years back. The Trick here is that the outer quarter (outer 25% of the Keyboard Slides OVER the Center Keys. What is Slick is that the Keyboard Expands and Contracts just by pulling on the edges of the Keyboard. The only concern I have is the "fragility" of this slick mechanism (but this would be true of the Stowaway Keyboard from Targus et al).

Additionally another cool feature is that the Keyboard comes with a Power Connector/Adapter/Dongle that let you connect the Sony Power Adapter (that usually connect the the cradle) to the Keyboard and charge the Clie.

In general I am very happy with the Device and features and think it is the cleanest implementation of an Add On keyboard and am only concerned with the "fragility" of the Slick mechanism.

That's my 2 Cents review so far, however I will leave it to those more experienced reviewers and knowledgable experts on Software and Compatibility to review this product more thoroughly.

Hope this helps

John

RE: I actually have this keyboard
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 5:47:23 PM #
where did you get it??????
RE: I actually have this keyboard
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 5:50:46 PM #
Circuit City in New Jersey
RE: I actually have this keyboard
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 7:02:21 PM #
does the NR fit it too?
RE: I actually have this keyboard
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 7:04:31 PM #
I believe that the Physical Connector is the same, however the Software Driver that must be loaded into the Clie might just be for 615c's....

This Software driver is required because if you try to connect the keyboard without the driver and hit any key, the Clie goes into Sync Mode (it must interpret a button click as a Sync Click).

John

RE: I actually have this keyboard
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2002 9:36:11 PM #
John, I also saw your post on Cliesource. I honestly like the review. But by the way, are you involved in Belkin sales?
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