Sony to Release Mini-Keyboard for T Series

Posted By: Ed Tuesday, June 25, 2002 1:31:59 PM

Almost lost in the furor over the T665C was Sony's announcement that it will be releasing the Mini Keyboard PEGA-KB20. This connects to the HotSync port of any T-series handheld then clips onto the sides of the unit, covering the Graffiti area. It has a QWERTY keyboard layout and dedicated application buttons. It is $50 but Sony hasn't said yet when it will be available.

Because the T series uses a different HotSync port from the S and N series, this keyboard can not be used with those handhelds.

This is the first clip-on keyboard to be available for the T series. In fact, there has been a dearth of keyboards of any kind for new Sony models since the company had to change its HotSync connector to fit in the T415.

However, that may soon change. Belkin plans to release a folding keyboard for the T series in the near future. ThinkOutside says it will have a version of the Stowaway folding keyboard available sometime during the third quarter of this year.

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hmm .. wired to the serial !?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 1:46:29 PM #
cool never thought of that, that means as long as they keep this connector, this keyboard will pretty much fit all future models.
RE: hmm .. wired to the serial !?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 1:59:34 PM #
but it wont look good on the royal blue t615...i hope they release a blue t665 AND a blue keyboard...that would be awsome.
RE: hmm .. wired to the serial !?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/28/2002 7:27:23 AM #
Just give me a full sized keboard for touch typing for my T615C!!!!

I want it now. I dont want to wait until next quarter. Sony sort out your agrrements with stowaway. Do it now or I will buy another palm/pocket pc and never buy another sony product again.

RE: hmm .. wired to the serial !?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2002 5:11:19 PM #
Does anyone know of any plans to make a full-sized keyboard for the T665C. Cannot and will not purchase without it.
Thanks.
RE: hmm .. wired to the serial !?
Ed @ 7/31/2002 5:18:18 PM #
Yes, ThinkOutside will release one in August.

I have to point out that this was mentioned in a quickie posted today. You can learn a lot by checking our home page frequently.

---
News Editor

Devaluate Graffiti again?

johnwong @ 6/25/2002 2:39:14 PM #
It seems that sony also perfers keyboard to Graffiti?

RE: Devaluate Graffiti again?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 3:10:27 PM #
I think users are starting to vote against graffiti as well. I'm pretty good at it, and there are advantages, but keyboards are easier for the masses to use.

Wait until Palm dumps graffiti...

RE: Devaluate Graffiti again?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 3:10:58 PM #
No, Grafiti is good for certain uses but there is always a time and a place for a keyboard... example: a long document!
RE: Devaluate Graffiti again?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 3:28:36 PM #
>Wait until Palm dumps graffiti...

Then I'll dump Palm.

RE: Devaluate Graffiti again?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 3:32:00 PM #
Palm will never dump grafiti, it will be virtual, which should make everyone happy :)
RE: Devaluate Graffiti again?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 4:23:08 PM #
Once you've dumped Palm theres's nowhere to go: Handspring: no more Graffitie, Sony Clié: the graffiti-end is nigh (is this the correct spelling?), others: busy making smartphones.
Greetings, still a Graffity user.
RE: Devaluate Graffiti again?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 8:32:34 AM #
>Once you've dumped Palm theres's nowhere to go

Handspring will be dead long before Graffiti. Sony shows no indication of dropping it, nor Palm actually.
Who cares what so-called smartphone makers do, that's a technogeek niche market, anyway. As long as there is a demand, manufacturers will meet it, whether Graffiti or thumbboard or both.

Clarification on the NR series?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 2:49:12 PM #
Hi! I know the article says that it won't work with the S or N series but I was wondering if it would work with the NR series?
RE: Clarification on the NR series?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 2:55:46 PM #
What?! An external thumbboard for an NR that has a thumbboard?

Regardless whether it can or can't, what would be the point? That's like buying an external Graffiti pad or something.

RE: Clarification on the NR series?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 3:06:03 PM #
why the heck would anyone want to add another thumb board the the NR series?
RE: Clarification on the NR series?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 3:26:50 PM #
Of course it will work since NR series uses T series connecter. Why the heck would you want an external keypad when you have one built in? Why ask a question like that?
RE: Clarification on the NR series?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 3:46:11 PM #
"Why ask a question like that?"

Because he's either stupid or thinks you're stupid enough to answer.

RE: Clarification on the NR series?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 3:56:51 PM #
Well, it could potentially give you a keyboard without having to deal with the stupid flip-twist-fold display/keyboard.
RE: Clarification on the NR series?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 4:08:15 PM #
if you think the flip twist is stupid why get a NR in the first place.
RE: Clarification on the NR series?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 4:18:12 PM #
Positive, look at the picture ..

http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/ktai/contents/resource/image/20020614/me04.jpg

RE: Clarification on the NR series?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 7:41:39 PM #
Or maybe he just wanted to know whether the T series accessories could work with the NR series, you idiots!
RE: Clarification on the NR series?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 8:16:26 PM #
The hard buttons are also on the keyboard... Aha! Two player games! One person holding the NR, the other using the mini-keyboard...

Better pictures

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 3:47:01 PM #
www.zdnet.co.jp/mobile/0206/03/n_hamadaclk.html

I wonder how the tactile feedback is compared to the NR70 series built-in thumbboard...

Rob

RE: Better pictures
somas1 @ 6/25/2002 6:30:45 PM #
If the standard application buttons are better on this keyboard than on the Clie, can we make the Clie T's into better gaming machines with these keyboards?

"It is cost $50?"

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 4:05:06 PM #
Just thought that I would key you in on the typo

Dimensions?

ardee @ 6/25/2002 4:20:17 PM #
Dimensions (especially width)? Do you have a picture of it attached?


RE: Dimensions?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 7:05:08 PM #
Uhh, click on the first picture (the one of the keyboard w/o any wires). It links to a picture connected to the handheld.

Keyboard is the undisputed future

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 4:31:41 PM #
Keyboard is the undisputed future HS lead the way !!!!
RE: Keyboard is the undisputed future
Beavis @ 6/25/2002 6:54:40 PM #
Handspring couldn't find its way out of a paper bag

RE: Keyboard is the undisputed future
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 8:19:46 PM #
"Handspring couldn't find its way out of a paper bag"

Maybe, but at least they could use a Treo to call for directions!

RE: Keyboard is the undisputed future
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/25/2002 8:33:37 PM #
no no...you are wrong. handspring couldnt find a way to get herself IN a paperbag to begin with.
RE: Keyboard is the undisputed future
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 7:58:42 AM #
Handspring was once the second largest seller of paper bags. They only allowed you to put Springboards in them and they weren't upgradable, but they provided good features for the cost. Then Handspring decided to dump their old paper bags and move to plastic bags. Only the cheapest of their new plastic bags holds anything at all (but not even the Springboards they built their market on), plus they still aren't upgradable and you can't even write on them. Much worse, the plastic bag market has many more competitors that sell at vastly lower prices and in far higher quantities. Now Handspring isn't competitive in any market.
RE: Keyboard is the undisputed future
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/26/2002 11:23:59 AM #
Handspring had some decent products, but now they just plain are struggling to survive. Handspring will probably be bought out by some company soon.

More usable than the NR keyboard?

LanMan @ 6/26/2002 10:57:19 AM #
The extra width of this keyboard may allow it to be a little more "usable" than the built-in NR-series keyboard. However, it looks a little klunky attached to the T-series form factor. What is the cord on top of the thing, a lanyard connector?

<><
RE: More usable than the NR keyboard?
s_n_m @ 6/28/2002 11:51:45 AM #
yeah, so u can put it in your pocket w/o losing it.

Will there be any cases designed for the t and keyboard?

And btw-palm themselves make keyboards for m500's and i705's

graffiti's gone...

RE: More usable than the NR keyboard?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/27/2002 3:12:07 PM #
so can you just clip this thing on and just keep it on or is it too large and flimsy compared to built in?
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