iTECH Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard --- A Real Taste of Virtual Reality!!

Specifically for rossall, but anyone who can help I would be VASTLY appreciative. My wife just got me this for my UX-50, but I cannot get it to connect. I tried to follow the directions rossall had posted, including downloading the driver from I-Tech instead of using the CD. I simply cannot get the miserable things to connect. The UX-50 sees the VKB just fine but I get that acursed Serial Timeout error. I-Tech's FAQ says to clear the BT cache if that's the proble. There's no way to clear cache from the Palm Setting front-end, so I had to blow it away through the file utility. The VKB beeps during the negotiation, but that's all - the blue LED simply flashes & doesn't stay lit at any point. Please, please, some concrete help for this would be greatly appreciated! Like I said, my wife got this for me as a belated birthday present & she would be very upset if I can't get it to work with my UX-50 (she's been saving money from her student work for the last 6 months to get this thing!) Thanks in advance!

Check Directron.com, they have it at $129.99

Two questions,

1. On a normal keyboard, there's a feel (read sensitivity) for the keys as you press them. With this device, you're just pressing on flat surface. Was this hard to get used to?

2. I noticed that it works fine with a Nokia 6680 series phone... would this be the same with the Nokia 6682?

I've just bought one yesterday. I don't understand why this many people have problems with this keyboard. It took about 5 minutes to figure it out how to pair it with my pda. First I tried to do it on my own and it didn't seem to work, but then I retried it according to the manual and everything went smoothly.
As for the performance of the vkb, I must say that it is superb! Lowering the sensitivity to level 2 made it possible to have accuracy above 94% in TypingMaster Pro with a Net Speed of 21 WPM (Word Per Minute). Since I am almost a newbie at touch typing, I think it is quite good after 3-4 hours of practice. Just for the record, on plain old keyboard I have a 98% accuracy at around 28 WPM. I think it's just a matter of practice and everything's gonna work very well.
I've made several tests to see how accurate the key recogniton system of the vkb is, and at sensitivity level 2 it is almost impossible to type a different key instead of what you mean to type. When your fingers are not in place, eg. a half key away from ASDF or JKL;, then it won't recognize any of the keys, as you would be pressing the separating lines between the keys.
All in all, I highly recommend this keyboard to anyone!

Would you please be so kind to write us the website where you bought your VKB?

And please share to us the price as well. I thank you for the understanding and support.

Update on that. Got it working. Used the 4.5.9 PalmOS drivers from here (wrongly labelled 5.4.9):
http://www.laser-keyboard.com/downloads.asp

Proceeded as in my previous comment, not as in the manual. Not sure what I did that finally made it work, but once paired it reconnects with the Sony as intended, by running the driver and answering that this is not the first connection.

Once working I was also able to install Blue Fang to manage the Bluetooth on the Sony. This avoids the need to turn it on and off manually. However, I would not recommend running with Blue Fang until the basic driver works.

I've been experimenting with the keyboard and a Sony Clie UX50, which is a Palm OS5 machine and so would be likely to work. Results so far follow - I am hoping others can give hints to get me further as this is a bit "So near, but yet so far":

mjlaris is right on two points - throw the manual away (at least for the UX50), and connection after pairing is a problem - so don't pair first. If you don't, you can instead establish your first connection and pair during the process.

To do this, tell the keyboard driver to connect, let the UX50 discover the keyboard and then click on its name. Nothing much will happen - type a pairing key into the keyboard anyway, and the UX50 comes up with a dialogue asking for the same pairing key to be entered. "0000" will do fine at both ends. Don't save the keyboard as a trusted device, or you won't be able to connect again without deleting the pairing at both ends.

Also, the provided OS5 driver doesn't seem to work - I had more success with an independent program:
http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=software.showsoftware&PartnerREF=&siteid=1&prodID=58484

That works, but it seems to be owned by Northstar (judging by the About screen) and the feedback about the author on that page is not good, so I only have the crippled demo (no A or Z). Once connected as above, the connection drops if you go straight from the driver screen to the Clie desktop, so you have to use a hardware button to go to the calendar app and then to the desktop, and hence to an editor to use the keyboard. You'll probably have to reset the keyboard (and probably clear its end of the pairing using the key sequence marked on the back) to connect a second time.

Hope this all makes sense. As I said, it sort of works with the UX50 but there is more to do to make it reliable enough to use in anger.

Oh, and it is a US keyboard - no way to change that as far as I can see.

I've just got a BT VKB for my iPAQ 6340...Impressive until actually trying to conect it to the iPAQ.

It "pairs" but won't communicate; this despite re-installing several times (including 40 minutes online to TMTI who apparently assume that any problem is down to users being unable to follow written instructions).

They recommended downloading the latest installation disk (it came with 2.1). I've now downloaded versions 3.7 and (today) 3.9; neither will install via ActiveSync (and anyway as far as I can see the drivers are the same as the version 2.1 disk).

I've tried to get it to work on a colleague's 6340 - with the same result.

I got a tip and carried out a "second pairing" on the VKB - the iPAQ BlueTooth manager will see it as an SSP serial device. This resulted in a very erratic and intermittent connection, but the connection drops and/or the VKB locks-up (needing a reset).

I've emailed iTech's UK office (several times) and now their HK office - I've also posted on the eXpansys support forum. No response from anywhere yet.

Anyone know whether I've got the wrong driver, defective VKB or (despite what the compatibility chart and installation disk telles me) it's not compatible with the 6340???

Tony

Received VKB bluetooth yesterday from Expansys.

It works with my Nokia 6630.

It doesn't work with my hx4700 (ROM 1.10.08 ENG): the VKB is not visible to the bluetooth manager and therefore it can't be paired.

I think that I will return it to the shop.

I'd like to know where you bought your stand too! My stand broke (thinkoutside bt keyboard) and I've been looking for some kind of replacement.

Looking at this: http://www.smartphonetoday.com/articles/2004/5/2004-5-4-Virtual-Laser-Keyboard-uo1.html ..it seems that I may have something Israeli-related. :o The unit itself says Made in China - where are these newer units made in? I only paid about $100 for the unit, price seems to have gone up since then, but this may have something to do with the manufacturing plant changing and apparently with the quality as well.

..hmm.. so you're saying it really is accurate? I have a cabled VKB from August 2004 or so - when they first shipped. While you can type on it, does produce quite a lot of errors. And this is not just me, I've had several people use it for weeks.

By the way, since you mentioned SU-8W, doesn't it support the BT HID keyboard profile? So that any device supporting this profile would work and not just phones Nokia mentiones? It's a pity if this BTVKB uses BT SPP profile and not HID - with HID no drivers would have been necessarily needed (of course the added features require an install, but everyone may not need them and I would appreciate a possibility to hook it up into any BT HID device within two minutes with no CD around) and almost any BT device would have worked with the keyboard easily.

..anyway, just my 2c..

I have a nokia 6620 and just installed the vkb driver. It pairs under bluetooth, and if I use "Contacts" I can type into the text box and see that everything is working. ALL other applications exit as soon as they bring up a dialog box with a cursor where you would type in text. Sounds like a driver/phone issue. Has anyone seen this? The technology is mindblowing, and if this one showstopping software bug can be ironed out, I would be bowled over.

I went for the hardwired version vs. the bluetooth saved a hundred bucks and it does what I need. Only problem I found was if the light level in the room was too bright you couldn't see the keyboard. Great device it was worth the 2 year wait.

It wasn't easy and I had to try a million different things but I managed to get the BT VKB to connect to my Dell Axim x50v. It works very well now. The procedure I used is as follows:

1. First pair with the BT VKB as described in the user manual.

2. Throw the user manual away! This is a very important step because this user manual will screw you up.

3. Go to the Bluetooth Manager and select "Explore a Bluetooth Device".

4. Turn on the BT VKB and the PDA should discover a service called SSP (a serial port).

5. Enter a pass code (I used "0000") on the BT VKB and "press" (hit) the enter key on the BT VKB.

6. The PDA should respond by bring up a screen for you to enter the same pass code.

7. Create a short cut in your Bluetooth manager.

8. When you want to connect, click & hold the short cut you created in step 7, click "Connect". The short cut should turn green to indicate you're connected.

9. Launch the BT VKB program; make certain that Bluetooth is selected under the Connection tab.

10. Select the VKB tab, select the "Enable Keyboard, answer No to the question "Is this the first time you are connecting to the keyboard."

You should now see the battery level and be connected. At least this worked for me.

Mark

I just bought this very cool device and appear to have fallen into the same trap as most of the rest of you. I was able to pair the Bluetooth VKB with my Dell Axim x50v after a couple of hours by following bthe directions exactly as written (the VKB pairs a little differently that other devices I've paired with). However, even after pairing, I have been unable to connect. Has anyone figured out the secret here? If so, please let me know!

Mark

2P has replaced my defective VKB, and it now works as advertised.

ThinkOutside and HP BT keyboard are fine for IPAQ users, but for Symbian 60 users there is no substitute for vkb ;) The ThinkOutside is PPC-specific and the new Nokia SU-8W only supports four phones. Now that I have one that stays on, I think the vkb is just terrific. I got mine from eBay seller "asiadirectsales' and they were excellent (and a bit cheaper than 2P).

Todd/Indy

I assume that in time they will Troy. And by the way...Welcome to Dave's iPAQ!

It was frustrating to see all the problems occur...especially because I had NONE! I do admit that the software install was a bit cunfusing but I took my time and got it working on each device. They really do need to clean up that install but I tend to believe that BT installs are often difficult.

Interestingly enough, I just bought a Motorola hs820 and had a difficult time on that install on two of my 5 iPAQs. It sort of is a process that you learn to adapt because each device seems to handle it differently. In time, the BT technology will get better...we have already seem major improvements but still no where near where it should be yet.

I think part of the problem is the Techs that do the design...they understand their device and for some reason don't necessarily write the software for the "uninformed".

Well...if you do eventually get the VKB, I believe you will be happy with it. I love it for quick text entry. I will admit though that if I have a long document I am writing, I stick with my ThinkOutside BT keyboard or my HP BT keyboard...two terrific devices!

Thank you jack for a swift answer.

I myself have been pondering a buy of the VKB, but haven´t becasue of the difficulties (and the fact that it isn´t compatible with my backup PDA, loox 420) that are written here. I just hope they start supporting more systems soon :)

I don't deal with politics Troy...I'm too old to play that game. I will tell you that I stand behind every word of the review. It is an absolutely incredible device that has HUGE potential. It works, it works well, and the iTECH company will stand behind their product.

Evidently there was a manufacturing problem that created a series of bad units. The company is making good on ALL the bad units and from the emails I have received from several folks, they are VERY happy with the final result.

The fact that there was a problem with a shipment does not mitigate what my review did. It was a fair, open and honest review of a product I reviewed for an iPAQ site. I tried it on several iPAQs (1940, 3970, 5555, 4700 and 2750)and it work on ALL of them. I use mine several times a week and as a matter of fact I am replying to your comment using my VKB with my 4700.

It is a very cool device and will prove to be popular. I am pleased that the problems are being resolved but it was a long process...part of which was US Customs and part of was having to wait for the manufacturer to fix the problem.

The software install was not intuitive...there needs to be a little more of a cleaner fix. If you are not familar with BT and if you do not follow the directions explicitly, you will have a problem...which was the case of a major reviewer on an international publication. They got it to work on one device but not the iPAQ...they blew a step! But I do understand why and can see that it will be a common mistake. They need to come up with a better way to install the drivers...and hopefully they will.

Cutting edge...it can be sharp! ...but it is here, it works and I think it is absolutely terrific!!

I would like to hear jack´s and dave´s opinions on these comments about the vkb. It seems that the review wasn´t as "independet" as most would have liked. I understand that testing on every PDA around isn´t possible, but ignoring this thread after the problems start turn up it just simply isn´t good politics.

Hi Guys,

New Installation cd with update driver (P800/P900) are available for download at:
www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com at the end of the f.a.q page...

Thanks

I'm glad to see an "official" presence here to at least acknowledge some of the issues we have been facing with the VKB. I loved mine when it would stay on, but sent it back and disputed the charge due to lack of response. I will order another if I see good things happening with customer support.

Some comments from www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com :

1. As far as we know, the new driver for the C500 will be release in 30 days.

2. All the units that failed in the pairing process (mostly on Ipaq's) will be replaced in
the next few days.

3. More Drivers for the Nokia Models are coming soon.

I have exactly the same issue with my C500 Smartphone 2003.

I have not been able to contact anyone either on the "Live Support" line or via e-mail. So I've begun a payment dispute via my Credit Card to get a refund for something which does look great but has some significant issues in getting the thing to work!

This keyboard is very cool, It arrived in four days! Too bad it doesn't work!

My SPV C500 smartphone can see the KVB Keyboard, but can not pair. Sometimes
the phone says it paired, but the KVB blue light never goes solid, and when trying to change the connection off Com1 to the KVB connection on
the KVB software on the phone, it doesn't allow it.

I've downloaded the latest Smartphone 2003 cab file from
http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com, have been through many resets
on the KVB and phone.

Has anyone else got this working on a smartPhone 2003?

OK it was frustrating to get this up and running, but now that it is this has to be one of the coolest things I've ever seen! My comments pertain to Nokia 6620 (series 60 Symbian 7 OS) but hopefully can be exprapolated to all you Pocket PC users. I found the driver on the website (under FAQ of all places), but no instructions anywhere.

First, the microswitch on the bottom of mine is a PITA. It's too sensitive and the unit wants to shut itself off all the time. If I push it up into the base, hold it in, and then slide the unit across the edge of a tabletop while releasing it I can get a reliable "ON" condition. I plan to inquire about this--I don't think it would work on a plane ;)

Next: pairing. I had to reset a couple times (unit must be on when poking reset button) then power-cycled to initiate pairing. When you use the host device to search for the VKB, once it's detected you'll probably get a "waiting for vkb" or similar message, then it will appear to time-out. On a whim, during the "waiting..." message I keyed in "0000 enter" on the vkb and bingo! The host requested a passcode. I then went to BT menu on the host and authorized the vkb.

It's working great when it stays on. I have all the controls on the Nokia 6620 (intensity, timeouts, repeat) as the other driver versions show, and it's very accurate (HUGE improvement vs. three or four alpha characters per key). Main problem I've found is thumbs tend to activate bottom-row keys by accident. I'll adjust my technique just fine.

All-in-all, this is one heck of a neat product and I hope I've helped someone here. I'm pretty certain these products are technically sound--they could just benefit from a better technical writer doing their user manuals.

Feel free to PM questions or better yet ask here.

Todd/Indy

WOOT! Just got mine working with a Nokia series 60--it's AWESOME! It wasn't intuitive. I'll explain more later. Have faith, this thing's SO COOL.

Todd/Indy

DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. Received mine after a 5 week wait. I have been, unsuccessfully, trying to contact the company for over a week. I'm disputing the charge with my credit card company. Don't wait to contact your credit card company. You have less time to place a dispute than you think because of the long shipping times.

I work for an international, multi-billion dollar company that the developer of the product is trying to do business with. I have talked to the developer directly (live and in person) to make them aware of the issues. He is trying to see what he can do. I'll post here if I get anything useful back.

Any comments from Dave on the last several postings about troubles pairing devices ?
In the - very positive review - you were using a 4700.
Did you try the keyboard with other PDA´s or with your 4700 only ?

Any review on the support ?

Any idea how the cable version works compared to the Bluetooth version ?

In general - how comes the big difference between the review and the users feedback ?

Maybe its just a matter of support to get things working - but so far i have receive zero answers to my question about the keyboard when trying to contact 2P.

Besides Dave, has anyone actually got the keyboard working ?

Just asking out of curiosity before i (maybe not) spend money on the keyboard.

Yes, that is good advice and I am going to try and cancel. In some ways, it is too bad that the product had such a great review. The review motivated me to buy the keyboard and now I regret getting entangled with this company. Good luck on trying to get your credit.

Decelle - we've all had such trouble with this product and now I am having trouble getting my money back - they promised me a credit - they charged me instead of creditting me - though I can just dispute it with credit card company - if I was you I would cancel this order right now and don't deal with this company.

I just ordered the keyboard and was notified by Fed Ex that the keyboard is in Memphis and I need to complete an FCC form, a radiation emmission form, and supply fed ex with a complete statement regarding the manufacturer! Has anyone else been required to do this? Thanks.

ok I've receved it after 5 weeks and I too have the problem of pairing with the ipaq (work fine with a PC) ... apparently it's an hardware issue .. not so good (and my bag was plastic not leather ...) :-<<

So I got mine last week after waiting about 6 weeks for it. Spent 2 frustrating days trying to get it to work. Totally useless !!!

I just got mine yesterday and am SO excited to use it, but I too have the problem of pairing but then not being able to initialize a connection between the two devices. I am running an IPAQ h5455 and have been working over email with someone else who has the same problem as well, with an IPAQ h4700. Hopefully this is something I-Tech can help us with.

Does, Anyone know how to make this device work with an HP6315. I have managed to pair it but no services seem to work and it does not seem to recognize the device in its status icon.

How will this connect to a iPaq 3850 that does not have BT?

Tks

I have found the same keyboard selling at 175.99 on eBay. The seller is in Hong Kong and promised to delivery the keyboard within 10-14 days. The ebay store could be founded at www.asiadirectsales.com

Great review, where can I purchase one? Why don't you sell them?

I'd be curious if it could keep up with a fast typist. I average 30-40 wpm, but I have spurts above 50 wpm. A coworker can do up to 80-90wpm. I also wonder about the visibility in sunlight--if it is useable at all. Would the infrared sensor just get blinded and not be able to detect your fingers, or is it that you simply can't see the projection... cause hell you could just lay down paper template.

Nokia 6600 and Ericsson P800/P900 was added to the list of supported BlueTooth Version of the vkb

Eyal

I enjoyed jack's review. The V-board will change everything. I agee with futurefeeder about integration. Design an Ipaq with a popout base and a builtin virtual keyboard and the plane issues are gone.

The stand is just a small "easel" that I picked up at a local gift store. It is something that you would use to display pictures or plates etc.

Great review one the keyboard. I just ordered one. How about some information on the stand? Where did you buy it, model number, etc?

it is tempting. It is something that i have been looking for. i have been looking for something to fill the front of my laptop bag.

OK - decided I couldn't wait for my birthday - I ordered one today !

Looks like something I shall be adding to my birthday list !!!! Now I just need someone to look at my list...

Thanks for the review - it looks great.

Now that would be cool!

Soooo....I can't use this with the Mac Mini? Too bad..

bean_garden
So far the battery has been lasting but I have not sat down to enter text for two hours straight. But as I consider the usage I have given it, I would guess it comes pretty close to that time.


I did try it with my mouse...just a little too much erratic behavior with the mouse but I was using WiFi to "surf" Dave's iPAQ which I am sure had an effect. I will try it with my other devices tonight to see if there is a difference.

futurefeeder, that might prove to be cost prohibitive. Besides, the flexibility of using it with several devices makes it more enticing.

I've been waiting for a long time to see how this performs. I'm pleased to hear it's accurate. Now it's time to get it integrated into all handheld devices!

I'll say Joel is one funny person!

It is terrific to see all these sites "linking" Jack's review. It just goes to show you who really is trying to keep the community informed.

Jack, nice job! In your experience with the bluetooth virtual keyboard, does the battery last? It says in your review that it should last two hours? Is that true?

How does it work with other BT devices like the Think Outside mouse? Have you tried it yet?

I bought the mouse because of our review (and a Rhino Skin case too).

This keyboard is a "dream" device. I have to have it!

Yes I did .. Joel is one funny person.

Jack, Well done as always. Dave did you see the write up you got over at Gizmodo? I got a chckle out of it.
http://www.gizmodo.com

Thank you Betsy! I appreciate the nice comments! This was an easy one to write because the Virtual Keyboard was so great to use. As a matter of fact, I am using my iPAQ with WiFi to view the site and am writing this reply with the BTVKB. It has got to be one of the best devices I have ever used!

An exciting, vibrant review. Well written and clearly understandable. I look forward to Jack's reviews.

The stand appears to be what my grandma used to show off her hand painted china plates. Looks similar, in fact there are smaller folding units you could use instead. -mix

The main problem with using it on a plane would be that you still can not use bluetooth on aircraft, at least here in the states. I don't know where Europe is at with allowing wireless devices. Of course, I have been trying to decide on bluetooth keyboard since I use my Ipaq in the field which means it is encased in an Otterbox, which makes it hard to hook up a keyboard. I wonder how it works on rough/uneven surfaces.

Jack doesnt have the 6600 but I dont see why it wouldnt work.

Compatability? Jack did you get to try it with the XV6600?

I have not tried it on an airplane yet but I have been told that it was designed with that in mind.

Wondering how stable the base is? If persay it would be easy to tip over during flight or, if you were on a train somewhere... Great Idea, will probably pick one up. I am too interested in the stand. Can you post information on it, or where to get one like that or similar.

I'll pass this one to Jack since he wrote it.

Dave, I was wondering if you had the opertunity to try this on a plane? Can you project a keyboard on that little table in Coach?

Looks cool, but $224? Ouch....

Your $2.00 stand looks cool. PM me with details. I've been looking for something like that...