Palm 3169WW Universal Wireless Keyboard
by Palm
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Palm 3169WW Universal Wireless Keyboard
Customer Review: Better than the Bluetooth Model.
Summary: 4 Stars
Since I've always used my Palm as a laptop replacement - even from my earliest Palm - I was anxious to try out the Universal Wireless Keyboard with my Palm TX, one of the last remaining non-phone Palm models.
Since the TX is Bluetooth capable, I had purchased the Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard earlier. But I kept having to reestablish connection with the keyboard, which took several seconds (and sometimes much longer), which didn't work well when taking notes in meetings or even when working on my desk or at home.
By comparison, the connection with the Wireless Universal Keyboard was always instantaneous and strong. I could start typing immediately upon opening the keyboard. And the variable infrared reflector (on the end of the movable wand) allowed for easy vertical or horizontal orientation.
Compared to earlier Stowaway keyboards I've used for my Palms, this Universal model is 1) extremely small in size, 2) rigid when open (for use on one's lap, but you'll probably need a lap desk), and 3) complete with four rows of keys (so the number keys have their own row and can be reached without having to always hit the `shift' key).
The space bar has kind of a 70/30 split, and the right shift key is much smaller than the left. But the overall typing experience is very positive - but maybe just a tad tight given this keyboard's slightly smaller keys (relative to a full-size keyboard).
As nits, the battery compartment door kept falling off (so I used some black vinyl tape to hold it on, which didn't detract from the keyboard's looks or functionality).
More significantly, the `shift' key action started to get erratic, with one side of the other losing the ability to capitalize. This is probably due to the contacts wearing down (or losing contact) when they keyboard is not quite fully unfolded with the pieces locked into place. (If this happens, be sure to fully lock the back piece (the one that supports the Palm) to the far right. It sometimes also helps to reboot the Palm, (which, for me, doesn't cause any loss of info given the abundant flash storage space on my TX).
This Palm and this keyboard are probably the last of their breed. I'm not a big Palm phone fan - since it sacrifices the screen size - which severely limits the Palm's use as a laptop PC replacement.
But times are a changing.' But with this Universal Keyboard - I can hopefully avoid having to take my laptop on the road a few more years.
Customer Review: Works Well With Treos - Just Get The Right Driver
Summary: 5 Stars
To begin, I have to question the negative reviews on this keyboard. I have large hands, and there is only so much typing one wants to do with the Treo keyboard. I bought this in person at the official Palm store in Sunnyvale. At the time of purchase, the store clerk warned me that the downloadable drivers (November 2005) for the Treo were back-level, and he beamed me the driver directly from another Treo 650. I've had no problems at all since then. I suspect that some of the negative experiences were driver issues, but who knows?
The construction seems solid, and it opens and closes easily after a couple of tries. Seems up to most rough-and-tumble knocking around in a briefcase, unless one is also carrying a three-pound hammer. Very compact for a full keyboard. As others have noted, when you need characters past the basic alphabet, numbers, and primary punctuation symbols, it can be a bit fiddly. The 18mm spacing for the alpha keys is adequate. The number row is slightly shorter than the primary three rows, but that has not been a problem for me.
This is very useful when writing emails while traveling. I have never tried to balance it on one knee - another review complained about that, but it works OK for me with two knees. As I tend to use it on a restaurant table or seatback tray, this is not a problem. YMMV.
I obviously cannot speak to how well it will work with other Palms. I recommend it highly for Treo users. Keep your IR port clean and make sure it is clearly visible within the case if you use one.
I found two issues with the keyboard. First, it tends to use batteries at a fair rate, so stock up on AAAs and buy stock in the battery company. Second...I lost my Treo 650 recently and replaced it with a 680...and discovered that the Palm web site does not list this keyboard as supported for the 680. So I thought I would be stuck with getting a more expensive Bluetooth replacement. (Insert sad face here.) However, I downloaded the most recent driver from the Palm support site, et voila - if you will pardon my French - it works. So this issue is much less severe than I originally feared.
Recommended.
Customer Review: Gets the job done
Summary: 4 Stars
The Palm Wireless Keyboard makes life easier for me. My information/Review is based on my own experience with this keyboard.
Installation: Put the disc in, follow instruction, perform hot sync, and wala! I'm done in 3 minutes. I don't know why others have problem with this.
How to use the keyboard: You have to turn the keyboard on FROM the PDA. On my Palm T|X, I go to the keyboard shortcut and turn it on. Maybe that's why others are having problem. It is not a plug and play type keyboard. You have to turn it ON from the PDA before you can use it. And by the way, your PDA has to be in place and align with the keyboard's IR to turn it on.
Design: C'mon, it's a black keyboard. How different is that from the other keyboards? You're supposed to use this keyboard to make life easier, not to compete in a "who has the prettiest keyboard" competition. The design is no different from a laptop keyboard. I can agree with others that this is not an easy keyboard to use if you are on a meeting trying to type everything. I can type 60+ words per minute on a regular keyboard but maybe 30+ on this keyboard only because I'm not used to it. But if I'm on my own pace I don't even notice.
Stability: I don't have any stability issues with this keyboard. I used this bad boy on the plane, train, school, ship, bus and at home and I never had any stability issues. Unless you are running or experiencing an earthquake, then yeah, stability would be an issue. And remember, this is a PORTABLE KEYBOARD; it folds so you can carry it with you.
Battery: two AAA batteries lasted me 3 months. Not bad at all. No complaints there. And yes, I use this keyboard at least 5 hours a week when I'm in the US and about 7 hours if I'm overseas.
Overall: It gets the job done for me. I can do my assignments, chat with my daughter, surf the web, check and send emails, calculate numbers and use PowerPoint with it. Don't be intimidated by other reviews. Find out for yourself. I'm glad I did and life just got a lot easier when using my T|X. I hope my experience can help you with your decision. Trust me, you won't regret buying this keyboard.
Customer Review: The Smart Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
First it was delivered ahead of schedule and that was in line with my belief that first impressions go a long way. I was damn right. The keyboard matched with my PDA. When there was no accompanying CD to download unto my computer the seller was gracious enough to send me a link from where I downloaded and installed. And the result? The UWK responded positively to my PDA and typing has been so pleasant ever since. They talk so much about Bluetooth or WiFi or whatever. This one with ordinary infra red sensor suits me very well.
Here are a few Pros:
1. It makes a whole lot of difference when you are able to type with both hands rather than punch or tap alphabets with your stylus.
2. The UWK becomes very useful when you need to put large amounts of data unto your PDA
3. You can type in a traveling bus or train and in the case of an airplane you can simple perform a comfortable typing from your small dining table behind the seat in front of you.
4. My greatest excitement is the function keys specially designed for programmes like calender, contacts, address book, web-pro, versamail and so on where you can easily open any of them with just one key stroke form your keyboard. And to think that there is a connection between the UWK and your PDA without any wire is just simply amazing.
5. It is a wonderful and fantastic travel companion. Why? It is foldable into a small object that can slip into any bag no matter the size. It can even get inside your pocket. Oh my my my!!!
6. It runs on just two small batteries. Nothing to worry about cables and electricity bills. It does not add to your PC, printer,and other cables under your desk to add to the mess. A very independent device. And guess what. The battery stays for a long time.
Now my cons:
1. None that I could imagine or have observed. I highly recommend this device to any Palm PDA user. The stylus is fine but not the same as typing with both hands on this cute keyboard. Just try it and send me a note at aaronyeboah@yahoo.com Thanks.
Customer Review: Fantastic for Treo 600 but beware of hardware connect problems
Summary: 4 Stars
Just to qualify my statements, I did receive the keyboard today. With that being said, I must give high praise to palmOne for building a terrific piece of hardware for my Treo 600 smartphone. Its design is pure genius, easy and compact. Thank you palmOne for integrating the shell. It looks like a cool looking cigar case.
One recent problem was when the keyboard wouldn't work after I interrupted a hot sync. I immediately went back and did a full proper hot sync which made the keyboard happy again. There was no need to soft reset my unit. Either way, I'm extremely pleased with my keyboard. It works flawlessly with my Treo 600.
Two nagging things are the placement of the '?' and the right space bar. They're both something getting use to.
Supplementary
So a month afterwards, the keyboard intermittently stopped working and I thought it was because of the my Treo600. So I tried to soft reset the thing thinking that would do it and it did.
After a night of eliminating all possibilities, it turns that it was also the keyboard itself. This keyboard slides along a metal conductor to maintain internal connectivity and full keyboard funtionality. Unfortunately, an overlooked engineering design has the internal parts lose connection when slightly misaligned. This usually happens if I slide the keyboard right to its end. So, I make sure not to slide it out fully by slightly pushing it back in by a millimetre and then all is well.
Hopefully, this will help you all with performance and reliability issues.
Since I realised this, I've had a fully reliable keyboard without compromising any performance. Ultimately, this is still a great keyboard and I thank Palm for it. If Palm resolves this design or maufacturing issue, they will have the best non-optical keyboard in the world.