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Report from Internet World


Thu Oct 7, 1999 - 2:54 PM EDT - By Marcus Adolfsson

Keyboards

GoTYPE! PRO KEYBOARD
Mike: Landware’s GoType keyboard for the Visor will contain a second USB port on the left for HotSyncing the Visor while it’s in the keyboard’s dock. The top cover will be black plastic with a fold-out "flap" in the area of the Visor’s Springboard area. This will enable the GoType to accommodate a Visor that has a jutting Springboard module in it (such as an MP3 player, for instance). And, yes, there will be the requisite "pimple" on the inside of the cover lid to exert connective pressure on the Visor. (Speaking of GoType covers, Palm V/Vx owners should note that the "Ice" lid on that model will soon be replaced by the same matte black -- "Graphite" -- of the Visor GoType.)

Marcus: The GoTYPE! keyboard will sell for $70. To take full functionality of the keyboard, "intelligent" software has to be loaded onto the Visor. The software enables full compatibility with existing Visor applications and allows to access menu commands, on-screen buttons and shortcuts. Six function keys can be customized to provide one touch access to commonly used functions.

STOWAWAY KEYBOARD
Mike: I had been looking forward to this and was very disappointed. The keys are very flat and, although "full-size" status is claimed, the keys are clearly -- even visually! -- larger than "full-size." My fingers kept hitting the wrong keys. In addition, this unit CANNOT be used on your lap! It will try to flex into a folded position. The weight support for the docking area did not inspire confidence either for a good USB connection nor for holding a Visor in a tilted position without collapsing. Overall, this seemed very fragile to me. If you want a keyboard, I strongly suggest the GoType; it might have smaller than "full-size" keys, but it can placed on a lap and it does not have the Stowaway’s threat of being easily broken.

Marcus: The size of the Stowaway keyboard folded together is amazing - 3.6" x 5.1" x 0.8". I disagree with Mike on this product - the keys felt great and they were exactly the same size as my laptop’s. In addition to the normal keys, there are special function keys such as Calendar, Address Book, To Do List, Memo, and command buttons such as Done, New, Details, and Cancel. Unlike GoType!, this keyboard does not offer a USB pass through port. Available soon for $99.95.

Springboards >>