Comments on: Type 'N Go with Keyboard and Case Combo

Fellowes has released a combination case and keyboard for the Palm III series (but not the IIIc). The Type 'N Go Portable Keyboard is both a hard case to protect the Palm and a keyboard for text entry. It has keys for all characters, numbers and most commands, including Cut, Paste, and even Select All. It is on sale now for $80.

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No Thumb-busting?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2001 11:25:04 AM #

It seems like it would be very hard to type on that keyboard - Most of the Blackberry users I know tend to hold the unit in both hands and type with their thumbs - Something that's obviously not going to work here. It also seems that the hinge would make the device awkward to use unsupported.

Interesting idea, but I can't see it being very usefull.

Now that I've gone and seen it - Wow.

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2001 8:36:01 PM #

This thing is as large as a VHS video casette, but thicker. (Saw one in a Sears) It's actually bigger than a iPaq /with/ the sled on - and it opens half-way through it's thickness, so when it's open there's almost no convienient way to hang on to the thing with one hand and enter graffiti with the other.
People have commented that I have large hands (I have no problem one-handing a basketball, for example), but this was awkward for me - my friend with smaller hands almost dropped it.

Make up your own minds, of course, but this looks like it's not going to go far.

Price?

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/14/2001 8:42:43 PM #

Oh, and the Grand Rapids, MI store (Woodlawn Mall?) listed it at $80.

hmmmmm

GregGaub @ 6/13/2001 11:50:54 AM #

that would be cooler if they arranged the keys sideways so that you could hold it like an old PalmPC (WinCE) clamshell device, and included a more robust version of FlipHack to rotate the screen without bugs. If they can support the Handera 330, then it would be even MORE useful in Landscape mode. :)

RE: hmmmmm

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2001 12:14:58 PM #

Isn't the Handera Palm III sized, so it should fit!!!!

robbb

RE: hmmmmm

GregGaub @ 6/13/2001 12:26:07 PM #

yes. it will fit. but I wouldn't be surprised if their keyboard drivers don't work on the Handera. But, this will be a cool tool for the Handera as much as it can be for the PalmIII series, especially if the driver works, or can be enhanced for the Handera.

RE: hmmmmm

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2001 1:15:51 PM #

I think this could turn your Palm III into a brick, but even still I think I would buy it and check it out if the prices were right... and for the keyboard.. I don't know.. I have come to love my stowaway, but think think I would put up with it if i could keep everything in one small package as this is... I wouldn't need a flat service, and I could use it while I am in the car (not driving, duh) and other places where I may be on the go. What really would make this cool, is if they built in Voice record to it... Now that would rock too.

Back to the old stuff!!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2001 1:12:10 PM #

Using these complicated keyboard for typing while holding it is just like using the old Sharp or Casio organizer. What the heck is the graffiti for?!!! It's like were moving backward here. Go for porta keyboard if you want to type properly and use your graffiti when hand held. You paid for it and it's great.
- Jetstar

RE: Back to the old stuff!!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2001 2:25:29 PM #

Here HEre! Learn Graffiti - or do as I do - get Jot and write normally.

--*Rob

no thanks

bradleyboy @ 6/13/2001 1:17:14 PM #

For me, my pda has to be small and easily portable. This just seems to bulk up the III series unecessarily. I agree with the previous poster who said that this looks awkward vis-a-vis thumb typing. So, as I see it so far: not very functional, adds to the size for no reason (are people THAT afraid of Grafitti?; I have not found thumb typing to be any faster or more accurate), and just plain goofy. This is the latest in a line of keyboards recently released for the III and V series that just has me shaking my head and asking: who is realistically going to use this?

Not a bad idea!

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/13/2001 3:36:12 PM #

I disagree, it does not "bulk" up the PDA unnecessarily. If anything it doubles as a hard case. The only disadvantage I see with this little keyboard is that left-handed users are out in the cold.

This is not meant for touch typing people! It's really meant for two/three finger punching. You want to know the problem with Grafitti? You only have one stylus. I've kinda dreamt that the perfect solution would be to use the on-screen keyboard or some Grafitti overlay (e.g. QuickType, Fitaly, etc) and use two finger-tip stylus's on the one hand and fire away. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that well.

This makes it number two on the alternative keyboard listing that Fellowes is making/producing along with that Cirque/Fellowes PDA Pocket Keyboard. Nice to see some more choices in this area!

RE: Not a bad idea!

superbenk @ 6/13/2001 3:56:04 PM #

I think this is really cool! I think the Stowaway keyboard I have is cool, but this almost beats that out for functionality. Stowaway is really cool for touch typing, but it's a pain in the ass to carry basically 2 IIIxe's everywhere just to type. And have you ever tried to find a good place to use the stowaway on the road? Your stuck with a table top or tray. The idea of rotating the layout 90 degrees and getting a screen flop hack is cool too. Would make typing MUCH more convenient on something like this.

RE: Not a bad idea!

stend @ 9/24/2001 2:52:32 PM #

> The only disadvantage I see with this little keyboard is that left-handed users are out in the cold.
I've only seen advertisements for this, not the actual product, but I'm not certain that the reverse isn't true. If I'm going to type one-handed (or with 2-3 fingers of only one hand), I can do it with either hand, but I can only draw with one, my left. Even just holding a stylus in my right hand for tapping selections is awkward for me, so this looks to me like it would be better for lefty keyboard-and-stylus operation than for righties.

What A Rip...

JMS @ 6/14/2001 10:37:01 AM #

The Type N Go keyBoard doesn't even support the palm IIIc. I've seen alot of keyboards 4 pdas and I've have 2 say this 1 sounds the worst.

I agree!!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/15/2001 5:31:32 PM #

This keyboard does sound like the worst ever

RE: My thoughts exactly

I.M. Anonymous @ 6/15/2001 5:47:35 PM #

When I first saw this keyboard, I laughed
I think that this is a weak attempt at the PDA market
from Sears and Fellowes. The best one on the market according to the majority is the palm brand for palms. It works, propertly tested and revised and is easy to use as a full keyboard. I tip my hat to palm , now the price is not nice but if you wait it will keep going down. I 100% agree the "Type 'N Go" keyboard is a GIANT
Rip off.

One word

Gregg in Austin @ 6/14/2001 8:52:47 PM #

Graffiti. Learn it & quit whining.

At Sears Now

marcos @ 6/14/2001 9:21:48 PM #

The item is now in Sears dept stores-check it out!

Sharp Redux

Marc from Denver @ 6/16/2001 9:37:44 AM #

The original Sharp Wizard had a verticle case. This looks just like it. I still have mine. The more things change.......

This might work for my group

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/24/2001 6:38:00 AM #

I use my palm mainly for entering numerical data on my plant rounds and I'd like to see the other guys I work with adopt using the palm. However they have terrible handwriting and Grafitti will kick their butts. A small keyboard device that doesn't cost over a $1000 ( for industrial use) sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

Type 'n Go available at Office Max

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/9/2001 6:43:40 PM #

I can 't find it on the web page, but the Type 'N Go showed up in a recent Office Max flyer.

Ordered one today for my Visor

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 9:46:45 AM #

I ordered the Type-N-Go for my Handspring Visor.

It should arrive in a few days. When I get it, I'll put forward my comments.

I have the Half-Keyboard from Matias Corp.
[http://www.halfkeyboard.com), which I absolutely love, but I wanted to play around and see what else was out there.

[I suspect after playing around with these things, I'll end up with a full-sized keyboard and relegate myself to having to carry around a bag to hold the pocket-sized device and the biggie keyboard. [because I'm a touch-typist, and hate having to slow down :)]