Type on the Go with a Clip-On Keyboard

Posted By: Ed Wednesday, September 26, 2001 8:20:20 AM

Visor users now have a couple of options for clip-on keyboards. The SnapNtype is a small keyboard that attaches to the bottom of a Visor and is intended to be used with the thumbs. No battery is required. It includes a Qwerty keyboard, cursor and enter keys, and replacements for all the built-in and silkscreen buttons.

It is available now and costs $40.

As its developer points out, the SnapNtype can be used at the same time as the VisorPhone or other modem to create a handy portable messaging device.

Another option for Visor users is the ThumBoard TB6000, which includes a Qwerty keyboard, dedicated number keys, and extended character set. It also has New, Done, Details and OK as well as Cut, Copy, and Paste buttons. Of course, it also has replacements for the hardware and silkscreen buttons, too. It runs off power from the Visor.

It is available now and costs $40. For a short time each one includes a coupon for a free carrying case.

Both of these clip-on keyboards work with all Visor models except the Edge. There is also a version of the ThumBoard available for the Palm V series and one for the m500 series is in development.

Related Information:

Article Comments

(12 comments)

The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.

Comments Closed
This article is no longer accepting new comments.

Good for VisorPhone

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/26/2001 9:25:31 AM #

This addon is a useful and nice addon for VisorPhone users. They can send SMS without having to use the stylus (which is a rather slower than typing). Although it would look odd speaking into the keyboard...

I guess it also helps while driving or using a cellular phone or whatever activity that uses the other hand and the Visor on the other.

Trust me,

Davy @ 9/26/2001 10:18:08 AM #

Trust me, you look pretty goofy talking into a Visor already, and the keyboard helps make the whole thing look so funny, that people find it amusing, instead of geeky.

RE: Good for VisorPhone

atrizzah @ 9/26/2001 4:28:23 PM #

Geez! Maybe this isn't a good idea if you're gonna drive and use your Visor at the same time. Its bad enough with people crashing on cell phones. Imagine trying to drive while fumbling around with your other hand trying to operate the keyboard. A word of advice: save the Visor for when you are outside the driver's seat.

Peace Out
Alan

ThumBoard Price

Spell @ 9/26/2001 11:17:28 AM #

I was just on the Seiko site and both the PalmV and Handspring ThumBoards are $49.99, not $40 as listed in your article. The free carrying case may well make up for this price difference. It's not a big deal, but might help someone sort out which of the two "thumb-typing" options is better for them.

RE: ThumBoard Price

Ed @ 9/26/2001 11:31:38 AM #

Sorry, I should have been more clear. The ThumBoard is available from PalmGear for $40. It's $50 from Seiko.

http://www.palmgear.com/hs/products/prodoverview.cfm?prodID=447&prodcatID=6

---
News Editor

On the go, on the go, on the go, shut up!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/26/2001 11:49:49 AM #

I'm tired of everything being "on the go." The whole handheld movement itself is "on the go," so accessories for said handhelds shouldn't keep piling on the descriptor. Stop the insanity!

RE: On the go, on the go, on the go, shut up!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/26/2001 11:51:45 AM #

most "mobile" keyboards lock you in place when you use them, like the folding keyboard. try using that while walking some time.

RE: On the go, on the go, on the go, shut up!

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/26/2001 1:30:06 PM #

Joe Consumer falls for all these gimmicks. Then you have a kludge of overlapping functions through devices, addons, etc - costing a fortune. As for the rest, know your needs, and shop wisely.

stylus...

c_blue @ 9/26/2001 11:49:29 AM #

As always this is a matter of taste... IMHO sooner or later you'll need to use the stylus, so I'd rather use the money on a solution like fitaly stamp 2.0. You have sliding action for special caracters or even words.. num keypad and you add nothing to the size of the pda.

Could be useful but...

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/26/2001 3:50:20 PM #

... will it work transparently with springboard devices?

After getting a bum deal on my Fellowes PDA Pocket Keyboard, I'm very hesitant to try one of these. Although, if it does work, it'd save me a heck of a lot of time using my Xircom SpringPort 802.11b module.

Anyone used one yet?

RE: Could be useful but...

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/26/2001 10:50:11 PM #

it works.

No support for the Edge...

C @ 9/27/2001 9:56:42 AM #

I am pissed...where is all the support for the Edge...the edge should've used the same sylus interface as all the other visors...and now the new models of the visor have the same connector as the old visors except for the edge. I am very pissed. If anyone has information on a keyboard for the edge post a comment or email me. I am also a Mac user.