Unlocking the Key(board) to the Pre 78
Bluetooth Keyboard Support for the Palm Pre: will we get it?
I love my Palm Pre. I was chosen to be a Palm Real Reviewer, with a Pre on loan from Palm. I carry my Pre everywhere, show it to everyone, use it for everything from a flashlight to an alarm clock to a vacation camera to a backup GPS. I've even become a part of the PreCentral team. So why am I sitting at my kitchen table typing this on my trusty Palm T|X? Because I can, and I can't on my Pre, and therein lies a tragic tale.
[Ed Note: Say hello to Jonathan Ezor (you know him as ProfJonathan), our newest writer! - Dieter]
Most of you may not realize it, but there have been full-sized, external keyboards available for Palm handhelds since late 1997. That was when LandWare released PiloKey, a driver and cable adapter combo that allowed PalmPilot users to connect and type on an Apple Newton external keyboard. (Yes, back then, Apple was willing to let you type on physical keys when using its PDA.) While the software for actually writing on the PalmPilot was limited (memos still had a 4k size limit, there were some limited text file editing programs, and MS Office compatibility was still years away), and typing was awkward (the cable connected to the bottom serial port of the PalmPilot or Palm III, making it all but impossible to prop up), it still worked. Those of us who had mastered Graffiti but were still faster touchtypists were able to use our Palm PDAs for real writing. (I drafted much of my book CLICKING THROUGH and many other articles on that Newton keyboard.)
With both the concept and market proven, dedicated keyboards designed for Palm devices followed shortly. The GoType keyboard, also from Landware, had a flip cover that doubled as a stand for the Palm handheld as it sat on its hardwired connector. It didn't even use batteries (drawing necessary power from the Palm device itself), and had no cables to snag or lose. The GoType's one flaw was its size, especially when compared to the compactness of the Palm devices themselves. What was needed was a keyboard that, somehow, could fold as small as the device it connected to, for easy transportation. Enter ThinkOutside (now part of iGo).
The ThinkOutside Stowaway (also branded as the Palm Portable Keyboard), released 10 years ago, was an engineering marvel: while it had near full-sized keys, it folded into a compact shape whose footprint was barely larger than the Palm device to which it connected. When unfolded and locked in place, the Stowaway provided a pop-up stand to connect and elevate the Palm handheld. I first saw a pre-release Stowaway at a tradeshow in New York, and was instantly smitten; I ordered one the day they became available. Subsequent evolutions of the Stowaway continued to push the edge of functionality, with the Ultra-Thin Keyboard adding stability while shedding bulk, and a Bluetooth version released after Palm eliminated its "Universal Connector" for hardwired keyboards and peripherals. (I'm using the Bluetooth Ultra-Thin Keyboard to write this.) Palm released a number of keyboards under its brand (both Bluetooth and infrared), and manufacturers like Logitech offered their own options. Even for those Palm devices with built-in thumbboards (the Tungsten C and the various Treo models), the external keyboard permitted faster, easier typing and editing, key when working with MS Office documents using BlueNomad's Wordsmith or DataViz' Documents To Go.
When the Pre was announced in January 2009, even though it lacked the infrared port used for Palm's own most recent portable keyboard, it seemed certain that Palm would offer a Bluetooth keyboard option for the Pre. In fact, Palm's 3/11/09 blog about its "Frequently Tweeted Questions" included as one of its acronyms "EWTBKA," which meant, "Enough with the Bluetooth keyboards already! We get the point." Unfortunately, Palm apparently didn't get the point, as the Pre launched without a Bluetooth keyboard profile in early June and, at this writing, there's been no sign of any work by Palm on adding one. The only possible ray of hope is the effort by folks at WebOSInternals to adapt the open source Bluez Linux Bluetooth stack (which includes keyboard profiles) for the Pre, but it isn't clear whether or when this can be done.
Which leaves me having to charge up my T|X when I want to touchtype at my table, or take discrete notes at a meeting, or write on an airplane tray table. To me, having used every external keyboard solution available for Palm handhelds, it is unbelievable to me that Palm has missed the opportunity to add this basic feature to the Pre (one which, it's instructive to point out, Apple has refused to add to the iPhone and iPod Touch). I remain hopeful that Palm or a clever developer will eventually bring to the Pre the same ability to touchtype that I had with my Palm III in 1997. Until then, though, I guess I'll keep my T|X charged.
78 Comments
this will be a great feature as well!!!
Thanks!
I have been a palm user for many many years and all of my palm devices, from palm pilot to treos, have had the ability to use either an IR, data port or bluetooth keyboard. I would love to have this on the pre for those times when I cannot use or do not have my laptop with me. This would be a great feature for long emails, editing documents or notes, surfing the web, etc. There are many reasons to add this functionality and should make the phone more appealing to those who are looking at a netbook to fill those tasks as the pre can do the same things but much quicker. It has been something I have relied on over the years for those situations that seem to happen all the time and now without this ability I feel it is the only thing holding the Pre back from being absolutely perfect in my mind. Plus I sadly cannot take my laptop everywhere I go so this would be a HUGE feature for me.
So I blame the iPhone for the lack of BT Keyboard support on the Pre. Honestly - they lowered the bar for what smartphones need to be able to do and Palm therefore didn't have the need to get it working out of the box.
Why would I want to lug an entire computer or even a netbook around just to write and edit, when I can carry a full, MSWord compatible system with better-than-laptop battery life in a belt pouch and a pocket? Beyond that, the PDA-based typing solution is quieter, less disruptive (doesn't block my face), is automatically backed up when my device syncs, is less obvious to thieves, etc.
I became a better writer when I got my first computer (an Apple IIe) because it made editing painless. I became a frequent (and profitable) writer when I was able to type anywhere, anytime. That's why. {Jonathan}
Sorry if I wasn't clear. While I've seen double pouches, they are bulky. Instead, I would keep the Pre on my belt, and put the Bluetooth keyboard in my pocket when I needed to bring it along. {Jonathan}
Why use a computer? When the Pre does everything I need on the move, with the exception of long text entry.
On the flip side, there also isn't a real good text editor for it yet either.
I'm sure we will see a solution to both. I had been using a netbook or the n810 tethered to my 755p, because they had web browsers that would work. Text entry on a net book is better than a Pre, but sucks compared to a good portable bluetooth keyboard, where folding allows a full sized layout.
Obviously, you have never typed a 1500 word document on your Pre then. I haven't either. But there have been times I've wanted to.
I totally miss using my Bluetooth keyboard for long e-mails (I can be long-winded, what can I say). Until we have a full version of Documents To Go for the Pre, though, I don't know if Palm would consider it worth it to have BT keyboard support.
In some ways, though, I would rather have something more like a Foleo.
Honestly, it's just something only a very small fraction would even consider. I'd rather Palm do things that bring in some solid revenue.
Car touchstone/mount?
Keep in mind that Palm doesn't have to develop or even sell the hardware; it can, and it already has in the past, but it needn't if it doesn't want to. Adding the relevant Bluetooth profiles to the WebOS software, however, is a much simpler matter, which would open up the device to existing and new Bluetooth keyboards and other input devices. {Jonathan}
EXACTLY!!! I can only hope Palm hears of this and makes the changes in future updates...those bloggers among us would absolutely love to have the keyboard functionality back. I bought a brand new BT keyboard for my Centro about 3 months before I got the Pre in June, and I really, REALLY miss the portability of it. Sometimes you need to write lengthy posts or emails, and doing it on the tiny keyboard is a bit ridiculous...especially when a BT profile and driver (or app or whatever) would allow me to use my keyboard with little fuss. Please, oh please Palm, make this a usable "portable computing device" for writers!
Totally agreed. I don't see myself needing or wanting a bluetooth keyboard. But how difficult is it to add the hooks for one?
Granted, I, too, would like to see other things fixed first; but it is was already on my personal lists of "why didn't they?"
PREcisely. I had a Stowaway folding keyboard for my Handspring Visor some years back. That combination allowed me to take copious notes at meetings that were easily converted to full documents after syncing with the desktop in my office. I'd love to have a BT kbd option, and since it seems like a relatively easy fix to add the necessary BT profile to the Pre, I have a hard time understanding why Palm wouldn't offer it.
The one weak spot I see in Palm's implementation of the Pre is that they seem to think that everyone will be content with doing things one way. Apparently, if you don't like the way Palm designed things you're out of luck unless you want to root your new phone and hack the heck out of it (which I have gleefully done, btw). But if Palm really wants to get people to buy this phone they need to recognize that different people do things in different ways. Some of us want to be able to match the method to the situation.
Yes, the included keypad is usable in many situations, but if I need to type a longer email, blog/forum post reply or an actual document, I'd like the option of a full-sized keyboard. Quick SMS/response? An on-screen keyboard would be perfect. Changing the EQ settings on the music player would be nice-- not all of us think the default audio settings are the way to go. Camera white balance & self timer? These are standard on phones a lot less advanced than the Pre. This thing is, for all intents and purposes, a pocketable computer, yet it didn't even ship with a file manager. I understand Palm was probably under some pressure to get a device out the door, if you need your customers to hack the thing in order to provide what should be basic functionality, I'd say there was a lack of proper planning somewhere along the way.
I'm not knocking the Pre-- it's a fine phone with a lot of potential, and I'm happy to be an early adopter. I just wish Palm would have put more of that potential into practice when they launched it. BT keyboard profiles are readily available, and Palm acknowledged the community's desire to have them included, so why'd they drop the ball when it came time to implement?
Troll, troll troll this post. The Pre IS READY FOR PRIME TIME NOW. It is obvious that you do not own one. Thanks for your excellent contribution.
And the keyboard could have a touchstone magnet compatible mount which allows you to hold the Pre portrait or landscape orientations. That would be sweet. :)
I bought such a keyboard back then for my Tungsten T, and always had the driver installed, even later on my T5 and TX. But rarely used it. And later with the Treo/Centro, for me its way more comfortable to use the devices keyboard.
There are much more important things missing on the Pre (Camcorder, various BT profiles, etc...).
So, it some 3rd party would develop it, they shouldn't count on my money.
Fascinating and long-winded as ever, Jon. Bienvenidos.
My tweets as @PalmPreLawyer are much shorter-winded. :)
So Dieter should limit your articles to 140 characters? :)
; )
I never even thought of using a keyboard. I remember seeing them some years back next to the pdas at an electronic store (I considered getting a pda but never did) and then I completely forgot about them. Right now the only reason I would need a laptop is to work on homework papers but if I had a keyboard, that would take care of that.
Verizon, oh yeah like thats going to help, please.
a keyboard would be nice even just for the arrow keys. I think Palm should at least add something like the terminal app has where you can use the number pad to move around while holding the gesture area. It's a pain to even tap close to a location with the new memo pad.
That is why it is *extremely* unfortunate that Palm didn't make that mostly useless "center button" a 5-way NAV, like it should have been.
It is a nightmare to position the cursor right now. That would have solved it. It would also have given a friendly way to move and scroll exact amounts in lists.
Plus, it would have been SUPER for games.
Oh well :(
I wonder if the Pre could be made powerful enough to replace my laptop? A full size keyboard and a tiny projection monitor and I wouldn't need another computer.
Hasn't that died yet?
"Remember all those people in 2007 who scorned Palm for thinking there was a market for a $500 Linux notebook with a very small form factor, limited processing power and storage, but very high portability? I wonder how many of those same self-proclaimed experts have since purchased a netbook?"
Even so, how many of the netbook buying public have purchased "a $500 Linux notebook?" Foleo missed the mark on the specs that count. Most netbooks run Windows and cost
I did. A genuine, real one... Linux and solid state HDD. $399 (EEE 1000). I love it
I just got an ASUS eeePC too, but the keyboard on that is too small for my fingers. That's why I pulled out my T|X and the ThinkOutside Bluetooth keyboard rather than the eeePC to write the original article. Also, as small as the eeePC is, it doesn't fit in my coat pocket, as does my Bluetooth keyboard.
There is no single tool that's perfect for everyone, regardless of what any particular fanboy might say. For me and many other writers/notetakers/businessfolks, though, a small, portable folding keyboard paired with a smartphone or PDA is the perfect tool for many important jobs. {Jonathan}
I'd love to have a Bluetooth keyboard for the Pre. The ThinkOutside keyboard I have for my Zire has been very handy.
WANT.
WebOS is running on Linux. All we need are the modules to be compiled into the kernel for BT keyboards and gamepads. The Pre has a ton of power under the hood, and once the linux subsystem is exploited, it's going to be a killer gaming platform. Not just idiot iPhone games like bejeweled, but real, honest games like Doom and (s)nes emulators. Lots of people love the Pre. If Palm just opened up the lower level linux subsystem to WebOS, we'd see homebrew support for BT in a few weeks, tops. I also think that we'd see support for gamepads and other BT peripherals.
That's my biggest problem with the Pre, Palm isn't letting homebrew and webOS devs get deep enough into the hardware. Someone else blamed it on the iPhone, and they're right. Apple changed the standards of PDAs, and they changed them for the worse. Older palm devices were capable of a lot more when it comes to games, even if the hardware was at most half the speed of the Pre. Yet, with the current WebOS SDK, we'll never see 3d accelerated games. Palm is wasting the OMAP 3430 and all it's beautiful power.
I believe I read that Palm does intend on releasing a lower-level development kit that skirts the whole html/css/javascript stuff. When it will be released and to whom is still not known, however.
To me, an external keyboard ceased to be as compelling the second Palm decided to reverse course on a 5-way nav being the main input modality. Being that the touchscreen is a critical part of the WebOS interface, I personally think it would just be annoying to have to take my hands off the keyboard and touch the screen to place/move the cursor or advance to the next text field.
It's no different from a mouse modality on a desktop computer, and similar to that, there can be many navigation methods through the external keyboard (arrows, control keys) that minimize the need to click. {Jonathan}
If Palm built in support for arrow and/or tab keys to replicate the 5 way interface, then absolutely, it would be great. I suspect that it's not easy to add 5way support after the fact (remember, many Palm OS apps had to be re-written to specifically support the 5way). A BT keyboard that had no additional functionality than the current Pre alphabet keys would be useful during the actual process of text entry, but fairly terrible at editting, IMO. Maybe I'd be in favor of keyboard in combination with mouse support (although I've used the WebOS emulator with a mouse, and it's not great either, especially with gestures/flicking).
There is something to be said for using the right tool for the job. In this case, if you need a full size keyboard, the task is probably better suited for something else like a netbook, notebook, or desktop computer.
By carrying a keyboard with you, you've turned your beautiful little phone into a much bigger and more annoying piece of gear.
That said, I don't care if they add BT keyboard support because having the ability wouldn't bother me. However, I think most people would agree that theres a long long list of things we'd rather see first.
I 'd get BT keyboard. Why not?
Like the writer of this article, I have had many Palms, including the T|X and had keyboards with many of them. I think it is important to have a real keyboard for the Pre. However, I have to question how effective and valuable this would be for a Pre because of the limited and non upgradable memory. I am already fearing full memory and the paid apps aren't even really flowing yet. I do have more than a handful of Homebrew Apps, though.
If there were a decent compact keyboard and enough memory, I would probably throw my Netbook away (or at least leave in on the shelf with my other tech dinosaurs).
That's why supporting an existing industry standard like Bluetooth is more future-proof than the hard connector method, even if the hard connector can be more reliable in the short-term. Besides, while *you* may not have gotten productive use out of your two Stowaways, I've written literally tens of thousands of words on my Palm devices with external keyboards. Pretty productive, that. {Jonathan}
I used to use the physically connected foldout with the IIIxe, took it to my first year of college and in the hot climate, cargo shorts were perfect to stow away both keyboard and palm on one side. I'd bring a pen, and that was about all I needed. Perhaps a book if we were reading something. It was great to walk around without anything bulky or expensive like a laptop. I believe the keyboard costs around fifty dollars in 2001. The palm was a little over a hundred?? Anyway, much cheaper than a laptop with multiple advantages.
i used to use a keyboard that hooked in to my I90 nextel phone so i would def use a bt one on my pre.
don't care. nice read though. interesting history lesson.
Sign me up for the BT keyboard, too!
As a doctor, I used to love my Palm keyboard for going to seminars and lectures and being able to take notes without a clunky laptop. Then, the notes were available right in my Palm for use while taking care of patients. I used WordSmith for about 10 years I think.
Now, sadly, Wordsmith doesn't seem to work on the Pre with Classic, and no IR port for my wireless Palm Keyboard.
By the way, for the "not ready for Prime Time" folks out there - the first week with my Pre, I carried my old Centro, too. This week, the first couple days I kept it in my lunch bag, just in case.
Now, it's sitting home on the charger as a backup... I miss a few programs, especially my old WordSmith notes, but I am confident I'll figure out how to load up the converted docs this weekend so they can be read on the Pre. Epocrates runs well.
The Pre isn't perfect yet, but it is powerful, and I love having a functtional web browser finally, to do a quick search. So I think it's ready for the majority of non-power-users out there, in my humble opinion.
The lack of an external keyboard is the only reason why I stick to Windows Mobile --quite reluctantly. I can also use Refly Viewer
http://www.celiocorp.com/viewer
and have access to a full size netbook for a larger keyboard and monitor. Note that this is not considered "tethering" so there is no conflict with my provider's TOS (Terms of Service). I have looked into Android but it is just as restricted as Apple's iPhone.
No matter what I do I can't get away from WM:-( They support USB host, video out, etc., when you get the right model. Note that Bluetooth is not perfect with WM. You have to jump through a few hoops to make it work. I would prefer a USB solution where you just plug in a USB keyboard and it just works. There is apparently a HID driver available for WM (teksoftco.com) to make this possible but I haven't tried it yet.
The original keyboard and my Palm Vx were life savers in a number of situations, including when a laptop failed me while I was on the Acela on my way to an academic conference. When I had the T5, the ability to edit and then plug the device in as a USB drive made it a brilliant combination and were my reason for prefering DTG to wordsmith, which had been my favorite until the native word format support pushed it aside.
Ironically, the power that the Pre has may reduce its benefits as a traveling wordprocessor. The Vx could last for a week of heavy use, easily. Since the Pre's lifespan is not much longer than my Macbook's, it will have to cede that advantage. Also, while there were fun games on the Vx (and T5), the temptations of the web are far more dangerous to productivity than even a really, really, good novel.
That said, I REALLY WANT OPEN OFFICE DOCUMENT SUPPORT and a Keyboard. kthnxbye.
I did not know that it would lock like this. This is so good to know for the future. thanks for the info.
qui tam lawyers los angeles
Tons of thanks for this article. I am missing a decent BT driver or HID BT profile just as ProfJonthan.
BTW, you didn't mention the freedom input keyboard brand. They produce high quality BT keyboards, now including some with apple taste. They have smoothly working german layout keyboards with drivers for PalmOS. My keyboard is still working as an input device for various PalmOS PDAs, Nokia feature phones and smartphones, and the N800 NIT. But it can't be connected with my Palm Pre. Which forces me from time to time to borrow my wife's IdeaPad Netbook which usually serves as a recipe and gardening tool browser.