Review on PalmOne Infrared Wireless Keyboard Palm by Joseph Adaymiln

Update/Caution. In early October 2004, PalmOne released a "Universal Wireless Keyboard Driver" update on its T3 website. This is NOT the correct driver for this keyboard - the driver for this keyboard is available on the Palm Accessories page for this keyboard and appears to have been last updated on 2003-12-12. I'm having system issues after installing this wrong driver, so make sure you get the correct driver (the images show a UWKeyboard with a different key layout). work very nice. The lack of dedicated number keys is really a bit annoying, as is the position of the bottom hinge (on the spacebar), but everything else works pretty well with my tungsten t3. There are a few things to watch out for if you get one of these:* The driver software in the package is almost certainly out of date, so you should download the newer version from the Palm website. Make sure you get the drivers for the correct keyboard as there are two different wireless keyboards. * On the T3, due to the position of the IR emitter, you need to set left hand landscape mode. The IR stick is long enough to work with the extended T3 in landscape mode - it'll be at an odd angle, but it works. When using the flip cover that comes with the T3, the T3 needs to be slightly further and to the right (the base of the T3 is not at the bottom of the holder area). but it still feels solid - you don't have to remove the cover to use the keyboard.* On-screen keys that don't match the pre-programmed names available with the blue Fn key can be controlled with Ctrl-Command-Letter where letter is the first letter button (or any unique letter in its name). ).* By default, the keyboard driver only looks for a keyboard signal after you turn on the Palm—usually 10 to 30 seconds, depending on how you set it up. After that, the search is terminated to save energy. That means if you turn on your Palm and play with it a bit before throwing it at your keyboard, it'll probably stop searching. When he finds the keyboard will he be fine Most people probably can turn this to the lowest setting and never notice it. * The up arrow key is also a "?" so if you need to move up when selected you have to use the blue Fn key (since Shift-Up only gives you a "?") . It becomes clearer when looking at the keyboard. Otherwise, text selection works as expected (ctrl-shift-arrow to select words, etc.)* There is a quick help/help section in the keyboard driver that you install on your Palm. It has some helpful tips and is always with you (unlike the PDF manual).* The keyboard uses power on the Palm because the IR port needs to be on, so battery life is reduced, while you're using it - still lower if you're using it as an IR keyboard, and a bluetooth phone as a modem. It's still good for a day or two depending on how often you use it (and the shorter battery life is something T3 owners should already be aware of). * The Tab key can be configured to either toggle fields or insert a TAB character by default. , with different behavior when using Fn-Tab. UPDATE: After some use, all of the above is still valid, but I have two additional notes: * When the Palm is looking for a keyboard, it's looking for a keypress - this sends the character and lets the Palm understand that the keyboard is there and just being in the pedestal keyboard isn't enough. If you miss this window of opportunity, you can force the redisplay. Either by turning it off and on again, or going to the keyboard app and asking to check again.* I use a shopping list program and have noticed that in some grocery stores, the use of lighting in the refrigerated/frozen aisles can cause the Palm -Keyboards thinks the keyboard is present and sends characters (frozen "p"?). If you come across this, the best alternative is to cover the infrared port with your finger. some grocery stores using chilled/frozen aisle lighting can cause the Palm keyboard driver to think the keyboard is present and send characters (frozen "p"?). If you come across this, the best alternative is to cover the infrared port with your finger. some grocery stores using chilled/frozen aisle lighting can cause the Palm keyboard driver to think the keyboard is present and send characters (frozen "p"?). If you come across this, the best alternative is to cover the infrared port with your finger.