Bluetooth Keyboard

[radef]

I bought a couple bluetooth keyboards this week so I could try them out on my Xoom today. I thought I'd pass along at least 1 success story.

I bought a used Dell GM952 keyboard on eBay for $15 shipped. It was missing the volume knob (there's a bunch like this on eBay).

Works like a champ! Even the volume control works on the Xoom (now I wish I had the knob!).

Not bad for $15.

I also bought one of those roll up flexible silicone bluetooth keyboards new for $15. That should arrive tomorrow...

 

[dhendriksen]

How are these working out? The Motorola one has a horrible bug where randomly a key will get "stuck down". The key isn't actually stuck down, but you'd think that judging by what is happening on the screen. You need to turn the keyboard off to get the key to quit going nuts on the screen. This has happened several times and has always been annoying, but it took on a whole new level when the BACKSPACE key is the one that stuck down after I had spent about 30 minutes typing a lengthy email response.

As I was typing this a co-worker of mine just came over and mentioned he is experiencing the same thing with his Apple bluetooth keyboard. He was thinking it was a problem with an Apple keyboard and an Android device. Apparently it is a XOOM bluetooth problem.

If anyone knows of a fix for this, I will be forever greatful.

 

[2CupsWithString]

I actually just got my Moto keyboard today, don't have the Xoom with me at the moment but I paired it to my Evo and kept getting an "I I I I I" kind of a bummer but the thing feels great so I hope they work it out.

I remember years ago I saw one some tech site someone was going to make a bluetooth laser keyboard that would display on any hard surface - now that would be a perfect companion!

 

[dhendriksen]

That laser keyboard exists and it actually works pretty well, but I like tactile feedback.

I was glad to hear that the problem happens with not only my Motorola keyboard, but also with the Apple keyboard. That tells me that it is a bug in the OS that will hopefully get patched quickly.

"don't have the XOOM with me at the moment" - WTH? Don't have it with you? What a shame =)

 

[2CupsWithString]

That laser keyboard exists and it actually works pretty well, but I like tactile feedback.

I was glad to hear that the problem happens with not only my Motorola keyboard, but also with the Apple keyboard. That tells me that it is a bug in the OS that will hopefully get patched quickly.

"don't have the XOOM with me at the moment" - WTH? Don't have it with you? What a shame =)

Man, you're telling me - I have a 90 minute commute each way and didn't want to get the portfolio case because of the scratches so I was just putting it in the box and putting in this giant bag that I have, I travel by walking & subway so it was turning in to a bit of a hassle. The bag weighs about 18lbs.

I quickly ordered a "case" for the Xoom, but it was made for the iPad and didn't fit well enough for me want to travel with it on a crowded subway with sharp stops, so I ordered a netbook case that will get here tomorrow (with a shoulder strap), so hopefully my Xoom travel woes will be over.

It's the first gadget I really "miss" when I don't have it at work.

 

[dhendriksen]

I'm telling you, buy the portfolio case and use a Dremel tool to take those lower tabs off. I did that, and it works awesome with no scratching. I can guarantee you that I am the most anal person you will ever meet when it comes to my gadgets, and the portfolio case with those lower tabs ground off is perfect. I used a more course wheel to knock them down really quick, then used a really smooth/fine one to erase them completely. You cannot tell they were ever there, and it took me less than 5 minutes total time.

I put the portfolio case in my briggs and riley bag. I have the "Mini Computer Frief" from their At Work collection, and it is a great bag. I put the XOOM and cables in the "sleeve" that inserts into the middle (designed for a netbook/mini laptop and has "dividers" you can put up in there to keep the cables and the XOOM in seperate compartments. The Motorola bluetooth keyboard sits in the same "slot" in front of the "sleeve/insert" that the xoom is in. Then it leaves the from for a few files, some pens, a notepad, my Kodak Playsport video camera, etc... For $149 this is the best breif case I have ever owned!

If you need pics, let me know. For someone on the go like myself (and it sounds like you too) this is the only way to go. Oh yeah, and the bag has a shoulder strap if you want to carry it that way.

 

[2CupsWithString]

I'm telling you, buy the portfolio case and use a Dremel tool to take those lower tabs off. I did that, and it works awesome with no scratching. I can guarantee you that I am the most anal person you will ever meet when it comes to my gadgets, and the portfolio case with those lower tabs ground off is perfect. I used a more course wheel to knock them down really quick, then used a really smooth/fine one to erase them completely. You cannot tell they were ever there, and it took me less than 5 minutes total time.

I put the portfolio case in my briggs and riley bag. I have the "Mini Computer Frief" from their At Work collection, and it is a great bag. I put the XOOM and cables in the "sleeve" that inserts into the middle (designed for a netbook/mini laptop and has "dividers" you can put up in there to keep the cables and the XOOM in seperate compartments. The Motorola bluetooth keyboard sits in the same "slot" in front of the "sleeve/insert" that the xoom is in. Then it leaves the from for a few files, some pens, a notepad, my Kodak Playsport video camera, etc... For $149 this is the best breif case I have ever owned!

If you need pics, let me know. For someone on the go like myself (and it sounds like you too) this is the only way to go. Oh yeah, and the bag has a shoulder strap if you want to carry it that way.

Wow, alright - I already have the portfolio case in my amazon cart lol.

This is the bag I have coming tomorrow:Amazon.com: Caselogic VNA210 10.2-Inch Netbook/iPad Attache (Black): Electronics - I also grabbed this tablet stand: Amazon.com: Arkon Portable Fold-Up Stand for Apple iPad, Galaxy Tab, BlackBerry Play Book: Electronics and that bag will fit the keyboard as well. I plan to use this for my "light" travel days, but I thought I could throw the Xoom w/the portfolio case in there now and it'd be all the more easier and I can prob even still use the stand if I wanted. Currently it has the gel case on it.

Does removing the tabs let the Xoom still stay secure in that case?

 

[dhendriksen]

The XOOM is very secure in the base. I will try and post some pictures later tonight when I get home. If I have time I may shoot a quick video showing the ease of manipulating the case to use the XOOM how you like.

You will have to let me know how you like that stand. The portfolio case does a good job as a stand as well, but if you aren't alwasy going to have it in the case then the stand would be nice.

 

[2CupsWithString]

The XOOM is very secure in the base. I will try and post some pictures later tonight when I get home. If I have time I may shoot a quick video showing the ease of manipulating the case to use the XOOM how you like.

You will have to let me know how you like that stand. The portfolio case does a good job as a stand as well, but if you aren't alwasy going to have it in the case then the stand would be nice.

Yeah I have the dock too, but no USB so if I don't travel w/the stand go with the portfolio case then I'll leave the stand next to my desk to use it as a USB dock, travel w/the portfolio case and use the dock in the bedroom.

 

[dhendriksen]

I haven't picked up a dock yet. A co-worker got it and I am going to borrow it for a couple of days and evaluate it.

I don't use this much at home, so if I put it anywhere it would be on my desk. The portfolio case puts it at a great angle for use, so all I can see the dock being used for is charging.