iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard for Blackberry and other PDA/ Handhelds Reviews

• Great keyboard from the makers of stow-a-way

  
  By A2NQODQ5GEP3GX on 2005-05-09
  This is my third keyboard that I've purchased for my PDA (Axim X50v) and I'm thrilled with the quality and performance of this keyboard. I highly recommend this product to anyone considering a keyboard.
  
  I first bought a Belkin IR keyboard from Office Dept and it sucked. It felt cheap. The keys were poorly spaced and I couldn't get it to work with my Axim X50v. But in reality the biggest problem was the cheapness of the keyboard. I paid $60 for the keyboard and felt that I should have paid $20. Piece of crap. Decided to return it within 5 minutes of opening the box.
  
  The second keyboard I bought was the "Dell Axim X50V Portable / Foldable / Full Size Bluetooth Keyboard" from Suntekstore / Amazon. This keyboard sucked for several reasons. First off, while it may have number keys (unlike this keyboard) the keys are all undersized so I couldn't type with them. Not a good start. Second problem is that the keyboard was made for cell phones, NOT PDA's! I couldn't put my Axim on the stand without it falling over or leaning at an unacceptable level toward the ceiling. Total crap. And the third problem was that I couldn't get it to connect to my PDA. I'm sure i could've figured out the third problem but the keyboard sucked so bad I made the decision to return it after an hour of opening the box.
  
  Then I ordered the Think Outside keyboard...
  
  This keyboard is head over heals better than the other keyboards that I just mentioned. The keys feel nice and they are well spaced. Opening the unit was a little stiff at first, but now slides open and closed easily with a satisfying "click" at either end of the process. The Axim fits PERFECTLY into the cradle that is built into the unit (I use the Axim in landscape position). I was also able to get this keyboard to work in about 30 minutes. Not plug and play, but reasonable. The keyboard sacrificed the number keys to make room for the larger key spacing, but I haven't found that it's a problem to type numbers by holding down the function keys. The best thing about this keyboard however is the quality. I paid $90 for it and I'd do it again in a second.
  
  BTW, for those of you who are trying to figure out if the extra money for bluetooth is worth it, it is! I keep my PDA in its cradle by my computer charging when I'm at my desk. At any time I can flip open my keyboard and start typing notes without ever removing the PDA from its cradle. It's very convenient!
  
  I've owned the keyboard for about a week and I'm very thrilled with the quality and performance it. It's a joy to use and easily doubles the usefulnexx of my PDA
  
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• Put to the TREO 650 challenge

  
  By A33FS5H3CPDR6D on 2005-07-29
  I purchased this keyboard so that I could start doing some serious word processing on my Treo 650, and I've been absolutely pleased!
  
  First off, the keyboard does not come with the Treo 650 driver --- you must DOWNLOAD THIS DRIVER OFF OF THINK OUTSIDE'S website
  
  However, downloading the driver is easy, and from there, you can sync it to your Treo, or email it, in an attachment, to it
  
  Once the drive is installed, the keyboard is flawless!
  
  My biggest complaint about BlueTooth keyboards is that they lag, as you type ---- but this is not the case with the Stowaway --- every key I pressed showed up INSTANTLY upon my Treo 650
  
  So far, it has worked terrificly with my address book, calendar, and email (VersaMail)
  
  In addition, the keyboard folds together well and is EXTREMELY thin and portable ---- I don't know if you could carry it in a pocket - but a backpack, briefcase, etc will not feel any extra weight with this product
  
  lastly - these keyboards are small --- I wish the delete key was bigger (as I often make typos) but nonetheless, I'm very happy, and certainly, typing on this quicker than the phone's keyboard
  
  highly recommended!
  
  HAPPY TYPING! HAPPY BUYING!
  
  

• The Only Choice For Mobile Professionals

  
  By A34DD8BOKGVCRQ on 2005-08-13
  ThinkOutside Stowaway Keyboard
  
  Pro -
  * Near full-size key spacing. Easy to for a touch typist to use accurately with no loss of speed or learning a new keyboard feel
  * Unfolds and Folds easily
  * Unfolds and locks securely - can be used in a lap without risk of board assuming the characteristic "V" shape of bent HP iPaq and Freedom keyboards.
  * Folds to small size
  * Removable cradle
  * Folds to small lightweight size
  * Easy to use software
  * Simple power management: powers down upon closing; powers up when opened.
  * Protective case included.
  
  Con -
  * No number/symbol row. Need to use awkward alt-key combinations. Not appropriate for extended numeric data entry or spreadsheets.
  * Cradle difficult to remove
  * Protective case cheap vinyl
  * Does not sit totally flat on a flat surface.
  
  In so many fundamental areas where other mobile Bluetooth keyboards fail, Think Outside got it right.
  They are the *only* contender who remembered that a mobile keyboard will be used in mobile situations - read: "on a lap" - and designed the board to sit sturdy without risk of bending when the board's center is hovering in the air between one's legs.
  They also remembered that one advantage to using a wireless connection is it gives the user an option to place the handheld to any convenient location within range. The cradle however requires a distressing effort of bending and twisting to remove, which makes the user fear breaking the cradle.
  Additionally, this board is designed for use by experienced touch typists, and does not require users to re-calibrate the fingers to type on significantly smaller keys as does the Freedom Keyboard.
  Finally, despite its slightly Rube Goldberg appearance, this keyboard is solid, with a refreshing amount of metal in it's construction. It will take some reasonable punishment - the HP iPaq and Freedom keyboards are cheap plastic children's toys by comparison.
  
  Were I able, I would dock the Stowaway ½ star on two points: The lack of a number/symbol row of keys and it's instability on a flat desk.
  
  The absence of a number/symbol row reduces the width of the folded board by only ¾". Given that I could replace my laptop with a handheld and folding keyboard if I had reliable means to enter numbers onto a spreadsheet, I would gladly accept a Stowaway model which is 4.25" wide when folded, instead of the current 3.5".
  In all other ways, Think Outside built this board for professional use. They forgot however, those of us who crunch numbers on Excel, requiring use of cumbersome alt-key combinations (which cannot be locked) for numeric entry.
  
  Although very stable when sitting on a desk, the unfolded board sits on a thin base 5.75" long, with two cantilevered "wings" extending 2.25" in the air past the sides of the base.
  Thus, if both hands are not simultaneously on the keyboard to balance it, a keypress on either the extreme left or right side will make the board imitate a catapult. A hunt-and-peck, one or two fingered typist will find this frustrating, though a touch typist accustomed to both hands on the home keys will have little, if any, problem.
  
  Compared to the HP iPaq Folding Bluetooth Keyboard or the Freedom Bluetooth Keyboard -- arguably the only other choices for mobile Bluetooth keyboards -- this Stowaway is the only one worth the money you spend for it. Remarkably, it has the lowest retail price of the three on Amazon.
  
  At the time of this writing, the Think Outside Stowaway Keyboard is the clear winner in design, construction, and functionality over all other mobile Bluetooth keyboards. There are simply no other choices for the mobile professional.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Beware for Palm TX and others

  
  By A3R0E21FFE78HT on 2006-04-01
  I'm very unhappy to have to give such a nice piece of hardware such a low rating. I really liked the keyboard. It's compact, has a great feel, and is light.
  
  However, it just doesn't work. The problem is specifically with the software, and not the hardware. The device requires you instal a driver on your PDA, and the current driver for Palm doesn't work (for other devices see below). The shift key is very erratic, such that you end up with strings that LOoKs lIKe THiS. If you are using a Palm TX, do *not* buy this keyboard. Unless you can do with out using the shift key!
  
  The company promised a revised driver in March for Palm, and as I write this we are well into April and there is no driver yet. They have ignored mine and *many* others' requests to know what the status is of the update. It's been a complete and eerie silence.
  
  As far as for other products, as I've been frequenting the company's forum pages often, I have noticed there are other PDAs which are suppose to work but don't. I *strongly* urge you to go to Think Outside home page, then go to the forum. There is a forum dedicated exclusively to discussing this product. Do a search there on your PDA and see if other people are having problems or not. If there's nothing there, and your PDA is suppose to work, then you're probably fine.
  
  Specifically, if you have a palm TX like me, what I would suggest you do, if you have any interest in this keyboard, is to first go to the company home page. Check out the most recent driver for Palm. If they are still on 3.01 which was released in June 2005, don't buy the keyboard. However, if they have a new driver, I would go to the forum page of Think Outside and see if anyone is having problems with it. If not great, if so continue to beware!
  
  I do think other palm devices aside from the TX have been having trouble, but go to to forums and check for yourself regarding the relevant device.
  
  Always check the support forums for any device before you buy! Ah .. if only I had done that before buying this keyboard!
  
  Good luck!
  
  

• A change of heart

  
  By A1VS1LL905P5L5 on 2005-05-08
  It seems that this keyboard acts a little like those gold fish you bring home in a plastic bag from the pet shop. You have to put the whole bag in the tank until it acclimates to it's new surroundings. I went from wanting to love the thing for the sheer coolness factor....to boxing it up to send back when it wouldn't sync to my Axim x50v....to giving it another chance and after it was good and ready to work flawlessly, I now love it again. The keyboard is smaller than standard but very useable. It's great for writing a longer e-mail, inputting contacts, or writing a letter in word, when you don't want to peck at the screen with your stylus endlessly. The construction feels solid and opening and closing is a snap. Pun intended. The only major flaw is with the cradle that holds your PDA. It is removable which is the desired use to space the PDA a little further away from you. But the feet that clip it to the keyboard just don't want to let go. The plastic it's made out of doesn't seem especially robust and I feel certain it will snap off eventually. Also the curved lower part of the cradle that holds your Axim, et al, is a little under developed and if bumped will readily jettison what it's holding. Other than that it works very well and never ceases to make me grin when everyone passing your table at Starbucks has to stop and ask you about it. I previously gave it one star, but now that it's acclimated and working I give it 4 only because of the cradle shortcoming or else it would have been a full 5. I know it shows one star, but Amazon wholdn't allow me to edit the scale.
  
  
• Excellent addition for my Nokia N800
  By AAULO46ZGZZF5 on 2007-02-14
  I ordered the Stowaway keyboard from Amazon based upon all previous reviews. I bought it together with a new Nokia N800 (Linux based PDA). I really worried if it would work with my new PDA. Indeed, N800 is not a Windows or Palm machine and there was a probability of some compatability issues.
  
  However, I was able easily to pair both devices and start to type. You need to pair a keyboard and PDA before usage. Do not forget to press Enter key after entering a code on your keyboard. Forgetting this got me some troubles for about 5 minutes until I googled a solution. Now it is time to talk about the product.
  
  It is just optimal. It is sharp, very firm keyboard which is still very portable. It has a better case than my PDA does! The keyboard uses two AAA batteries and they are lasting for long: at least for 1 month of a very agressive usage. The keys are full sized and very comfortable for typing. I do not like a splitted space button however you need to split one for folding the keybord. There are some trade off to make it portable of course (you need to keep a special button to be able to type numbers as an example) but it is still very nice. The mechanical support for PDAs is also very convenient and can be easily removed if unnecessary.
  
  I highly recommend this keyboard for any actively used PDAs. Especially, if you type e-mails, stories, blogs or other documents on go. Comparing to other keyboard as far as I compared, the famous Nokia keyboard is twice more expensive and twice worse. Though, Nokia is a good company and has good engineers.
  
  Warning: I could not get special buttons work properly with my PDA. I have however a root access to the N800 and hopefully will fix it soon.
  
  
• Awesome Little Keyboard...
  By A1GQXEH11XUUQ0 on 2006-06-23
  I bought this keyboard based on many of the reviews on Amazon, though I was a little worried because I own Palm TX. Well, my worries were all for naught. :-)
  
  When I got the keyboard, I downloaded the driver for the TX and was off and running. It is so much easier to use the keyboard than trying to do everything with the stylus. Because getting data into my pda is so much easier, the pda can do at least 80% of what I need a PC for -- Email, basic word processing, basic web surfing, and time management.
  
  There is a bit of a learning curve associated with this keyboard. To keep everything compact most of the keys do double (or even triple) duty. Learning to use the FN keys in combination with another key can be a bit of a pain, but is worth it.
  
  The size is also just short of perfect. It folds up into a nice little rectangle and slips into its case. I could quibble a bit on it being a "full-sized" keyboard. My fingers from time to time hit the wrong keys, because they don't quite match the size of the ones on my computers keyboard. This drawback is to me extremely minor.
  
  So far the keyboard has proven pretty durable. The leather case and metal outside help see to that. I tote it to and from work everyday in a junk laden purse. The kids like it too, and one of them wants one for their own PDA. I expect this thing will still work like a charm at the end of the summer.
  
  
  
  
• Which one should I buy?
  By A2NYI7Z2GY3DGC on 2006-06-26
  I recently purchased the Think Outside Bluetooth Stowaway keyboard. I must say that the keyboard was exactly what I was hoping for. I was a bit unsure about which brand to go with, but I would undoubtedly choose this one again if given the opportunity. I installed the software according to the instructions and was using the keyboard within minutes.
  
  The keyboard came with two AA batteries, which now a month later are still going strong (with moderate usage). Keying numbers can take some getting used to (since there is no dedicated number row), but I have adapted now and rarely (if ever) inaccurately key numbers. I would rather use the function key for entering numbers than add another row to the keyboard. Since we're thinking about size (maybe?), I think the size is perfect. The keyboard is small enough to be convenient, but large enough to do some considerable typing. The keyboard folds away very nicely and came with a nice leather zippered carrying case.
  
  One last thing, I was worried that the stand wouldn't hold my phone (Cingular 8125 Smartphone) upright. Not a problem at all. The stand is detachable and has to different open positions so it should work with almost any handheld device.
  
  
  
• 17 Steps to WOW on your Nokia N800
  By A52GCDOZZ5ZLS on 2007-12-05
  Having had the Nokia N800 since April 2007. Of all technology I have purchased over several years has been (at least in my case) one of the most useful items I have ever owned. When Amazon put the Igo Stowaway ultra slim keyboard on the deals section it was irresistible. In the spirit of Amazon arrived in a matter of days. After a couple of hours trying to pair the devices and constant googling I was sad that such a potential addition to the N800 would just not work. I reluctantly went about preparing my new keyboard for a return. Printed out the return slips. One more try I said to myself. Eureka !!
  
  1. Go to Control Panel on the N800
  2. Click 'Hardware Keyboard' (OS 2007) or 'Bluetooth keyboard' (OS 2008)
  3. Select 'Generic 105-key PC'
  4. In control panel click 'Bluetooth' (can click Pair if using OS 2008)
  5. Make sure 'Bluetooth' is checked and 'Visible' is Checked
  6. Click on Button 'Devices'
  7. Click on Button 'New'
  8. On the Igo keyboard hold down the left CNTRL KEY, The BLUE fn key and the GREEN fn key at the same time
  9. A GREEN LED above the T key will begin to flash.
  10. Nokia N800 will display 'Think Outside Keyboard'
  11. Highlight the 'Think Outside Keyboard'
  12. Click 'OK'
  13. 'Pair with Device' dialogue will appear
  14. Note the Passcode number
  15. Click button 'OK'
  16. While holding down the BLUE Fn key (to enter numerics) type the passcode as you noted in step 14. Then hit enter.
  17. Hey Presto you now have a full size keyboard for your N800
  
  I gave it a 4 out of 5 because of the hassle of figuring out the above and it does have a few quirks when scrolling pages. Overall it is a worthy addition although even when folded larger than my N800 by an inch or two. Not bad for a full sized keyboard though !!
  
  Hope you find this helpful
  
  BTW the sticky stuff on the keyboard is a a real pain to get off !!
  
  
• Pocket PC blows away laptop
  By A2MCWPAN9CMDOR on 2006-02-23
  I have an awesome laptop. The screen size is perfect, it's not too heavy, it's got lots of RAM, etc. But when I travel, I hate being a laptop (L)user. I carry-on. Which means 1 bag and 1 personal item (e.g., laptop case). And you have to take it out of the bag to go thru airport security which is just a nuisance. Not to mention the glares you get from the people in line behind you. It's the modern day equivalent of check writers at the grocery store!
  
  Anyway, I bet you're wondering why I'm talking about laptops and airport security in a review about a wireless keyboard. For all of you who travel frequently and bring your laptop for sending email or showing a powerpoint or just because "your life is in there:" consider a PocketPC with Think Outside's Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard. I have the Dell Axim X51v. This baby is the perfect companion! Initially I thought it was lame to carry around a keyboard and PDA. But try tapping out few URLs or use Mobile Word with your stylus and you'll think again. A usable keyboard actually turns a PDA into a real-world useful machine instead of just a neat gadget. Originally I bought an IR keyboard that Dell sells. What a piece of crap. Download this, line up the PDA like that, blah blah blah, inferior keys. What a pain! I sent it back.
  
  I ordered this one from Amazon and everything worked famously. I visited Think Outside's website from my Axim and it automagically downloaded the latest drivers. Don't be fooled by the pictures though -- putting the Axim upright downsn't fly. But position it horizontally and WOW you've got a super portable, cool device that you don't have to take out of your bag to get thru airport security. The keyboard locks into place for lap-typing, the keys are big and easy to type with, it's small and has its own zippered pouch for protection. It also synced with my BT-enabled cell phone, so I could type really long text messages - but that's just getting carried away. The keyboard is really worthwhile in usefulness and is sturdy enough I don't expect any problems.
  
  
• Very handy to have
  By AAXIW3SRA0S4R on 2006-12-03
  I've purchase few other bluetooth keyboards with this one, but I like this keyboard and the mouse, which I got together with the keyboard - the best. I use iPAQ and I did have to go to stowaway website to download the correct drivers, and after the drivers were installed and the keyboard set up it was a piece of cake using it. It's been working perfectly. It is so small, that it can fit in a purse if not in a pocket. I have found this iPAQ and keyboard exquisitely practical for jotting down notes and even writing scripts wherever and whenever inspiration hits me when I'm away from my main computer.
  
  
• Good small footprint, excellent software
  By A3F3LV1Q0OEFSC on 2004-11-23
  I can use the detachable stand with my ipaq to watch movies or surf the net without holding the device. Works perfectly with my Nokia 6600 and iPAQ hx4700. One thing keeping it from perfect is the lack of the Number/!@#$%^&*()roll and the "/" key is to the right of the right "Shift" key, it does take some time to get used to. Device feels quite fragile overall.
  
  
• Works for Palm OS
  By A1EBFVSYGKGKPZ on 2005-07-10
  This product is now a universal product--not just compatible with Pocket PCs. I have a Palm Zire 72 and this keyboard works great with it! If you have a Palm, just go to the Think Outside webpage and download the drivers for Palm, then do a HotSync. Pretty simple. Anyway, on to the review:
  
  Good:
  1. Comes with nice, padded case
  2. Folds up easily into a small, mobile size
  3. Makes entering data or surfing the web MUCH, MUCH faster
  4. Bluetooth allows great range (well over 100 ft. from what I can tell, but this doesn't really matter since you can't read your PDA screen from very far anyway)
  5. Detachable stand
  
  Bad:
  1. A little pricey for a keyboard, but WELL worth it
  2. Installation is no plug-n-play (especially for Palm users)
  
  I would highly recommend this! My only regret is that I didn't purchase this weeks ago when I didn't think it was compatible with Palms.
  
  
• GREAT keyboard, but with a fatal design flaw...
  By A1TV5620JELC88 on 2007-12-05
  This is a very great little keyboard that works nicely (usually) with my BlackBerry 8830. It flips open from a tiny little thing into to a comfortable size keyboard that you can really type on. It has shortcut keys that mostly work -- although on my BlackBerry, some of the keys do different things than they're supposed to, there doesn't seem to be a key to launch the Inbox, and the Bluetooth connection falls off and has to be reconnected every once in a while. Setup and installation were simple using the BlackBerry universal drivers downloaded from the iGo website. Normally, I would give this 5 stars, especially at this great price.
  
  BUT... some rocket scientist at iGo decided to place a big, friendly "How To Use Me" sticker across the keys and the case. It's a nice thing to do, but instead of using Post-It glue so you could easily remove the sticker, they used industrial-strength price-sticker glue that DOESN'T COME OFF. In removing the sticker, one of the keys broke off. Amazon made good on it and replaced it, but the manufacturer was entirely useless in this regard and refused to do anything about it.
  
  (I think iGo or Amazon's supplier must have had a large inventory of these with the bad stickers that they are unloading on Amazon at a fraction of the original price, which is why the price here is so very low compared to everywhere else, and which is also why the manufacturer's website is sold out on these right now.)
  
  If you get this, REMOVE THE STICKER VERY CAREFULLY and plan on it taking awhile. I found that RUBBING worked better than scratching, but it was still impossible to get all of the residue off and of course I damaged the key.
  
  This is enough of a design flaw that my rating goes down from 5 stars to 2 stars.
  
  
  
• Great Accessory for Your PDA
  By A4RT0WV05WQ6A on 2005-01-13
  I bought this keyboard for my wife to use with her IPAQ hp1945. Wow, what boost in productivity and it's incredibly compact and easy to use! I researched cheaper keyboards, but most of the less expensive ones are I.R. based. My experience with IR devices and PDAs has not been good as establishing and maintaining good connections between devices can be challenging. Bluetooth is definitely the way to go. The Think Outside keyboard looks and feels like a quality product. It's a little tricky at first to figure out how to open (unfold) and then stowaway after you use it, but after a few uses it becomes trivial. I highly recommend this product.
  
  
• PalmOS support dire
  By A3OGMOD9Q5G6LD on 2006-01-31
  This keyboard looks and feels great. It works on the Palm as it states, but unfortunately the palm keyboard driver is a buggy piece of rubbish. Anyone that reviews this for the palm and says its great obviously hasnt actually tried typing anything that requires the use of the shift key. Theres a bug that means that anything you shift causes the next letter to be shifted as well. Intensely annoying. And thinkoutsides reply? Wait for 1.5 years for the new driver. Well thanks but no, I'll be binning my keyboard instead.
  
  Before you buy this for a palm check out the support forums at ThinkOutside.com - look at all the people complaining about this problem and the lack of response from thinkoutside....
  
  
• Wish it wasn't so expensive - but it's worth it
  By ALUTHT4U058KZ on 2006-10-18
  It is so funny watching text fly into my T-Mobile SDA smartphone (aka iMate SP5m or HTC Tornado) using the Stowaway keyboard. This keyboard is all class: just like a laptop keyboard, with the same spring to the keys, quality, durability and lovely looks to boot.
  
  Entering numbers is get-used-to'able, however symbols such as () and & or % can be a major pain, due to the fact that a) you have to use "custom" key commands using ctrl, fn1 and fn2 buttons and b) if you are an experienced typer, you "already know" the "motion" for & or * or (), and you'll find yourself doing them! (meaning you are incorrect, on this keyboard)
  
  That said, entry is obviously very fast and natural as this is a proper keyboard, just with some multi-purposed keys requiring key combos.
  
  The only solution is to FORCE yourself through it and just do it. You will get used to it, just like you got used to fast touch-typing.
  
  Anyhow, this thing is a gem for hammering out quick SMS text messages, etc. I mean no more "click-click-click, clack-clack, click-click-click-click, clack-clack" to type out a single four-letter word. Nothing feels quite like that lol!
  
  This thing will fit EASILY in a purse and will fit in a men's pant pocket. I wear shorts, pants, etc. and it fits fine.
  
  The keyboard clicks are quite silent. I use this in class to quicly type out extensive class notes, as I can type far faster (and more legibly) than I can hand-write.
  
  The case is durable sandblasted aluminum (like my old minidisc player) and the detachable device stand is sweet! I use it all the time to put my phone on one of those little chair-mounted desks in class, and type in my lap. Sweet!
  
  Anyhow, is this thing essential? I mean, I kinda hate not having a notebook around when in, say, a statistics class with graphs and stuff...you can't draw graphs with this thing very well. However, for text-based notes in a college setting, this thing is well worth it. A smartphone as above and a keyboard, and you have one of THE major functions of a laptop, but without having to carry a laptop. Just the phone you'd have anyways, and this flat little thing.
  
  NOTE: if you have troubles reconnecting this thing, use the bluetooth connect on your phone first, then use the special driver provided by Think Outside to finish the connection. Two part process.
  
  In all, I am a college student and I wish I did not have to pay over $80 for this unit (why can't they make it for $30?), but in the end this thing is slightly sweeter than it's price, so it's worth it.
  
  
• An excellent companion - - - far superior to IR keyboards.
  By A680RUE1FDO8B on 2006-03-02
  I have infrared (IR) keyboards to use with my Palm Treo 650 and Palm TX. They don't work very well, at least not for me. I had major problems with lag: characters I typed simply didn't make it to the screen.
  
  Taking a chance, I bought the Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard . . . and I am very, very impressed.
  
  Set-up is very quick and Stowaway's set-up software is simple to use. Reading the short user's manual (not the brief Quick Start) is a must. The learning curve isn't steep, but because the keyboard is intended as a "universal" device, tweaks have to be made for using it with Palm or Pocket PC devices.
  
  Once set up, the keyboard performs superbly well. Every key I struck showed up immediately onscreen. I have large hands and I was concerned that I would encounter many typos because of my large fingers. I needn't have worried. The keys have a firm touch and the spacing is wide enough to keep typos to a miniumum. Because of the immediate feedback provided by Bluetooth, I felt no tendency to go back and retype because the character didn't show up. I had no idea that the IR keyboard with its lag was causing me to do that so much.
  
  Others have commented about instability because the ends of the keyboard are essentially unsupported. At first this struck me as a design flaw, but within a few minutes this is easily compensated for. I had little difficulty with my keystrokes causing the keyboard to rock.
  
  Some have also complained about devices slipping off the minimal stand provided. I had no problems with the Treo 650 or Palm TX.
  
  Finally a number of people have complained that there is no fifth row for entry of numbers. You have to use a function key + number combination or you can set the keyboard to number lock. If you have to enter a lot of numeric data, the complaints are justified. On the other hand, for people like me who have limited need for numeric entry, it is an inconvenience, but not a major one. I'm happy to trade a fifth row for numerics for the small size of the unit.
  
  Construction of the unit is typical for many of today's products. It's plastic with some metal, but overall it does not feel like it is built like a tank. On the other hand, it doesn't feel overy flimsy either. Time and use will tell how well the unit stands up.
  
  Overall, this unit makes it eminently possible to use handheld devices like the Treo 650 and Palm TX for serious typing. I was surprised to find that I could type almost as rapidly on this keyboard as I can on a full-sized unit. The Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard is a very slick piece of work and well worth the cost for anyone who wants to use their smartphone or PDA for typing more than a few words.
  
  
• A little hard to get started, but works very well
  By A3F6GV1KRQ0Y4I on 2007-08-13
  I did alot of research on this and was a little worried because a previous reviewer said it wouldn't work with a Palm TX- but it does!
  
  After becoming very frustrated with the manual, website, and that green flashing light on the keyboard, I called customer service. They were helpful and I had it working in minutes. (The problem was that when the palm said "now type password on the keyboard", I really needed to type it before it gave this message instead of after.) So psychics should have no problem with this. It is much easier to just forget all of this and use it without "secure" on.
  
  The keyboard itself is easy to use, the keys are large like a laptop computer, and the stand holds up my PDA very well (on a flat surface)
  I don't like how you have to press a "shift-like" key to get the numbers to work, and i find myself typing the keys manually on the Palm instead. But I haven't used the keyboard long enough to get used to this, and I don't use the numbers that much anyway. Also if it meant making the keyboard bigger, or making the keys smaller, I can live without a separate number row.
  
  
• great keyboard stupid sticker
  By AHQOVC8AKDHQC on 2007-11-27
  this is a great keyboard and a great idea BUT the sticker they put across the keyboard to show you how to use it when you first unpack it... its one of those "price sticker" things that don't come off clean ... in fact it disintegrates when you try to get it off and leaves sticky blobs all over the keys that take FOREVER to get off
  
  i can't say don't buy it but i can say PLEASE USE A SENSIBLE STICKER ON THE KEYPAD IN FUTURE
  
  *sighs*
  
  
  
  
  
• Wonderful Idea, not fully compatible with Life Drive.
  By A14XG6B5Z7ETKL on 2005-09-26
  I got this keyboard by mistake, thinking it was fully compatible with the PalmOne LifeDrive. My first bitter surprise was when I tried to install the drivers...the Palm OS drivers that were there were for the IR version. The installation CD was difficult to use.
  
  Nevertheless, I was able to find the correct drivers in the Think Outside website, and install them on the lifedrive. The keyboard works very well, but ocasionally, after typing a period or question mark, it starts firing off the shift key randomly, which can be very annoying. ThE GaRbLeD TeXt EnDs Up LoOkInG lIkE tHiS sEnTeNcE.
  
  I think Amazon changed the description after I bought this, because I don't recall it saying this product was for Pocket PC as it now does.
  
  I still like this keyboard, and use it ocasionally, but many of the options are for pocket PC, and the keys are labelled accordingly. If you're a Palm user considering buying this, consider waiting until Think Outside comes up with a Bluetooth keyboard specifically made for Palm OS or at least, fully compatible.
  
  
• Not For Treo 650
  By ABWO71WEWXA57 on 2005-10-21
  1) Doesn't work with BizConnect software.
  2) If you have a BlueTooth headset, the headset won't work anymore
  3) Keys don't map well to the Treo 650
  
  
• Great Design, Little Trouble with Palm TX
  By AJFWQA9MZLI75 on 2006-01-28
  I have owned this product for a week, overall, it'a a great keyboard for a heavy Palm user.
  
  Pros:
  1. Bluetooth works well: I use this keyboard with my Palm TX, the bluetooth set up is very easy. It takes only a second to connect the keyboard to my palm.
  
  2. The original size of the keyboard is great. Easy to type.
  
  3. The design of the keyboard is wonderfully presented! I was amazed first time when I open the keyboard.
  
  4. It's very light - easy for carrying everywhere. I bring my keyboard almost everywhere I go.
  
  5. The keyboard comes with a carrying case. It provides good protection.
  
  Cons:
  1. My Palm TX has trouble "standing" right in front of the keyboard when it is in its portrait mode. The bottom of Palm TX is too thick for the space provided. I have to place my Palm landscape in order to let it fit in the space in the stand of the keyboard.
  
  2. The shorcut and command keys are designed for PPC, not for Palm. I have to take some time to set up shortcut - it works eventaully.
  
  3. The number key is complicated. I have to press "Fn" and number key together in order to type number. A little time and effert consuming.
  
  To sum up, I think this is a great devise. It would be good to see a Palm friendly version soon.
  
  
  
• So much better than the IR alternative.
  By A2GH7F58FTECG on 2006-03-23
  So much better than the IR alternative.
  
  I bought this keyboard along with the Palm TX here on Amazon and I have been most pleased with both products and especially their functionality with each other. I use the combo primarily for taking notes in my college classes and it works amazingly well.
  
  Sometimes the desk is not very big and so I'll just put the PDA in my lap and the keyboard on the desk. This works perfectly and would not be possible with an infra-red keyboard.
  
  I also use my PDA to keep a daily journal. It is so nice to jet down to the local coffee shop on a Saturday morning, be able to pull the Palm and keyboard out of my jacket pockets and be typing my thoughts in less than a minute.
  
  The only advice I would give is to go directly to the Think Outside website and download the latest driver. I didn't even bother with the CD that came with the keyboard.
  
  
• Took me quite a while to pair it but it works since then
  By A1GXOJYENYFP6W on 2007-12-04
  The manual is not very helpful and there is an easy-to-forget instruction in the back of the keyboard. Two ends of the keyboard cannot touch your desk surface so don't type too hard. The instruction sticker is very sticky and hard to peeled off.
  
  I bought it as an external keyboard for my Nokia N800. The steps to pair them are following:
  
  1. In N800, goto Tools->Control Panel-> Hardware keyboard, select 'Generic 105-key PC'
  2. Install batteries into the keyboard and fully open it.
  3. Same control panel of N800, follow Bluetooth-> Devices-> New to search and add new devices
  4. N800 should find the Stowaway keyboard soon, it will prompt pairing it with a passcode provided on screen
  5. On the keyboard, press three keys: Control, FN (green) and FN(blue) simultaneously and type in your passcode in the meantime, do not forget to press Enter key afterwards.
  6. Done! There should be a green light blinking on the top left edge of the keyboard to indicate it is working.
  
  
  
• Great Item, Complete with the Most Annoying Sticker of All Time!
  By AJFG5393BJHGS on 2007-12-12
  I just received this item from Amazon, and it is very nice, with the exception of one thing...someone in product development thought it would be a great idea to put an industrial strength sticker over the keyboard and exterior of the item. It took me over a ½ hour to manually remove the sticker, and it still has residue all over 9 buttons on the right side. Plus, when trying to get the residue off of the case with some goo gone, it removed the IGo logo, thus ruining the front of the case.
  
  For $90, I would have thought someone could have spec'd out a removable sticker, or better yet, no sticker at all, simply a card/placard that would show how to open it. This is terrible, and I'm totally dissatisfied that my brand new $90 item is ruined thanks to someone's poor planning.
  
  
  
• Rocks!
  By A16680VT4GRYDL on 2004-12-07
  Bought mine recently and it works perfectly with XDAII! Also bought thei new PDA mouse which totally changes the experience. It's so handy to have for note taking, surfing, etc. With the mouse and kybd, it's as close to a notebook as you can get w/o the bulk. Constructions seems great and it is a marvel of engineering in the way it folds; very tiny. The detachable PDA stand is great too although it does require a flat surface to sit upon. THe number keys require a bit of getting use to but after a day it didn't seem a big deal. I'd say they got it about 98% correct on this one, and with teh mouse i'd give them 100%! Love it!
  
  
• great idea, good software, cheap construction
  By A1KVCCGOK97OPS on 2005-03-01
  I bought this keyboard to use to take notes on my Nokia 6600 (I'm a law student). It works well, except for the occasional rebooting of the phone, although, the phone usually saves whatever it was doing before the reboot (although this is not always the case). However, the keyboard itself is made too cheaply. Some keys are looser than others (new out of the box). The right side hinge on some of them is loose, giving the appearance that it will break easily from opening and closing of the keyboard. However, if you get one which doesn't have too many loose keys, and doesn't feel about to fall apart from normal usage, the software is great, and the accuracy is nearly 100%. It seems that you're paying a lot of $ for the concept, but thinkoutside didn't use a quality overseas supplier to build them.
  
  
• An excellent tool
  By A1RLEZIK5U0JD7 on 2005-03-23
  I've been dreaming of getting this, or another, keyboard for my Dell Axim x30 since the first time I wrote a detailed email on it. No matter what, writing 1000 plus characters with the stylus and on-screen keyboard just doesn't work out.
  
  So, the package arrives with my new keyboard, first thing I notice is the batteries ARE included (yippie - my wife had used the last of our 'spare' AAA's in one of the kids games). Next, I was pleasantly surprised by how sturdy the keyboard feels. Despite other reviews that I've read, I noted no loose keys. Finally (just in reference to the look and feel) I am blown away by the nice tactile feel of the keystrokes!
  
  Now it is time to set it up. I activated my PDA, connected (via BlueTooth) to my desktop using ActiveSync. Installing the driver over the connection went fine, though it seems not to function if you install it to the storage card. Downloading and installing an updated driver is a little confusing too. NOTE: Turn bluetooth OFF before activating the software, if your bluetooth is on when you go to activate the software (after resetting your device) the software won't find the bluetooth system.
  
  Once up and running, this keyboard is even better than what I have been expecting, it has nicely laid out hotkeys for openning PDA functions and programs, making the stylus almost obsolete.
  
  Overall, other than a few SMALL snags with setup, the quality and operation of this keyboard are excellent!
  
  
• With Audiovox SMT 5600 Smartphone - so far , so good!
  By AJUFB3W34H5Z9 on 2005-08-16
  I purchased this Bluetooth keyboard to augment an Audiovox SMT 5600 Smartphone (from Cingular) running Windows CE v4.21 (aka Windows Mobile 2003 Smartphone Edition).
  
  The keyboard I just received didn't come with the newly release drivers for the Smartphone, so I downloaded them from Think Outside's web site and installed according to the corresponding docs. Everything worked on the first try.
  
  The device was certainly engineered in a clever way and the construction feels good. The padded vinyl case included should protect while traveling. The decision to go with a full-sized qwerty key set at the expense of a top row of number keys seems like a good trade off.
  
  Although I haven't properly studied the manual, I also haven't been able to quickly find a fn key combo to operate the Phone's "Soft keys" (directly under screen). Without these to invoke application-specific menus and select options, one apparently must actually stop and pick up the phone from time to time :-). Example: actions like "Reply" or "Reply to All" while reading through email messages...
  
  That said, the preset (and labeled) function keys correctly switch the phone to the expected applications (like Calendar, Tasks, Inbox, Contacts, IE, etc). Such keys are apparently programmable, so perhaps I'll figure a way yet...
  
  I'll reach for this keyboard when I feel the need to compose a more lengthy email message and can't be bothered to open the Laptop... This is essentially why I bought the thing, so I'm pleased thus far.
  
  Also, a positive nod to Amazon.com - best price by a decent margin according to Froogle along with prompt delivery.
  
  

• Kensington In-line Copyholder Underdesk Keyboard Drawer with Wrist Rest and Mouse Pad (K60068A)
• Eva Slimline Black Hardshell Rolling Laptop/tablet Case 15.4IN
• 3-Year Extended Service Plan - Covers Electronic Items $0-$200 - Repair
• Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks
• Logitech Cordless Number Pad for Notebooks

• Nokia N800 Portable Internet Tablet
• iGo MSBTUE Stowaway Bluetooth Mouse
• Transcend TS8GSDHC6 8GB SDHC card (SD 2.0 SPD Class 6)
• Nokia N800 ClearTouch Anti-Glare Screen Protector (Single Pack)
• SanDisk 8GB microSDHC Card CLASS 2 (SDSDQ-8192, Bulk Package)