wootaichi

Anyone knowing that DELL AXIM X50V has a new keyboard. I just got an email from them showing the keyboard. Please refer to photo attached.

Kamokazi

It's not new, been around for a while now. Dell calls it their "Executive Bluetooth Keyboard" It is actually a rebranded version of Think Outside's Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard, which is generally considered the best bluetooth keyboard on the market. The only downside is to maintain it's small footprint with full-size keys, it must do away with the number row, and you have to use function keys to get numbers (FCN+Q=1,FCN+W=2, etc). Here are links to two good comparisons:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3127_7-5542515-1.html

http://www.mobileburn.com/story.jsp?Id=1491

__________________
Axim X50v
WM 2003 SE
1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD Card
1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD Plus USB Card
Innopocket Magnesium Case
Think Outside BlueTooth Keyboard & Mouse
SONY MD-EX71SL Earbuds

Axim X5 Advanced
DELL TrueMobile Wifi CF Card
Socket BlueTooth CF Card
Rhinoskin Aluminum Case

and Apps > Sig space...

Grentz

It also increases the performance of the Dell Keyboard (actually the thinkoutside keyboard) if you flash it with the Think Outside firmware and use the ThinkOutside drivers.

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wootaichi

Hi Grentz,

which keyboard do you think is better? Dell or ThinkOutside?

jpooton

Originally Posted by wootaichi

Hi Grentz, which keyboard do you think is better? Dell or ThinkOutside?

They are literally exactly the same, it's just that the Dell branded version has firmware and drivers that are a bit behind. (As usually is the case with re-branded gear). I received my ThinkOutside bluetooth keyboard and mouse from Amazon this week. It's much nicer to use then I would have expected. No problems at all.

Kamokazi

Dell has black keys as opposed to grey on the ThinkOutside one. You can usually find them for the same price, so whichever color you prefer, go with it.

__________________
Axim X50v
WM 2003 SE
1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD Card
1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD Plus USB Card
Innopocket Magnesium Case
Think Outside BlueTooth Keyboard & Mouse
SONY MD-EX71SL Earbuds

Axim X5 Advanced
DELL TrueMobile Wifi CF Card
Socket BlueTooth CF Card
Rhinoskin Aluminum Case

and Apps > Sig space...

borderterr

Originally Posted by Grentz

It also increases the performance of the Dell Keyboard (actually the thinkoutside keyboard) if you flash it with the Think Outside firmware and use the ThinkOutside drivers.

Are you running ROM A04 on your X50v? I am having a problem using a new Think Outside BlueTooth keyboard with my new X50v which shipped with A04. The Axim and KB do connect okay and everything seems to work fine, but on subsequent connections (using the "press any key" command to connect) no typing shows, even though a connection HAS been established! (I know a connection has been established because the screen says, Secured connection has been enabled, and also the Axim speaker emits a click whenever a KB key is pressed).
So does yours function okay? I did a hard reset and reinstalled the latest TO driver (ver 4.2), but that didn't help.

Grentz

It should work fine on A04, but i do not run A04 so i cannot be exactly sure....anyone out there?

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borderterr

Originally Posted by Grentz

It should work fine on A04, but i do not run A04 so i cannot be exactly sure....anyone out there?

Thanks Grentz.

Yes it does not make any sense to me either why the ROM version should matter, which is why I am really puzzled by this problem. But the ROM version is the only configuration change (relative to the many people who are using the TO keyboard successfully with the X50v) that I can think of in this situation--doing a hard reset and then immediately installing the newest TO driver (4.2 version was released April 1 of this year) is all I know to do. I am clueless at this point.

lvgdgts

Originally Posted by borderterr

Thanks Grentz. Yes it does not make any sense to me either why the ROM version should matter, which is why I am really puzzled by this problem. But the ROM version is the only configuration change (relative to the many people who are using the TO keyboard successfully with the X50v) that I can think of in this situation--doing a hard reset and then immediately installing the newest TO driver (4.2 version was released April 1 of this year) is all I know to do. I am clueless at this point.

Try doing a search on this subject here. I have seen several posts that discuss this very problem. I don't have that keyboard, so I'm not sure if anyone has found a fix. Good luck.

borderterr

Originally Posted by lvgdgts

Try doing a search on this subject here. I have seen several posts that discuss this very problem. I don't have that keyboard, so I'm not sure if anyone has found a fix. Good luck.

I did run some searches but have not found anything specific to this particular situation.

I guess if someone who bought an X50v with ROM A04 can confirm they have no problems establishing reconnections with the TO keyboard using the "press any key" command, then I will just shrug and move on, muttering under my breath about computer gremlins. Anyone?

Kamokazi

It's probably something in your settings. Mine shipped with A04 and I have a the TO BT keyboard that arrived in the store from the distributor sometime in April. Haven't had any trouble with it. I have heard of it being a bit fussy at times reconnecting, but once it's connected it should work fine. When you go to type, do you have the Stowawy Keyboard selected as your input method? It's an option just like your Trandscriber or on-screen keyboard. It also probably has to be pressed down/highlighted to work like the other inputs.

And as for the clicks, how do you turn the darn thing off?

__________________
Axim X50v
WM 2003 SE
1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD Card
1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD Plus USB Card
Innopocket Magnesium Case
Think Outside BlueTooth Keyboard & Mouse
SONY MD-EX71SL Earbuds

Axim X5 Advanced
DELL TrueMobile Wifi CF Card
Socket BlueTooth CF Card
Rhinoskin Aluminum Case

and Apps > Sig space...

borderterr

Originally Posted by Kamokazi

It's probably something in your settings. Mine shipped with A04 and I have a the TO BT keyboard that arrived in the store from the distributor sometime in April. Haven't had any trouble with it. I have heard of it being a bit fussy at times reconnecting, but once it's connected it should work fine. When you go to type, do you have the Stowawy Keyboard selected as your input method? It's an option just like your Trandscriber or on-screen keyboard. It also probably has to be pressed down/highlighted to work like the other inputs. And as for the clicks, how do you turn the darn thing off?

Yes the Stowaway KB is selected. It does work fine the first time I connect, it's just reconnections where the typing doesn't show. Sheesh. But thanks for the info, that is really helpful to know.
Re the clicks, there is a speaker icon in the middle of three icons that show up at the bottom of the screen of the TO keyboard settings screen (that screen setting description is not exact, maybe somebody else can be more precise). Anyway as you tap that speaker icon, it toggles the sound between on and off.

borderterr

I guess my experience must not be typical, or everyone would be avoiding the TO keyboard like the plague. Oh well, it happens. But Caveat Emptor nonetheless.

wootaichi

Anyone out there using DELL Executive Bluetooth Keyboard for X50v? How is the performance when compare to OT?