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View Full Version : My I-Tech Virtual Keyboard Review

azn1art
08-19-2006, 02:46 PM
This review is exclusive for Coolest-Gadgets.
*This review is really in-depth*
*I used my camera and and Soti's Pocket-Controller to get the pics*


Well I saw this on a blog, don't remember which. I was really interested that I have been watching it for about 8-9 months until I finally decided to buy it myself and see if it actually works.


I got my I-Tech Virtual Keyboard from Expansys USA (http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?code=118539) back in January. :)

When opening the package. This was inside.
http://static.flickr.com/75/219070012_693ae2c0f1.jpg

Opening it everything was neat and organized.
*Everything was wrapped when I got it if anyone was wondering.*
*Don't Mind the tangled wires, that was me. XD*
http://static.flickr.com/61/219072393_11e558abea.jpg

I liked how the keyboard was already in it's leather case when I recieved it.
http://static.flickr.com/74/219070014_e03bcdc314.jpg

Here's a Size Comparison with an Ipod Mini.
Front (http://static.flickr.com/42/219068930_b9c65d4e8b.jpg)
Side (http://static.flickr.com/61/219068931_46c152a2be.jpg)
Top (http://static.flickr.com/89/219068926_23e489724b.jpg)


I took the AC cable out of the box and it wasn't US.... Expansys was polite to actually give me one when I ordered the Keyboard.
http://static.flickr.com/81/219067483_5527207ee5.jpg

The AC Cable with the Adaptor.
http://static.flickr.com/80/219068925_8c7ace6c3b.jpg

After about 2 hours of charging the green light on the Adaptor came on. I decided to turn it on and this is what I get.
http://static.flickr.com/64/219070017_61c135650b.jpg

I was so amazed by the keyboard and I didn't even get to use it yet.

I took the cd and insert it into my computer and got a nice flash menu.
http://static.flickr.com/69/219068928_d071c0a079.jpg

The Virtual Keyboard was compatible with so many devices.
PDAs (http://static.flickr.com/73/219066258_b7a6b233d5.jpg)
SmartPhones (http://static.flickr.com/68/219068929_fee53a7d91.jpg)
PC (http://static.flickr.com/93/219066256_b6d0d9ce70.jpg)

I had a Dell Axim X30H. I didn't see the device but the Dell Axim X50 drivers seemed work with my Axim.

Pairing with the Virtual Keyboard was really easy and quick.
I had a shortcut to the Virtual Keyboard Software so I can use it anytime.
http://static.flickr.com/62/219066259_4d09b0b79c.jpg

After starting it up I changed the connection to Bluetooth and enabled the Software. BOOM!
My axim connected with the Keyboard and I got a battery meter on the screen.
http://static.flickr.com/62/219067484_4ff9a45478.jpg

I was soo excited that I decided to type something up and guess what? IT WORKS!
http://static.flickr.com/81/219066254_edb85b2269.jpg

Conclusion:
The device is really handy if your are traveling alot or just want something different than everyone else.

Pros:
*Really Cool.
*Actually works.
*Easy to pair and operate.
*Small and Portable
*Has a button at the bottom so if you lift it up, it will auto-shutoff.

Cons:
*Takes some time to get used to the keyboard since your not typing on keys that spring back up.
*Doesn't work well on glossy surfaces due to it reflecting.
*Operating time is about 2 hours which is kind of low, but for me I don't type that much on my pda.
azn1art
08-19-2006, 03:39 PM
Bump
Is there a feature to bump topics with out messages?
Johan
08-19-2006, 03:48 PM
Don't think there is.

Very nice review! I don't use a PDA anymore so I wouldn't buy it but if I was in the market for one this review sure would have stuck and possibly influenced my buying decisions. Very nice, well done.
Al
08-19-2006, 03:49 PM
Nope. we're still building up a member base so it will take time until we have enough members that bumping isn't required.

Interesting review (I'll post a link to it off the main site), can I get you with a few more questions about it:
Is your typing speed with it comparable to a normal keyboard?
Does it support different keyboard layouts (e.g. US and UK)?
Does it only connect via BlueTooth or can you use USB or Infrared etc.?Another problem I see with it is you need quite a lot of flat space. I can see it being great for on trains and in hotel rooms, just not in confined spaces.
azn1art
08-19-2006, 03:54 PM
Nope. we're still building up a member base so it will take time until we have enough members that bumping isn't required.

Interesting review (I'll post a link to it off the main site), can I get you with a few more questions about it:
Is your typing speed with it comparable to a normal keyboard?
Does it support different keyboard layouts (e.g. US and UK)?
Does it only connect via BlueTooth or can you use USB or Infrared etc.?Another problem I see with it is you need quite a lot of flat space. I can see it being great for on trains and in hotel rooms, just not in confined spaces.

That's fine with me.

*I typed the same speed on the VKB as on my regular keyboard.
*The only keyboard layouts would be US and UK.
*The version I bought was Bluetooth. There is a serial version and if you want to use USB then you have to use a Serial -> USB adaptor.
*Lastly is that the size of the keyboard is the letters portion of a regular keyboard.
kadhal
08-19-2006, 03:56 PM
good review. btw how much did it cost?
azn1art
08-19-2006, 03:58 PM
When I bought the VKB, it was about $159 USD shipped.
Johan
08-19-2006, 04:12 PM
Another problem I see with it is you need quite a lot of flat space. I can see it being great for on trains and in hotel rooms, just not in confined spaces.

I was wondering about trains - would the thing be stable enough to not be toppled by a few humps and bumps?
azn1art
08-19-2006, 04:14 PM
The bottom seems weighted so it's stable. I can even use it in a car.
Al
08-19-2006, 04:31 PM
It's now linked to off the main site :)
azn1art
08-19-2006, 04:46 PM
It's now linked to off the main site :)

Yay!:) :) :)
Usually I don't get featured on anything... but I guess my luck is changing :D
proxops-pete
08-20-2006, 02:31 AM
Wait... I thought I read that you are like 15?!! :eek: And you got $150 to throw on a virtual keyboard?!! Dang!! Adopt me!! :p
azn1art
08-20-2006, 06:33 AM
Wait... I thought I read that you are like 15?!! :eek: And you got $150 to throw on a virtual keyboard?!! Dang!! Adopt me!! :p

Hehe I got great brothers :p
Case
08-20-2006, 09:22 PM
see i can see a serious use for this thing but the lack of physical interaction like actual keys is a problem for me because i have one of thoes rubber waterproof keyboards and that has some very minor key pushing to it and even that is hard for me to get use to.
azn1art
08-20-2006, 10:34 PM
Heh, I tried it and it doesn't seem that hard to get used to.
Case
08-20-2006, 10:48 PM
Well i salute you than because i couldnt for the life of me... omg.. i was goin nuts when i used the rubber keyboard..
azn1art
08-20-2006, 10:49 PM
Hehe, the only thing at kinda annoying me was that the keys were sticking to my fingers... So I had to use cooking oil...
Case
08-20-2006, 10:50 PM
sticky fingers??? dood sure that wasnt from uhhh some thing else and not the keyboard?
azn1art
08-21-2006, 12:20 AM
I don't think it was anything else.. I used it after my cousin opened it..
Case
08-21-2006, 12:49 AM
wonder what websites he went to :)
azn1art
08-21-2006, 12:50 AM
I was the first one to use it. He got it the day I came over... He took it out, mom called... I used it..
Case
08-21-2006, 12:54 AM
you killed the joke... i hate you
azn1art
08-21-2006, 02:55 AM
O well... Sorry..
Case
08-21-2006, 06:08 AM
your not sorry and you know it... im going to go cry now

/emo
NetJack
08-21-2006, 09:06 PM
It sounds like a really interesting gadget. You said in the article that it doesn't work on reflecting surfaces. You mean like shiny a wood desk?
Case
08-21-2006, 09:19 PM
I dont imagen it would work on a glass desk either :)

He probably means like a polished sreflective surface like a formica like surface
azn1art
08-21-2006, 09:22 PM
I dont imagen it would work on a glass desk either :)

He probably means like a polished sreflective surface like a formica like surface

For some reason it acutally worked on a glass desk.. But it didn't work on a desk that was glossy.. :confused:
Case
08-21-2006, 09:26 PM
roflmao thats just messed up... wtf works on glass but not a polished finish? i dont get it...
NetJack
08-21-2006, 09:27 PM
I meant a glossy wood desk. Thanks for the info, but I think I am going to skip this gadget.
Case
08-21-2006, 09:29 PM
Its just a cool factor thing to be honesy... What would be cool some gloves or some thing and a VR keyboard liek a hologram that would be awsome
Chichiri
09-26-2006, 12:03 AM
The "works less well on reflecting surfaces" is due to the detection system used by the VKB. There's a flat infra-red layer projected from the bottom and it detects this infra-red laser reflecting from your fingers. If the surface is too reflective, the device can't get a good base state because it's constantly bombarded with reflections.
How it works (http://www.vkb-support.com/learn_more.php).

So a glass table may work better because things go through the glass instead of reflecting back at the VKB.

Seeing the projection of the keys is actually not neccessary.
You can block it the keyboard will still work.
You can convince people you type using pyschic powers if you know the qwerty layout well enough.:cool:
Al
09-26-2006, 12:15 AM
Thanks for the explanation, I never realised it worked like that.

Seeing the projection of the keys is actually not neccessary.
You can block it the keyboard will still work.
You can convince people you type using pyschic powers if you know the qwerty layout well enough.:cool:
That must take a lot of practice, and it would ceryainly freak me out if I saw somebody typing like that.
prissweb
10-29-2006, 07:22 PM
wow your review on that virtual keyboard was cool ! i have one question though. what skin where you using on your dell x30 ? that has to be the coolest skin i have ever seen. looks like windows vista!
azn1art
10-29-2006, 10:30 PM
I used Wizbar advance + Desktop to with the Vista skin from Solsie. Not sure exactly, but look it up there and they have a link to it.