|
Stowaway Shasta Bluetooth Keyboard for Blackberry | 
 enlarge | Brand: Think Outside
Category: Wireless
List Price: $126.92
Buy New: $39.99
You Save: $86.93 (68%)
New (4) from $39.99
Rating:  13 reviews
Media: Wireless Phone Accessory
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 6 x 1 x 4
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: STWBBBT
Model: STWBBBT
UPC: 895582000322
EAN: 0895582000322
ASIN: B000BYGGEY
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Tell A Friend
Add to Wishlist
Add to Wedding Registry
Add to Baby Registry
| |
| Features:
| | Full keyboard for easy typing of emails, document and spreadsheet revision, and surfing the web | | | Compatible with the RIM Blackberry operating system | | | Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth technology | | | User-programmable shortcut and command keys for complete remote control | | | Folds down to 5.9 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches; weighs 6.2 ounces |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The Stowaway Shasta Bluetooth keyboard is the perfect productivity companion for your RIM device. With it's 16mm spacing the Stowaway Shasta Bluetooth Keyboard allows you to quickly type emails, memos or surf the web in optimum comfort. The keyboard includes a 5th row of keys, for dedicated numerical entry. When not in use the keyboard folds into an ultra small package for easy portability.This product is designed for RIM 7100c, 7100g, 7100i, 7100r, 7100t, 7100v, 7100x, 7105t, 7250, 7290, 7520, 8700c, 8700g, 8700i, 8700r.For a complete compatibility list please refer to the original manufacturer's web site.
Amazon.com Product Description
Perfect for the mobile professional who likes to travel light, the foldable iGo Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard enables you to easily type email, revise documents, and surf the Web on your Blackberry mobile phone from a full-sized keyboard. And because it connects via Bluetooth technology, you won't have to carry an additional connection cable. 
Quickly type emails, edit spreadsheets and surf the web on your Blackberry with this full-featured folding keyboard. (Mobile device not included.) | The keyboard includes user-programmable shortcut and command keys for complete remote control, as well as a fifth row of keys for dedicated numerical entry. Nicely compact, this 6.2-ounce keyboard measures 11.8 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches, and it folds down to an ultra-small 5.9 x 4.1 x 0.8-inch package. Placing the keyboard on a firm, flat surface offers the best results, because of the folding design. However, you can use it on your lap as long as the keyboard is supported by a magazine or book across its open expanse. This wireless keyboard is powered by two AAA batteries (alkaline battery included) for about 90 hours of continuous use. It also features a power-saving auto-sleep mode to conserve battery power when not in use (for up to 168 hours of standby power). Compatibility All devices running the RIM Blackberry operating system. What's in the Box Keyboard, case, 2 AAA batteries, CD-ROM with drivers, and QuickStart Guide
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Fantastic product - with the right accessory August 20, 2006
J. Goke (United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
This keyboard really makes the BlackBerry much more useful! The keys are large enough to type easily, and it is a full 5 row keyboard. I've found 4 row keyboards hard to use, but with the full 5 rows, typing was very natural.
The other reviewers are right, out of the box the keyboard does have some issues, but, after scouring for solutions I stumbled upon MyMobileGear which sells a driver for the keyboard that solves all of the issues mentioned.
With this third-party driver the keys work as you would expect and the BlackBerry shortcut keys work (e.g. C or L for responding to an open email). The driver will switch the comma and period if you prefer so that these keys actually work the way they are printed on the keyboard. And turning on the keyboard is easy, you just push the pairing button on the keyboard and the driver automatically detects this on the BlackBerry and activates the keyboard.
Even without this driver I would recommend the keyboard, but I would probably only give it 3 stars instead of 5.
Also, be aware that if you are using BES, you must have your administrator install some software and change the security permissions so that your device will work. Essentially you need to change the Keyboard Injection permission for the device and set it to Allow (it is Deny by default).
Nothing but praise November 21, 2006
Joe Morgenstern (Santa Monica, CA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The keyboard works easily and flawlessly with my new Blackberry 7290; instead of being all thumbs -- all sore thumbs -- I'll be touch-typing and often using the two devices as an ultra-portable substitute for a notebook computer.
A word of praise is also in order for Think Outside's online tech support. I've read complaints about the quality of their service, but they responded promptly, helpfully and repeatedly to a problem that arose only because of security settings in my newspaper's BlackBerry server (settings that prevented the handheld from responding to key-stroke signals from the keyboard.) I'm a happy typer on every count.
Works Perfectly June 22, 2007
Jeff Jones (San Diego, CA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
There are not a lot of options out there for Blackberry users who want a foldable keyboard to use with their device. I was hesitant to purchase the Think Outside Stowaway Shasta because of some of the reviews here and elsewhere. I gave it a try thinking I could return it if it didn't work well. Here is what happened:
It works perfectly. I don't know how well the product performed prior to now but the period is the period and the comma is the comma. I tested every key and each works as it should. As far as the claims that it doesn't work with enterprise, let me say this to the cry-babies: Get your own Blackberry purchased by you - not your employer - and I guarantee this keyboard will work for you. On their website and in their instruction manual they state very clearly that if you are on enterprise you have to have permissions to use this. What a bunch of freeloading trash.
Nothing else to say. This keyboard works and deserves better than the three stars it has. If you are thinking about it, get it. You won't be disappointed.
 Good keyboard, but has it's quirks January 23, 2006
T. Davies (Western PA, USA)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
I just got this keyboard today. Despite the other reviewer's suspicions, this keyboard is actually Bluetooth, not infrared.
The keyboard itself is decent size. It is almost exactly twice the size of my Blackberry 7250. It is slightly thinner than the blackberry. One nice thing is that the keyboard fits neatly in the inside pocket of my jacket - almost like the pocket was made for it. Your mileage may vary with your pocket size. Regardless, the keyboard is not too large to be easily thrown in a coat pocket or purse. You wouldn't want to carry the keyboard on a belt clip - it's too big for that - and it's too big for pants pockets.
The weight of the keyboard is very close to the wieght of my blackberry, so it's not a burden to carry.
The fit and finish of the keyboard is nice, somewhat stylish and not too obtrusive. Once you open it up, you see a full sized, laptop style keyboard. It does NOT have a numeric keypad or the standard Windows keys, or a Ctl key. You shouldn't need them for a Blackberry anyway.
It does have all of the keys that a standard Blackberry has, plus a few convenient additions, like a top row of numbers and symbols - like a standard PC keyboard.
The touch/feel of the keyboard is very similar to most laptops I've used. It's not a full-sized PC keyboard, but it seems like a laptop somewhere is missing it's keyboard. It has decent touch/response and I can type on it easily, with very little adjustment as compared to my laptop. It has a function key that allows you to have one key access to most of the Blackberry functions. You can change thier assignments in the options of the Blackberry, though I haven't played with that yet.
The keyboard folds in the middle, and doesn't require any messing around - sliding this part into that part - like some of the early Palm keyboards I've seen. You just open it. That's it. It has a sliding lock that will hold the keyboard flat so you can use it on your lap or an uneven surface. The lock feels rather flimsy to me, and I would be afraid to break it. When typing with the keyboard across my legs, there's a fair amount of bounce caused by the flimsy lock, but it's workable. The lock is also difficult to engage and disengage because it's recessed and you can't get a grip on it. I have resigned myself to only use it when there's no flat surfaces around.
Also the keyboard has a flip out holder for your blackberry. It holds the blackberry at an angle so you can see the screen as you type. The holder is offset - or not centered on the keyboard - because that's where the keyboard folds. That may bother some people. I haven't found it to be a problem. The holder has a rubber pad at the base in an attempt to keep your blackberry from sliding around. It does an adequate job as far as typing on a flat surface, but I doubt it would be much help in a moving vehicle. You'd need some tape to keep your blackberry in place for that.
The keyboard pairs with your blackberry easily. Just load the driver disk and run the Blackberry Desktop Manager to load the application into the blackberry. Once loaded, you pair by starting the app on the blackberry and pressing a connection button on the keyboard. Once the keybboard is connected, you can just start using it. You can easly use the keyboard to navigate the blackberry menus and apps, just as easily as using the buttons on the blackberry itself. I didn't find myself reaching over for the blackberry to "hit this" or "press that".
The pairing is a bit clunky though, in that if you exit the keyboard app incorrectly, you'll disconnect it. I found that to be a hassle until I figured out what was going on. Also, the keyboard doesn't have an ON/OFF switch. So it will stay connected for a certain ammount of time, which can be set in the options. I assume that it stays active as long as you're typing, but I haven't tested that. In my opinion I think the keyboard functionality would be greatly improved if it would have a power switch, and would automatically pair with the blackberry as soon as it's turned on. As it is now, you have to use the app to connect every time you want to use it, and that seems rather redundant. I feel that my blackberry and the keyboard should pair once, and then have my permission to connect whenever available after that. Alas, it doesn't work that way.
The only serious complaint I have about the keyboard is that mine types a period when the comma key is pressed, and types a comma when the period key is pressed. The keys are mislabeled! They're in the right place, as compared to a normal keyboard, so if you don't look at it, and just type, you'd never notice.
In the light of my minor complaints about the keyboard, I gave it four stars. Part of that is because Amazon is selling this for $63.99 and everyone else sells it for over $100. So buy one if you're a blackberry user that needs to frequently type long emails. For that it's practically perfect. Plus it will save you from carrying your huge laptop around, just for email.
Pretty good July 30, 2007
MT lawyer (Montana, USA)
This took me a little while to configure, but eventually got it to work (I am not very tech saavy so anyone should be able to do it). Great addition to the blackberry; keyboard works well.
|
|
|
|
| |
