Techwise

Stowaway keyboard

What is it?

While today's technology allows us to send emails via mobile phones and PDAs, anyone who has tried to type a number of emails or an occasional lengthy sms will empathise with the sore thumb from jabbing it furiously into the keypad of your PDA or mobile phone. Messaging fans and on-the-go professionals will benefit from a mobile keyboard such as the one from ThinkOutside. Encased in a silver and dark grey package, one of the greatest things about the ThinkOutside Stowaway Universal Bluetooth Keyboard is the device's slickness - at 251 x 148 x 13 mm when open and weighs 160g.

How does it work?

Stowaway can be paired with nearly all Bluetooth-enabled pocket PCs and smart phones. To get started, insert the installation CD and a wizard will walk you through the setup. To open the keyboard, lift the PDA stand, which acts like a clasp, and instead of folding out, Stowaway utilises a smooth, sliding mechanism.

Stowaway operates on two AAA batteries which last for four months with moderate usage.

Drawbacks?

While the keyboard is comparable to those found on most notebooks, the device has no dedicated symbol or numeral keys; sharing instead with the top row of letters.

Where to get one?

http://www.tronic.com.sg/ at S$150