'Proper Keyboard' for Athena

[adamelphick]

Hi guys. I am thinking of askingn a Chinese contact I have about making a proper style keyboard that clicks to the base of the Athena/Ameo/X7500 just like the crappy standard one. It will have proper style keys miniature but much better than the flat ones that come with it.

What do you guys think of the idea? would it sell well? How much would you be willing to pay etc? I have to look at the logistics of it. Also is there akeyboard on an existing PDA that you think would be a good template for the new one?

Also anyone know what the pinouts are on the connector on the keyboard?

[victoradjei]

You may not break even if it is only for ameo, and so simple :rolleyes:

[adamelphick]

Actually I am thinking now a mini-usb keyboard... so less drain than bluetooth, with mini usb, and normal usb adapter -

[johnwalk]

I use the keysonic keyboard from maplin, its only about 10 inches long and very compact, usb though, I find somthing you can have some distance from the screen a lot better for typing. I personally dont have a problem with the Ameo KB. it does the job, "two finger typing" but if I was sitting writting shed loads an external would be preferable. like victoradjei said, dont think it would be profitable, to much of a nich market. Also somthing else to carry about. I now just leave my keyboard in the car, and to be fair I havnt even needed it for a while. okay, ive used it once since i got it, another £30 waisted.

[keithwwalker]

I don't see the point if you can use a Bluetooth wireless keyboard

[adamelphick]

Well the thinking behind it is to REPLACE the crappy keyboard that comes with it..

Bluetoooth keyboards are fine but they drain a lot more power than a hard wired one.

I'm thinking that a keyboard that has decent keys and fits in the space and size ofthe old one woudl be cool. I had a Psion 5 and that keyboard was AMAZING compared to the Ameo and it was tiny, but still had real keys. There must be enough market for stuff for the Ameo/Athena etc otherwise why would people make cradles and other stuff for it?

johnwalk - I have the Keysonic too - great keyboard but too big to bung in a briefcase to use with the Ameo - if i want to look 'cool' with my device in a meeting or something I would need something at least half the size, and foldable to stick with the form factor of the Ameo itself.

[tomchap]

Yeah i had a PSION 5 and that keyboard was amazing i have to admit, along with the Universal Keyboard, miss that to!

Its a toughie as i dont carry my keyboard about, yet I prob would pay around £30 to have a decent keyboard that I could use with my Ameo.

I find the one that was with it very unusable and now i use HappyTappingKeyboard decent on screen keyboard app and im finding more and more reasons not to use an external keyboard.

Will keep my eye on this topic tho as Id be interested to see what happens.

[tomchap]

Also i dont think the Bluetooth Keyboard would be a good idea.

Mainly because of the draining power issues, but also because most people use their bluetooth headsets with their device so pairing and using both would mean alot of messing about.

A direct replacement keyboard for the device would be great.

Just my 10cents worth!

[johnwalk]

ok I see what your trying to do now. what about trying to get something to unfold to make bigger, maybe disguised as a case or would that start to get complicated.

[LTxda]

Here is what I like and don't like about the default keyboard:

Likes
- Thin.
- Easily removed/attached.
- No wires.
- Magnetic.
- Easily stored away as it doesn't take up too much space.
- Not BlueTooth.


Dislikes
- (This is a like and dislike feature)Has a powerful magnet and I'm hesitant about putting it next to my MP3 or PVR player because I don't want it wiping the hard drives. I just want to throw it in my bag but then think twice about it. I guess I need to find a compartment in my bag away from my storage devices. I don't have a problem with it next to my laptop since the HD on the laptop is shielded.
- Key feel, they seem sluggish and not firm.
- No click when pressing keys, like Universal.
- No back light.
- No option to used detached or with extension cable.
- Keys too spread apart and not easy to get to, which causes typing errors
- Easily scratched.
- No row for number keys, but I can live with this since the phone I used before the Athena was the TyTn/Hermes.
- Scratches case when in closed position.

Combining the Universal keyboard with the benefits of the Athena keyboard would be ideal, in my opinion.

I'll update my post if anything else comes to mind.

[keithwwalker]

OK, I will concede the bluetooth issue, even though the 750x has a huge battery.

The best keyboard I had was the Sony KB100 for the Sony Clie series. It was a folding keyboard, with scissors action keys (like a laptop) and it connected to the unit via the charger.

It would be nice if we were to get a folding KB with magnetic attachment.

[tomchap]

Here is what I like and don't like about the default keyboard:

Likes
- Thin.
- Easily removed/attached.
- No wires.
- Magnetic.
- Easily stored away as it doesn't take up too much space.
- Not BlueTooth.


Dislikes
- (This is a like and dislike feature)Has a powerful magnet and I'm hesitant about putting it next to my MP3 or PVR player because I don't want it wiping the hard drives. I just want to throw it in my bag but then think twice about it. I guess I need to find a compartment in my bag away from my storage devices. I don't have a problem with it next to my laptop since the HD on the laptop is shielded.
- Key feel, they seem sluggish and not firm.
- No click when pressing keys, like Universal.
- No back light.
- No option to used detached or with extension cable.
- Keys too spread apart and not easy to get to, which causes typing errors
- Easily scratched.
- No row for number keys, but I can live with this since the phone I used before the Athena was the TyTn/Hermes.
- Scratches case when in closed position.

Combining the Universal keyboard with the benefits of the Athena keyboard would be ideal, in my opinion.

I'll update my post if anything else comes to mind.


I have to say youve got all the points spot on, completely agree with you. I would take my keyboard about if:

1- It was a decent one
2- It didnt scratch the main unit.

[adamelphick]

Hi Guys. Sorry for the lack of replies I've been in Barcelona! I'm seeing what I can find out about that connector on the Ameo keyboard but so far running a blank.... if i want to match up an existing keyboard matrix somehow i need to know what the Ameo matrix is like (and hopefully the connector will tell me something!)

Also investigating some small USB keyboards and wether they could be adapted some way to use the proprietry connector directly. I used to have a PDa keybaord that used IR and that folded - was cool but a bit 'clacky' in feel. I'm trying to get my hands on a Psion 7 keyboard and 5 one too, plus one from the Revo to see what can be done there. If anyoe has any other ideas I'd be open to suggestions!

If its not possible to get the keyboard to use the connector under the Ameo would people be ok with one that attaches the unit via a magnet but plugs into the connector on the side?

[tomchap]

If it could connect up using the standard connector thats already there then thats def the way to go, there must be a way.

Otherwise having a cable coming out and plugging into say the USB connector may be ok, but def not the preferred option.

Good luck!

[adamelphick]

OK Guys - a question....

Has anyone got a spare Athena keyboard? It can be scratched or bent or whatever as long as I can dissasemble it and get to the route of those connections!!

Then I can get my contacts in China to see if they can marry it up to a decent mini keyboard matrix....

[adamelphick]

No one got a keyboard they dont want? Even broken would do!! Come on guys this would maybe allow me to connect a real one up!

[hmeyer]

I would love to have a keyboard as similar to the universal as possible that clicked on just like the original.
It would need to be backlit, either by manual turning on, or even whenever activated, no need for fancy lightsensors.
Definitely would be a must to have the numbers on seperate buttons.
Wouldn't mind if it became somewhat thicker, if the above improvements were available.
I certainly would buy one if it became available.

[adamelphick]

Well I've got three lines of thinking:

a. A keyboard that fits the original space but has 'keys' like the the Psion 5/Revo

or

b. A very small usb keyboard that plugs into the '16 pin proprietry' plug on the Athena, or uses the connector on the base of it.

or

c. A USB to 16 pin adapter - a small and single one like the USb to PS/2 ones.


So I have 2 problems....

1. Need pinouts for the connector on the lower edge of the Athena


Note* The smallest USB keyboard I have found so far is 215mm * 110mm * 11mm, which is VERY small indeed but still bigger than the Athena... I'm going to get one anyway as I would carry it in my bag anyway.

and/or (i think 'and' as I'd like to offer both types of keyboard)

2. Somewhere I can get theh pinouts of the 16 pin connector on the side of the Athena and where to buy a plug!

Come on guys, let's make this brilliant PDA just a little bit better!

[Hamartia]

Hi adamelphick,

what would be the adress where I would have to send the original ameo keyboard to? Would you give me one of your new keyboards when they are ready?

Best regards,
Hamartia

[sakplat]

Any news from this project?

[HeartOfDarkness]

Very good question. I don't understand, actually, howcome HTC didn't come out with an official "accessory" keyboard, providing Universal-like keyboard keys with silicon pads preventing scratches to the body of the Athena...

[AMoosa]

How about one of these? It folds up very small and feels pretty good to type on. It uses one AA battery and is a pleasure to use.

http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=113674

[bob_beringer]

Hi guys. I am thinking of askingn a Chinese contact I have about making a proper style keyboard that clicks to the base of the Athena/Ameo/X7500 just like the crappy standard one. It will have proper style keys miniature but much better than the flat ones that come with it.

What do you guys think of the idea? would it sell well? How much would you be willing to pay etc? I have to look at the logistics of it. Also is there akeyboard on an existing PDA that you think would be a good template for the new one?

Also anyone know what the pinouts are on the connector on the keyboard?
I would definately buy an improved keyboard from you and am happy to pre-order one of them :-)

I like the strong magnets and desire to have backlit keys and more tactile response in the keys. Would also like to see a "$" on the face of the keys and just a little bit more depth in the how the keys respond to pressing. Clicking might also help, maybe one of the other folks can help to develop a software solution for that portion in the interim. For now, I can say that I am happy that you are pursuing this effort and you might not break even on your effort, but I can tell you that you would make a community very very happy if you were able to pull off the project of creating a better solution than the one that we currently have :-)

A gen 1 solution might simply (be attached via strong magnets) plug into the mini-usb adapter or the 16 pin solution and a future edition might be able to map correctly to the built-in keyboard adapter.

I would also like to see a stronger magnet or case / housing / adapter that forces the keyboard to make contact the entire time while typing, sometimes I find that my display falls over when I start typing quickly, when it does, I loose contact and that becomes a work stopage issue. maybe some braces or brackets could help out :-)

Hope this helps,
Bob

[bob_beringer]

OK Guys - a question....

Has anyone got a spare Athena keyboard? It can be scratched or bent or whatever as long as I can dissasemble it and get to the route of those connections!!

Then I can get my contacts in China to see if they can marry it up to a decent mini keyboard matrix....
Have you seen this posting? It's a french version, but it should have the same hardware mappings that you are looking for: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=362940

Hope this helps,
Bob

[mw22]

Hi

Any nice mini usb keyboards ????

[nswprop]

Well, if nobody got a spoiled Athena keyboard, I have got 1 just yester-fu'ckin day! **But mine is still under warranty, so I am a little reluctant send it to you rite now, so sorry. Unless HTC confrim that the keyboard is only 6 mths warranty, and irreplacable then I'll send it to u immediately**

It just suddenly fail to take any click (without any warning,one second I was still using it, the next second it just 'crashed'), and most of the keys just suddently lose their 'extremely tiny' feedback that it used to have, and now it has got none! It wont type and doesnt respond at all.( I have tried to restore my Athena back to its original setting just hoping that all this is because of some accidental lost of driver or software corruption, but it still fail to respond, its dead for good I think.)

I still cant figure out what went wrong, and how could a simple keyboard like this fail b4 the complicated device itself? This is a sad person rite here..