Monday, July 16, 2012

Proper Keyboard for iPhone?


I’m always on the lookout for a good deal – something cheap;  as good as or better than the pukka job. That seldom works and I never learn from my mistakes.

I did a bit of research on the Internet looking for cheap mini Bluetooth enabled keyboards suitable for the iPhone 3Gs and came up with two: a Logitech Tablet keyboard and a Cerulian keyboard. The latter was about the same price as the former, and it was immediately available at my local Maplin store. Being more compact than the Logitech and about the same size as the keyboard of my tiny EEE PC, I decided to go for it.

I moved like a double flash of lightning!!
Back at home my frustrations began. Getting the Bluetooth devices connected was a total failure. I followed the simple instructions, but no matter how many times I tried linking the phone and the keyboard, I was unsuccessful. I turned off all Wi-Fis hoping that would help, and I know for a fact that the iPhone’s Bluetooth was working, because it picked up a signal from my digital house phone. Loads of advice on related Internet forums could not provide a solution.

After all my efforts, I’m resigned to returning the Cerulian keyboard; hopefully get my money back and buy a Logitech keyboard. My nearest PC World with one in stock is at Thurrock, a fair way to go ……………. more petrol, more hassle, and perhaps no success.

Is all this worth doing to make blogging from my boat easier? I’m beginning to have my doubts.

I should bear in mind that ‘small is beautiful’, and the principle of KISS. 

Links

KISS Principle


Small is Beautiful

4 comments:

Phil said...

Hi Bill, we had iPhones imposed on us at work some time ago and I hated the idea of trying to get my chubby fingers to navigate the tiny keyboard. After 18months I am tapping away like a true child of Stebe Vobs. 8O)
I save the big blogs for when I get home but a short blog with one or two pics is fine for the iphone.
Loving the blog.. keep it coming.

William Serjeant said...

Phil,

I'm a sucker for punishment! After swapping the Cerulian keyboard for a Logitech tablet keyboard, I'm still having the same problem. My iPhone will not pair on Bluetooth.

Now that's a shame. Looks as though I may have to accept your advice.

I can keep the Logitech keyboard until such time that I may become the owner of an iPad, or I can give it to someone who has an iPad.

Cheers,
Bill.

Steve Carey said...

I might have this joy to come!

My nightmare was with a a Bluetooth Mini-Mouse.

I normally use a cheap "Trust" white USB mouse with my little Asus Eee PC 1015PX. I much prefer to use a mouse rather than the track-pad and the trust mouse works great.

HOWEVER, connecting my Amateur Radio HF SSB Transceiver to the Asus for sending email from anywhere without an internet connection requires all 3 USB ports. Yes, you may say, add a USB Hub! Well even for the Mouse, it requires to be a POWERED hub. Tried that one. But worse was that every time I turn the lot on, it assigns a different COM port to two of the USB to Serial adapters I need to use. Spend the next 30 mins trying to change the com ports in the radio software and the email software only to have to do it again next time it's booted up!

Arrrrh, I know what to do. Get a Bluetooth Mini-Mouse. It duly arrived and pared up in a few mins. Clever these little meeece . . . 5 mins of inactivity and they go into current reducing "sleep" mode! The computer thinks it's been disconnected and DUPS the driver. Waggle the mouse NOTHING. Does not work anymore without re-booting the ASUS. The only way to keep it going is to move the mouse every 9 mins before the dear little thing has a nap!

It's in the draw along with all the other failed gadgets some of which you probably have Bill!

William Serjeant said...

Steve,

I sympathize with you, as your troubles are worse than mine.

Before computers came along life was simple.

Cheers,
Bill.