Freedom Bluetooth Keyboard
Posted by Offbeatmammal on 05/27/08 in Keyboard, Pocket PC Phones, PocketPC, Smart Phones, UMPC, Wifi / Bluetooth
About a year ago there were a couple of posts talking about the Freedom folding keyboards (one Bluetooth and one USB).
While the USB one seems to have come and gone the bluetooth option is alive and kicking. This is good news as other alternatives (such as the iGo Stowaway) have been discontinued so it’s good to see at least one option out there for folks who need a better experience.
While I’m happy enough to knock out a quick email reply on my smartphone it’s not easy to be as productive as I’d like when I’m away from the office. That however was nowhere near as frustrating as trying to type on the split keyboard on my Samsung Q1U which I’ve not been able to get comfortable using.
So I finally ordered a Freedom Universal Bluetooth keyboard to try it out for myself.
As the earlier reviews had suggested it’s a nice solid keyboard. Despite the folding mechanism the keys are full size and the action feels great. Having the full five rows – including numbers – means your typing isn’t constantly interrupted trying to remember key-sequences to get to “special” characters and everything is pretty much where you expect it.
Bluetooth connection was simple and straight-forward on the UMPC (the keyboard supports the HID profile so it’s automatically recognized) though pairing is a little strange as you have to type the passcode blind!
Things are a little more complicated on the phone as you have to register your device and get a unique code – even though I had a problem with the process support is very responsive and helpful. Windows Mobile and PalmOS devices support the HID mode but the keyboard also supports the SPP profile so you can pair with a Blackberry. Currently the iPhone doesn’t support HID but it will be interesting to see what the v2 brings.
One nice touch is the pop-out stand that you can use to hold your phone at a better angle (or notes to type from). If you’re not using it it remains tucked out of site and doesn’t get in the way.
I’ve not had the keyboard long enough to prove the claimed 5 months battery life (80 hours actual use) but as it uses standard AA batteries (and I always carry a couple spare for emergency phone recharging)
I’ve not really noticed the extra bulk carrying it around the last few days. It comes with a nice little case that protects it from knocks. When folded in the case it’s about the size of a decks of cards side by side – not something you’ll slip into a pocket and forget, but easy enough to hide in carry-on luggage. To the right you can see it unfolded next to my Q1U, a Shadow, BlackJack II, TyTN II and SGH-i780 by way of comparison.
If you’re looking for a better typing experience with a phone or a UMPC and don’t want to carry a laptop or something like a RedFly then it’s a great thing to have in your bag.
And yes. Before anyone asks - I did write this on the UMPC thanks to the my new keyboard… not a task I would have undertaken with the built-in thumbpad!
Written by Offbeatmammal · Filed Under Keyboard, Pocket PC Phones, PocketPC, Smart Phones, UMPC, Wifi / Bluetooth
Tagged: Bluetooth, Keyboard, UMPC
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Good info here! I’ve got the iGo and have it paired with my SCH-I760 and HTC X7501. The I760 uses the iGo drivers without any problems, but on the X7501, the iGo drivers interfere with other 3rd party SIPs, like Calligrapher and Zoomboard in that they essentially get deactivated. However, I can pair the keyboard without using the iGo’s software on the X7501, but this supports only the QWERTY aspects, and only a very few of the special keyboard functions. So…this Freedom keyboard may be the way to go for me later on down the road.
Thanks for the review… If anyone is looking for a BT keyboard the iGo is still available (although its on clearance now). Expansys have it for £30
I have the Freedom BT Unerversal as shown here. I use it with my HP rx5935. Whilst you can pair using the default HID profile, the ‘extra’ function keys are not available - this even includes things like home / end etc.
The BT drivers with the keyboard are a little problematic at times - a full recognition and pairing is alwasy required :( I am not sure what this is like on MS BT stack devices or WM6.
Not sure what the iGO is like - but if available at £30 - VERY interesting prospect… Freedom Universal currently reatils at around £70.
My summary is whilst very useful, a little problematic…
The iGo will also work with the built in drivers.. but again a driver is needed for the extra functions.
No WM6 specific drivers are available but it works on my wm6 device using the wm5 drivers. The only little niggle is that there is a slight pause in playback if i’m typing while using my BT headset.
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=113674