Palm Universal Wireless keyboard
Manufacturer: Palm Part number: 3169WW
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Travel-friendly and easy to use, the PalmOne Universal keyboard gets you tapping, whether you dance to Palm or Pocket PC.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Once you know, you Newegg! |  | In stock Your destination to Windows 7 | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 11/27/2009 |
 | | In stock | as of 11/27/2009 | |
| RadioShack.com | | In stock | as of 11/27/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Palm Universal Wireless keyboard price range: $49.99 - $79.99
- Reviewed by: Bonnie Cha
- Edited by: Wil O'Neal
- Reviewed on: 10/21/2004
- Released on: 09/20/2004
The good: Compact design; works with Palm and Pocket PCs.
The bad: Keyboard slide mechanism not the smoothest; flimsy PDA stand.
The bottom line: Travel-friendly and easy to use, the PalmOne Universal keyboard gets you tapping, whether you dance to Palm or Pocket PC.
PalmOne comes closest to matching the sleekness of Think Outside's Stowaway keyboard at 5.4 by 3.9 by 0.6 inches and 7.4 ounces. Black with two long rubber strips on the bottom, the keyboard opens via a sliding mechanism that isn't terribly smooth. You pull the keyboard section out to the left (as marked by the rubber thumb grip and arrow on the left-hand side), thus unlocking the whole device in one fell swoop. You lift the PDA stand and unfold the keyboard, which then locks into place. When you're done, press the key located just off the center to collapse the device. Unlike the Targus and Belkin keyboards, the PalmOne's PDA stand is simple and consists of a single infrared arm and stand on the back. However, it suffers from a somewhat flimsy design, leaving us to wonder about its long-term durability.
To test its claim as a universal keyboard, we matched the device with the HP iPaq H4150, and we're happy to report everything worked without a hitch. Be aware, though, there are two separate drivers for Palm and Pocket PC devices, and they aren't interchangeable. We downloaded the Pocket PC driver, and after a HotSync operation, a Foldable Keyboard utility was installed on our handheld. Once there, you can set your key-delay and -repeat rates, enable sound, program hot keys, and activate power-saving mode. To turn on the keyboard, make sure the PDA stand is positioned at the center; sliding it all the way to the left turns off the unit.
Overall, the keys are well sized and spacious, with an 18mm key pitch and a 2.5mm key travel. They aren't quite as roomy as the Targus or the Stowaway's, and some users with larger fingers may occasionally hit the wrong key. We like that there are dedicated numeral buttons, which share space with symbols and shortcuts to Palm applications, such as Home, Contacts, Web, and Landscape mode. You can access these by pressing the blue Fn (function) button, while the white Fn button gives Pocket PC users one-touch access to similar programs. Powered by two AAA batteries, the keyboard can last up to four months with normal use, according to the company's claims.
User reviews
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Easy to use...worked right away
by lisa1018 on April 3, 2005
Pros: Small and easy to take everywhere, locking keyboard
Cons: battery cover seems flimsy, PDA holder very small, directions on Disc not paper
Summary: I bought this after returning the Stowaway wireless keyboard. I was disappointed in the appearance of the Palm keyboard as I really like the look of the Stowaway. I do ...
Summary: I bought this after returning the Stowaway wireless keyboard. I was disappointed in the appearance of the Palm keyboard as I really like the look of the Stowaway. I do like the locking keyboard and the fact that I haven't had any problems with the software. It works right away, though shortcuts and directions are on a disc instead of on paper. The silver slide to hold the PDA is not high enough to even touch the PDA. Who are they kidding if that is supposed to hold it in place!? The other thing I'm worried about is the battery cover. I've already managed to remove it a few times without meaning to, it doesn't seem as if it's on there strong enough. I bought the insurance, so if there's any problem I'll keep returning it! I bought this keyboard so that I could do school papers away from home and it's by far exceeded my expectations on that account, so I'm happy so far with my choice. Too bad it didn't come in silver to match the Tungsten E.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Tungsten E and IR Universal Keyboard driver struggle
by Jorgepizarro on April 21, 2005
Pros: Small, light, smart design
Cons: Extremely moody, unreliable, exasperating
Summary: When I bought my Tungsten E, I had in mind to use it as my typewriter machine without having to carry a big and heavy laptop. That is the reason ...
Summary: When I bought my Tungsten E, I had in mind to use it as my typewriter machine without having to carry a big and heavy laptop. That is the reason why a Keyboard is so important to me. Nevertheless, it seems to be that my palm and my keyboard are inmersed in riduculous fight for power. I install the driver in the palm and everything works perfectly fine... until the next day. My keyboard just doesnīt work. The only way to make it work is after reseting the palm and basically I didnīt have that in mind when I invest in them. I have downloaded the latest driver from palm site and the problem persist. I donīt know what else to do!
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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One keyboard that works well with Palm and Pocket PC
by cdavida on March 17, 2005
Pros: Compact, feels fairly solid, generally very responsive
Cons: Keyboard sometimes suddenly stops working on my Treo 650, front slash and question mark key is in funny place
Summary: I have had this keyboard for about three months now, and it has come in very handy. It allows one to buy only one keyboard and use with a variety ...
Summary: I have had this keyboard for about three months now, and it has come in very handy. It allows one to buy only one keyboard and use with a variety of handhelds. Although it is a bit smaller than a regular keyboard (I miss using the old Palm full-size folding keyboard), it is reasonably comfortable to use. I like to use it to take notes at a meeting or send an e-mail when I'm sitting somewhere that has a table to set it on. The keyboard appears solidly built.
However, there have been some occasisions when I have had the keyboard stop working while I was typing. Occasionally, the driver has turned off (seems to be a problem in power-save mode), but many times I have to close the keyboard and open it again to fix it. This is annoying if you are sitting in a lecture taking notes. Also, the front slash and question mark key are in a funny place off to the side. This has caused me to hit the arrow key by mistake.
Overall, this is handy to have if you do any kind of notetaking or e-mailing while you are on the go. It beats carrying a laptop.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Space key break makes it difficult to type with. Lousy keys. Assembly & disassembly too complicated.
by mvfiftytwo on May 10, 2006
Pros: Can't think of any compared to the competition.
Cons: Space-bar is split where right thumb presses, making it a big hassle to use. Letter keys are flat and not indented for better feel like other keyboards. Real hassle to assemble and disassemble.
Summary: It was the most frustrating thing to type with this keyboard because of the location of the break between the left and right space bar keys. Your right thumb lands ...
Summary: It was the most frustrating thing to type with this keyboard because of the location of the break between the left and right space bar keys. Your right thumb lands directly on the break. What were the engineers drinking when they committed to this design? Also, the keys are flat and slippery and not indented. Other companies' keyboards are better--unfortunately this is the only one for the Palm TX. Assemby and disassembly is much too complicated and complex. Other brands are much easier to assemble and disassemble. For these reasons, I returned it after three days of trying to like it.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great little keyboard. Just wish it played nice with RealPlayer
by bhartman33 on March 24, 2005
Pros: Extremely efficient, Doesn't need a flat surface, Good battery life, Programable function keys
Cons: Palm driver stops working when you install RealPlayer for Palm with DRM; You have to turn it on and off via the Palm
Summary: I have to say, this is one of the best Palm accessories I've used (and that's including the cradles). It's small to carry, it folds and unfolds ...
Summary: I have to say, this is one of the best Palm accessories I've used (and that's including the cradles). It's small to carry, it folds and unfolds like a charm, and the keys have good tactile feedback. Plus, it works whether you're typing in landscape or portrait mode. The only two drawbacks (and the reason I didn't give it a 10) were the fact that you have to turn it on and off via the Palm (i.e., while it still draws power when you open it up, you can't *use* it with the Palm unless you have the ON position turned on in the Keyboard application on the Palm), and once you install RealPlayer for Palm with DRM, the Keyboard application gives you a "Fatal Error", making the keyboard itself useless if you didn't have it turned ON in the software before you installed RealPlayer. I'm not sure who needs to get their act together, but Real or Palm need to look into this situation.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Needs improvement for Tungsten T3
by mariobejasa on June 15, 2005
Pros: Good design, compact
Cons: Fragile, complicated instructions, needs improvement
Summary: Making it work for my Tungsten T3 needed a hard reset, and I still can't make it work. I gave up after a few tries following very complicated product ...
Summary: Making it work for my Tungsten T3 needed a hard reset, and I still can't make it work. I gave up after a few tries following very complicated product support written instructions.
You'd think it would be a an easy match, since they come from the same manufacturer.
I am praying it works with my new LifeDrive.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The E works fine
by FirefoxBrowser on May 5, 2005
Pros: Good size, works in 10 seconds or less
Cons: PDA Slides at sharp curves on the road, and you have to tinker with it sometimes in OS 5.2.1
Summary: This product has done me good.
Summary: This product has done me good.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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not that good at all
by sho-d on October 19, 2007
Pros: nice looking, compact,
Cons: doesn't work after a few months
Summary: well i bought this keyboard for my hp ipaq 1950 since its universal...it worked flawlessly for the first few months (bought it in jan) all of a sudden it ...
Summary: well i bought this keyboard for my hp ipaq 1950 since its universal...it worked flawlessly for the first few months (bought it in jan) all of a sudden it stopped working. i've replaced batteries re-installed drivers...it wont work....FROM 1 KEY TO THE NEXT IT WILL STOP
it turns on when it wants to...turns off more often...all in all IT SUCKS -
Beats than pecking with that stylus
by thegeorgebush on August 5, 2007
Pros: Good for travel, lightweight, easy to get started.
Cons: Cramped to type with, feels a little flimsy
Summary: I do a lot of travel, and I don't want to have to go through airport security lugging my laptop around.
And I didn't want to have to ...Summary: I do a lot of travel, and I don't want to have to go through airport security lugging my laptop around.
And I didn't want to have to peck all the time at that on screen keyboard.
So I bought this. It worked quite well, but I don't recommend it for extended use because it puts you at a huge risk for RSI. The keys are way too cramped, but nevertheless I would recommend it. The only other negative point is that the "Landscape View" button didn't work on the keyboard for my Tungsten E2, but that's probably just me.
Other than that, this is a good buy. I suppose it's the only reliable one for a Palm product. -
Excellent keyboard
by DJKazimer on October 19, 2006
Pros: This is a compact and lightweight device. A great addition to my Palm TX. I use it everywhere I go.
Cons: A couple of times the keyboard had stop responding. I had to fold the keyboard to its off position and open it up again to resume connection. Unsure why this occurs, driver problems??
Summary: Certainly recommend this as a necessary assessory, especially if you find yourself in meetings, in lectures, presentations and you want to take notes.
Summary: Certainly recommend this as a necessary assessory, especially if you find yourself in meetings, in lectures, presentations and you want to take notes.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Palm
- Part number: 3169WW
- Description: Add a full-size, complete yet compact keyboard to your handheld without plugging in a single wire. It's what's unfolding in infrared.
General
- Device Type Keyboard
- Form Factor External
- Localization English
- Depth 3.9 in
- Width 5.4 in
- Height 0.6 in
- Weight 7.4 oz
- Localization English:
Input Device
- Interface Infrared
- Connectivity Technology Wireless
- Features Foldable
- Keyboard Layout QWERTY
- Key/Button Function Programmable, Applications launch
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slot(s) None
- Interfaces None
- Connections 1 x Infrared
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included None
Battery
- Type AAA type
- Type AAA type
Software / System Requirements
- Software Included Drivers & Utilities
Cable(s) / Peripheral(s)
- Cable(s) Included None
Interface(s) Required
- Port(s) / Connector(s) Required 1 Infrared
Interface Provided
- Port(s) Total (Free) None
Expansion Slot(s)
- Slot(s) Provided None
Manufacturer info
- Palm
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Palm products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.palm.com/us/
- Address:
950 W. Maude Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085 - Phone: 408-617-7000
- Fax: 408-617-0100
