Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard Review

[Brad Isaac]

Pocket PC road warriors may find the selection of various portable keyboards confusing to choose between. Should one purchase an IR keyboard? Thumb Keyboard? Software keyboard? In my search for a decent portable keyboard, I had an opportunity to review the Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard(affiliate). The Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard promises a ".. genuine full-size keyboard with 18 mm spacing, the Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard allows you to quickly type email, memos, or surf the web in optimum comfort. Its unique design allows it to easily fit in a pocket or purse, so you can take it everywhere, yet opens to a full size keyboard when you need it. A lap-lock is included that allows the keyboard to be used on a lap perfect for airports and other tight spaces!"
If you are wondering if it meets those specifications and can also be used in the real world, come along with me while we take the Stowaway on a road trip...
After my Dragon Naturally Speaking review, you might wonder why I would be interested in a keyboard at all. You might ask, "Why aren't you dictating this review?" Obviously, one cannot dictate at all times. Besides me having a head cold that makes me sound like Don Corleone from the Godfather, I am actually writing this from the passenger seat of my family van...in the back seat are two kids watching Shrek 2 with the volume turned about all the way up.
The Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard comes nicely packaged in one of those plastic blister packs including batteries, quick start manual, Installation CD and a nice leather case.


Installing Batteries (included)
I figured I really didn't need the manual, so I immediately unpacked it and installed the software from the CD Rom. Then after installing the batteries, I went to work trying to get the two to talk.

It was not as easy as I thought it would be. Even though I was doing what seemed like a typical bluetooth connection, I kept getting the message "The keyboard must be discovered before connecting."

However, after it finally discovered my keyboard, it became highlighted on the config screen.

Once the bonding is complete, it is a cinch to get it connected every time. I simply open the keyboard, choose the Stowaway icon in the lower right hand corner (SIP icon) in Word, Tasks or whatever other app I am using.

Rough Draft in progress
Go to the config tab where you can choose "Enable"...

Enabling the keyboard
A small but nice feature is if you don't have bluetooth enabled on your Pocket PC when you want to use the keyboard, opening the keyboard connection utility will enable it automatically.
What blows my mind is this feels like a pure mobile keyboard. It seems naturally adept on your lap when you are on the plane or commuter train. When I put it on my desk, it tended to slide around a little and kick up if I put too much pressure on one side or the other. No big deal at all, I just wanted to point out how well suited it is for travel.
What about the size of the keys? Comparing the Stowaway to my full sized desktop keyboard, it appears to be about 4/5 the size. The keys feel similar to a laptop keyboard and I would say it is not more cumbersome to use than a laptop keyboard. In fact, the ability to use the palms of your hands to move it slightly for comfort or to find the "sweet spot" adds some flexibility that a laptop lacks. I can type without looking at the keyboard (except for numbers and symbols). And finally, someone has fixed the shift key reach problem I've had with every other portable keyboard. It seems on every other one I've tried, the shift key is too small or in a different location. So instead of typing Brad, I'd always end up typing "/rad" or hitting the "Page up" key -- mangling stuff I had already typed! Now, the shift key is right where it belongs...LOOK MA NO EYES!
My first impression when testing the Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard was it is pretty nice. It works with the PPC sitting beside the keyboard or on its little docking port. You can have it plugged in across the room too!
On my lap with no lap desk, book, or other support, it feels very sturdy. Unlike other models I've tried in the past, be it IR, or direct connect, they all tended to buckle in the middle. This one has a locking mechanism that prevents the keyboard from folding into itself.

Stowaway Keyboard Unfolded
One issue with the keyboard is often double tapped the enter key due to there being physically two enter keys. Sometimes, my thumb hits them both at the same time, thus resulting in a double space. This is of course, not the end of the world.
Some thoughts and comments:
Due to the goal of keeping the keyboard as small as possible, they have removed the number buttons from the top of the keyboard. Instead, you use either a blue function key for the number. Or the green function key, which simulates a shift+number key. For special symbol. This really doesn't affect me too much because I cannot touch type numbers on the QWERTY keyboard anyway, so, I am looking down to type a number or symbol anyway. This may be a drawback for some qwerty touch typists who do numbers though...so it is important to point out you may be relearning or hunting and pecking for your numbers...
Another unique function of the keyboard is that you can remove the PDA dock. By doing so, you can make the keyboard even smaller than it already is... Unfortunately, I have not had good experiences with this type of connecting mechanism they use for the PDA doc. I have not had much luck with the "C" connector tabs on electronic devices in the past. Thus, I am a bit suspect of this type of connector and the method of "STRESSING" the connector by removing it and reattaching it as needed. I cannot count off points for this; I am just saying that historically, mechanisms like this do not fare well in my hands.
It is important to state that this one has not broken, however it will be interesting to see after a few months of use what happens. Plus, even if it did break the keyboard will still be usable.
Due to the Bluetooth connection technology, you can also place your Pocket PC off to the side, or on a table, or wherever you like. I've taken to basically laying my Pocket PC off to the side without the docking tool. I really do not need to look at the screen as I type anyway, so having my device out of the way really helps a lot. In the past, with other keyboards, it was always a balancing act to get the PPC and keyboard on my lap just so I could type without fumbling. See the lap desk I built to solve this issue in the past. Not that I won't use the lap desk anymore, I will, since having the option of deciding where I will place my Pocket PC makes it a lot easier. Setting the PPC off to the side or even on an armrest it best for me.
Pros:
• Thin, small keyboard. It is the smallest I've used.
• Can remove the docking port for even smaller size.
• Works from any angle, you can set your PPC in your pocket if you like!
Cons:
• The Fn access keys may be cumbersome for some touch typists.
• Bonding/Pairing was a pain
Conclusion
I really think Stowaway has outdone themselves with this keyboard. It not only utilizes Bluetooth for a low power and technolologically advanced connection protocol. It has fixed many of the niggling headaches that I've had with most all of the other portable keyboards I have tried. . The keys feel "just right" in their placement. They are tactilly nice to the touch. I do worry a bit about the connection tabs on the removable docking port, but considering right this minute I am typing this with my Pocket PC in my pocket, thus, the physical port really isn't instrumental it it's functioning. I love it and I think you would too.

[Hantra]

Great review man!
I think this is much more convenient than the infrared version. I have been using that for a while, and it works well for trips, but Bluetooth would be much more convenient.
Now if they could just come up with some BT PPC display glasses so you really could just put the device in your carry on and type away in the plane, that would be superb!
B

[bkbroil]

Great REview! I just got a Stowaway BT Keyboard for Christmas! I too had problems with setting up the configuration just like you....and....I too was trying to figure out how to work on my lapdesk also...what I did was.....put a little piece of velcro on the cradle and the lapdesk and now I put my PPC at the top of my lapdesk and I can use my keyboard how I want .
I enjoyed reading this!
Next.....is the BT mouse!

[w1gom]

Brad,
Great review . I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new X50v, and a chance to start ppc computing. I hope that this keyboard will work with that unit... I am thinking from what I have seen that it will. This sure looks like a winner!!
Thanks and will see if anyone knows something that I don't.
Art
w1gom

[Brad Isaac]

Hi Art and welcome to our forums
Yes, it should work great with the Axim X50 models..

[Lewiedude]

Brad and Other BT Stowaway Users,
I am new here but not in life...
I got mine 10 days ago and have been using it sparingly...seems really fragile. It is a pain that when you open the packaging, all you want to do is open the keyboard...the stickers prevented this and almost broke the dang thing immediately after I got it. Thankfully, I recalled reading one of these reviews and whenever you hear "crackling" stop what you are doing and find the source. Well, that said, it is a great little keyboard. A couple of Q's though:
1. It seems as though every time I switch programs (I have Wisbar running most times) that I lose the connection. When I do not have Wisbar running, I lose it as well. Does this happen to you, or is this normal for BT keyboards? My iPAQ4155 is running the latest firmware and driver updates.
2. Sometimes I have to press CTRL+Blue FN+Green FN several times to wake-up the keyboard. Same thing with you?
3. They should have made the Blue FN silkscreens neon yellow, like the green over-lays, to make them easier to see in darker lighting conditions.
4. Even though I do not have the BT mouse it is really necessary? Or is it overkill? Personal preference...$49.99 at ThinkOutside.
5. If smallness is not my biggest concern, shouldn't I go with the new HP model, again I am running an iPAQ4155, as the build quality should be HP standard and it also possesses the number key row?
-Where is a review of the HP model and where can I look at it, in a store I mean? I am curious as to how it compares..."feel wise."
Thank you for your thoughts and

[Brad Isaac]

Hi Lewiedude, and welcome to our forums
I have to say that my experience with the keyboard stability is much different than yours. I've had these keyboards since the original foldout stowaways and this is one of the more sturdy that I've ever tried. There is no cracking involved while opening mine or closing it. Sure, I take my time and opening it to prevent accidentally throwing the sliders out of position. But otherwise, it sits on my lap solid and ready to be typed on.
waking up the keyboard is another thing I am just patient with. when I run the set up I just sit for no more than five seconds holding in the spacebar. when I start hearing the clicking and see the cursor move, I know it is on and connected.
I will agree with you that the function keys could be brighter and low light conditions. Oftentimes, I am in bed or it is later at night and I'm typing away while the lights are low. Perhaps a mod is in order! it would be easy enough to just simply use some neon tape or even glow-in-the-dark paint over those two keys
The mouse would be a personal choice. It is not necessary for me. But if I was using my Pocket PC is a mini laptop computer, I would definitely consider one.
The last HP model keyboard I used was the one for the 22XX models. It was pretty nice. I am sure there are some reviews of the later keyboards out there I just haven't seen any yet. But I have to restate.. this is the best foldable keyboard I've seen yet.