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The Keyboard Conspiracy


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Topic: The Keyboard Conspiracy

michaelfelix
Member

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: University of Alabama in Huntsville
Posts: 26

The Keyboard Conspiracy

quote:
"Please check our website near the end of this year for more" - Targus Customer Service

I don't know about the rest of you Visor Edge owners out there, but I am starting to get really pissed off at Targus. The release date has been pushed back further and further. I am a college student and got a handheld for keeping up with assignments and typing out notes in class. I really could use a keyboard now.

How hard would it be for Targus/Think Outside to make a Visor Edge keyboard? Sure, the Edge has more pins on the serial connector than other Handspring handhelds. So all they would have to do is just make to connector a little wider ... how hard is that?

I'm sure that the reason that they're not releasing it is because of market share. The Edge didn't sell very well, but I'm positive that the cost of manufacturing the keyboard would be much less than the revenue it would generate.

My father has a stowaway keyboard for his Platinum that he doesn't use. I'm tempted to try to make an adapter. Does anyone know what pins the keyboard uses, and what the functions of each serial pin on the Edge? If someone could provide me this information, i would be very thankful.

michaelfelix

10-08-2001 08:39 PM

mcmach1
Member

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: London
Posts: 81

As you can see the order has changed...

VDx Cradle Connector:
1 RXD - Receive Data
2 KBD* - Keyboard Detect
3 HS1* - HotSync Interrupt
4 GND - Ground
5 USB_D- - USB Data-
6 USB_D+ - USB Data+
7 VDOCK - Cradle Power
8 TXD - Transmit Data/Power

Edge Cradle Connector:
1 RXD - Receive Data
2 TXD - Transmit Data/Power
3 KBD* - Keyboard Detect
4 HS1* - HotSync Interrupt
5 USB_D- - USB Data
6 USB_D+ - USB Data
7 VDOCK - Cradle Power
8 GND - Ground
9 PASSTHROUGH1 - Pass Through
10 PASSTHROUGH2 - Pass Through
11 PASSTHROUGH3 - Pass Through
12 PASSTHROUGH4 - Pass Through

10-08-2001 09:35 PM

michaelfelix
Member

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: University of Alabama in Huntsville
Posts: 26

mcmach1,

thanks so much for the information! Now all i need to know is what pins the keyboard requires to function. Does anyone know this?

thanks,

michaelfelix

10-09-2001 02:04 AM

culo77
Member

Registered: May 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 236

Hey if you make one that works i will have at least four buyers that will buy one from ya maybe two!!!!!!

10-09-2001 05:13 AM

StiMPy
Member

Registered: Nov 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Posts: 63

What are you thinking for an adapter?

I'm thinking maybe a cable which runs from the wires of the stowaway internally, to an edge serial connector externally. In theory it seems simple enough...

Thinking about giving it a try myself...
<famous last words> I mean, how hard can it be?? </famous last words>

-Stimp

10-09-2001 06:03 AM

mjd1969
Member

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Denver
Posts: 46

I got a small catalog in the mail last week from Handspring detailing all the great accessories one could get for their visors. Inside was a special offer from Targus- buy a Stowaway from Palm Gear and get a free Stowaway/visor case. The funny thing was it stated that the offer was valid with either of the two Stowaway models made for visors- for standard visors or for the Edge. It even listed the Edge Stowaway part number. I looked at Palm Gear and Targus websites. Neither had anything about an Edge Stowaway listed. Hard to get the free case, if they don't have the keyboard out yet.

I guess the upside is that if they are advertising it, it must be on the horizon somewhere...

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10-09-2001 02:59 PM

imabug
Member

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Misplaced Canuck in Charleston SC
Posts: 257

quote:
Originally posted by michaelfelix
mcmach1,

thanks so much for the information! Now all i need to know is what pins the keyboard requires to function. Does anyone know this?

thanks,

michaelfelix

I believe communications between the visor and keyboards goes through the serial port.

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10-09-2001 06:22 PM

MarkEagle
VisorCentral Staff

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:
Originally posted by michaelfelix
what pins the keyboard requires to function

RXD, TXD, KBD, and GND ought to do it.

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10-09-2001 10:00 PM

michaelfelix
Member

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: University of Alabama in Huntsville
Posts: 26

Hwody,

Thanks a bunch to everyone who has provided me information. I'm in the process of finding parts, but am having trouble finding a regular serial connector from a deluxe/solo/platinum (see my post in General). I need this part so i can have a connector that attatches to the keyboard connector. If anyone knows where I can get one, PLEASE HELP ME!

thanks,

michaelfelix

10-09-2001 10:15 PM

TDS_Computer
Member

Registered: Jun 2001
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 108

Keyboard for Edge

I don't understand it... The Edge is my second best selling Visor, right behind the Prism. It is a great handheld... Very sturdy and very sleek. What is the problem behind its slow sales?

I have customers waiting in line for the Edge Keyboard. I have even gone as far (gasp) as looking at something besides the Stowaway! Maybe if we start an email campaign, asking nicely to please speed up the Edge keyboard, we can get something done!

This is Targus's customer feedback page. Lets see if we can get something done! (One Email per customer, please, lest we look like little kids spamming Targus... Lets make it look professional!)

http://www.targus.com/product_feedback.asp

I am sending my request right away!

Doug

www.tdscomputer.com

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10-10-2001 05:25 AM

cjones
Member

Registered: Jun 2001
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
Posts: 56

Re: Keyboard for Edge

quote:
Originally posted by TDS_Computer

This is Targus's customer feedback page. Lets see if we can get something done! (One Email per customer, please, lest we look like little kids spamming Targus... Lets make it look professional!)

http://www.targus.com/product_feedback.asp

I am sending my request right away!

Doug

www.tdscomputer.com

I know I have submitted my request in! I also gave a suggestion of the targus folks (or the thinkoutside folks) to create a survey of how many Edge owners would pre-order an Edge-compatible stowaway keyboard if they made one. I bet they'd get more pre-orders than they think they would. Then if making enough $$$ on the product is what's holding things up, this would give proof that *maybe* they would make enough money.

But as always I doubt very seriously that this would ever happen, or me ever hear anything back. That would imply that customer service exists.... which does seem to be lacking in the world lately.

-chris

10-11-2001 04:36 PM

dick-richardson
Member

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

I sent one off and recieved a response that it was definitely going to be released in November.

Take it for what it's worth.

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Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

10-11-2001 05:09 PM

mcgowinwt
Member

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: the South
Posts: 9

OH-so now it's November? Just last week I got an email response from Think Outside (that makes the Targus keyboard) which said the keyboard would be available this month.

This has been going on since August! First it was August, then September, then Oct., and now November! I'm about to dump my Edge and get a Prism. Handspring or its 3rd party providers must really think the Edge is DOA.

10-11-2001 05:46 PM

septimus
VisorCentral Staff

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

quote:
Originally posted by mcgowinwt
I'm about to dump my Edge and get a Prism.

Who would ever do that?!?!??

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10-11-2001 10:51 PM

docscully
Member

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: I'm from Idaho (yes we do have technology here...)
Posts: 38

The Stowaway keyboard for the Visor Edge is finally out! While I don't own and edge, those of you who do will be happy fo find that it's (finally) here. Here is the link:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?EDC=338603

Enjoy!

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Docscully

12-02-2001 12:26 AM

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