FIGURE A

You can get a sense of the size of the opened Pocketop keyboard as compared with a one dollar bill.

Like the Stowaway keyboard from Think Outside (at http://www.thinkoutside.com), the Pocketop Keyboard is also a folding keyboard, but instead of folding in three points like the classic Stowaway keyboard, the Pocketop Keyboard folds in just one point, right in the middle of the keyboard as shown in Figure B.

FIGURE B

Note that the space bar is divided in two parts.

The keys are smaller then the ones present in a desktop keyboard, as you can see in Figure C, but once you get use to it, your typing will be very productive.

FIGURE C


The Pocketop Keyboard keys size are compared with a desktop keyboard. Roll over picture for a larger image.

You'll also need to get used to a higher number of functions in each key. For example, there is no numeric keyboard; instead, you need to hit the Nunlock Num key and then the specific key with the desired second function (number, for example) in red. The Punct key will give access to the second functions in green, such as symbols and Latin languages accent marks. And finally, the Function key will give access to commands in blue like Page Up, Page Down, Done, New, Cancel, and lots of others. You can even launch the core Palm OS applications and turn the backlight on and off.

But in my opinion, the reduced size is not the most interesting feature of the keyboard. Although it is specifically designed to fit the Palm V, Palm Vx, and Palm m500 series, it is also compatible with almost all the handhelds available in the market, including Pocket PCs.

Best of all, you don't need a different keyboard for each handheld connector; the same keyboard will work with all the models. How is this possible? Since Bluetooth is not present in all the handhelds--especially in old models--a very popular technology is responsible for the compatibility: the infrared port. You can see the infrared port in Figure D.

FIGURE D

The Pocketop Keyboard infrared port makes the keyboard infinitely compatible.

A single AAA battery powers the infrared port, as you can see in Figure E.

FIGURE E


The Pocketop Keyboard battery compartment is shown here with a battery inside. Roll over picture for a larger image.

A stand for the handheld is equipped with a plastic mirror adapter that will reflect the infrared beams from the keyboard to the handheld infrared port. A driver with versions for Palm OS and Pocket PC needs to be installed in the handheld to enable the connection.