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Stowaway Keyboard
Fri Mar 31, 2000 - 1:19 AM EST - By James Hromadka
Table of Contents
» Stowaway Keyboard Usability Conclusion
Have
you ever wanted to completely ditch your laptop and just use the Handspring
Visor, but couldn't because of all of the typing that you do? Are
you a student and want to type your notes as the instructor is talking
instead of scribbling them down and typing them up later? If so,
the Targus Stowaway keyboard, which
was designed by Think Outside,
is for you.
Physical Specifications
One look at the Stowaway when it's
closed lets you know it is something special. At only 3.6" x 5.1"
x .8", it's not much larger than the Visor itself. Pull a switch
on the side and the Stowaway opens to reveal a full size keyboard inside.
Once it's open, simply slide the sides together, pull out the back that
holds the Visor upright, and place the Visor in its spot. There are
holes on both sides of the keyboard where you can keep your stylus as you
type.
The keyboard layout is 100% full
size standard QWERTY, with key spacing the same as desktop keyboards and
key travel the same as laptop keyboards. There are designated keys
for the Datebook , Phone ,
To
Do , and Memo applications, and a function
key (Fn ) for special commands. The layout
for the arrow keys is the standard inverted T.
Targus
is making cases for users that want to carry their Visor and the Stowaway
in one case. The one that Targus
currently recommends is their leather
mini notebook case , which can hold the Visor, Stowaway, travel cards,
spare batteries, and Springboard modules.
There are various dedicated keys
and keys that are enabled by the Fn key.
Below are the keys that you will find on the Stowaway keyboard for comparison
against other keyboards.
Dedicated keys
Function enabled
Standard keys (A-Z, etc.)
Shortcut (cursive L stroke)
Tab
New
Caps lock
Ok
2 shift keys (L/R side)
Cancel
Ctrl
Delete...
Fn
Show
Alt
Scroll (up/down)
Cmd
Details
Space
Apps
Done
Menu
Del
Calc
Back Space
Find
Main apps (Date, Phone, To Do, Memo)
Backlight
Usability >>