7/10
Now the best for last! The Arteck HB030B #Bluetooth #Keyboard.
This is a cheap keyboard that you can still find new. It has a chiclet design, is backlit & doesn’t compromise much on the layout other than messing a bit with the Alt, Ctrl and Windows key button arrangement.
Amazingly this Bluetooth 5.1 keyboard connects to all of my iPaqs (111, 210, HX2495, HX2795b) & my #Dell Axim X51V using Passkey 1234!
6/10
This is the #Ipad Kensington Key Folio Pro K39357US.
This #Bluetooth chiclet #Keyboard is fantastic! It is sleek, responsive and feels modern. It also has a decent layout and doesn’t forget the right shift key like the previous Key Folio.
Once again it effortlessly connected to all of my iPaqs (111, 210, HX2495, HX2795b) and surprisingly also connected to my #Dell Axim X51V using Passkey 1234!
5/10
Next up is the #Ipad Kensington Key Folio K39294.
It’s a #Bluetooth 2.0 spill proof rubber covered #Keyboard that drove me crazy due to the right shift key being absent. LOL.
It’s connectivity was identical to the Freedom Pro. It easily connected to all of my iPaqs (111, 210, HX2495, HX2795b) and unfortunately refused to connect to any of my #Dell Axim X50 and X51 series.
4/10
First up is the Freedom Pro #Bluetooth #Keyboard.
This keyboard folds in half and has a slide out removable stand for your #PDA.
I didn’t like it. It was probably decent for the time but we can do much better these days.
Regardless, it easily connected to all of my iPaqs (111, 210, HX2495, HX2795b) and unfortunately refused to connect to any of my #Dell Axim X50 and X51 series.
3/10
It was already going to take some luck to get great compatibility with a random #Keyboard but I also had another goal; the #Bluetooth keyboard needed to run under the HID profile so no driver installation would be necessary.
The dream is to get a new keyboard, connect over Bluetooth and just start typing!
I began researching and securing a variety of keyboards to try & focused my testing on persistent #WindowsMobile 5.0+ devices
2/10
Unfortunately after talking with people & reading up on the #Bluetooth protocol I learned that Bluetooth Classic (1, 2, & 3) is not compatible with the current Bluetooth LE (4, 5, etc.). I had no idea!
A new keyboard seemed doubtful and everyone I talked to suggested buying an old expensive #PocketPC or #PDA #Keyboard but then I got a great suggestion; get an old #Ipad keyboard.
Those are plentiful and cheap!
1/10
Those who have followed me for a while know my obsession with #RetroTech. After my #Palm TX bit the dust, I took the opportunity to jump into the world of #PocketPC.
I wrote several tutorials in the past and recently turned my focused to finding a new #Bluetooth #Keyboard that would be compatible with them. There were some made back when these devices were new but there had to be a better, current solution.
Since #Bluetooth doesn't require you to install drivers, would a current Bluetooth #keyboard work with an old #PocketPC or #Palm #PDA?
I know that they had Bluetooth keyboards made for some of them back in the day but I am not familiar with the backwards compatibility of the Bluetooth standard.
Unfortunately, I do not currently have a Bluetooth keyboard to test. Does anyone else know the answer to this?
"When my colleagues were still carrying rather heavy laptops on international travels, all I had was my HP Jornada with it’s built in modem and phone plug..."
Rare, hard to come by, but now available on the Internet Archive: the complete book set for the #WindowsCE Developer’s Kit from 1999. It contains all the separate books in their full glory, so if you ever wanted to write either a Windows CE application or driver for Windows CE 2.0, here’s all the information you’ll ever need.
@nytpu @gemlog @claudiom @goosey @ajroach42 @Maya @maperal @publius @elb @kelbot I've got lots more #computing #calculator and #retrocomputing content up on YouTube now and still more in store for coming weeks. I recently got a #windowsce #ibm #workpad #z50 gifted by a friend booted up and connected to BBSs over serial through a #thinclient. This is just the initial demo: https://youtu.be/dsAzqmNQy-g
These days coding for retro computer system is a recreational and learning activity. But sometimes it's essential for maintaining mission critical legacy software, like in this case of writing a new x86 C compiler for Windows CE.
https://building.enlyze.com/posts/a-new-windows-ce-x86-compiler-in-2024
[1/6]
At the beginning of this year I set out with a goal to restore FULL #PocketPC compatibility on a current #Windows 10 #PC.
We outlined how to both establish a connection AND Sync here… https://mas.to/@Judeau/112678025590638375
We looked at different keyboards and how to transfer Word files while preserving formatting here… https://mas.to/@Judeau/112689361744308651
The last piece of the puzzle was restoring wireless #IrDA connectivity.
Spoiler alert: I got it!
[5/6]
Pocket Word is a surprisingly full featured program. It has the basic formatting options one expects and has spell check and fairly decent word prediction.
Now comes the exciting part. I want to run a test.
Lets see If what I type in Pocket Word can be transferred to the PC while retaining the correct formatting and as hassle free as possible.
[4/6]
I don’t have a Bluetooth #Keyboard to test but I can’t imagine preferring it to a device specific one.
These #Keyboards connect directly to the data port on the #PocketPC or #Palm #PDA.
The downside is that these only work with the device they were designed for. Fortunately they are quick to setup and provide a hassle free experience. They are also powered by the connected device so no need for batteries like the other two.
[3/6]
Infrared indeed allows for a single #keyboard to work across many devices, but the setup is a bit unwieldy.
You have to position the device on a stand with a reflective mirror above it to catch the IR signals from the keyboard and bounce them down to receiver on the top of the device.
It works but is not hassle free. You need a smooth flat surface to get it aligned and it takes a few moments to get everything positioned.