Pilot Keyboard
The single winning feature of the PalmPilot, the sole feature that justifies it's existence and pre-eminence as a PDA, is its size. That it can be so small is the result of a compromise; we choose to accept the imperfect Graffiti for text entry, and forgo a keyboard, in order to get a PDA that will fit into a shirt pocket. Apple tried this compromise with the Newton, but ended up with a ballooning Newton, and bundling the 2100 with keyboards. Now the Newton with a keyboard was a lovely device, although completely divorced from the requirements of a PDA.
LandWare, a one-time Newton developer, are selling the GoType keyboard from the Pilot (all models are supported). The basic model is a keyboard only, and costs $79.95; for $99.90 you get the keyboard with a leatherette case that will hold a Pilot and the keyboard with room for extras (like a modem or mobile phone).
The keyboard is 10" x 4" x 0.75", and weighs about 14 oz. It connects through the docking port at the bottom of the Pilot, and requires you to install a program on the Pilot. Depending upon your stance on PDAs, keyboards, and text entry, it will either be the answer to a prayer, or an unwanted excrescence.
Words and design by:
Paul Lynch
Last updated: March 2, 1999