Warm up those thumbs, Logitech's diNovo Mini is now shipping

Logitech's diNovo Mini Bluetooth thumboard is finally ready to rock your living room with its QWERTY keys, dashing looks, awkward translucent lid and unadulterated convenience. You can now pick it up from your favorite online retailer for about $150, and use it with your PC, PS3 or just for pretend.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[James @ Mar 12th 2008 2:18PM]

Ill take one for pretend.

[a @ Mar 12th 2008 4:16PM]

I already have a device on me that has a keyboard on it. An iphone. Sony, SDK it up so I can use my phone (or any phone with QWERTY) as a ps3 keyboard, so I can actually USE your browser.

Thanks.

[Lars @ Mar 12th 2008 7:45PM]

a, what's your reply got to do with James' post? And your post is so full of fail I don't know where to even begin flaming.

*bursts into flames*

[James @ Mar 12th 2008 2:19PM]

Ill take one for pretend.

[Homeboy @ Mar 12th 2008 2:20PM]

Uhm............still $101 too much for me.

[LegendZ28 @ Mar 12th 2008 4:18PM]

Seriously. This should be no more than 50 - 60 bucks, tops.

Logitech crap always starts out high though. If you have the patience to wait a little while, it'll probably be closer to 80 than 150, still a lot, but better.

[Lars @ Mar 12th 2008 7:52PM]

Agreed. $150 for a miniaturized, cordless, and less ergonomic version of my $5 USB keboard is just ludicrous. I might pay up to $50 just for the novelty of it though... Nah, probably not. I'd rather get a full size keyboard and use my fingers for typing.

For the PS3 it doesn't make much sense, it's just a baby step above using the on screen keyboard.

[Richard Lai @ Mar 12th 2008 2:21PM]

It reminds me of the HTC Universal's keyboard. It would make a great keyboard for a HTPC.

[J. R. @ Mar 12th 2008 2:41PM]

I totally agree! I have a HTC TyTN II (Kaiser/TILT) which has a nearly identical keyboard to this!

[Richard Lai @ Mar 12th 2008 2:53PM]

@J. R.: well, the HTC Kaiser doesn't have square keys.

Even the fonts are similar:
Logitech diNovo Mini: http://www.ixbt.com/short/images/logitech-dinovo_m_1.jpg
HTC Universal: http://the-gadgeteer.com/assets/htc-universal10.jpg
HTC Kaiser: http://www.uberphones.com/photos/2007/7/t-mobile-mda-vario-iii.jpg

[Naveed @ Mar 12th 2008 2:55PM]

I dont get the size issue. Why would you not want a full keyboard for your couch? This is just a wireless keyboard right? I use this full sized wireless keyboard and it works fine and it doesnt take up any awkward amount of space:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823166047

[Richard Lai @ Mar 12th 2008 3:00PM]

@Naveed: I guess they assume you'll only need to type in search criteria and have playback control on the TV. Also, if you're lying on a couch, surely you don't want to be bending over to the coffee table to type, or resting the keyboard on your knees? A thumb keyboard won't have these problems.

[Bill @ Mar 12th 2008 4:43PM]

@Naveed: You're single, aren't you... The diNovo gets SA (Spouse Approval) on size and design, but fails SA on price...

--Bill

[Naveed @ Mar 12th 2008 5:08PM]

Yalls points are taken. But for the record, i can use my keyboard lying down or in any position comfortably and even use it as a thumboard (if your hands are big enough).

My HTPC setup has gotten a very high "SA." No more streaming or hooking up hard drives or laptops to the big screen when we want to watch a movie. I admit though, I definitley use my HTPC for more than just hitting play and I never use Media Center. I always have fresh media and it seems Media Center is best for media thats already on your system and placed in the right place for viewing.

[James @ Mar 12th 2008 2:21PM]

Sorry for double post.
I would delete it but engadget thinks we dont need to edit our comments.

[tom @ Mar 12th 2008 2:24PM]

The price is steep! I would give it a second look if it is 50.

[phanbouy @ Mar 12th 2008 2:26PM]

yeah i only buy gadgets that cost $14.99. then maybe i'll think about deigning to give it a partial sorta second glance if i'm in the mood.

[Ayman @ Mar 12th 2008 3:06PM]

Well then they might remove the bluetooth, and the charger, the bluetooth USB transmitter, the Lithium Battery, and make it all a wired USB keyboard... yes that will make it cheaper... oh wait..

[LegendZ28 @ Mar 12th 2008 4:19PM]

14.99? I take it you're typing this out at a library?

[phanbouy @ Mar 12th 2008 4:34PM]

Legend, I bought my English to Sarcastic dictionary for $14.99 at my friendly local corporate bookstore.

[john @ Mar 12th 2008 2:27PM]

Now if someone will just make a replacement lid for it that will hold an N800 ...

(one that holds an N810 might be cool, but it's less necessary)

If that lid was a twist/swivel, so it's like the screen Fujitsu Lifebook U810 ... then that'd be even better.

And, if Apple would get off their butts and enable bluetooth for keyboards (HDI? HID?) for the iPhone and iTouch, then a similar replacement lid for those devices would be cool too. Doubt Apple will do that anytime soon, though. On the other hand, if they did, and it supported this thing, that might actually cause me to buy a 3G iPhone when it comes out.

[L.Rawlins @ Mar 12th 2008 2:35PM]

If they envisage the iPhone to be used as a companion device to either the iMac or Apple TV then the HID Bluetooth Profile would be a must.

Extra meta/content information beamed to your touchscreen remote, and the ability to influence the interface on the TV using finger gesures on the iPhone/iTouch.

Certainly a novel functionality that could be expanded upon.

[Oliver @ Mar 12th 2008 2:43PM]

true that john!! i can't begin to imagine why the iphone doesn't have an external keyboard yet...
i mean, it's such an obvious idea, what with the bluetooth and all!
just think: the software keyboard plus a wireless external add on keyboard: it will be the best of both worlds! just like a real computer!

[sunz @ Mar 12th 2008 2:29PM]

Definately the hottness .. but way too expensive the full size was only 200 when i got it.

-sun

[John @ Mar 12th 2008 2:33PM]

$150? That's got to be a joke.

[Erwos @ Mar 12th 2008 2:47PM]

How many other keyboards can connect using Bluetooth to two systems? It might be expensive, but you have to admit, it's pretty unique.

FWIW, I wouldn't mind a version that could connect to 3 systems via Bluetooth and 3 others via proprietary USB HID dongle. If you're a serious gamer with an HTPC setup, you don't want to have to deal with four keyboards...

[Richard Lai @ Mar 12th 2008 2:55PM]

Quite a typical price for the diNovo series (unfortunately).

[Matt @ Mar 12th 2008 4:19PM]

@Erwos

" No way dude I'm not wiggling your dongle!"

[farfisa @ Mar 12th 2008 2:35PM]

$150? Maaaybe if it had some chrome trim.

[k82 @ Mar 12th 2008 2:38PM]

doesn't look like a joke to me.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3848&cl=us,en

[Oliver @ Mar 12th 2008 2:47PM]

yeah... for a fraction of the price, one could get this: http://www.apple.com/keyboard/

[Chad Shepard @ Mar 14th 2008 8:49AM]

No more bulky KBM sitting next to the couch makes it well worth the price if it performs well. Next step is for them to make me a KBM/universal remote control so I can just have 1 thing to control my HT setup. I will find out Friday if it was worth $150.

[Jagster @ Mar 12th 2008 3:17PM]

@ oliver

By the time you add a mouse with that Apple keyboard, the total comes to, um, the same price as the diNovo Mini.. $150

[Neil @ Mar 12th 2008 2:49PM]

I love this bad boy, but the cost is too high, they need to find a way to get it down to $50-$60.

[Grizz @ Mar 12th 2008 2:53PM]

I would pay an extra 100$ for a clamshell iPhone with this keypad hinged onto it. The extra thickness is worth it.

[Daniel W. @ Mar 12th 2008 2:54PM]

No mac support? How can logitech forget about people who buy overpriced gadgets, like me?

[phanbouy @ Mar 12th 2008 3:40PM]

i see what you... oh nevermind.

[Haris @ Mar 12th 2008 2:54PM]

http://www.cartft.com/catalog/il/710

Thank you very much,but I have this for 45 euros!And it has a range of 10 meters!

[sinjinn @ Mar 13th 2008 11:53AM]

thats huge . too big to not look like a nerd and definately too big to use in a car. horses for courses .

[math0ne @ Mar 12th 2008 3:06PM]

The big thing that makes this ppearling is the form factor. Normal keyboards suck for media centers because:

1. You can't use them lying down
2. you accidentally press keys all the time cuz its laying around
3. Even the smallest takes up a LOT of your coffee table space.

I'd buy this in a second (if it was cheaper). And i could afford a media center PC.

[farfisa @ Mar 12th 2008 3:12PM]

Wonder how long it would take to get over the fact that there's no screen in that lid.

[Ian @ Mar 12th 2008 3:43PM]

This gets me thinking, I have an AT&T Tilt (HTC Windows Mobile 6) phone. It has a full keyboard similar to this one and built in bluetooth. I wonder if it would be possible to sync it to the PS3? If so, could software be written to send the keyboard input from the phone to the PS3, and use the touchscreen as a mouse? That would totally p0wn. Obviously the program would have to take control of the phone while in use (so input wouldn't be sent to the phone) and the program would need to be closed to operate your phone, but still seems like a very elegant solution

[MasterCKO @ Mar 12th 2008 6:33PM]

hmm, that's not a bad idea.

[JeffnLA @ Mar 12th 2008 3:48PM]

I would buy this in a heartbeat IF it had IR! I could replace my harmony with one device. Then it would be worth every penny.

[JeffnLA @ Mar 12th 2008 3:51PM]

math0ne - I agree 100%. Also the backlighting! I like to watch movies in total darkness, I can't count the times I hit the wrong key.

[Sean O @ Mar 12th 2008 4:09PM]

What's the range on the Bluetooth? My HTPC connects to several rooms in my house. This thing's pointless if I'm limited to 30ft. or some nonsense.

[edzy @ Mar 12th 2008 4:15PM]

"150 dollars ? good lawd! how much for just 3 keys?"

[Generic @ Mar 14th 2008 6:06AM]

LOL!

[josh @ Mar 12th 2008 4:29PM]

Why can't my iPhone do the same thing?

[Amit @ Mar 12th 2008 5:21PM]

Why buy something like this...
When I can just use my iPhone (Ipod works too) with this app:
http://www.touchpadpro.com/

Works perfectly fine... without any lag. LOVE IT!!!
You guys should give it a try.