Brando's Tiny Keyboard, now in Wireless Multimedia flavor

We've seen a boatload of wireless keyboards shuffle past, but we've gotta hand it to you Brando, the itty bitty factor joined with an array of useful features reminds us your heart is in the right place. The USB 2.4Ghz RF Wireless Multimedia Tiny Keyboard is around half the size of an ordinary keyboard and features a 33-foot range, 1000dpi trackball and media player hot keys. This tight little number can be had for $48 -- throw in an ice cream cone and we're sold.

[coffee @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:08PM]

Good price for an RF keyboard with trackball, but might be a touch small for anything more than casual use. (though a better deal than the new Logitech mini keyboard).

I'll stick with the Logitech PS3 Media keyboard with trackpad, works great on HTPCs, but if that one breaks, this one looks pretty good.

[Jeff @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:14PM]

What's this? A Brando product that's useful? Reasonably priced? Attractive designed? I never thought I'd say this about one of their products, but when can I buy? This is perfect for HTPCs. Other choices are too big, too expensive, or too hideous.

[Stan @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:14PM]

Looks like my Logitech LX710, just smaller and uglier.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard_mice_combos/devices/147&cl=us,en

[kojo87 @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:37PM]

and considerably cheaper

[Phoenix @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:39PM]

...and not a full sized desktop keyboard. It's a lap one >.< Not the same thing.

[Isaac @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:35PM]

You can low rank him all you like, but he's totally right. I have that logitech keyboard too. It's acutally only $40 in stores. Sure this is smaller, and meant for a different purpose, but it is a pretty shameless copy, if you ask me.

I still like it, though.

[Prokanda @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:41PM]

I think the point was.... crapo stole a design.

[Eisbaer @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:42PM]

I was just thinking the same thing! Design "cues" definitely taken from the LX710

[Daniel @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:20PM]

will this work on a mac?

[Wwhat @ Oct 4th 2008 9:24AM]

Well since it is RF I guess it'll need a driver for it to be recognised as a keyboard with hotkeys and trackball and all the site says is:
"Support Window 2000/XP/Vista"
But perhaps the USB dongle will presents itself to the system as an industry standard HID keyboard and maybe even a trackball&keyboard when there are no drivers and you'll have the basic standard stuff working without all the hotkeys doing anything.

[Homeboy @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:21PM]

Best HTPC on the market. Features are great and price is very fair. Perfect all-in-one solution for those who want to slouch surf on the LCD screen hooked up to their laptop.

[Phoenix @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:38PM]

Because this is TOTALLY an HTPC and not just a keyboard

[Phoenix @ Oct 4th 2008 5:57AM]

Erm... why am i low ranked?

He said "best HTPC on the market"

An HTPC is a Home Theater PC, and this is a KEYBOARD. I pointed that out. What did I do wrong?

[oZone @ Oct 4th 2008 2:36PM]

Pussyhurt much, Phoenix?

[Phoenix @ Oct 4th 2008 4:19PM]

I just wanna know why I'm low ranked... especially since he is as well, meaning people agree with me...

[DudeManDude @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:23PM]

This looks cool, I think I'm going to have to buy one and try it out. Thanks for the heads up Engadget!

[David @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:28PM]

I am really interested in the Logitech DiNovo Mini, but can't justify that kind of money for a keyboard/mouse. This is much easier on my wallet, but not as sexy.

[Jeff @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:51PM]

I've handled a DiNovo Mini. They're much like typing on a QWERTY-equipped phone, and the mousing leaves much to be desired.

[nicholaelaw @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:05PM]

I have a diNovo Mini, the keys feel perfect for a handheld keyboard, but the mousing pad is indeed, very tricky.

But any way I want this. This is much easier to use than the diNovo Mini for typing, and the cost is so small comparing to the cost of a diNovo Mini.

[Dave @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:41PM]

I'm currently using a BTC wireless keyboard (9029URF III) on my media center PC that I have connected to my living room big screen TV. I picked that one up back in spring at Fry's for $49. It's a solid unit that uses a thumbstick on the right side of the keyboard instead of the trackball. One thing I question with this new model is why they put the left and right mouse buttons on the right side of the keyboard below the trackball instead of on the left side of the keyboard where one could use their left hand to click and not have to remove their thumb from the trackball to do so. At this price though I'll probably still pick one up as you can never have too many keyboards. Then again I already have way to many keyboards.

[kojo87 @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:41PM]

just recently i hooked up my desktop to my roommate's HDTV via HDMI. this would be absolutely perfect for couch surfing! my dream to remain entirely stationary 24/7 might become a reality

[computer.dude.28 @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:18PM]

You're gonna have to install a toilet and a mini-fridge into that couch, but after that you're good.

[Greg @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:21PM]

Yeah but don't you still have to get up pee once in a while?

[kojo87 @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:48PM]

i have the mini-firdge (currently filled with Red Bull, Squirt and Vodka)

toilet is the only problem...

[jim @ Oct 3rd 2008 5:54PM]

I bit.

PC is on one room, projector in another. Even though I was able to reprogram my Hauppage remote for most playback functions, I still wind up having to get my hands on the mouse and keyboard on a regular basis. This should solve the problem nicely.

[AndyS @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:09PM]

Where are the mouse buttons? I sent them a support question asking where they were. One of the shots on the site looks like they have the fingers on the top edge, so maybe they are like controller bumpers.

[computer.dude.28 @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:14PM]

That would be great for a HTPC! I think I'd only have one complaint. I think it would be more efficient and more comfortable if the right/left mouse buttons were on the left side of the keyboard for your left hand, while using the trackball with the right hand. Kind of like the OQO.

[AndyS @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:56PM]

Where are you seeing the mouse buttons now? That's not them below the track ball, those are copy/cut/paste if you look at the other images on the site.

[John @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:26PM]

I wouldn't call this keyboard tiny, small yes, tiny no. You can't even type on it with just your thumbs, that would make it tiny.

[biomi @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:26PM]

Now give it a little back lighting and it would be perfect for a car computer setup.

[Unisyst @ Oct 4th 2008 5:04AM]

Touch type! *Shakes fist*

Still though, back-lighting is always welcome.

[youngstunna @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:26PM]

i dont understand why people think a keyboard needs to be sexy. its not like its gonna help you get laid.

[Uchiha Sasuke @ Oct 3rd 2008 6:45PM]

Well, that's the whole point. If they can't have a sexy woman, they can atleast have a sexy keyboard, etc.

[Dan Davis @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:26PM]

Unless you bashed her over the head with it, knocking her unconscious.

But I digress...

[Geeker @ Oct 3rd 2008 7:26PM]

Maybe you can map the Vol up and Vol down on the left to use as right and left mouse click

[tba @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:34PM]

it is nice but they have just rebagged a cheap chineese Kb that has been available for quite some time! see:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16044

That one is only $44.80, includes shipping and has been avalible for more then a year! heck about two months ago it was avalibe for $22 now i guess we know why the price doubled!

[Jeff P. @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:58PM]

Hmm...this is pretty obvious copy of the Logitech LX710 keyboard with a few design changes. Either Logitech is making this keyboard on contract or Brando is copying it.

[john @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:05PM]

Make it Bluetooth, and less than 8" long and maybe I'd be interested.

[JR007 @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:44PM]

Holy crap, could they rip off Logitech's LX710 design anymore!!

[rob @ Oct 3rd 2008 10:35PM]

yeah, but does it work under linux/myth?

[Wwhat @ Oct 4th 2008 9:28AM]

As I commented to the other guy, perhaps it presents itself as a standard HID device in which case it'll work without drivers but the extra keys won't do anything, the listed support is "Window 2000/XP/Vista"

[Arne @ Oct 3rd 2008 11:08PM]

I am currently using Ione Scorpius P20 http://www.ione-europe.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,29/category_id,14/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,1/ which is also a cheap keyboard suitable for HTPC's. It has a joystick though for mouse movements, so it takes some practice to make it work right, and no special multimedia keys. But I am very happy with it. The upside with the joystick is that you don't have to clean it. It is nice to see more keyboards like this, that makes life easier for ppl that builds HTPC's, ie. you have more options that suits your own preferences.

[sergiulucian @ Oct 4th 2008 5:51AM]

this is a rip off of the Logitech LX710 Desktop Keyboard!!!

[captain_duck @ Oct 4th 2008 9:05AM]

I dont care if its a design rip-off, it has a trackball instead of those godawful touchpads.

Is there any way to get this in europe without importing it from the US ?

[Joe @ Oct 4th 2008 12:20PM]

You're actually ordering it from Hong Kong anyways. $3 shipping to anywhere in the world. Can't really complain about any of this, except 7-10 days to receive it, which really isn't even that bad.

[BigTeebo @ Oct 4th 2008 1:20PM]

Nice keyboard. Brando: It's what users crave.

[kapau @ Oct 21st 2008 10:35PM]

I just got one and all i can say is the keyboard is really great! if anyone is asking where the left and right mouse buttons are its on the top corner of the keyboard :)

[everunman @ Oct 27th 2008 5:50AM]

i received mine today and must say its not worth the money, maybe us$25 no more
Very cheaply made, you almost need to know a secret handshake t o get it working in Vista ;)

[suth @ Oct 30th 2008 12:55AM]

Got mine yesterday. Work very well in long range. Mouse buttons on the side are very handy.
Down side is that, the keyboard's RF is interferes with my Wi-Fi signal. So I can't use wi-fi and this keyboard at the same time.
:(

[djs @ Nov 2nd 2008 1:10AM]

Mine came today, worked perfectly out of the plastic shell it came in. Very compact, seems like it has a sturdy enough casing, trackball may not be super precise but it works good enough. The buttons are pretty tight together and it's easy enough to make mistakes if you're not looking at where your keys are, definitely doesn't have a high quality feel to it but I think it was worth the money. Haven't noticed any wifi connection issues yet. Batteries were included, has special copy/cut/paste keys that might prove interesting