We could just
hug LG for this one. The LBA-C300, which just ran by the FCC, is the
texting equivalent of a Bluetooth headset -- a Bluetooth device that allows you to operate your phone without actually pulling out your phone, except this time it's for hitting your peeps with rapidly a rapidly composed "LOL" or "LOL, U R." The generous keyboard looks incredibly typable, and while the entire unit borders on the size of some phones on the market, it means you can leave that bulky numeric keypad dumbphone or hard-to-use touchscreen smartphone in your pocket or bag and get some real communication done with the QWERTY Card. You can also view and store contact info, peep a clock, set an alarm and work you calendar from the device -- the Bluetooth pairing means you can even remotely control your phone's camera, though obviously much of this functionality depends on what phone you pair it with, LG phones are likely to get much better treatment. No word on release date or price, but we'll probably know more once LG actually announces the device officially.
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posted Feb 6th 2009 11:24AM
Wow. I kinda like this. I would love to know the dimensions of it though.
What is the size of that thing exactly?
87mm x 54mm x 4.6mm , so 3.4" by 2.1", pretty tiny
Same size as a credit card.
If it's credit card sized (or folded to be so) then I'm kind of impressed, and could see legitimate function wherever you have to get a session of prolonged typing done sans PC.
Looking at the 1cm grid paper underneath the device i'd say approx 9cm x 5.5cm (3.5" x 2.1")
huge potential here, is there a screen on it? article makes it sound like there is but its hard to see.....
Snap, this looks pretty cool. Wonder if it could be used with a PS3....
I was actually thinking the same thing. For this to work it will have to be very durable
That's the first thing that came to my mind! Even though I got the remote, I would like to have a keyboard for PS3 too.
"the Bluetooth pairing means you can even remotely control your phone's camera"
This should be great news to all of those "upskirt" sites. Ooooops, I droped my phone. Dont worry about it, I'll get it in a minute. I'm sending an important text message. :D
rofl
better yet, glue your phone to your shoe...
Grammar fail.....
Looks cool but on second thought might be impractical for on the go use, another thing to fumble with in your pockets (along with coins, used bubblegum, dentures, etc)
uh, wrong. they are saying that you can use this and leave your IPHONE in the bag because you can't type worth shit on a touchscreen phone.
I bet you are all jealouzz!
What has the world come to?
Feels sad to find the iPhone being termed as a 'luxury' by blinded followers like you, sir.
An MMS-enabled phone must be pure pampering. Oh, and not to mention that any phone which can transfer files via Bluetooth must be pure self-indulgence.
Fucking brilliant idea.
More like "About fucking time". A device such as this should have been brought to market long ago. It's been on my want list for a couple of years already.
can you pair this with a computer? i'd say a better use for this device would be with a media center system. you probably don't want to just have a keyboard laying around the living room, you can just keep this with the remotes.
i don't see the point of using it with a phone. just get a phone with a keyboard if that's what you want. why lug around TWO devices?
If it supports standard BT input device profiles then it should work with computers. I was thinking the same thing. If this thing doesn't have a ridiculous price tag, it would be a killer HTPC keyboard. I'm also looking forward to Apple (one day, I hope) opens up more BT profiles for the iPhone so I can use this for text input, especially during cold weather with my gloves on, so that I don't have to wait for the iGloves. ;-)
igloves already exist. http://marmot.com/fall_2007/womens/gloves/liner/iglove_liner/
It would certainly make Twittering on the go a lot easier.
mmm.. but IPhone's bluetooth only supports headset.........
Dentures in your pocket.... ewwwwww! iPhone touchscreen keyboard... ewwww! This device, might be useful!
I would buy this as a phone, were it given the capabilities and a *slightly* bigger screen. Maybe if they just filled in the bezel? It would fulfill my needs in a phone, though, text and calling and time.
Antone thought of another recent LG development that is omitting keys?
Yep, their watchphone. Would be a killer combination imo
you sir, are a genius. complete with the BT headset it's a complete package.
Yes, you are carrying 3 different gadgets that could be served by the use of one.
But I still want it.
OK, tell me WHY nobody's come out with something like this before. I want my bt call-ID watch, while we're at it.
yes i agree ... i want a bluetooth caller id watch too. and it must have vibrate mode.
They have those, but they're like $200 and they only work with SE phones.
Seriously though, I would LOVE a classy watch that could do caller ID, and display texts.
That thing is awesome. I'd love to have one for my HTC Touch.
Naturally, I won't be getting one. They'd have to price it at or below $30... and that looks like a $50 device.
Yes because a system whereby you must enter a code, and any transfers must be personally OK'ed by you through a prompt is riddled with security holes and it is much better for the consumer to lock down the phone and omit basic functionality included in supposed 'dumbphones'
This device was designed with a classroom in mind. Cellphones are easily recognized nowadays, the teacher will notice when you take your cell to write something. This won't happen with this QWERTY Card, it looks like a calculator.
Didn't Motorola do pretty much the exact same product some time ago?
http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details.jsp?globalObjectId=135
It is uglier, but seems to be the same idea. I wonder why are people are more receptive to the idea now?
I guess there's a lot more texting happening in the US now than even 2-3 years ago?
Not to mention the non-wireless Ericsson Chatboard....
http://www.1800mobiles.com/erchat1.html
I still have one of those in my desk at home...along with the SE Bluetooth car and an external camer flash.:)
Or it could be a Palm Foleo with a smaller screen.
Engadget had run a review on the Moto version in 2006: http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/04/motos-txtr-bluetooth-keyboard/
This is a great product if they get the price right. Otherwise, meh!
I'd like to have it as a bt keyboard/gamepad for my phone
If you don't need the display, this might work; the keys are smaller (maybe not so good for gaming), but it does have a full complement of keys, which makes it quite nice for ssh work.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16685
I think e))) covered this keyboard at one point, but I'm too lazy to hunt it down.
Looks like a cool device that would be worth using with a touchscreen only phone. I really wonder about those keys, though. Seems like they are extra mushy.
Next, someone should make a strap so this can go on your wrist.
htd... You've got a point there, weren't it for the fact that you still have to put your phone somewhere...
I like the idea behind it, the reason why it will probably work this time around is because it's a lot smaller than Motorola's attempt...
To bad that certain touchscreen phone that could benefit most out of it is too dumbed down... er... locked down to actually use this.
Everyone else, however can use this with their phone, computer, etc.
I manage to type with both thumbs at quite a rapid pace on my iphone, i cant see how this qwerty card would be any better, i'd still only be using my thumbs, only i wouldn't be getting the auto correction...
This would make me like typing on my iPhone.
It seems like this would great for use on a HTPC. As long as it uses a regular bluetooth stack and is under or around $100 this seems like an awesome idea (for use with a PC. the phone thing is stupid.)
screw the phone, if this thing uses the standard HID bluetooth profile I would make this my PS3 keyboard.
This is how I imagined India's $10 laptop would end up looking.
This looks absolutely AMAZING!
I just hope its not horrendously expensive :(
does this thing double as a bluetooth keyboard for a pc? i just bought the mini dinovo and love it, but this thing looks pretty cool too.
"Freedom Input" already has something this size sans-display. $70 MSRP
http://freedominput.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=137&Itemid=140
Wow, another device to carry around, not like my pockets aint already full of shit. why dont they just throw in a phone on the thing and make it a done deal
would be nice for ps3 as well.
This is what the Folio shoulda been...
I guess this will make their watch phone easier to use. love it! think it should come free when you buy the watch phone... :)
Let's hope they don't pull a Logitech and overprice this at $150.