For
HTPC owners looking for the perfect couch-borne computer keyboard, this Rii Mini Wireless Keyboard looks like Natuzzi nirvana, packing QWERTY (with function keys) and a touchpad all in a package that should fall to the hand more comfortably than that
Scientific Atlanta remote your cable company has saddled you with. There's even a laser pointer, making it a snap to indicate strange shapes and symbols seen on Lost episodes -- or to taunt the cats when an episode's fifteenth plot twist leaves you disinterested. We're not sure exactly what Brando means when it says the thing has "iPhone style," but despite that we're liking it, and the
$92 $49 price isn't completely outrageous. YouTube video review embedded after the break for the doubters.
Update: A few bargain-hunting commenters pointed out that this is available for $48.99 over at
TomTop. That's savings you can count on, folks!
Update II: Seems the product page has been yanked from TomTop, and one tipster says that the company is no longer replying to requests about his order. Buyer beware.
posted March 5th 2010 7:36AM
Doggle?
2.4 giga-hurt!
@CRA1G- Doggle? LOL,some people are afraid to say dongle because it sounds kinda like a male tool.
am i the only one that wishes all touchpads in the world were replaced by trackballs?
@mrqs
Nope... me too :-D
@mrqs I'm with you man. Hate track pads. Love track balls. track balls are a one way ticket to carpal tunnel, unfortunately.
@mrqs
Nope.
Well, either trackballs or trackpoints. Love my T61's keyboard clit.
I love balls...too?
@manifest3r
Hmm...balls and clits. Sounds like an orgy!
@mrqs nope. multitouch trackpads are the way to go. nothing can beat 2 finger scrolling
@peetuhr One-finger scrolling does, and it's the only use the trackpad gets on my T-61. Trackpoint rocks!
@mrqs I actually like the trackpoint on Thinkpads.
Biggest mistake here seems to be the mouse button placement. Should be designed so you use the trackpad with one thumb and the buttons with the other (ie, put the mouse buttons on the left side). Can't believe so many designers make this mistake: do they even try out their prototypes?
Trackpoints make me rage.
@CityZen I agree with you 100% on that...
@Firehazel Thinkpad Nub FTW!!! Although, I hate the nub on the Dell Latitudes... Plus the benefit to it is lost in this kind of device. The best part about the nub is that your fingers stay on the home row, which is lost in a handheld...
@peetuhr Except for customizable three-finger and four-finger gestures. The Magic Mouse is insane with the right software behind it.
@jgp I love the trackpoints too. I just don't like the tap to click feature of some trackpads. Sure you can cut it off, but, I err more just trying to get there!
Don't you mean Scientific Atlanta? Scientific American is a magazine.
@tcc3 Hah, yes, I was working on another story related to SA at the same time. That'll be showing a little later...
it's quite cool. but i'd prefer the tivo style remote with the slider. but this below the slider (with the touchpad) would be perfect. mediacenter remote on top, keyboard-n-touchpad on the bottom.
@davepermen
im pretty sure with all the remotes these days that are coming out with keyboards, like the boxee remote, theres going to be a universal remote coming out pretty soon with a built in keyboard. I'm gonna wait a while (who knows I might be waiting a very long while)
Nice!
Do want.
@Flasher T In fact, did get. http://www.tomtop.com/24g-wireless-mini-keyboard-with-touchpad-black-c709b_p10332.html - cheaper than the Brando link, the website that the guy with the review mentions.
@Flasher T
From the description at your link:
- Built-in rechargeable more staying power lithium-ion battery! (Wow Viagra Power)
- With a 90-degree flip a switch function key Touchpad, allows you to be more humane mode of operation to achieve click, scroll, and the mouse click action. (No remotes were hurt in the making of this description)
Sign this man on as an Engadget blogger!
@Flasher T
Nice find. Took forever to get my order through but well worth $40 in savings.
@Flasher T
Warning! This site has a poor reputation. from WOT
http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/tomtop.com
Wish it worked with DirecTV receivers. I hate searching for shows using the K9 text pad
Its very usefull if u have a HTPC. I like it!
If you goto the site that is mentioned in the video the price is under $50 there.
Wow, hardware AirMouse !
Looks great for the both large and small displays (presentations and slates) -- or presentations powered by slates.
Will she work with my Xbox 360?
Lenovo's is cheaper:
credit to where i discovered it:
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1900556
lenovo's link:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=38&Code=57Y6336¤t-category-id=E9ADAEB6787146E29B78400A33E7FE8A&ProductName=IdeaPad%20laptops&AID=10458230&PID=1225267&SID=u99994t1900556f0fp0c0s590&CJURL=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.lenovo.com%2FSEUILibrary%2Fcontroller%2Fe%2Fweb%2FLenovoPortal%2Fen_US%2Fcatalog.workflow%3Aitem.detail%3FGroupID%3D38%26Code%3D57Y6336%26current-category-id%3DE9ADAEB6787146E29B78400A33E7FE8A%26ProductName%3DIdeaPad%2520laptops
@etwashoo Thanks, I've been waiting for a promo code on that.
@etwashoo
Luckily, I got in on that $30 promo and I am using it with my HTPC right now. Wow, it's so good to have some more free space on the center table after getting rid of the full size keyboard and mouse. The lenovo one is pretty neat, takes a little getting used to though. I wish it had a center click or some way to scroll though!
@etwashoo This one have Linux support? If so I'm in...
bluetooth? would be perfect for the world's smallest tablet
@htd
Dell Mini5?
Just the job, Ill have one to replace my p.o.s Dinovo Mini.
Fun part: do not use the keyboard (the keys that is) at all, since it is a keyboard you are reviewing ;)
I tried typing on a small netbook in a pc store the other day, and cannot imagine that this keyboard works any better since it is twice as small. I see more opportunity for rock solid speec or hand writing recognition (probably still 10 years away), or a version of Swype for Windows.
@Wekkel It's a thumb board. Like on a Cell phone with a QWERTY.
@Wekkel Check out the sequel video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILXuNkqo-hU
I'm gonna order this next week. Wonder if when the USB adapter is avail for the ipad/iPhone/iPod, will this work for them? HIGHLY DOUBT IT!
if you have an android phone, you can use remotedroid or gmote, and it does essentially the same thing over wifi.
@PrinceAli
Except that those are typically windows only applications. This should have support for whatever takes a keyboard (assuming it uses a USB dongle).
@BigJayDogg3
remotedroid is written in java and works in linux and windows. It should work for OSX as well. I know bc I got an htpc with an ubuntu and windows partition.
@PrinceAli
except that there's no decent qwerty android phones
n900 might do the trick though...
@(Unverified)
I guess its a matter of preference, I got no problem using my g1.