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iPhone external IR keyboard - no jailbreak required using 2.0 SDK (with video)
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - 10:47 AM EDT

"We developed this IR keyboard to iPhone adapter using about $20 worth of parts and the official Apple SDK version 2.0. No jailbreaking was required," Perceptive Development reports via YouTube.

iPhone external keyboard - no jailbreak required:

Direct link to video via YouTube here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "Fred Mertz" for the heads up.]

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Mar 24, 09 - 10:50 am Comment from: derek

point less, and not functional in the real world

Mar 24, 09 - 10:51 am Comment from: silverhawk

Which pocket would you carry the keyboard in?

Mar 24, 09 - 10:54 am Comment from: LeftCoastDude

I'm not seeing the value of this keyboard. If I need to type something out, I use my laptop. If I need to add in a whole list of addresses, I use my laptop.

Mar 24, 09 - 10:59 am Comment from: Spark

I don't know about that contraption, but a portable keyboard like that could totally eliminate the need for a laptop on trip. I like my iPhone, but handling a week of biz email, posts like this, and other typical typing needs is not something I relish on the little touch screen. Count on this type of product being available sooner than later; it would slip nicely in a briefcase, pack or purse, with a lot less weight than even the MB Air.

Mar 24, 09 - 11:04 am Comment from: M.X.N.T.4.1.

Listening to that irritated me.

Mar 24, 09 - 11:16 am Comment from: Logan

Yeah I wanted to strangle that guy saying the letters.

But I do think Apple should make their little bluetooth keyboard compatible with the iPhone.

Mar 24, 09 - 11:21 am Comment from: The Dude

@M.X.N.T.4.1.
I completely agree, his narration was pretty painful to listen to.

The Dude abides.

Mar 24, 09 - 11:29 am Comment from: Kreios

Bluetooth keyboard support would be nice so I can use one of these <a >virtual keyboards</a>.

Mar 24, 09 - 11:40 am Comment from: CD

Actually this is cool. Personally, I love the iPhone keyboard, but those stubborn people who buy another product just because of their button keyboard dependence NOW have an alternative and fewer and fewer excuses. This is a start, but needs to be more seamless. I had an external keyboard for my Palm way back...why not for an iPhone if people just can't be more open-minded towards a touch keyboard.

Mar 24, 09 - 11:48 am Comment from: GizmoDan

You call that a video? A guy typing? Where's the implementation video?

Mar 24, 09 - 11:49 am Comment from: Raymond in DC

Heck, even *I* can type faster on my iPod touch than this guy using his contraption.

Mar 24, 09 - 12:03 pm Comment from: OBill-Wan Kenobi

How very Newton-esque.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64QuJdJmCbA

Mar 24, 09 - 12:07 pm Comment from: MacintoshSoftwareList.com

Even the original Palm Pilot had a keyboard option. I don't think this is forward progress.

Mar 24, 09 - 12:18 pm Comment from: Digits McGee

That was Owen Wilson speaking, right? LOL

Mar 24, 09 - 02:39 pm Comment from: ecrabb

Some of you people have NO imagination! Imagine being able to type 60wpm on your iPhone with only a small foldable PDA keyboard. Or, how about being able to use a small roll-up rubber keyboard that you could bang out a big, fat email on. How about a laser/virtual keyboard the size of an eraser that you could type 50 or 60wpm on a tabletop at starbucks?

I've had several times I wished I could grab a little keyboard to type a longer email (or multiple emails) than the iPhone virtual keyboard would allow given a reasonable amount of time and patience.

Personally, I think it would be awesome if you could use a BT keyboard with the iPhone. I'd do it all the time. The ability to use a full keyboard would get the iPhone amazing close to replacing what most people do with netbooks.

Mar 24, 09 - 02:50 pm Comment from: AP

Imagine a similar keyboard, only with a flip-up 10" screen that had a slot where you inserted the iPhone. You'd have a pretty sweet "netbook" or e-reader when you needed one, without having to pay for a whole separate device.

Mar 24, 09 - 03:01 pm Comment from: Quitely

@derek

Are you Derek Underwood of derekunderwood.com? If so, what is your source for your posts?

Mar 24, 09 - 04:06 pm Comment from: Daniel

wow. you guys are harsh.

do keep in mind that for many 'road warriors' the capabilities of the iphone as a portable computer are limited by the built in keyboard. Yes, it's awesome, and yes I'm used to it and quite good at it now. But I am not going to write a report or larger email on it, as I can't use more than one finger at a time to type. with a portable keyboard, a strong case can be made to load an office style app in the iphone (or google apps, whenever they make them all mobile writable) and just GO.

If this worked, and was in a pretty box, I'd buy it. So there.

Mar 24, 09 - 04:57 pm Comment from: Swing Geezer

I'd buy one too. I type at 100+ wpm.. A small keyboard when I was on Holiday would mean I could leave my laptop at home.

One less thing to worry about while traveling.

Mar 24, 09 - 05:55 pm Comment from: Hm...

Much better info and description of the project is at Perceptive Development's Labs website.

Mar 24, 09 - 08:47 pm Comment from: cogitoergomac

This would be great. I used a bluetooth keyboard with my Nokia N70, and I loved having that capability.

Mar 24, 09 - 09:03 pm Comment from: dolita

I'd be happier if apple's own bluetooth keyboard can work with the iPhone. That way I don't have to buy a new keyboard. I can just take my bluetooth keyboard on holiday to use with the iPhone, and there I have a laptop :D

Mar 25, 09 - 08:49 am Comment from: Bud+Why+Zer

I would definitely buy a fold up keyboard . Anyone who thinks this is of no value has never experienced a palm pilot with an external keyboard. Cannot for the life of me figure out why Apple does not make one themselves.

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