Review of the Bluetooth Virtual Laser Keyboard from I-Tech
September 8, 2006 Posted by Bryan in : Reviews , trackback,
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When it first came out in fall 2005 I put the I-Tech Virtual Laser Keyboard (abbreviated “VKBâ€) through its paces as a mobile keyboard for a Treo 650 smartphone. This article is a result of my experiences. Some aspects of the review relate only to its use with a Treo, while others are relevant across the numerous Bluetooth devices the VKB can connect to. If you don’t have the time to read the whole article you can scroll straight to the bottom for the 2 minute version. I’ve also noted ratings for certain aspects of this review in bold for easier skimming.
The VKB is a wonderfully innovative product that is exactly what the name would lead you to expect: a virtual laser keyboard that connects to your Treo 650 (or other compatible devices) via Bluetooth. For those who haven’t heard of this device yet, here’s a simplified version of how it works. When you turn on a small black transmitter/receiver (which is eerily reminiscent of the monolith from 2001) it establishes an invisible infrared barrier a few inches in front of itself and a few millimeters above whatever surface is it is sitting on. At the same time, it produces a laser image of a keyboard on that surface to give the individual an input target. As the individual contacts the laser image in the area that represents a key, he or she breaks the infrared barrier there. When that happens, the transmitter/receiver registers the break and sends the relevant keystroke to whatever device it is connected to via its Bluetooth connection. As complex as it sounds, that’s the basic idea behind it; for a more in-depth and technical explanation visit www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/f-a-q.asp. But now that you know how it works, I bet you’re asking how well does it work. Well, read on…
IN evaluating this product the immediate question is, “How do you review a products that’s so innovative that there are no similar products out there to compare it to?†Well, first of all, you give it a few points for being that innovative. Then you move on to its functionality. How well does it do what it’s supposed to do? With the Bluetooth Virtual Laser Keyboard from I-Tech the principle is simple, it should be functional as an input device (and common sense dictates more functional than the input methods already included with the PDA.) Since part of being a functional input device is producing the desired output, I thought I’d let you, the readers, be the judges of that. This entire paragraph was typed using my normal input device – my laptop keyboard – without making any changes. (Ok, so I’m not the best typist in the world.)
The following paragraph is an attempt at typing the exact same thing with the VKB:
In evaluating this product the immediate question is, “H0w do you review a product that,s so innovative that there are no similar products out there to c0mpare it to?†Well first of all, you give it a few point s for being that innovative. Then you move on to its functionality. How well does it do what it,s supposed yo do? Withe the Bluetooth Virtual Laser k`eyboard from I-Tech the principle is simple’ it should be functional as an input device (and common sense dictates more functional than the input methods already included with the PDA.) sInce part of being a functional input device is producing the desired output, I thought I,d let you, the readers, be the judges of that. this entire paragraph was typed on the Virtual Laser Keyboard with out makinng any corrections. f`=Fr those of you who remember the old Palmolive commercials, “You,re soaking in it.”
You can see that there is a considerable amount of editing to be done on the second version, but not nearly as much on the first. However, on closer inspection it is evident that most of the problems in the second paragraph are similar, resulting from the keyboard layout rather than the actual keyboard function. By this I mean that the keyboard seems to do very well in registering whatever key I press (i.e. if I were to sit there and push the “X†key all day it would probably get it right every time), but the keyboard design makes it difficult to press the right key…at least without more practice. For example, you’ll notice that I pretty consistently got the apostrophes and commas mixed up. This was a combination of both the apostrophe being in a different place than I’m used to, and neither key looking very different from the other on the display. However, I think given a few more days of consistent use I would get that issue worked out. There are also a few repeats which might be alleviated by decreasing the sensitivity of the keyboard. So overall, probably not too bad for something so different from normal.
Personally, I was expecting that the difference in the physical aspects of the keyboard from normal keyboards would be much more unsettling. However, I got used to nothing moving when I pressed the laser projected keys rather quickly. In contrast, some friends and family I let try it were more disturbed by this issue. While you can set an option that makes the keyboard click when you press buttons, the fact that there is no physical response when you pushed the keys seemed to make it more difficult for those who normally touch-typed. I, on the other hand, generally look at the keys when I type and therefore had an easier time keeping my hands on track, despite the fact that there were no marker keys or gaps between the keys to keep me straight. Based on this I think the VKB is probably best suited for those who do not fully touch type and who do not type exceptionally fast, like myself. Not to say that one who doesn’t meet those requirements wouldn’t get used to the VKB, just that it may feel more uncomfortable at first and the learning curve may be more steep.
Overall, after a week of off and on use of the keyboard as a straight up typing device I would give the input abilities of the product a 3 out of 5.
But the usability as a typing interface is not all there is to talk about with this product. In fact, that only matters when you are actually composing emails or documents. Despite its main focus as a typing device, such a product loses more and more of its practicality the more I have to switch to alternate methods of input; more specifically, the more times I actually have to use my Treo buttons or the stylus while I have the keyboard connected. Here the VKB has some rather significant shortcomings. For one, while a significant number of keyboard shortcuts exist, there are just enough missing to make it extremely frustrating. For example, I can return to the home menu easily by clicking Fn-H, but once there I cannot open any programs without using buttons on the Treo. I can open menus within programs by clicking Fn-M, but I can only move within the column of menus using the keyboard. Additionally, the documentation for these shortcuts is not substantial either. There is an “in program†list, but it is confusing and incomplete.
While the software that comes with the device is rather comprehensive, allowing you to see the battery life remaining on the transmitter/receiver, change the intensity of the keyboard display, change the sounds, and set a few other options, it is buggy and has caused me issues with other programs. Specifically, if you leave the software enabled while the keyboard is not connected, it eventually slows down the operation of the Treo to the point that it is impossible to clear the screen lock before it powers down again. In such a situation a soft reset is required. A brief scour of the internet shows that this seems to be a common problem with this product; however, there is no information in the manual regarding how to properly disconnect the keyboard. Indeed, it took me a few resets to figure this out. Additionally, there are some quirks with Documents to Go and Versamail that require me to highlight something on the toolbar first or click certain areas with the stylus first before it will allow me to input there. While I figured out how to get around these bugs after a couple of days, they are annoying and obviously represent improper functioning of the software.
The size of the device is nice for mobility, but it is not great for stability. This is an issue because the device has to remain motionless to obtain keystrokes accurately. Wisely, the manufacturers installed a switch that turns the keyboard off when it falls over or rocks, but as the base isn’t very stable this happens frequently and means that you cannot use the device on any amount of incline at all. A better (or at least additional) solution would be to widen the base (or add retractable stabilizers) and add some sort of grip to the bottom. This would vastly increase the ability of users to use the keyboard in less than perfect conditions and make it considerably more mobile.
Finally, while independent of the actual operation of the device, the laser image is the most important part for user interaction and therefore I feel inclined to briefly discuss its operation. Overall, I found that it works well in most situations except when I was projecting on to a black surface. Some physicist out there could probably shed light on this, but I assume it has to do with the fact that black colors absorb light. Anyway, in such a situation you can place something white where the image is displayed and it works fine. I found the keyboard image to be of perfect size and general clarity, but hard to take a picture of (see below.) Compared side to side, the laser image is just barely smaller than my 14 inch laptop keyboard at just about exactly 12 inches wide at its widest point.
Because of the issues with the software and the lack of mobility, for functionality other than as just a typing input device I give the VKB a 2 out of 5.
The area where the VKB ranks the highest is the WOW! factor. Here this product is off the charts. Everyone who saw it or heard about it wanted to try it. Additionally, VKB has some of the best customer support I have ever experienced. Their sales rep who I spoke with via email was always polite and helpful and I never waited more than a day for a reply from him. The product was shipped out the same day I talked to him and it arrived via FedEx from Israel in just a couple of days. They also included an international plug adapter for free (which they are currently doing for all Treo 650 customers as long as you note that you are using a Treo 650 when you order.) While there seemed to be a slight communication barrier because of language differences, it was otherwise a perfect transaction and I wasn’t even paying for anything. I can’t imagine how well they must treat their paying customers.
For customer service this company gets a 5 out of 5.
I won’t go into the exact product specs. here since they are available (with much more information) on the VKB website. Also, the website has versions of the user manuals for all supported operating systems for download.
The VKB runs $179.99 plus shipping and handling and includes a free international adapter (you need this to charge it in the US).
For the time pinched, here’s the 2 minute version:
Pros: Extremely innovative product, fairly mobile, works mostly as advertised, and has amazing customer service.
Cons: Software has problems, with a few improvements the product could be much more practical, and the price may still be a little high for the amount of functionality one receives.
All things considered, I would rate this product 2.5 out of 5.
And if you’re curious how big it is compared to our cat’s head…
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Comments»
Wonderful and informative site, well written, easy to navigate. I like your site very much! Great work!
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http://www.austinshakespeare.org/Season/
Hello there Brian,
You said you had problems with documents to go and versa mail, but ended up solving it. What did you do?
My sister bough vkb but it only works with Memo…. not documents to go….. She´s got a Tungsten E2, which they say is compatible… but now they came out saying that for (”for an unknow reason it is not compatible with documents to go”.
Can you help us? (emaling me back)
Thanks!
Alessandra,
I just sent you an email, but for everyone else out there here’s the answer to your question. My problems were with getting the VKB to enter data in both of these programs. I found that once I had opened either of these programs I had to do something using the stylus or Treo keypad before the VKB would allow me to type anything. If this is the problem you’re running into you might try that. It’s not a perfect solution but it may work until the software is changed.
Excellent review, Bryan. I put up a purely promotional review on my blog here (bluetooth laser keyboard post). I want to buy one, but wanted a more hands on review of this thing. Yours is perfect. I’m not so sure if I’ll buy it now, as I do have a QWERTY keyboard on my T-mobile Dash.
You mind if I put up a link to you on my review?
Great Review, Bryan.
I am confused whether this keyboard is actually compatible with the Tungsten E2 - on their website it is not listed.
Did Alessandra manage to sort out her sister’s problems?
Rajah
All I want to know is… DOES IT WORK WELL!
or is the out put like this
dslkds hfg jdfs,..as