RSS Feeds
Peripherals
Tiny Wireless Keyboard Doesn't Impede Cuddling
Posted by Mark Wilson at 12:15 AM on October 4, 2008
If you're looking for a smallish multimedia keyboard for your media PC, you could do worse than this little number available at Brando. Connecting through 2.4GHz RF and USB dongle, the 78-key keyboard features an additional 20 media keys and an integrated 1000 dpi trackball mouse. Operating on 2 AAA batteries up to distances of 30 feet, this cute wittle keyboard can be yours for just under $US50. [Brando]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
chrismar
Posted 12:47 AM 4/10/08
BUT! Does it blend??
Seriously, though... will it work with a Mac?
chrismar
lpranal
Posted 12:41 AM 4/10/08
gaaahhh! where was this BEFORE I ordered a bluetooth mouse and keyboard! It looks like this isn't bluetooth, which if you're using Vista like I am, is a good thing. I *HATE* using bluetooth devices in vista- it's WAY too unreliable
lpranal
adhir
Posted 12:31 AM 4/10/08
Very nice. Ordered. :)
adhir
Batch
Posted 12:27 AM 4/10/08
Looks good, but why do they put the Fn key where the Ctrl key should be....so annoying
Batch
Keebler
Posted 12:18 AM 4/10/08
Wow, this is perfect... except for the USB dongle thing :/ Why not add bluetooth?
Keebler
Kharnellius
Posted 1:09 AM 4/10/08
@Keebler: Probably because every bluetooth keyboard/mouse I've used royally sucks when it comes to range and interference.
Kharnellius
Seinosuke
Posted 1:06 AM 4/10/08
@chrismar: Yeah, but if you hit the Windows button by mistake, your Mac will explode.
But seriously, I dunno if it will work with a Mac.
Seinosuke
TownsendKisser
Posted 1:05 AM 4/10/08
@Batch: For reals! That's my biggest pet peeve about keyboards.. next to the J shaped enter key.
TownsendKisser
J. Nadeau
Posted 12:58 AM 4/10/08
This is a beautiful thing.
J. Nadeau
VideoVampire
Posted 12:54 AM 4/10/08
Need one for my PS3 looks like I found the one I want.
VideoVampire
Zarian
Posted 1:27 AM 4/10/08
@chrismar: ALmost all windows keyboards will work with OS X. Usually the windows key becomes the apple/command key.
The first time you plug it in though it will ask you to hit a few keys so it can fonrim the type of keyboard it is.
Zarian
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 1:21 AM 4/10/08
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->: Is that a jog/shuttle ring around the trackball? Does anyone know?
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
colbymulkey
Posted 1:20 AM 4/10/08
@Kharnellius: Funny that you say that, because I always have range and interference issues with 2.4GHz RF, and rarely have issues with Bluetooth!
I've picked up several wireless keyboards for our HTPC, all of them rated at 30-50 ft., and not a single one of them has worked reliably at 15'.
This would be perfect for my setup, but being burned by stated range specs time and time again makes me extremely hesitant to fork over $50!
colbymulkey
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 1:19 AM 4/10/08
This is the same price if not cheaper than a wired version. Unfortunately, I just purchased a Logitech keyboard and mouse combo for the PC next to my TV. Will keep this in my wish list though.
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
JohnDeere
Posted 2:20 AM 4/10/08
glad i saw this. i almost bought dells mini keyboard for $150.
JohnDeere
godwhacker
Posted 2:12 AM 4/10/08
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->:
looks like the retainer for the trackball
godwhacker
bpapa9013
Posted 2:09 AM 4/10/08
Are there any US based retailers for this... I frikkin hate ordering crap direct from HK!
bpapa9013
ecobore
Posted 2:54 AM 4/10/08
yeah, somebody please test this with a Mac. I NEED a wireless keyboard for my mini and don't want to spring $150 for the Logitech!
ecobore
Robobagins
Posted 2:44 AM 4/10/08
Wow. I'm so in.
Robobagins
m.sloggett
Posted 2:34 AM 4/10/08
Do you think this will work with a wii?
m.sloggett
rrwakc
Posted 3:08 AM 4/10/08
@Batch: they migh have lenovo laptop as i have so they did wanted a change :) its anoying btw
rrwakc
bpapa9013
Posted 2:56 AM 4/10/08
Okay I looked at the pics on the brando site... Where are the mouse buttons? The silver buttons on the left side appear to be Music, Vol+, Vol- and Mute. So where the hell are the l/r-click buttons?
bpapa9013
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 2:55 AM 4/10/08
@godwhacker: I think the black part is the retainer, but the ribbed ring seems like a scroll/jog wheel. That would be great for blowing through movies.
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
dzynz
Posted 3:39 AM 4/10/08
The DiNovo mini is more expensive, but pretty damn good. But it's not a FULL keyboard. If you're just doing HTPC stuff, I'd recommend it for sure. Haven't regertted the purchase at all.
dzynz
Barry32171
Posted 3:24 AM 4/10/08
@VideoVampire: This is exactly what I was thinking, when I first saw that... Might have to order that one.
Barry32171
MikeSWelch
Posted 3:50 AM 4/10/08
@ecobore: Why not just get [store.apple.com]
?
MikeSWelch
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 3:49 AM 4/10/08
Can I volunteer to test it Giz? Pleaze?
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
lpranal
Posted 4:35 AM 4/10/08
@ecobore: the dell bluetooth keyboards & mice work perfectly with macs (actually, better than on PCs, see previous comment) and are available for a song on ebay. Assuming your mini has bluetooth.
lpranal
4DoorSkyline
Posted 5:09 AM 4/10/08
Yea, id love to find out if this works with a mac....im dying for a mac mini based HTPC running XBMC or whatever they call it now...
4DoorSkyline
MannishBoy
Posted 5:28 AM 4/10/08
@bpapa9013:
Good question. I sent a support question on the brando site. But the boingboing write up I think mentions shoulder buttons, so I wonder if that's it?
MannishBoy
godwhacker
Posted 8:23 AM 4/10/08
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->:
i relooked, i think it is just fluff, the ff/rr buttons are just to the right the track ball.
godwhacker
tech-tard
Posted 11:33 PM 4/10/08
never had to do much text entry on my HTPC, so my gyration air mouse and the awesome Zero Weight KeyBoard software is enough for most "from the couch" typing like entering addresses or type-searching for media .
ZWKB was developed for slate UMPCs but I realized I could use it on my windows HTPC as well. oh and it's FREE.
tech-tard
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
Posted 11:58 PM 4/10/08
@tech-tard: Air mouse from Woot!?
Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->
felixgolden
Posted 1:45 PM 5/10/08
I have something similar to this, by the looks same OEM. Yes, the mouse buttons are shoulder mounted, which is somewhat annoying. The button immediately below the trackball is and on/off button.
Yes, it should work with the Wii. Mine does. Simply plug and go.
Distance is good. Haven't really had an opportunity to test it much beyond 20 feet, but it worked fine.
felixgolden
XavierDevon
Posted 3:28 AM 4/10/08
Mac users: Most of these keyboards work with a Mac. You just have to get used to hitting the "Windows" key instead of Apple's "command" key. I'm using this one with a Mac mini now. http://www.adesso.com/products_detail.asp?productid=336 Occasionally drops a keystroke, but the built in track ball is wicked. Scroll wheel on the left side. There are a few dedicated keys at the top left that don't work, but the playback/volume keys work fine. Got mine from Amazon for $50. Uses 4 AA batteries, for about 4 months of use.
XavierDevon
nrylanb
Posted 6:33 AM 7/10/08
anyone have any experience with buying from that website or using their products?
nrylanb
cheff
Posted 2:16 PM 8/10/08
My wife is about to have skull surgery, and will be laying low for a couple of months during recovery. I just ordered one of these for her to control a htpc in the bedroom. Will report back on if it works with a mac as well.
cheff
tech-tard
Posted 12:31 PM 10/10/08
@Git Em SteveDave loves this guy-->:
Actually you're right! but I got a couple different ones from Woot. The one I use for my HTPC is the full kit that has the mini keyboard that looks like this and the gyration air mouse. Seriously though I hardly ever use the mini keyboard anymore.
I just realized my setup is kind of like the keyboard that comes up on the WII and the airmouse works like a Wii controller - except the ZWKB has the added functionality of being able to adjust transparency so you can "see through" the keyboard at the field your typing into.
tech-tard