There’s finally some parity between the Apple iPad and the Apple iPhone with both being updated to 4.2 earlier today.

The Apple iOS 4.2 update brings the following:

• iOS 4.2 brings multitasking from iPhone and iPod touch to iPad. So you can be more productive as you work, have more fun as you play, or do a little of both.
• Now your iPad has more room for more apps. Move apps into folders with drag-and-drop simplicity to declutter your Home screens and keep your apps organized for fast access to your favorites.
• AirPrint makes it simple to print email, photos, web pages, and documents right from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. A few taps is all it takes to go from viewing it onscreen to holding a printed copy.
• AirPlay lets you stream digital media wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to your Apple TV and AirPlay-enabled speakers.
• Find My iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch — the MobileMe feature that helps you locate your missing device and protect its data — is now free on any iPhone 4, iPad, or fourth-generation iPod touch running iOS 4.2.

Clocking in at over 620mb, this update also brings Game Center, an improved Mail client and enhanced enterprise support and integration. I’m downloading and installing right now!

[ Links: iOS 4.2 ]

Logitech this week fully unveiled their GoogleTV-based broadband video device over at the company blog, and began pre-orders via their website. The skinny: the $300 Logitech Revue with Google TV comes with a wireless keyboard and directional pad, a flurry of Google apps (including Netflix support) and broadband streaming capabilities.

There’s also a slew of accessories, including a $150 HD video chat camera, a $100 larger keyboard, and $130 mini controller.

Dish Network meanwhile says they’re going to sell the device for $179 instead of $300 but charge an ongoing yet to be determined monthly fee.

Link to the original article…

Google Android seems to be the platform for alternate keyboards. First there’s Swype, but the recently released beta of SwiftKey seems to really speed up input via intuitive word prediction that outclasses the built-in prediction on the Android virtual keyboard.

SwiftKey brings the future of text entry to smartphones. It uses TouchType’s breakthrough Fluency™ technology to predict the next word you want to type, before you even press a key.

With SwiftKey, your next word is predicted with such incredible accuracy that a third of suggestions are right first time and usually you won’t need to press more than two letters.

SwiftKey doesn’t just predict regular words – it learns as you type and remembers how you write. As words and sentences are chosen over time, its Fluency™ engine creates a dynamic understanding of your writing style to boost the accuracy, fluency and speed of prediction.

Currently a free download… have at it!

[ Links: SwiftKey Beta, TouchType, Ltd. ]

Love those Gmail shortcuts but there are too many of them to remember? Someone obviously got to thinking that a standalone piece of hardware might be a better way to get things done. I’m guessing that a person would have to virtually live in there to make the Gmail keypad worth the money and desk space; but some people do.

Price: $20

Link to the original article…

When Microsoft acquired Danger, the maker of the entry-level “smartphone” Sidekick, nobody knew what was going to come of it. Fast-forward 2 years, and the fruits of that acquisition finally come to light in the form of the Microsoft Kin One and Microsoft Kin Two. Both are aimed squarely at the “Upload Generation”, the teen to early 30′s group that uses their cameraphone and Twitter apps, alongside Facebook and even MySpace to chronicle their daily operations with their peers.

The Microsoft Kin One and Kin Two are now on sale via Verizon for $49.99 and $99.99 respectively after a $100.00 mail-in rebate once you sign a 2-year contract. Despite having questionable “smartphone” abilities, the Microsoft Kin platform does require the Verizon $29.99 a month data plan.

Despite having a somewhat “cool reception” in the blogosphere, these phones do come with pretty impressive numbers on the optics, Zune connectivity and playback, Bing search engine software which has been beefed up to include location aware portions as part of the new “Near Me” Bing functionality… it’s actually not an ugly phone and it’s still quite zippy performance-wise.

Let’s hope this paves the way to an even speedier Microsoft Windows 7 Phone release though. That’s the phone the more serious folks.

[ Links: Microsoft Kin Press Release, Verizon ]

Adesso has more keyboards in their lineup than you can perhaps count. But the company keeps churning out such quality stuff that I have to keep covering their newest endeavors. Freshly out is their slim-line, wireless keyboard, the WKB-4200UB.

Adesso Inc., a leading manufacturer of computer input peripherals, has announced the availability of the latest addition to the companies’ extensive line of keyboards, the WKB-4200UB. Encased in a compact design, this wireless touchpad keyboard compliments various desktop PC systems, flat LCD monitors and tablet PCs in modern office environments. The WKB-4200UB also fits comfortably in tight spaces, including living rooms, kiosks, conference rooms, mobile and workgroup project environments. Available at various retailers, the WKB-4200UB has an MSRP of $119.99.

Adesso’s WKB-4200UB allows users to work freely, without the interference of limited space, angles or distance. With 6500 IDs on 12 channels, users can enjoy 30 feet of wireless freedom. Featuring a Sleep mode and On/Off switch, this wireless keyboard offers users the option of saving battery life when not in use for extended use over time. In addition, the Quick Connect button enables users to synchronize their PC with the click of a button.

With a price of $119.99, this Adesso is a bit more expensive than the other Adesso offerings; however the typical Adesso build and quality still applies. The addition of Adesso’s no-fuss wireless setup is a definite plus as well.

[ Links: Adesso, Adesso WKB-4200UB ]

Adesso, one of my favorite keyboard makers has released their newest multimedia keyboard the AKB-520. The AKB-520 incorporates an USB hub, a memory card reader alongside some multimedia keys to ensure easy control of your Windows Media Player or Apple iTunes and stuffs all of that into a stylish case.

Equipped with 104 keys, the AKB-520 is a sleek, cost-effective and ergonomic keyboard that provides essential functions for various types of users. In addition to the built-in data card reader and two USB ports, this innovative keyboard compliments users of digital cameras, multimedia players and other portable devices.

The AKB-520 features the following:

• Built-in data card reader/writer for SD/MMC/MS Pro, so users can easily upload files and pictures to PCs
• Two additional USB ports, which conveniently add bus powered devices, such as a USB flash drive, Web cam and mouse
• Embedded multimedia and internet hotkeys, allowing users to control home entertainment functions directly on the keyboard
• Newly designed slim and stylish keyboard, offering improved tactile feel and accurate key response
• 12 hotkeys to boost productivity with direct access to the internet, home, favorites and multimedia controls

Despite not saying that the keyboard is Apple OS X compatible, I’ve personally found that they are indeed fully compatible and the Windows Key becomes the Apple/Option Key in OS X.

The Adesso AKB-520 can be purchased at your normal eRetailers like Amazon, Tigerdirect or PC Mall for instance, and retails normally for $34.99.

[ Links: Adesso, Adesso AKB-520 ] [ Related: Adesso WKB-4000BB, Adesso WKB-3100 Review ]

Hewlett-Packard and AT&T have announced iPAQ Glisten powered by Windows Mobile 6.5. It has a QWERTY keyboard and 2.5-inch display.

The display is AMOLED touchscreen which adds more functionality for its users in addition to the keyboard. Glisten is positioned on the market as a business phone and has all the needed office software preinstalled.

Link to the original article…

When I first wrote about the Adesso WKB-3100 Mini Keyboard [ article here ], Adesso had just announced it and I was on the lookout for a keyboard that wouldn’t exactly crush my lap or be used as a weapon since it was going to be used in the living room. Nothing like watching football, forgetting that you have a keyboard in your lap, jump for joy and have a keyboard flung through a window, the television or across the skull of the nearest person or thing.

Well, the kind folks from Adesso sent along their mini keyboard with the trackball for me to destroy review and honestly… I really liked it. Let me tell you why.

The placement of the trackball is perfect. My right thumb instinctively went to a resting place on it while my left hand could click on the two supplied buttons for the right and left click.

The USB dongle that is used with the keyboard is a magnetic little affair that just pops in, stays there. Even stayed in while I swung it about like a mad man. That in itself is a cool addition to this little mini keyboard that will now reside in the living room. I can just slot it in, hear that little “click” that it’s in place, leave it and forget it. And unlike other systems where plastic might get worn down or some tab might come up missing after wear and tear, this system works – I still have magnetic snaps on jackets that I’ve had for years still work.

Effective range on the keyboard is 30 feet. I was in clear sight of the USB dongle and the PC and I walked down one hall in my house and that’s about 45 feet at the very end and it still worked. So if you have a McMansion and can still see your TV from that far… you’re good.

This keyboard is a rather light. I mean, in a “mid-celebration of the Bills-Patriot game, I almost forgot that it was there and almost threw it at my friends sitting across from me” kind of light. However, any heavier I would feel like it would have been a bother. It is made out of quality plastic that doesn’t bend and flex easily.

The installation bit is quite easy too. Plug in the USB dongle, Microsoft Windows notices that new hardware has been installed, an USB HID device pops up as being “installed” and it’s ready to use in mere moments. The trackball, I had to dial down the sensitivity a bit though. It would fly across the screen at the slightest touch; however once adjusted it was a blast to use.

If there’s any bad part to the Adesso Mini Trackball Keyboard, it would have to be that it did disconnect once. To be fully honest, I don’t know what set it off, but it did it once. All of my phones in my house are DECT 6.0 compliant and not 2.4ghz like the USB dongle – as not to disrupt my wireless network – and my machines all use 802.11g if not 802.11n. It was a brief hiccup but it reconnected without any input or adjustment from me. I didn’t have to get up and bang on stuff Fred G. Sanford style.

I’ve been using this keyboard for the last month almost and it’s a keeper. I’ve yet to try this on my Mac, but despite explicit lack of support of Apple Mac OS X, I’m almost sure it will work. I will try that in a bit and report on that if its requested.

Priced at $79.99, it’s not exactly a bad piece of kit. Does what it says it will do and does it in a well thought out package that works well with two hands on the sides controlling the trackball and mouse buttons (right and left hand) and despite having a small form factor and I have big hands, I was able to use both hands during typing.

A good addition to any living room computer setup. I’d rank the Adesso WKB-3100 Mini Trackball Keyboard: 4 out of 5 (Recommended)

[ Adesso ] [ Adesso WKB-3100 ]

Having just recently built a multimedia PC for use with my television, I’ve been looking around at smaller keyboards so I don’t have to haul a Captain Caveman’s club full-sized keyboard into my living room and take up my entire coffee table and crush my lap.

Enter Adesso with their oddly named WKB-3100:

Adesso Inc., a leading manufacturer of computer input peripherals, today announced the release of its latest addition to its extensive line of keyboards, the WKB-3100, a wireless, mini keyboard with integrated optical trackball. This compact keyboard offers the freedom of wireless computing in a wide array of environments, and is available for $79.99 at www.adesso.com.

The WKB-3100 lets users work freely, without any space, angles or distance constraints. The enclosed optical trackball delivers distinct precision and smooth motion, requiring virtually no maintenance or cleaning. The compact size of this keyboard allows for ease of use in tight spaces, including living rooms, kiosk stations, conference rooms and workgroup project environments.

The WKB-3100 features the following:

• Limitless connectivity angle with a wide range
• 6500 IDs on 12 channels, offering 30 feet of wireless freedom
• Optical trackball technology that provides precision and control
• Measures less than 12 inches in size

Nice size, nice features, long range, won’t crush a lap… all alphanumeric name though? I’ll call mine “Frankie”.

[ Adesso Inc. ]

How many times have you snatched a keyboard away from a non-typist friend or family member because you couldn’t stand the agonizing wait while they sat there and searched for the next letter? Well Faith Quintavell experienced a similar thing while waiting for a mechanic to type in the details for a long line of “impatient clients.” But instead of flipping out and just doing it herself, the experience inspired her to create the Fast Finger Keyboard which features the keys laid out alphabetically, making them easier to find. And as an added bonus, the function keys across the top of the keyboard also double as shortcuts for common prefixes like ‘www’ or the ‘@’ symbol, as well as common IM abbreviations.

Normally I’d recommend that everyone should invest the time to become a touch typist as it’s most definitely a useful skill these days, but I’ve come to realize that isn’t going to happen. So for just .95, this is at least an affordable alternative.

[ Fast Finger Keyboard ] VIA [ Chip Chick ]

Link to the original article…