I am looking for a rock-solid/reliable bluetooth keyboard for my 7520. However, I have tried the "Freedom Keyboard" and it sucked moose-balls; immediately returned!
what didn't you like about it? I use both the BK600 keyboard (which is same hardware as the Freedom) and the Shasta keyboard. each have its own good qualities but i like the BK600 because it has a real On/Off switch saving on battery. I've had my same battery in my BK600 for over 3 months.
as for feel, well nothing is better than the Shasta.
but overall cost of ownership and usability... BK600 wins hands down for me.
I couldnt get the two to communicate properly. Followed all the necessary steps over and over; also with the reseller and to no avail. Also, the reseller (Phoenixwireless) could not get the Mfgr on the phone at all to support their product.
Basically, the keyboard was recognized and it paired properly. However, it would not recognize 98% of the keys.
Thatxxx8217;s too bad you couldnxxx8217;t get it to work. As I always say to my colleagues xxx8230; the hardware xxx8220;in this case the keyboardxxx8221; is only as good as the software xxx8220;in this case the blackberry keyboard driverxxx8221;.
Ixxx8217;ve been using both BK600 and Shasta keyboards with my 7290 T-Mobile. They both come with xxx8220;their own manufacturexxx8217;s blackberry driversxxx8221; and both drivers suck big time. I donxxx8217;t even load them on my device.
I found an online vendor who are peripheral driver developers. They created blackberry keyboard drivers for the BK600 / Blue keyboard / Shasta / Virtual Laser Keyboard. They have it posted on their website under xxx8220;servicexxx8221;. Their drivers work 10x better or even more than the manufacturexxx8217;s. All keys seem to work correctly for example the Up/Down/Left/Right arrow keys. They really move the cursor in the direction of the key you press not like the standard drivers that come from the manufactures.
Yes you have to pay a small fee for their driver but itxxx8217;s like any other third party software. If you buy the keyboards from them you get the driver free.
I have a contact for them. Send me an email at this site or something and Ixxx8217;ll get you the info if you want. I canxxx8217;t post links here as it is forbidden.
You are right it shouldn't be that difficult... it could be that you have an OS version on your device that is older or newer than what was tested by the manufacture.
find out from them (manufacture) what OS versions they support. check if you need to update your device or let them know there is a new OS released by your carrier.
I had compatiblity problems with my 7100g and the solution was to get the latest OS from my carrier.
Ask the contact i gave you the same questions. just send him email i'm sure he will help you will get it resolved.
So which is best to support? The Freedom, the Shasta, or the BK600? I'm not looking for comfort as much as ease of use. I have a high-maintenance user that wants a keyboard, and I'd like to offer that person as little frustration as possible.
I use the Shasta. I purchased it in April and could not get the driver to work properly, then I set it aside for several months. I picked it up last weekend and did the OTA install and everything is working beautifully now. I do not know if they did an update to the driver or if it was my OS upgrade that did the trick but it works perfectly. I love the feel of this keyboard - it is just like my desktop.
Best BlueTooth Keyboard????
Oh my aching thumbs
