Every Pocket PC and Palm Pilot owner knows that entering large amounts of data via the on screen keyboard into handheld devices can be a long process.

The answer to this has been the external keyboard.

Available in a variety of brands, configurations, and methods of connection, the most common type of connecting has been infrared mainly because it is inexpensive and universal.

Bluetooth has been growing in popularity recently because it doesn’t need line-of-sight connection and its extended range.

Several companies have come out with fully featured and relatively inexpensive models.

The ThinkOutside Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard is such a one!

So let’s unfold this wonderful little tool.

We’ll start at the beginning – the Bluetooth connection.

At first, the Bluetooth connection didn’t seem the easiest to conquer but if you read the small owners’ manual it will soon help get you connected.

It might seem like the obvious thing to do, but you know what boys are like...

So on this occasion, I think two minutes of your time reading the manual is well spent.

Once I was aware of the procedure, it easily connected with everything Bluetooth I tried, including my PDAs, laptops, and a Symbian phone.

The Bluetooth keyboard is more expensive than the more common infrared, but the advantages far outweigh the extra few dollars.

You don’t need to be aligning PDA and keyboard or have to have them right next to each other as you would with an infrared unit.

With the Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard you can be on the other side of the room and still happily tap away.

One other thing with the connection: when it has found a device to connect to, you have the choice of a secure pairing or a more convenient unsecured connection.

If you are in an area that has a high volume of Bluetooth traffic or if you are likely to be typing sensitive information, it’s worth a little extra hassle to begin with and go secure. Once it’s paired, connection is simple.

When you take the keyboard out of its black leather case (included), and unfold it, revealing its QWERTY keyboard and a detachable stand for your handheld device, it’s easy to think it’s a little complicated as most keys have functions in white, blue and green printed on them.

But a quick look shows ThinkOutside have put some serious thought into its logical layout.

The ThinkOutside Stowaway keyboard has all the same keys you find on a desktop QWERTY keyboard (including a Windows key) with the exception of the standard row of function keys.

Every other key is there and can easily be accessed by the two function keys (blue key and green key).

So most keys have up to three functions; the normal QWERTY keyboard plus a blue function and a green function.

The keyboard’s full size keys are for the most part easy to reach; there were a couple where you have to get used to the combination of one of the two function keys and the input key, but like I said, it’s just something you have to get used to as it is supposed to be a portable keyboard so size does matter.

Size is an interesting topic when it comes to a portable keyboard – too big and you can throw portability out the window; too small and its data input effectiveness isn’t very good.

ThinkOutside has created a good balance I think.

Closed, the keyboard is about the same size as a larger PDA but considerably lighter.

Power comes from 2 AAA batteries.

At about 200 grams its polycarbonate construction and strong quality finish hasn’t come at the expense of weight.

Overall, this is a quality unit that every Pocket PC/Palm Pilot owner should seriously consider.

Not everyone needs a keyboard for their PDA, but for those who do use their handheld devices on the road a lot, don’t leave the office without one.

At a recommended retail price of around US$150, ThinkOutside’s well designed, quality Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard is well worth a look.

Four and a half out of five stars!

Oh, and did I mention that I typed this review out on my Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard?

Review by: Arnaud@DigitalReviews.net