First of all, a great big THANKS to all the reviewers before me. It is not until I had studied everyone's reviews, did I finally decided to purchase this particular product right here. Needless to say, my anticipation and expectations were extremely high. And boy this thing does not disappoint.With great eagerness, I opened the package, plugged it into my media server and fired it up. I have to say I'm impressed with the fact this package includes the required 2 AAA batteries, even though they are of some obscure brand. In this day and age of cost/corner cutting, it's uncommon to find devices that come ready to run straight out of the box. The little cavity under the battery case that stores the USB transmitter is pretty neat too.
This keyboard looks high quality and feels solid. It does not emit any odor common to cheap plastic components. The plastic case has smooth edges free of burrs from the molding process. And all the panel gaps are straight and uniform in width, just like a high end automobile. When I attempted to apply torsional force to the keyboard, it did not deform nor did it make any creeping noises. Solid. The size and weight feel just right in my hands. I fell in love with it at this point, and I have yet to entered my login password.
Right off the bat, without reading the instructions or installing the driver, I began using this device to navigate around my 32-bit XP based system. The design and operation is very intuitive. If you've sent a text message via cell phone equipped with QWERTY keypad, if you've used a touch pad on a laptop, if you've used gestures on the screen of a smart phone, you already possess all the skills you need to use this device proficiently.
Once I've installed the driver from the supplied CD, I was able to change the touch pad sensitivity, scroll speed, as well as reprogramming gestures among other things. The driver is not a stand-alone software such as the case with Logitech's SetPoint driver; it shows up as an extra tab under mouse settings. It is accessible through control panel or the little task bar icon. To load the driver at boot up, it adds only 1 more process and uses only 12MB of system RAM. This is great because I hate software or devices that require numerous obscurely named processes and consume lots of system resources.
I found a sweet spot for setting the mouse pointer sensitivity. At the second highest setting, one notch from the far right, the touch pad becomes an exact scaled duplicate of my TV screen. That means one edge-to-edge swipe across the touch pad, makes my mouse cursor travel the exact width of my screen. No more repeated swipes; I hate doing that. And for those of you who are fluent in the inner workings of Windows Registry Editor, said sweet setting would be a value of "18" under [MouseSensitivity].
The driver for this device does not conflict with the existing driver for my Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard as I still have both devices connected. Further more, the mouse pointer sensitivity and scroll speed for my full-size mouse are unaffected and all 3 devices can function together at the same time. I keep my old keyboard and mouse connected as backup but stored away in a box near by. I'm glad the drivers and USB devices work well together in my application. Others might not have the same luck and would probably be worth your time to do some research.
I rarely use the 4 mouse buttons on this pad; instead I tap to simulate a mouse click. It does require a rather deliberate tap to evoke a response. You can tap with 1 finger, 2 fingers, or 3 fingers; each initiates a different response. The 2-finger and 3-finger tap can be reprogrammed to do many different functions according to the user's preferences. I programed the 2-finger tap to "Close Window" and the 3-finger tap to be my Windows Start button to overcome the fact that there isn't a Windows key.
Many other had pointed out the lack of F1 through F12 keys thus unable to enter BIOS setup after POST. That's not a problem for me because this keyboard does have the DEL key which I use to enter my BIOS settings. Navigating while in BIOS is not an issue also because it has the 4 directional keys as well. What I am surprised to find is that I can actually perform multi-key commands such as CTRL-ALT-DELETE, CTRL-SHIFT-ESC, and ALT-TAB. Too bad it lacks the Windows key as I do use the WINDOW-D command frequently to clear my desktop. I'll get over it.
An other issue of great concern by many others is the range. I can testify here that range is not an issue; in fact it has phenomenal range. I have the transmitter plugged into an USB port on the back of my media server that's tucked away behind my flat penal TV and without direct line of sight to my couch some 14 feet away. I have no problems performing all operations and there is no lag time. I even took my mini keyboard out to the balcony and into the bathroom and was still able to control my computer. Simply put, there isn't a spot within my 1000sqft apartment that's beyond the range of this device. Once again, I am impressed.
The lack of back-lit buttons is a draw back for many other reviewers, but not for me as I'm able to perform most tasks via the touch pad without looking. The only time I need to look at this tiny keyboard is when I'm actually typing words, which is very seldom on a machine who's primary jobs are to play streaming movies, play mp3 music, and rout my Wifi traffic. Two tiny bumps on the F and J keys for indexing would have been nice though. I figured it's probably a good thing that it doesn't have back lights because that would require the use of soft clear rubber keys for the light to show through. And we all know how fast those rubber keys can wear out and how unreliable the key strokes can be. Plus back light will just consume more battery life quickly. So I'm actually glad it doesn't have back light.
Speaking of battery life, I have to point out this device does have ON/OFF switch as well as auto-off function if left untouched. The instruction claims it will shut off in 30 minutes, but in actuality, it's more like 15 minutes. Pressing the M/Mode key in the center wakes up the device, accompanied by two blinking green lights as confirmation. On a side note, if you wish this device to have the capability to wake up your system from Stand-by mode, you must first enable this function as it is disabled by default. This is accomplished via a check box in Control Panel -> Mouse -> Hardware -> Properties -> Power Management. I have not owned this keyboard long enough to give a true assessment of power consumption and battery life. But when these freebie batteries run out, I plan on installing those Panasonic Evolta batteries or those Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. I knew from years experience with other high demand devices that these batteries offer tremendous life. They cost quite a bit more, but are well worth it.
I love my new miniature keyboard and rate it 9.5 out of 10. I hope my review has convinced others to take the plunge also. Don't risk your sanity buying the others with mixed reviews. Get this one. DO IT! You won't regret it.
poor instructions, but auto-shutoff (switch too) is good.
NO WINDOWS keys (Fx, etc). as I understand it
... for best experience: use USB extension cable ..
my HTPC is across room, low, behind furnishings and persons , etc.
My initial experience with this remote was unsatisfactory
due to poor RF reception between device & included-receiver..
After I plugged the "included receiver", into a USB extension cable and I was able to raise the reciver to a 'clear view' elevation, the device is perfectly responsive.
(USB extension cable) not priceless, but $.62 @ auction ,
note: unplug receiver; if you are accessing your BIOS.I seldom buy something that I'm totally impressed with. But this little gadget is may favorite "toy" in years! I often miss TV shows when they are on the air, and so I go to the broadcaster's website and view them on the computer. Sitting at the desk is awkward, so I connected the PC to the TV. But it's hard to operate the TV from my recliner. This little device totally solved that problem for me. With the touchpad and keyboard, I can go anywhere on the web (or PC) and never have to get up. When the phone rings, I have a remote that can pause the show without having to scramble over to the PC. It's a great item for keeping a Grumpy Geek a little less grumpy!This review is for the Gmyle Palm Style 2.4 GHz Wireless Mini Keyboard with Smart Pad Touchpad, Model Number: PKB-1800, purchased from GigaCity (fulfilled by Amazon) on Friday night and received it on Tuesday.
Palm-Sized Mini 2.4GHz RF Wireless Media Keyboard with Multi-Touch Gesture Touchpad Mouse/Remote Control for Windows 7/Vista/XP HTPC PC
The retail package contained:
Gmyle PKB-1800 Wireless Keyboard with Smart Pad;
USB transmitter/dongle (initially stored in the battery compartment);
CD-ROM (I assume it has Windows drivers on it but I did not use it.);
Two AAA alkaline batteries;
Owner's Manual (a 12-page booklet).
Operating System Compatibility:
Windows XP/Vista/Win 7 (Note: It works well on a Mac Mini but not all hot keys function.)
Weight: 106 grams (approximately 3.75 ounces)
Dimensions: 125 L x 86 W x 18 H (in millimeters); Approximately 5" L x 3.25" W x .75" H)
The touchpad has Multi-Touch Functions for twoand three-finger gestures on Windows-based computers.
The Smartpad has nine hot keys:
Internet Browser
My Computer
Multimedia keys:
Previous Track
Play/Pause
Next Track
Mute
Decrease Volume
Increase Volume
I previously used a Lenovo Mini Wireless Keyboard with Trackball (Model N5901) that worked with the Mac Mini, not all the hot keys did because it too is for Windows computers, but I never liked it. The keys are too close together and they are a bit "squishy" when pressed. I end up pressing wrong keys. I bought the Gmyle wireless mini keyboard to replace it and I am glad I did.
Here are some of my observations.
Easy setup on Apple Mac Mini (Intel-based) running OS X 10.6.8:
1) I inserted the USB dongle into a USB port in the back of the Mac Mini.
2) I put the provided batteries in the device and turned it on (switch on back).
3) The device was not recognized by the Mac. The computer indicated I needed to press the key next to the shift button on the keyboard in order for the keyboard to be recognized. I pressed the Z key.
4) The computer did not recognize the wireless device but I could click continue (using the Lenovo wireless keyboard I had not disconnected from the Mac).
5) I was prompted to choose the type of keyboard it is. I chose the third option (ANSI with 101 key keyboard "or other"). The device now worked.
Pressing the "M" key in the center of the device did enable a few of the Smart Pad hot keys. The Volume keys (mute, volume up, volume down) worked. The top two rows of the hot keys on the Smart Pad did not.
There are two buttons on the sides of the device. They act like left and right mouse buttons (in addition to the left and right mouse buttons just below the touch pad on the face of the device).
The device is comfortable to hold.
The keyboard layout is logical. For example, the ESC key is in the upper left where it belongs.
I did find the keys to be small (um, it's a mini keyboard) but the space between the keys is of great help for accuracy. With a little practice I suspect I will be able to use it better.
When depressing a key, there is a nice click feel and sound.
The paragraph key (to the right of the L key) also doubles as an Enter key.
The arrow keys on the top row also function as Page Up, Page Down, Home, and End keys when the blue Function key is held down.
The touchpad was responsive but not too jittery and the keys were responsive.
Another feature is the two green LED lights toward the upper right. The "Mode" indicator lights up after the M key is pressed indicating the hot keys on the Smart Pad are active. Pressing it again, reactivates the keyboard and turns off the LED. The other LED is for "Caps/Bat." Illuminates when the "CAPS" button is clicked and, I assume but don't know for sure, when the batteries need replacing.
The owner's manual states the device will go to sleep mode after not being used for 30 minutes and to press any key to wake up the device.
The only feature lacking that would make this device even better is a backlit keyboard.
The device is used about 12 feet from the Mac computer. There has not been any connectivity issues.
So far, I am very pleased with this product and would recommend it.Its a great product when it works and it needs to be close to the receiver to work well.
A few things, don't update the drivers that Windows Update provides, you loose the multitouch capability on the device.
There is no function key, so if you are in BIOS and want to enter F11 to try to boot from your USB drive, you can't do. I tried many different combinations but could never get it to work.
The scrolling with 2 fingers/3 fingers is not very stable and doesn't work with all Applications. So you plan to use Chrome or Firefox, the scrolling doesn't work. It works great with IE.
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