We're trying to get bulk pricing rates but at this point in time it
looks like around $350 but that does include a shiny box, keyboard,
Bluetooth adapter, 4 x AA batteries, another dingly-dangly that I
didn't bother with and mouse. I think the mouse by itself is going to
retail at $150 so it's so...so value.
Having played with it for a while now, at this stage IntelliType Pro
3.1 doesn't see the Bluetooth keyboard so you can't go in and modify
the keys like you can on other MS keyboards. So all the little silver
buttons don't do anything yet but I'm sure this will be addressed in
the next software release.
MS haven't addressed this keyboard at the Mac market at all, it's
positioned to be something really neat for the XP crowd who go through
the process of installing Bluetooth, the dingle-dangles and setting
everything up. It just so happens that both the keyboard and mouse are
totally plug'n'play on a Mac.
Yet another example of just how wonderful OS X is .. I've just off
the phone to a friend who does presentations and he can't wait to get
hold of at least the mouse. He couldn't believe that you didn't have
to point it at a receiver or that it didn't matter if people got in the
way of you and your presentation.
For me, it's just nice to be completely free of cables. If I want some
space I can just pick up my keyboard and park it anywhere I want.
The downside is that you'll always need a couple of AA batteries close
by just in case your run flat.
I've included the MS info sites (with pics) - the keyboard and mouse
are actually dark metallic blue - much bluer in real life than is
depicted on the MS website -
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard/wodbt_info.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouse/wiebt_info.asp
On Thursday, April 17, 2003, at 05:28 PM, Susan Hastings wrote:
but Keith, how much do they cost
Just typing this email from the middle of the room from my new MS
Bluetooth keyboard - yes no wires, no infared.
The setup took 2 mins to unpack thje keyboard and mouse and insert
batteries and then about 5 secs for the Bluetooth assistant to find
both the keyboard and mouse and pair to them.
OK so who wants one or is it two you get a multi-button optical
mouse in the deal.
You also get a book for Windows XP users on how to get the thing to
work . it's a shame Mac users don't get a book because you don't
need one. The silly thing is this keyboard was made expressly for Win
XP users but the setup on a Mac really is just as a simple as
described. The very hardest thing was opening the battery door on the
mouse.
. and you get a Microsoft USB Bluetooth adapter which I haven't
tried because the Zytech one works just fine, is about half (or more
like one third) the size and has a 40 metre range ... I'll need a
larger screen from back here.
Keith Palmer
Zytech Marketing Pty Ltd
PO Box 342 Bunbury 6231
Phone: 08 9791 5556 Fax: 08 9791 5900
the online data storage & technology store -
http://www.zytech.com.au/
