Mar
23
iPhone Keyboard - no Jailbreaking required, using 2.0 SDK
UPDATE: We sent the circuit board files off to be manufactured today, and we ordered all the parts. We'll be posting pictures of the board layout and enclosure soon."
A number of industrious individuals have achieved what to some is the holy grail of iPhone accessories: an iPhone keyboard. But most have done it in a very hard-to-repeat manner, and few have shared the methods they used.
Expanding on their audio port modem , PerceptDev engineers Zack Gainsforth and George Dean developed a hardware and software solution that allows infrared keyboards to be used for typing on the iPhone, using less than $20 of electronics.
Zack used a Cypress PSoC microcontroller to emulate a simple modem, and then expanded it to detect an infrared signal or read from a USB host controller, which converts this signal to FSK for transmission to an iPhone.
We will be releasing schematics and source code with the release of iPhone hacks.
UPDATE: Here's the latest video. You can see typing speed and our first project-box prototype
And here's the video that started it all...
George then created an iPhone application to decode the FSK signals to interpret the keyboard data and display the appropriate characters on-screen.
on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 01:49
WELL DONE!!! Can't wait for the details on how to do this - will save me taking my Macbook pro.
I hear that iPhone is going to start allowing bluetooth with their next major update? So does that mean that this is pointless?
Still I would be keening on doing this asap
on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 06:30
Excellent job!
How long do you think this would take to set-up once you release the code?
on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 09:53
How can you enable external keyboard on all applications, and not just a custom application?
on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 10:26
Hi Ploth!
The upcoming Bluetooth support in the next update, at the moment, is for phone to phone communication. It does not seem to support the keyboard profile, or any HID features. They may change that in a later release, or a developer who wants to implement Bluetooth keyboard support for their own apps (similar to how this works) can do it. It is not going to be as much of an enabler as one would hope.
We are finalizing designs to release either kits or finish units, but at the least the schematics will be published with the book and we are open sourcing some of the code.
- Stephen
on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 10:27
Alas, it is just for custom apps. We are open sourcing the audio libs however, so anyone who wants to play with it can. We are keeping this within the confines of a non-jailbroken phone, so we cant modify anything at the system level.
on Wed, 03/25/2009 - 07:20
Awesome work :-)
on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 11:27
You can get these Targus keyboards surplus from BG Micro in Dallas (bgmicro.com) for $4.95 :
http://www.bgmicro.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=12784
on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 12:52
How do you output interface of iphone to tv?
see homepage url.
on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 10:45
I'm curious: has the IR adapter (and keyboard) been tested with an iPod Touch? I don't need an iPhone but I'd like to get an iPod Touch, and being able to word process would be very nice.
on Sat, 04/04/2009 - 06:07
Fantastic!
Steve
web design bristol
on Sat, 04/04/2009 - 07:32
IR adapter only works with iPod touch v2, which has audio input.
on Sun, 04/12/2009 - 11:50
When can we download the audio libs? The book is out, and I already have it laying in front of me....
on Sun, 04/12/2009 - 14:10
http://www.perceptdev.com/labs/iphonehacks
The source code is up and located here.
on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 15:10
I look forward to kits or the finished product. My need isn't specifically for a keyboard, though... really we need to read barcodes into the iPhone, so if there's some way this module allows either direct wireless Bluetooth connection to a Bluetooth scanner, or a USB port for a USB scanner, that'd be great. Would this be an easy hack to your board?
We need this in the greenhouse where every specimen is barcoded, and it makes more sense to lug an iPhone or Touch than a laptop in the greenhouse.
Thanks for this work!
on Tue, 05/19/2009 - 20:30
When are the kits going to be available? I miss my portable keyboard very badly. Just can't reply to email or work with the upcoming Docs to Go in the classroom with the onscreen version. Too many wrong characters and too slow. What will the price of the finished adapter? I am really interested in ordering one.
Thanks
on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 03:54
Troy:
There are quite a lot of 2D barcode scanners for the iPhone, so if you changed your whole system to use Semacodes then that would work.
Also, the iPhone camera can focus on and scan 1D barcodes if it has a macro lens. Macro lenses can be bought (eg the Clarifi case) or even improvised for testing (by putting a magnifying glass over the camera).
This isn't as quick or reliable as a proper swiping barcode scanner, of course. And you quite possibly know all this.
on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 09:45
So am I! I just got my Iphone, and it can do everything my Palm Tx could except support my blogging and story writing. I travel a lot to Europe and Down Under, schlepping a heavy transformer that supports electronics as opposed to hair dryers, and it would be fantastic to charge only one device for phone, tunes, email and writing. So far, I've got 3 of 4. Can't wait to get it all together!
on Mon, 06/01/2009 - 09:42
Outstanding project! I have had an IPhone for a month, but continue to have difficulty typing (arthritis)... crooked fingers just don't go on the correct keys.
You all have found/developed a reasonable AND economical approach with your "adapter" for the existing portable keyboard.
If you offer a kit (I have some experience with SMD), or standard components, I will build it. Of if you offer a built version, I will order it
Either way...please count me in.
I hope you sell a million of them!
on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 14:49
this looks great and i would love to help support it. since apple is making the dock available, is there any possibility to use that as a means of input?
on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 15:01
oh, and i think you guys should partner up with dataviz since they have released a full-fledged word processor for the iphone. i think that might make my life complete.
on Tue, 06/16/2009 - 07:09
Very cool!! I'd also order a built version if you make one available. I am a speedy touch-typist so texting is awful (and editing a document letter-by-letter? No, no, no!). I am sure there are a lot of people like me out there.
on Sun, 06/21/2009 - 04:11
Has anyone tried using a Bluetooth keyboard with the new iPhone OS 3.0?
on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 12:49
Thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in buying fully assembled units. You can find KeyBot for sale here: www.droidsupply.com
on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 14:16
@KevinB Yes, I have - could not get my ThinkOutside Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard to pair with the iPhone OS 3.0 . If only...
on Sun, 07/05/2009 - 00:18
I use two AlphaSmart writing keyboards, the Palm powered Dana and the Neo. Both have infrared beaming capability. Will this work with the keybot and iPhone? In other words, if I write my stuff in a text programme on the Dana or in the text editor on Neo, can I ten beam it into the phone for onward transmission by email, SMS etc?
Brian
on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 18:47
this is so cool. I did not think you could do this. I will have to try this with my iphone. I will post back when i complete it.
on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 13:59
I have looked around this site and driodsupply but I am still not sure which apps this works with - other than knowing it does not work with SMS. Does anyone know?
on Mon, 07/13/2009 - 07:55
Looks great. I'd like to buy it, but I really want to know what apps it works with. Can you please give me more information? I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks.
on Mon, 07/13/2009 - 09:49
It works with TinCan. (www.perceptdev.com/tincan)
on Wed, 07/15/2009 - 06:29
The TinCan link above is broken, FYI.
I too would love to have one of these. I'm willing to buy it even IF it doesn't work with native iPhone apps. My question is twofold: what is TinCan, and how can I get text out of that into other apps?
Thanks,
A
on Wed, 07/15/2009 - 06:37
Thanks; I fixed the link. If you are running 3.0 you can cut/paste. If you are running 2.x, then you can send an email from the app. If you are interested in buying a KeyBot, this link should work: www.droidsupply.com.
Thank you,
- Stephen
on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 07:17
Hi,
This looks great! When I plug the keybot in and open up 'tin can' will it immediately work? I'm a real technophile...
-Daniel
on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 07:21
sorry...I'm _not_ a real technophile (so these things make me nervous...)
-daniel
on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 07:57
This is *very* nice - I'd like to be able to use my IR keyboard with this! Is there a way to get the schematics without buying the whole hacks book?
on Fri, 08/07/2009 - 18:13
Would it work with Beejive IM app and email?
Those are the only 2 things I care for it to work in :)
on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 05:54
Hello. I am handicapped and would like to know if there is someway to operate my iphone 3gs using a computer mouse? This is very important for me because if it works, I can make phonecalls and send textmessages by my own. I am prepared to pay to make this happen,
Take care, Ove
on Thu, 08/20/2009 - 11:29
I did not see a response to the questions above about which apps the keyboard works with. What about calendar? Thanks. Deborah
on Thu, 08/20/2009 - 11:34
Hi Debora and Franco, it works with TinCan only. (www.perceptdev.com/tincan). As for the setup process, its very straighforward and we have a doc explaining the process. email us at "info (at) perceptdev.com" for more info.
Hope that helps. We will be putting together a FAQ "RSN".
- Stephen
on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 19:31
Hi, can't find keybot in the link to droid. Does the product exist as a
plug 'n play Keyboard item with tin can? Thanks.
on Mon, 09/21/2009 - 17:18
Non-tech person here. So to take notes at lectures:
1. get tincan on my iphone
2. get targus keyboard
3. get keybot--Please help!
when I searched keybot at droidsupply nothing comes up. Am I supposed to look under something else?
4. How do I get the text from phone to computer?
Thank you.
DT
on Thu, 09/24/2009 - 06:58
Hi Anonymous & Nestor, We are no longer selling KeyBot. It was a short run, and thanks for the love, but the reality is that is more a proof of concept than a finished consumer ready product. For internal business reasons, we are pursuing other directions. Keep checking back: exciting things coming in the next few months!
- Stephen
on Fri, 10/09/2009 - 18:27
I wrote you on 5/19/09 asking about the availability of this device. Are you selling a pre-built package? I really could use this in my teaching.
thanks,
on Fri, 10/09/2009 - 18:31
Hi Michael,
We are no longer selling the pre-built units. We are happy to continue this conversation privately.
- Stephen
i...@perceptdev.com
on Tue, 10/13/2009 - 13:39
Wow it is an amazing piece of hardware here mate. I had never known that the keyboard for iPhone is a real thing. There were some days when I was thinking about it but I thought "nah..It is unreal", and now I am reading your article and watching videos about it! The most interesting thing for me is, how I actually can get this stuff? Money is not a problem. The thing is that I am a mobile application developer by myself so this keyboard would be very useful for me. For coding and other purposes. Thanks one more time for posting this here, it was very interesting to read and to know about it.
Sincerely,
Matt Lungdon from iphone application development
on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 23:30
I'm still new to all of this, i understand that keybot is no longer for sale at droidsupply, but what about the prebuilt fsk boards. I have the targus keyboard, how much technical knowledge would I need to buy ur fsk board and connect my keyboard and iPhone? Any advice would be appreciated.
on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 19:29
Hi there,
Please get in touch with me via email to discuss the availability of this product. I'm very interested in exploring this route!
on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 20:02
Well all, we did a run of keybots, sold them, and we're all out. We built a prototype that worked with PS2 keyboards. Here are some of the issues we ran into:
1) the battery life isn't great. You only get a few hours of typing. This is because the cases we could find only worked with a 9V battery. If we can switch to two AA batteries it will be more efficient, but will raise the cost of the circuit by $10.
2) We didn't have sleep code in the firmware. This would go into a low power mode when you weren't typing. Right now, it 'sings' an FSK song whether you're typing or not. This would help make it last longer.
3) The adapter itself was built as a kit, meaning we used through-hole, big circuit design. Miniaturized, it should be just a thick-ish cable; the chip and a few resistors shouldn't be so bulky. I experimented with powering it with a few penlight batteries, but ultimately the batteries dominate the power usage.
Anyone who still wants these is free to purchase the board and do the kit as shown in iPhone hacks; I'm trying to get a more complete kit available for purchase. Apple still isn't keen on keyboards which deters any serious financial investment in a project like this, so it's up to the hobby circuit to do it.
I'll try to get some updates out soon about the PS2 keyboard version.
-damien stolarz
on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 10:35
What's up everyone, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hey. Hopefully I posted this in the right section!
on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 11:03
Since Apple isn't keen on it, but the forums seem to suggest pretty strong demand for an iPhone keyboard, wouldn't that make an investment MORE worthwhile? Or are you worried they'd go after you in some way?
I'm among the non-techie legions who desperately want a portable iphone keyboard!
on Tue, 11/17/2009 - 18:11
We are very interested in your projects. Our service needs to support many different kinds of input devices. Can you contact us to discuss?
Jack
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