Windows Phone Thoughts: Freedom Bluetooth Keyboard: Extra Row, Less Money

Driver Installation: Stupid Easy
I have a confession to make. I’m allergic to manuals, and I rarely take the time to read them. That being the case, I assumed that I’d need to pair the device with the keyboard first. As it turns out, I could have saved myself a lot of time if I’d just read the instructions. A Bluetooth keyboard is a different beast than a GPS or phone, and the pairing and connection is handled ENTIRELY by the keyboard driver. In fact, you will not be able to use the keyboard if you’ve already paired it in the usual way.

Installing the driver is pretty straightforward - just pop the CD in your drive, make sure your device is cradled and you’ve got an ActiveSync connection, and you’ll be good to go.


Figure 11: An installation screen that Prince would approve of.

Select the “Install Software” option, and follow the steps. To pair the device, simply turn it on, and tap the BTKeyBd icon in the Start Menu:


Figure 12: Don't pair - just click here!

Tap the “Active Keyboard” checkbox, and the driver will automatically turn on the Bluetooth radio, search for the keyboard, and pair with it. That's literally all you have to do.


Figure 13: Activate!

Driver Options (Sit down, Miss Daisy)
The BTKeyBd application features several different user configurable options. On the main screen, you can select the “Reconnection” checkbox, which will speed up the reconnection time, you can set the repeat rate and delay times via convenient sliders, and you can test the keyboard.

The Function tab allows you to map any function key to any application on your Programs list:


Figure 14: Function key fun!

The About tab will tell you what version and language you’re using.