Windows Phone Thoughts: Don't Go Away Without Your Stowaway - iGo Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard Reviewed

The Hardware

Figure 1: All packed up and ready to go... click on any image containing a magnifying glass to view a larger version.


Figure 2: A bit bigger than a typical Pocket PC, but it is a full-sized keyboard...

At 5.47"W x 0.79"H x 3.86"D (139mm W x 20mm H x 98mm D) folded and 6.42 oz. (182 g) with the 2 AAA batteries, the Stowaway is a bit larger and a bit heavier than current Pocket PCs. It's a bit big for a shirt or pants pocket, but will easily slip into most purses or small device carrying cases like a RoadWired Pod.


Figure 3: And the magic show begins...

Unfolding the Stowaway is a simple matter of extending the device support stand and pressing a release button. Unfold the right half of the keyboard and it locks in place. Unfolded, the dimensions are 10.28"W x 2.05"H x 6.97"D (261mm x 52mm x 177mm) with the device stand in place and 10.28"W x 0.59"H x 3.86"D (261mm x 15mm x 98mm) with the device stand detached. Closing the keyboard is also a simple matter… sliding a switch on the top of the keyboard to the right releases the lock and then you just fold it shut.


Figure 4: Here's what a typical setup might look like.

Despite meeting the ISO specification for a full-sized keyboard, the Stowaway is a lot smaller overall than your average desktop keyboard. One design characteristic that contributes to the small size is the use of multi-purpose keys. For example, the number keys is combined with the top row of letters, so the Q key includes 1 and ! as well. There's a blue function key to the left of the space bars and a green function key to the right. A press of that key with no function keys pressed gives you the Q, the same key gives you the 1 with the blue function key and ! with the green function key. Other notable key combinations include the Tab and Esc keys, Caps Lock and Num Lock, and the arrow keys with PgUp, PgDn, Home and End.

Of course, there's more to using a device and keyboard than just typing. What about all of the controls and menus that you usually access with your stylus? The Stowaway has an extensive list of keyboard shortcuts for just about any function you might need. One set addresses moving around a text document and highlighting text. For example, Ctrl + Right Arrow moves forward one word to the right, Right Fn + Right Arrow moves to the end of the line and Ctrl + Right Fn + Right Arrow moves to the end of the document. Replacing Right Fn with Left Fn in the above commands selects text in the same increments.

Another set of shortcuts exists for the OK button, accessing the left and right Softkeys with WM 5 devices and accessing menu bars. Finally, there are predefined shortcuts for launching programs like Word Mobile and Calendar and accessing the Programs and Settings screens.