Video: Typing with Bluetooth Keyboard (Nokia SU-W8) on the Nokia N900 – Finally replace your netbook?
I was really looking forward to using a bluetooth keyboard on the N900.
With the brilliant web browser and insane multitasking, BT keyboard connection was basically the final step to really being that mobile computer – having a near full size keyboard to blast out really long blocks of text. e.g. on Notes, emails, messages, google docs etc.
But for some odd reason the N900 wouldn’t connect, and the past two firmware updates didn’t do anything (it may have been possible with work around, but not by default).
A couple of weeks back, there was a new fw update: V3.2010.02-08!
I only just remembered to check again if the keyboard would connect and indeed, N900 now connects to the keyboard. In this case, the Nokia SU-W8.
Micro Laptop? Word Doc editing with N900 SU-W8
I’m not sure about other BT keyboards but:
- Once paired, N900 automatically connects to bluetooth keyboard
- Automatically disconnects and turns off after length of inactivity
- Keyboard layout is exactly the same as N900
- i.e. Apostrophe ‘ is on M
- To get secondary keys press Alt Gr
- To get Caps lock press SHIFT
- Ctrl is the same
- Menu button/select/back of SU-W8 doesn’t work – it’s for S60.
I’m not sure if t’s the same for other BT keyboards but if so, hopefully another fw update will mean the keyboards are mapped to BT keyboard layout, not N900 (especially if you have a four row keyboard)
Type long messages from anywhere. There’s of course the added option to connect via TV out.
Now you can really get your N900 to replace a netbook (if you haven’t already :p).
Adjustable, hide away stand on the keyboard
Fold away.
Jay Montano
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I also enjoy using this keyboard with my n900, but only after setting it up with the correct keyboard layout — see e.g. my post here (and further instructions in the same thread):
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=491580#post491580
Thanks filologen!
it can be useful for some people but personally I don’t think the n900 needs it unless you need a really high word per min. I wrote 90% of my last post (http://wp.me/p73J2-1Eu) directly in wordpress whilst lying in bed when I couldn’t sleep, and when I checked it later on the PC I had probably one minor spelling mistake else perfect. And that was at normal typing speed…not slow at all.
But like anything…everyone’s preference is different.
I think there are certain situations where this would be extremely helpful.
IM chatting is one instance where SPEED is of importance (especially if other person types fast). As good as the N900 keyboard is, I cannot type as fast as with the SUW8 and so can have a properly fast IM convo like on a PC.
For possibly writing out my Uni notes, I can consider doing it with the N900 keyboard, but would much prefer having the speed and comfort of BT keyboard.
On the Go though, if pressed for it, the N900 is absolutely fine on its own. I can’t do by blogposts whilst walking the streets with a BT keyboard, nor as you mention, lie in bed and crunch out a blog post.
hey jay,how much is that BT Keyboard
Right now, you might get from from eBay for £20? I thought I bought this myself but I just remembered that this was actually a very nice gift.
It’s perfect for the likes of the N97 and other S60 as menu button works, as do softkeys and messaging button.
It’s very funny to pair your friend’s unsuspecting phone and press buttons for them without them being aware.They’re just like “WTF, the phone is going crazy, keeps trying to phone the vets!” or something.
Nice Web site.
Good information . I Want to have bluetooth laser virtual keyboard.
thank a lot your information
and thank you very much for I had the opportunity to publish my work.
Looks good. Could you indicate where this can be purchased? Also, is it correct to assume that the keyboard could be set up without predictive typing? Thanks!
Where? Possibly right now, eBay?
Keyboard can be set up without predictive typing – that’s in the N900′s settings.
The predictive typing just remembers the last few words typed with certain key combinations. I find it useful for typing out odd words/numbers/names.
Cool post, makes me want to go a buy one of these for my N900.
I’m shocked you don’t have a BT keyboard already! :p
A couple of other questions: How easy is it to pair the N900 with the keyboard? How fast are you able to type with this keyboard, and is the keyboard comfortable, quiet? Does the N900 get in the way of the top row of keys, when the N900 is on the pull-out stand? Thanks!
Hi. I’m guessing you are also the person who emailed.
Will post here as your questions might be useful to others:
—-Could you indicate how easy it is to pair the N900 with the SU-W8?—-
Very easy. Takes 10 seconds. Find SU-W8>Click to Pair>Add Code from phone, confirm via keyboard (press Fn to get numbers)
Done. N900 automatically connects to keyboard whenever it’s switched on and disconnects after a period of inactivity (as well as keyboard shutting off) AAA x2 battery – very long life.
—-how quickly somebody could type on the SU-W8,—-
It first depends on how fast you type anyway. It’s about >90% the size of original keyboard….most likely netbook like. There are other Bluetooth keyboards other than SU-W8 that are full sized.
However on the SU-W8, I can probably achieve similar touch typing speeds as a normal keyboard.
—-SU-W8 is a comfortable and quiet keyboard?—-
Yes, it’s a very comfortable keyboard. Very quiet, despite being a very old design, way back to Series 60 [6630] I think.
—-Also, does the N900 fit comfortably in the SU-W8 cradle without interfering with the top row of keys?—-
N900 is oddly the perfect length of the dock portion. It also helps (both recognizing where secondary keys are and reducing any perceive interference by keyboard)to open the slide. That also makes the N900 slightly higher and easier to view. The keyboard stand angle is adjustable. Alternatively the N900 does have it’s own stand.
—-And, do you know if the SU-W8 is the only keyboard that would work with the N900?—-
I’m not sure, but I think other keyboards would work. I’m just not sure about their configuration layout.
There are supposed to be ways of getting original keyboard layout, so a possible fix may come in firmware. That might indicate also that (if it isn’t possible already) that a 5 row keyboard configuration would work too.
Ideally, I’d prefer to have a keyboard with dedicated numbers row (5 rows)
Good Product but laser will have issues with brightness.
Great information. And, thank you for responding to that long series of questions I’d asked. I agree that I too would prefer a keyboard with a dedicated numbers row, so there is a total of five rows. So, I wonder whether to wait and see whether the next N900 upgrade may include easy connectivity to such keyboards, or jump for the SU-W8 now. Not many of them for sale, it seems. E-bay currently is listing just one, for instance. Not sure who else might have this item for sale.
Hey there, cool information cuz I got frustrated, that it didn’t work.
But I have a problem with it =( I turn on the keyboard, the N900 finds it, I press connect, I type in the code than it says all done afterwards it is not paired =( If I try to connect again the bluetooth symbol turns into blue for a moment after that it is white again and nothing works =(
good informations. thank you for keyboard .
I’m tired of typing letters on the N900 and I feel very much
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Can anybody help to track down a the nokia su-w8 keyboard, Not for sale in Australia? I needed for work I hate carrying a large pc just to record meetings
Hi, it’s very dificult to pair the N900 with the su-8w! Someone can help-me? I have a nokia E71 and it’s very easy to pair… but not in N900… please, help-me!!! can somebody make a tutorial??
All you do is find the SUW8 on N900, choose a code (say just “0″) on the N900 and type “0″ on the SUW8. Note, to activate secondary keys on SUW8 you must press Fn button first. Otherwise it thinks you’re typing P as the code and it won’t pair.
Also you must be on the latest firmware for N900. 3.2010.02-8
Thanks Jay Montano,
Now i can pair the devices, but it does not recognize the keyboard when I type. It’s paired, but i can’t type. I think i have to configure the bluetooth.
look this post…
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33397
Can somebody make an easy tutorial??? the big problem is that i’m not familiarized with linux. I never did nothing in the x terminal. What’s the first steps?
Thanks Jay Montano,
Now i can pair the devices, but it does not recognize the keyboard when I type. It’s paired, but i can’t type. I think i have to configure the bluetooth.
look this post…
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=33397
Can somebody make an easy tutorial??? the big problem is that i’m not familiarized with linux. I never did nothing in the x terminal. What’s the first steps?
I have the same trouble as Bruno and must of the explanations of how to enable HID may as well be encryted for all the sense that I can make of them. A simple tutorial is definitely required. Or maybe a simple ap that turns the HID function on.