New Toy
I already have the AlphaSmart Dana that combines a built-in word processor, full-sized keyboard, and long battery life (25 hours) in a lightweight, won’t-burn-your-lap package, so why did I go and buy another keyboard?
Cuz it’s a keyboard.
More specifically, cuz it’s a Palm Portable Keyboard. Or rather, the latest version. This one’s called the Universal Wireless Keyboard.
Before the AlphaSmart Dana came along, I was using the original Palm Portable Keyboard that combined with my HandEra 330 to become a portable word processor.
The PPK was an awesome gadget with a “wow” factor that still can’t be beat today. Closed, it was tiny, slightly bigger than the Palm PDA. Opened, it unfolded accordion-style into a full-sized keyboard.
When the AlphaSmart Dana came into my life, there was no more need for the PPK. It has been a few years since I swapped it for a working motherboard for my “dead” HandEra 330 at the time. The AlphaSmart Dana has served me well all this while. In particular, it saw me through two NaNoWriMos (2003 and 2004) and will once again be my writing tool of choice for the 2005 challenge next month.
But I love keyboards. I also love gadgets. And the Universal Wireless Keyboard is definitely a gadget. A nice-looking gadget. Also a useful gadget. To be used with my Zire 72 for the times I need to write in something long enough to require keyboard, rather than, handwritten, input.
Any excuse to have a new toy. 
Oh … here’s a picture …
Not as “wow” as the classic PPK, but good-looking enough to do what it’s supposed to do.
