One of the main limit with our PDA is the typing functionality, above all when we use it to write articles and critiques.

Even recognisers do not fulfil this aim, what we need is a keyboard, simply a keyboard.

Some months ago we tested Stowaway keyboard (review HERE), in it we found a good help, but now it is the time to go ahead, we’ll test therefore the i-Tech Virtual Keyboard.

What we are dealing with, is something more than technological, a sort of window on the future.

We have to get used to the idea of pressing buttons that don't even exist in reality, of course it is not easy. Therefore it is necessary a training period, at the end of which, everything will seem us very natural.

We felt the same feeling using a fabric keyboard (review HERE) but after a bit of practice, typing even a lot of text has become easy.

What we have to overcome is dependency from physical buttons, we are "fixed habits animal" and what we need is to physically feel something under our fingers, made of whatever material, that goes up and down together with our fingers.

Well, let’s abandon our habits, our primordial instincts and let's finally test a virtual keyboard that, probably represents the next future.

I can already imagine the next PDA generation, with GSM/GPRS, EDGE, UTMS, GPS and "dulcis in fundo" a beautiful incorporated virtual keyboard... don’t you think it would be a pocket pc to buy?

The package is of reduced dimensions, strong and compact; in it we find the body of the keyboard, a handy "simil" leather bag, a charger to recharge the battery, a small manual and a CD containing drivers.

As far as it concerns the charger, it is not inside the package but it is included in the price, we found an adapter for German plugs: for the daily use it will be useful to have an adapter able to make the German plug compatible with ours.

In the drivers CD, actually, the one for Windows Mobile 5.0 (WM5) unfortunately is missing, but we will speak in the next paragraphs about it.

This keyboard all seems except that a keyboard; its simple and contained shapes make it elegant and comfortable to be carried (also thanks to the bag).

It is entirely realized in good quality plastic, its weight is 80 grams and measure 90x34x24 mms.

It has Bluetooth connection version 1.1 of class 2 (brought of around 10 meters in absence of obstacles) and it supports the HID and SPP profiles.

In particular, the HID profile is for WM5 devices able to support it; as at the moment WM5 drivers don’t seem compatible with many devices.

In case your PDA supports HID profile, you can use the Virtual keyboard without any additional driver. Unfortunately in this case you can’t use all driver options, such as laser beam brightness and intensity.

The keyboard doesn't have many mechanical components; in the upper part we find the led of state, in the inferior part the button to shut the Virtual Keyboard off when this is lifted by the surface.

On the left side we find the switching button and the connector for the recharge under a rubber protection.

On the right side we find the small reset button, to be used with a pointed and protected object.

In the frontal part we notice the small red transparent and plastic window through which the laser beams are propagated; it is very important to avoid scratches on it otherwise the keyboard functionality would be compromised.

Before using the keyboard for the first time, the firm suggest to charge the device for at least two hours in order to optimize the battery autonomy.

At this point we go on with the pairing of the devices; after put it on a plain surface, we have to turn the keyboard on, pressing the start button.

We then have to turn Bluetooth connection on, verifying that our PDA is discoverable to other devices. Than we proceed with the search of a new device; after some second we will see the Virtual Keyboard icon, let's select it and go on.

We will be required to input a pairing code, for example insert 0000 in the PDA and then in the keyboard. At this point press enter (in the keyboard a short acoustic signal will tell us to input the code).

Now we have two options in our PDA: select the service HID (input device) or the serial one (SPP).

If our PDA supports the HID service, select it and finish the procedure; the keyboard is ready to work without the aid of any other drivers (as we told this case we could not enable us to some specific functionalities of the drivers as the sensibility and beam intensity regulation).

Otherwise select the Serial Port Service (SPP) and finish the procedure.

In this case it is necessary to load in the PDA the keyboard’s drivers.

In the CD we can find the suitable drivers for our device, otherwise download those for WM5 HERE (please verify that they are compatible with your device).

Now launch the VKB application, by selecting the connection section and choosing Bluetooth folder.

In the "setting" folder now select "Enable VKB".

We will be asked if it is the first time we are trying to connect to the keyboard, if it is press "Yes".

At this point we should see the battery level of our keyboard, sign that it is ready.

Through installed drivers, we can see a list of buttons configurations.

In "Setting" folder we can enable or disable the keyboard, we can see battery status, modify laser beam intensity and enable or disable sounds.

In the "Properties" folder we can tune the sensibility and plan the automatic switching off.

In the "Auto Repeat" folder we can set the automatic repetition and plan its frequency.

In the end, in the "Short Cuts" folder we can manage a list of keys combinations.

The Virtual Keyboard can be paired with one single device in the same moment.

If we wish to pair it with a new device, or it is necessary to repeat the paring, we can proceed in two ways: pressing reset button for some second when the keyboard is turned on or using the combination " Shift-Fn-B ". In both these cases it is necessary to hold until we hear an acoustic signal.

For sure the Virtual Keyboard doesn't easily pass unnoticed.

If you will be in a public place and activate your virtual keyboard you will see people around you at least curious, still observing you. The bravest will get closer and ask you information about it.

By functional point of view the keyboard is simple to use and, as we said, after some practice we will get used to quickly writing long texts with few errors.

Autonomy is closed to declared one (2 hours); in our tests we used the device for around 1 hour and 45 minutes before need to recharge.

At the moment drivers’ compatibility is the only weak point of this product, in particular as far as regards WM5.

You can find HERE a complete list of compatible devices; nevertheless we advice you that some devices could be not included in this list even if they would result compatible.

Finally, the Virtual Keyboard is good deal for those who are always looking for the last technological news.

Thanks to Proporta for supporting and providing testing material.