Jailbreak App Adds Support for Bluetooth Keyboards for iPhones
iPhone OS 3.0 is supposed to open up an exciting new level of integration between iPhone software and hardware accessories “ but so far I don ‘t recall seeing that many thrilling examples of this. As is so often the case though, we can count on a jailbreak app to establish another first “ in this case support for bluetooth keyboards.
The new Keyboard Driver Demo app “ available now in the Cydia store “ provides this support, which we have never seen before on the iPhone.
Here ‘s a little more detail, from the developer ‘s site:
This iPhone Bluetooth keyboard driver fills this gap. It is based on the open-source BTstack project, a Bluetooth stack designed for embedded devices where resources are scarce.
This driver runs on the iPhone 3G(S) and all iPod touch devices with Bluetooth support. It is unclear yet, if it works properly on the iPhone 2G
The app is titled a ‘demo ‘ at least partly because it only works inside the app itself right now “ though apparently the developer says a version that works outside the app will be available ‘soon ‘.
The demo app is free and out now in Cydia.
I ‘ve never used “ or really been tempted to use “ a BT keyboard; so I ‘m interested in this app purely for its ‘breakthrough ‘ value.
What do you all think? Are you super keen to be using BT keyboards with your iPhones? Think we ‘ll see this support built into the iPhone OS soon?
Once again, big thanks to our reader and tipster sysrage for the heads-up on this one!
The full version which allows keyboard usage in any app was available on Cydia for purchase for a short time. It was pulled rather quickly due to some bug, though. I expect it will be back soon. I forget what it was priced at. I want to say it was around $7. It also won't initially support cut/copy/paste and a couple other features which I think takes away from it a great deal. It would still be very nice to be able to type up an e-mail on the road with a real keyboard, though. I agree this is big news due to the 'breakthrough' value. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here. More input devices are greatly needed! Can you say Eliminate or NOVA with a keyboard/mouse? ZodTTD allowing the use of WiiMote for his new Nintendo64 emulator is also very interesting. Maybe we're finally getting some of the hardware support the iPhone could really use. Too bad it's still stuck in the jailbreak community. Come on Apple!
I am quite surprised at how little we've seen so far in these sort of areas in the App Store.
I would say it is rather useless. You have to put the keyboard somewhere … on your lap while sitting in a café ? I guess oyu will earn some laughes for that. Also its a good idea to play Games with Keyboard and mouse I really dont think anyone will really like it . And also think of th ebattery , some games really suck out the energy allready compared with bluetooth … i dont know if thats very satisfying. So you would propably sit at home with your iphone connected to the charge station with the keyboards on your desk staring on a little mobile phone. Come on ! Play monkeyball and be happy or turn on your PC , PS , Xbox, Wii , DS , PSP ect.
But i agree it's interesting to see what will come next ! Hooray maybe something usefull ?
As far as what comes next, it's always exciting watching the jailbreak community – although doesn't it sometimes seem as if there are 'lulls' and then all of a sudden a big flurry of lots of shiny new things at once?
This could be the very thing to make me jailbreak… I'll be watching this development with great interest.
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I can't find it in Cydia. Other posts say "in Cydia soon". Is it there?
Also, concerning using the BT keyboard only "in-app", then developer website states:
NOTE: due to a missing dependency, the keyboard does not work outside of the keyboard driver. Please install the "Simulated Key Events" package in the Development section of Cydia to fix this.
Does this not imply that installing "Simulated Key Events" will allow usage anywhere text input is available?
I still see it in Cydia just fine – searching under Keyboard driver – and I don't think I added any sources for this one.
As for the usage outside the app, I don't think that does – but best to check at the dev's site on that.
There are two different 'versions'. The free one that's still on Cydia is more or less a demo or proof of concept. All it does it let you type something inside their little text box just to see that it really works and I guess to ensure your Bluetooth keyboard is compatible.
The second version, that is currently not on Cydia, cost money but allows you to use the keyboard in all parts of the iPhone. All apps. It was on Cydia for a very brief amount of time yesterday, but the developer pulled it rather quickly in order to fix a bug. I noticed that comment about Simulated Key Events on the website as well, but unfortunately that will not allow the free app to enable keyboard use in other apps. You'll need to wait for the full version to come back.
OK, I found the Demo in Cydia and installed it. It worked as advertised and paired effortlessly with my aluminum Apple BT keyboard. I like it. The small aluminum keyboard would make a slick companion to the iPhone when I can use it in any application.
This is great news to me. I've got one of this tiny collapsible BT keyboards. I used to use it with my Nokia 770 tablet. I'm grabbing the app right now and if a paid version comes out, I'll be the first to buy it. I think having an external BT keyboard for my iPhone would be very handy, especially when traveling without my laptop.
Just hooked up my Think Outside Keyboard and it works great. I cannot wait for the full version to allow me to use my keyboard in all apps. Thanks again for posting about such great iPhone apps.
Very cool Donovan. It's always fun posting about these apps that push the boundaries.