folding keyboard for iPhone

It's a phone, not an office machine.

No one here can answer your question, but if the iPhone doesn't meet an important need or want for you or includes an option that does such as a folding bluetooth keyboard, then don't purchase one - as everyone should do.

This is a user to user forum - not Apple.

We have no way of knowing why they make the decisions that they do.

Just don't buy the iphone, if it doesn't meet your needs. No product is right for everyone.

Not so sure it would be such a big seller...I've seen exactly one person use a folding keyboard with a Palm...ever...and Palm doesn't look to be is very good financial shape.

I do agree, working on reports, etc., that require quite a bit of typing a keyboard is better. Which is why I'm using my MacBook Pro as a bigger screen is also better (maybe Apple can make an external monitor to go with the folding keyboard)? Since there is no cut/copy/paste on the iPhone it doesn't make much sense to do extensive typing on the iPhone, hence no real need for an external keyboard.

But the laser one sure would be cool.

Interesting idea about the folding keyboard. I've seen a lot of people use such keyboards here in the Washington, DC area for their various Palm devices. I used to use a LandWare GoType keyboard with my Palm III and VII for about 4 years. It worked wonderfully, even on the Metro. I used mine to do business correspondence, write papers for school work, etc. in conjunction with Documents-to-Go (currently under development for iPhone - http://www.dataviz.com/products/documentstogo/iphone/notify/index.html) to sync the documents with my desktop.

Perhaps Targus or another company is working with Apple to license such a keyboard already. I can't imagine that technology would be an issue. I'm guessing that legal and financial issues are more likely to be an issue, rather than technology.

I'd personally be surprised if there wasn't one on the market by the end of 2009.

I was a Palm user for 10 years before becoming an iPhone user in December 2007. However, my desire for a standalone keyboard wasn't my sole defining factor in choosing a smartphone. Apple has done a lot right with the iPhone and I've no doubt that a lot of things - like "cut and paste" and external keyboards are under development or at least on the development calendar for the future. Contrary to the belief of a few prolific posters in these forums, one can want more and still love what the iPhone currently does well. My guess is that a stand-alone keyboard will appear in a year or so if Apple agrees to allow a third party to license and develop one and the market appears to be there for such a product. Several years had gone by before Palm/Handspring compatible keyboards showed up. The iPhone is still rather new as far as PDAs go - give it some time and I believe one will hit the market.

It appears there are at least 2 people who'd buy one...

Message was edited by: jlandrith

Don't let them get you down. I have learned some people in here are very anti everything non-Apple.

I came from a Windows Mobile Device just recently and I must say the iPhone is pretty cool. I have to mention that I retired from my business. Yes it has lots of shortcommings when it comes to business use but it is probably the best device out there for personal use.

I have a bluetooth keyboard that I used with my old device and it won't connect to my iPhone either. I don't think its on their priority list. I rather have Voice Command which was great for dialing numbers, researching stuff or just typing an email. If you relly on typing long messages I would recommend getting a Dell AXIM x51 or any Windows based late model HTC device.

Good luck.

If you need a device to compose "multi-page memos," you don't want an iphone you want a laptop or some kind of mini-laptop. IMHO, the iphone could use less buttons, not more (one button is optimum, two or three are tolerable).

I wish there was one too so that'd be at least three who'd buy one and you only posted a few days ago plus plenty of people won't see the post and even more people with iPhone's will never sign up or view the forums at all as a whole.... I'd say there'd be more than enough people who would buy one to make it worthwhile for a company.
I fully admit I've never been a apple fan... the iPhone is my first apple product due to that fact and though I wish some things were different with it; the iphone was the best option, at least at this time.