I have a problem with my recently purchased Fredom Universal Keyboard. I am using a BB 9530 with a Core application v4.7. I am not able to connect my keyboard even after receiving technical support from through Internet from Freedom Input Ltd. I have spent numerous hours to find a solution to this issue. When I received the answer from Fredom they only refer to the BB v4.5 Core Application. I am wondering if the fact that I have the very latest BB Core application on my Storm could not be the reason for this problem. However, Freedom in their advertising and documentation clearly indicates that the keyboard is suitable for “Blackberry – Versions from4.0 and upwards including all new releases”. Can anyone with the same experience help please?

What exactly is the issue you're having? Are you able to pair it? Are you on a BES? Please provide a little more detail.

I just installed mine on my 8900...All is working fine. I've not heard any specific reports on whether or not it works on the storm. It may require a different driver. Have you talked to anyone personally at Freedom as to whether the Storm is supported?

Thanks John! Yes Freedom support the Storm. I exchanged e-mails with them and they provided me some solutions that don't work. They provided me with a solution that works for BB Core Appl. v4.5. Since I am using BB C.A. v4.7, I believe this could be the reason for this problem. I am not sure. However, to answer your question, I have downloaded the very last driver directly from my Storm and I have been able to pair the devices easily. I am not on a BSE. I have not been able to personally speak with a person at Freedom. I have not been able to find any phone numbers to contact them. However, they have answered my ticket within 24 hours. They seem to be very supportive through Internet. However, this type of technical difficulties could be resolved a lot faster if they would provide a phone line (note: Should you have a phone number to join Freedom Input Ltd., please sent it to me.
Thanks for you help!

The latest driver is for BB OS 4.2 and higher so if they say it supports the storm then it will support OS 4.7.

Please tell me exactly where it is things are not working. You get the device paired. Then what? You should be able to go in to the Keyboard application and check the box that says "Connect." What happens then?

Do you have Keystroke Injection set to 'allow' for the keyboard application?

Freedom definitively said this support the Storm and "Versions from 4.0 and upwards including all new releases". However, in all correspondences from then they never mentioned v4.7 but only v4.5 as the latest version they are aware of. Perhaps version v4.7 would need a new driver. Here is my problem. When going to Keyboard application and clicking on Activate Keyboard (while having the keyboard switched on to SPP), the Keyboard will show "connecting" for a few seconds and always come back to "disconnected". According to their instructions, I should change for "connected" and then I should click on the Reconnection Checkbox. However, it will never move to "connected and always come back to "disconnected". I thought this was due to the Keystroke Injection Permission (called Input Simulation instead Keystroke Injection on my BB v4.7 Core Application), however, I have put that Permission to Allow, so should could work.

Have you set the keyboard to be trusted in Bluetooth options? Go to Options >Bluetooth. Highlight the Freedom Keyboard and go to "Device Properties." Set Trusted to "Yes" and Encryption to "Disabled." Save the settings. Give that a try.

Did it as per your instructions with the same results (disconnected). In the meantime, I reloaded the Drivers with no more results.

What driver do you have installed? What's the version? Also, is this keyboard brand new? Is it the Freedom Universal Keyboard or the Freedom Universal Keyboard2?

Driver: v.2.2.3 for RIM OS 4.2. Keyboard: Freedom Universal Keyboard (2) purchased a week ago from blackberry.com.

Ok, everything sounds right. It sounds like it could be a bluetooth issue, but not sure. What OS is on the device? Look in Options >About.

OS v.4.7.0.76 (Platform 4.0.0.96)

If you go to Options >Bluetooth and highlight the Freedom Keyboard and select "Device Options" does "SPP" show in the list of services? If not, turn on the keyboard to "SPP" and then hit the menu key on the BB and select "Refresh Services."

If that doesn't work, then I don't know whether it's a driver/device issue or a bluetooth issue in the particular OS version.

I would ask the folks at Freedom to call you. I'm sure they will. They have great support.

The Service SPP Slave has been refresh several times and clearly appears in Bluetooth Device Properties under FREEDOM KEYBOARD. For your info. I have an Open Ticket with Freedom Input (they have my phone number in the file):

Technical Adviser at Freedom Input: Louise Sawkins
Technical Support
Ticket Details
Ticket ID: MFU-663657
Department: Freedom Universal Keyboard²
Priority: Urgent
Status: Answered

I really appreciate your support. Thanks.

Check out the "Beta You Than Me" forum for information on newer "beta" OS's for your device. See what versions have been leaked and see if you can find one. You may be able to fix it that way. It sounds like a bug in the OS but, again, I haven't seen anyone else using this on the Storm yet.

I have the Storm as well with the Universal Keyboard. I was able to get it work, but it took some doing. I am running v4.7.0.114 (Platform 4.0.0.143). I was able to find keyboard drivers for 2.2.1, 2.2.2 and 2.2.3. I would have expected the newer keyboard drivers to work, but actually the 2.2.1 is the only one that did work. I've also seen info to allow keyboard injection ... and in fact produced an error when I tried to connect the keyboard. However when I went into security options, that option wasn't on my storm, but "input simulation" was. I had to allow this in order for it to work.

I'm having exactly the same problems as ptdirjnav. Just bought a Storm and Freedom 2 keyboard and the devices pair but can never connect. I'm off to try the 2.2.1 keyboard driver.

dfranklin: where did you find the 2.2.1 driver?

Hi all,

I'm the technical manager for Freedom. All the versions of the drivers above have been tested with the Storm running various versions of 4.7 and they do all work. That being said however we have found that the Storm is not quiet as reliable as the other BlackBerrys.

We are looking into if we can change anything on the drivers to try and work around this kind of issue but to be honest the parts of the OS we use for the drivers are really no different between 4.2 and 4.7 so I don't think anything we do will make a great deal of difference (unless we re-write the Storm OS ;) ).

Its very interesting that the older version of the drivers worked as the actually connection and bluetooth control part of 2.2.1 and 2.2.3 are exactly the same. Give me a few minutes and I will upload the previous versions though and put some links here.

Paul: thanks so much for your attention in this.

FYI, I received this from Freedom this morning. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. Perhaps this will work for someone else:

If you can please follow the steps below which will go through and reset any pairings and will fix the problem.

Checking the settings and clearing paired settings:
1) Switch the keyboard to SPP mode and remove the batteries.
2) On the BlackBerry go into the Bluetooth keyboard software and uncheck both boxes.
3) Go to Options or Settings (icon that looks like a monkey wrench)
4) Highlight Advanced Options press screen in
5) Then highlight Applications press screen in, a application list will build.
6) It should say at the top Blackberry 4.7 Core Applications, highlight this and press the MENU button (spotty button next to green answer button) and MODULES
7) At the top will be Btkbd42 or Freedom_Uni, highlight and then press the MENU button(spotty button) then Edit Permissions.
8) Highlight Custom on the Interaction section and press the MENU button(spotty button) then Expand.
9) In the list should be Input Simulation, is it set still to Deny if so change to Allow. Click the Back button it will ask to Save changes highlight yes and continue.
10) Now go back to the Main application menu (the one with all the icons on) and go back to settings/options (the one that looks like a wrench).
11) Go to Bluetooth. Make sure on the top left it says bluetooth enabled. If it is not enabled press the menu button and select "enabled bluetooth".
12) On the same screen highlight the keyboard on the list of paired devices, press the menu button and select "delete device". When asked if you really want to delete it hit delete again.
13) Leave the BlackBerry turned on and remove the battery from it (just for a few seconds).

Reconnecting the keyboard:
1) Put the battery back in the BlackBerry and power it up (its normal for it to take a couple of minutes so don't worry if it seems to be taking a long time).
2) Put the batteries back in the keyboard. Make sure the switch is to the left and the green light is flashing next to it.
3) On the BlackBerry go back to Options/Settings and then Bluetooth.
4) Press the menu button and select "add device"
5) It should come up "searching for devices" once it has finished select "keyboard" from the list.
6) When it asks for the passkey enter 0000 on the BlackBerry and click the trackball.
7) Now the keyboard is under the paired devices list, if you highlight this then press the Menu button and select device properties.
8) Check to see if under services it says SPP slave, if it doesn't then press the Menu button then select Refresh Service List.
9) SPP Slave should appear under services.
10) Go into the Bluetooth keyboard software again and just tick the Activate keyboard checkbox.
11) Now you should see the keyboard status change to "connecting" and after a few moments "connected".
12) Once the keyboard status says "connected" check the "reconnection" check box as well.
13) Now scroll down to where it says "keyboard test" and try and type on the keyboard. What you type should appear in this box.

That should be the keyboard connected and running. When you have finished with the keyboard just set the switch on it to the centre (off) position. When you want to use it again switch it back to the left and wait a few seconds. The BlackBerry will automatically reconnect and you can then just use it. You do not need to go into the Bluetooth keyboard software again to activate it.

FYI, Freedom suggested I return the keyboard and replace it with another. I did that this morning. Same problem with the second keyboard so this appears to be configuration related. Freedom has sent me the following which I'll attempt to do tonight:

Remove driver
1) Go to the Downloads Folder
2) Highlight the keyboard, press the Menu button and Delete
3) Your Blackberry may need to reboot to delete this driver. If requested please reboot device before continuing with the instructions.

Install driver
1) Download the drivers using your Blackberry from OTAdrivers.com - Drivers for Freedom Input
2) Follow the link for the Universal Keyboard2
3) It should recognize you phone and download the correct driver. If it doesn't then select 4.2 driver for the Blackberry
4) Once the driver have completed it will ask to change permissions either after the download or when you click on the keyboard icon for the first time.
5) When it does ask to change permission select view and then it should say Input Simulation and Allow next to it. Now press the Back button on the Blackberry, it will ask you to save changes select Yes to continue.
6) Once it has completed the software should will be found in Downloads, on some 9530 Storms this is sometimes found in the main menu.

Pairing the Keyboard
1) Switch the keyboard on in SPP mode (little switch needs to go to the left).
2) On the BlackBerry go to "Options" (sometimes this could also be "Settings" depending on which theme you use) and then go to Bluetooth.
3) If it is disabled you will need to select Enable from the menu.
4) Press the Menu button and then select "Add Device". Select the keyboard from the list and when asked for a Passkey press 0000 on the BlackBerry.
5) Now the keyboard is under the paired devices list, if you highlight this then press the Menu button and select device properties.
6) Check to see if under services it says SPP slave, if it doesn't then press the Menu button then select Refresh Service List.
7) SPP Slave should appear under services.

Activating the keyboard
1) Run the Bluetooth Keyboard Software.
2) Click on the "Activate Keyboard" box. The "Keyboard Status" should show "Connecting" and then "Connected".
3) Once it is connected scroll down to the keyboard test box and try typing on the keyboard.
4) Once it is connected tick the "Reconnection" Box and exit the software.

Here's the latest. I uninstalled the drivers, removed the keyboard from the bluetooth device list, took out the batteries from both the blackberry and the keyboard.

Then, I used the blackberry's browser to download the latest drivers, 2.2.3. Installation went well. When I set up bluetooth and searched for devices, it found the keyboard quickly, which was very encouraging.

When I went to the keyboard application in the downloads folder, it provided a prompt that it needed to change the permissions, which I accepted. When I saved the changes, it produced the following error message:

Uncaught exception: no application instance.

When I clicked OK and attempted to activate to the keyboard, it continues to pause for about five seconds and then says

Connection to FREEDOM KEYBOARD failed.

Here's the current configuration for the driver:

CONNECTIONS: Custom
USB - Allow
Bluetooth - Allow
Phone - Prompt
Location data - Prompt
Internet – Prompt

INTERACTIONS: Custom
Cross Application Communication - Allow
Device settings - Allow
Media - Allow
Application Management - Allow
Themes - Allow
Input simulation - Allow
Browser filtering - Deny
Recording - Deny
Security Timer Reset - Deny

USER DATA: Allow
Email - Allow
Organizer Data - Allow
Files - Allow
Security data - Allow

And here are the keyboard device properties:

Device name: FREEDOM KEYBOARD

Trusted: Yes
Encryption: Enabled
Device address: 00:0B:0D:8A:50:77
Services: SPP slave


Any help would be most appreciated. I'm leaving on a business trip this Friday and require a working keyboard.

Many thanks

OK, this has been the most surreal experience. After hours of trying to debug this problem, I called my carrier, Bell Canada. Tech support there says they block bluetooth for everything except voice. Consequently, no bluetooth keyboard will every work.

I'm looking to cancel my contract and go with another carrier. I'll never deal with them again.

Hi To Everybody
I Just Updated My Storm To Os 5.0.0.238.....when I Try To Connect The Keyboard An Error Message Apperars...the Drivers Instelled Dosent Support Keyboard....i Need Some Help Here, I Use My Storm To Work....im Stuck ...help

Given that OS 5.0 is not official yet, I am not surprised that Freedom hasn't released updated keyboard drivers. I recommend that you contact them and see if they have some beta drivers. Alternatively, downgrade to a supported OS.

Pauil I'd like a copy of the old driver too- I have AND my IT Dept both have searched all B forums here and elsewhere and have found no one that has been able to pair the Freedom Keyboard with a Tour-

I'm on Verizon, using 4.7.1.40 (no hacks on my BB!) and despite Louise's kind and detailed instructions, we can;t get it paired- we tried 6 different units.

I rally like the unit and want to use it- who has it working on a Verizon Tour - perhaps we can share notes ?

Please let me know-

Feel free to email me directly at ffisher @ e-o.com

Fred Fisher
CEO
ELM Insuance Brokers, Correspondents at Lloyds

Hello! I was so excited to get my keyboard today!! Unfortunately, It claimed that the drivers wouldnt work on my device. Am I wasting my time downloading the recommended stuff or should I just return it? Thanks for advice! Burple

I have it working on a Sprint Tour without any problems whatsoever.

We have discovered an issue with the official release of the 5.0 OS (which annoyingly wasn't there in the pre-release versions we had).

When connecting the Universal Keyboard2 you will get a message saying that this keyboard is not support by these drivers.

We are writing a new set of drivers for the 5.0 platform now to work around this (there are API changes that have been put into 5.0 so that interfacing with the Bluetooth is done in a different way).

It will still work on some 5.0 devices so try it first (and also check that SPP services are installed as described above). If you do have issues please raise a ticket at freedom.helpserve.com stating that you have a 5.0 device and you want to be added to the mailing list to be told when the new drivers are available.

We aren't expecting this to take too long and will contact everyone who has the 5.0 OS to let them know when the new drivers are ready.

Sorry to anyone this has inconvenienced. Unfortunately this is the nature of the mobile market place. Phone OS's change rapidly and sometimes you just can't pre-empt when a change will break your software.

Just to let everyone know the 5.0 drivers are now complete and live on OTAdrivers.com - Drivers for Freedom Input[/url] for the Freedom Universal Keyboard2

These drivers are also backwards compatible so will work with BlackBerry's running 4.2-4.7 as well.