[geeksquad1516]

After seeing all of the expensive, flimsy looking keyboard online, I decided I would save my money and somehow make my own. Could you hook up a normal USB (or PS/2) to a BlackBerry, by soldering it to a new connector?

[Trimix]

Do you think you'll need some driver or software on the BB end to make it work with an external keyboard?

[geeksquad1516]

I dunno, I just hope you could somehow solder a mini-usb connector to the USB keyboard.

[geeksquad1516]

Does anyone here have a miniusb keyboard designed for BlackBerry? If so, what is the installation process?

[fiestito]

If you want to use a keyboard (or a mouse, or a joystick...) you must have some software to use that specific hardware, from what I know there is no software for a regular keyboard at blackberry.
But I saw something about a bluetooth keyboard for the bb´s.
Take a look at this -> Bluetooth Keyboards - BlackBerryFAQ

[atuarre]

Originally Posted by fiestito

If you want to use a keyboard (or a mouse, or a joystick...) you must have some software to use that specific hardware, from what I know there is no software for a regular keyboard at blackberry.
But I saw something about a bluetooth keyboard for the bb´s.
Take a look at this -> Bluetooth Keyboards - BlackBerryFAQ

Actually, I believe that is for one specific type of keyboard that is sold. I think he was asking about using a generic/any USB or Bluetooth keyboard. I think he is trying to avoid having to go out and buy one, which makes sense.

[moorken]

i leave the fact wether this would work or not in the middle, but instead of soldering, wouldn't it be bether to use one of these:

[geeksquad1516]

Yea, I would just want to use a regular usb keyboard.

[vennarie]

I purchased a female/female converter and hooked it up to the data cable on one end and the standard $14 usb keyboard on the other end... no go.

[vennarie]

ok, so the BB device is a slave device, and so is the standard USB keyboard. You can't connect a slave to a slave. You must get a Master keyboard device, hence the price of all those ones specifically designed to work with BB... flimsy or not, they will work.

[Trimix]

I still think it's a software related issue. The device needs a driver to let it know it can accept input from the external keyboard.

[vennarie]

I don't think this is software...
Try this less expensive option:
the website is www itsonsale .com (I can't post websites yet) Wireless Bluetooth Smartphone PDA Lightweight Light Roll-Up Thin Keyboard
free shipping, and only 40 bucks when all said and done.
I've ordered one. will let everyone know how it turns out.

[aeromark]

Any luck with the keyboard? Looking to do the same thing.

[tsac]

There are many external keyboards available but ALL require a driver be loaded on the BB. Not all work with all type BB's

[rambo47]

You also need a powered USB port to provide power to the keyboard. The BlackBerry USB/Mini-USB/Micro-USB port is not powered, so how will you run the keyboard?

[hrbuckley]

BlackBerry Keyboard, RIM BlackBerry External Keyboard, Mobile, Flexible, BlackBerry Stand, Internal Battery Powered

[NJBlackBerry]

Seems a bit, shall we say, old?

November, 2006?

Tested BlackBerrys :
Handheld software version 4.0 or higher BlackBerry 6210, 6220, 6230, 6280, 6510, 7100g, 7100i, 7100r, 7100t, 7100v, 7100x, 7105t, 7210, 7230, 7250, 7270, 7280, 7290, 7510, 7520, 8700c, 8700g, 8700r and 8707 .

Not compatible with:
BlackBerry 5790, 6710, 6720 and 6750.

Darn - I wanted this for my 5790

Ummmm...

[hrbuckley]

Doubled with old data for some reason???

[hrbuckley]

Yes, they don't seem to spend much time on their web site. I did notice the driver update I was waiting for was their. Will let you know if they've caught up to BBOS 5.0 yet.