FrogPad Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the FrogPad™ keypad?
A: An elegantly small, intuitive and powerful interface for input and information access with a variety of devices. It solves the keyboard limitations that until now have stood in the way of achieving the objective of information access anytime, anywhere and from any device. It also replaces device interfaces that are awkward, space inefficient, time-consuming to learn and inappropriate for wireless computing because they are based on keyboard layouts that are over 100 years old and technologies that are nearly fifty years old. View Full Image of FrogPad
Q: How does FrogPad™ work?
A: Unlike chording keyboards, 86% of the time you only have one key to press. You never press more than two keys at one time, similar to the shift on your current keyboard.
Q: How small is the FrogPad™?
A: The FrogPad™ is 5 x 3.5 x .4 inches and weighs 4.9 ounces but the keys are the same size as those found on a standard size keyboard.
Q: Is the FrogPad™ compatible with my device?
A: FrogPad™ is a standard USB plug-and-play keyboard and can be used with wearable PC's, Tablets, DeskTops, Laptops, Linux, and MACs (OS 9) and above. It has a cable connector for both a standard PC and all USB host applications. The Bluetooth FrogPad™ will interface to all Bluetooth MAC’s and PC’s and we have beta drivers for Mobile phones and PDA’s.
Q: Will my Bluetooth iFrog work with my iPhone or iPad?
A: Frogpad uses the industry standard HID protocol for communicating between our keyboards and other devices. Apple's new iOS4 operating system for iPad and iPhone now allows external data entry devices to interface with their products. To pair your Bluetooth FrogPad keyboard with an iPhone or iPad open the settings on the device, select General settings, activate the Bluetooth feature, turn on your Bluetooth keyboard and gently press the pairing button. The device will instruct you to enter a numeric code and push enter on the keyboard. Your keyboard will then be paired with the device.
Q: Will my Bluetooth iFrog work with my Blackberry device?
A: Frogpad uses the industry standard HID protocol for communicating between our keyboards and other devices. Unfortunately Research In Motion does not recognize the HID protocol nor will they allow external data entry devices to interface with their products. FrogPad is currently developing a downloadable version of our keyboard for use on touch screen devices in anticipation of these and other manufacturers opening their products up for this application. Please feel free to contact them and encourage them to open their devices to alternate input sources.
Q. Can I use FrogPad™ with either hand?
A. Our current models of FrogPad™ are optimized for either hand. We produce both Lefty and Righty. The two frequently used modifier keys are most efficiently managed with the thumb.
Q: You say the FrogPad™ keyboard provides full-functionality. What does this mean?
A: FrogPad™TM provides all of the functionality you find on a standard keyboard today, alphanumeric, punctuation, symbols and even function keys. It provides all of this functionality while simplifying typing to a one-handed activity.
Q: There are already some portable keyboards in the market for PDA’s. The foldable QWERTY keyboards seem like the perfect fit since they also offer full-size keys and require no re-learning. Why would someone consider a FrogPad™ when the key layout would need to be relearned?
A: The foldable keyboards may be portable for transportation purposes but they do not offer true portability when in use because they require a “desk and chair” environment. FrogPad™TM offers portability when in use because it can be held in one hand and operated with the other. Learning to use the FrogPad™TM keyboard gives you the ability to type rapidly in a truly portable environment. Our usability tests have shown it is actually very intuitive and easy to learn.
Q: I am already able to touch type on a QWERTY keyboard. How difficult would it be for me to learn to use the FrogPad™?
A: Whether you are an experienced or inexperienced QWERTY typist, you’ll find that the layout is optimized for quick adaptation. The key layout is optimized both around the most frequently used keys and around the strongest fingers of the hand. We have prepared a tutorial that will get you up and touch typing with FrogPad™TM within an hour.
Q. Does the FrogPad™TM keypad work in different languages?
A: We have produced a Japanese and a US English version. Our patented keystroke algorithms allow us to easily scale the solutions to any language.
Q: What is your plan for allowing others to integrate the FrogPad™TM technology into their devices and solutions?
A: Our technology licensing agreements are customized for each partner. Companies interested in establishing an OEM or other relationship with FrogPad™TM may contact us via email at froglicensing@frogpad.com
Q: I can’t get my FrogPad™ to work with on my MAC what do I do?
A: As the apple web-site says “Mac OS X Server can detect USB devices on only one of your computer's USB ports at a time. When using a display that has an ADC (Apple Display Connector), connect your keyboard to USB port 1 on the computer. The USB ports on the display will not work. You cannot plug and unplug the keyboard or mouse while the computer is turned on.” For this reason, you cannot connect an Apple USB keyboard to the USB port on another Apple USB keyboard. If you want to use two bus-powered hubs with your computer, connect each to a USB port on the computer or to a self-powered hub. If you use three or more hubs connected to one another, set them up so the chain alternates between the two kinds.
Q: Does the FrogPad™ work with windows 98
A: The FrogPad™ works with Windows 98 with the caution that since the USB standard is fairly recent you might need to download new USB drivers for your machine before using the FrogPad™. You can download these drivers here.
Q: How long will it take me to learn FrogPad™?
A: Think about how long it took you to learn how to properly type on the standard qwerty keyboard. 79% of the population does not touch type. In about 2 minutes with FrogPad™, you will understand the logic behind the patented letter layout. In an hour you will remember where most of the letters are located, Then in about 6-10 hours you can get to 40 words a minute. Keep in mind, children do not go through a semester of typing classes. Children can be trained on FrogPad™ very quickly. And imagine the difference it will make to their posture.
Q: Is FrogPad™ compatible with the Japanese edition of Window XP Professional?
A: FrogPad is completely compatible with standard 101 "English" Keyboard, which the Japanese Edition Window XP Professional supports. The only thing different with the 101 English Keyboard from 104 Japanese keyboard is the Japanese input; by adjusting MS IME to "Roma-ji Henkan", you can use 101 English Keyboard to enter Japanese - Space key for Henkan, and Enter key for Kakutei or Muhenkan - you must use mouse to switch between the Hiragana, Katakana, Eigo(chokusetsu nyuuryoku).
Q. How does FrogPad compare to chording keyboards, such as CyKey?
A. The basic difference with chording and Froggie is that the chording user must identify (and press) a unique chord (consisting of up to 4 keys) for each letter or function, while the Frog user only needs to identify the key location (and press that key) for each letter or function. Also, chording user must press and release each chord while Frog allows continuous key pressings. Having said that, these differences are more apparent when one uses either or both of these keyboards for some time. Chording and Frog share the same problem that it will take "some"getting used to…. Yet FrogPad has a patented letter layout based on the research of Dvorak, and is much more intuitive. The learning curve is shortened dramatically. The CyKey has alphabet chords somewhat more intuitive than other chording devices, yet it will not reproduce all of the other functions of the standard keyboard.
For more information about FrogPad™ keyboards e-mail froginquiry@frogpad.com
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