Using a Bluetooth Keyboard

[Professor1991]

Hi All,

With my birthday due soon, I've figured its a good enough time to start something I've longed thought I should, keeping a personal journal/ diary/ blog. I intend to keep it on my phone.

I quite like the idea of having at times, a decent quantity to input so I can look back and reflect but I don't fancy the idea of attempting to type it on an electronic screen which I find tedious. I've found a number of Bluetooth keyboards which seem ideal but my point of query is this; these keyboards charge via USB so could I connect it to my android phone via a USB OTG dongle and use it as a wired keyboard ? I understand I can easily use it wirelessly as it was designed but this is something I've been wondering and I can't seem to find an answer.

Thanks,

 

[Furtim]

Hi All,

With my birthday due soon, I've figured its a good enough time to start something I've longed thought I should, keeping a personal journal/ diary/ blog. I intend to keep it on my phone.

I quite like the idea of having at times, a decent quantity to input so I can look back and reflect but I don't fancy the idea of attempting to type it on an electronic screen which I find tedious. I've found a number of Bluetooth keyboards which seem ideal but my point of query is this; these keyboards charge via USB so could I connect it to my android phone via a USB OTG dongle and use it as a wired keyboard ? I understand I can easily use it wirelessly as it was designed but this is something I've been wondering and I can't seem to find an answer.

Thanks,

Another option is to consider something like Google Docs (or the alternatives).
The Document - your journal in this instance, if then cloud based, and can be updated at any time from any device connected to the internet (or even off line and then synched back). You can make short updates via the phone, and longer updates via PC or Laptop etc as suits, and the thing is always backed up in case you lose any device.

Regarding the keyboard itself, it will discharge at a far lower rate than it charges, so I don't really see any benefit to what you describe - just charge it via USB occasionally, and use it regularly as a wireless keyboard. If it comes to finding it dead, a 5 min recharge via USB would probably give you an hour or so's typing time (specifics dependant on the keyboard obviously)

Whether you can use the keyboard as described is probably down to each individual keyboards powerdraw and the power output of your phone.

 

[JonathanRyan]

It's unlikely. USB OTG can apparently provide up to 500mA but in practice it's usually way below this. If power is your concern (and as @Furtim says - they last for ages) then a small Anker power bank would keep it running for months.

 

[ianp5a]

Hi All,

With my birthday due soon, I've figured its a good enough time to start something I've longed thought I should, keeping a personal journal/ diary/ blog. I intend to keep it on my phone.

I quite like the idea of having at times, a decent quantity to input so I can look back and reflect but I don't fancy the idea of attempting to type it on an electronic screen which I find tedious. I've found a number of Bluetooth keyboards which seem ideal but my point of query is this; these keyboards charge via USB so could I connect it to my android phone via a USB OTG dongle and use it as a wired keyboard ? I understand I can easily use it wirelessly as it was designed but this is something I've been wondering and I can't seem to find an answer.

Thanks,

Just a couple of ideas that might be useful:-

If you are entering a lot of text and you are away from other people, try voice input on your phone. If you know what you want to say, you can get 100% success recognising and typing very quickly. If there are other people around or you are unsure of the words, then go back to the keyboard.

I installed Simplenote on my phone and PCs. Notes are instantly synchronised so you can continue on another device. Other sync notes are available. And may suit you better, but Simplenote has one of the best fast, reliable sync technology. With about a 1 sec delay, you can see the letters appear on the other device as you type.

 

[Professor1991]

I whole heartily appreciate the feedback gents,

The whole idea of wiring up the keyboard was just me toying with that idea was to see if it can be done as my phone has a tendency to drop Bluetooth connectivity occasionally although I suppose I can always use a standard USB keyboard.

In regards to the journal itself, I've had my eye on an app called Journal (It's a Google Editors Choice). It seems easy to use plus it allows me to add photos which I wish to use. The idea of having it synced to other devices while useful, I don't see me having a use for. I don't like the idea of using my voice so a keyboard is more ideal for me. I somewhat regret not doing this earlier in life as I've been to a fair few places but I suppose now is as soon as I can do it.

 

[Craikeybaby]

My friend is a writer/ultra runner and takes a Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard with her on long runs for writing on her phone.

 

[Major Eazy]

Hi All,

With my birthday due soon, I've figured its a good enough time to start something I've longed thought I should, keeping a personal journal/ diary/ blog. I intend to keep it on my phone.

I quite like the idea of having at times, a decent quantity to input so I can look back and reflect but I don't fancy the idea of attempting to type it on an electronic screen which I find tedious. I've found a number of Bluetooth keyboards which seem ideal but my point of query is this; these keyboards charge via USB so could I connect it to my android phone via a USB OTG dongle and use it as a wired keyboard ? I understand I can easily use it wirelessly as it was designed but this is something I've been wondering and I can't seem to find an answer.

Thanks,

That depend on the keyboard. Apple's wireless keyboard is battery powered, I've no idea about other keyboards for other smartphones. Wouldn't it be easier to use battery powered keyboard, so you would not need to worry about wires? Also if you charge from your phone or from other stuff, then the phone or the other stuff, a dongle you say? would be running out of power. My son charges up his phone from his laptop via USB, then moans his laptop is low on battery power, and I tried to explain to him that it would be a lot easier to just charge up the phone from mains, so that the laptop could use every bit of power for itself.

If you prefer recharged types, you could always buy a power bank for your keyboard, and it would still be useful to power up your phone too.

 

[Professor1991]

I was merely wondering if it could be done as i assumed (Wrongly) that if it can connect to a phone, it should act as a wired keyboard.

I suppose while it has been mentioned, does anyone on Android have a good recommendation for a journal/ diary app ? I've mentioned an app called "Journey" but do other members have a different preference ? I own an Android phone.