Zeemote’s JS1, an innovative wireless controller

Zeemote Inc. a company that recently has launched the JS1 bluetooth joystick, promises even more top wireless technology products for mobile devices.

Since I had the chance to test their JS1, here are some of my initial impressions.

The JS1 comes in a small box printed with good quality graphics that fit well with the current purpose of the joystick: game controller. From the start, I can say that I love the compact design.

Inside the box, it’s the JS1 unit, two quality batteries, and detailed manuals/warranty documents.

To use the controller with my Nokia N73, I needed the Zeekey software. The download comes as a ZIP file containing a sis file. I’ve copied the sis on the N73 phone, and executed it to start the Zeekey installer. All went fine without any issues.

Having the software installed, next step was to pair the JS1 to the phone: so I’ve turned on bluetooth, turned on the JS1, and from the Zeekey software the search option detected the joystick. As soon as the bluetooth connection was established, I was able to use the JS1 to browse the content of my phone.

Since the JS1 has several button, I was now able to try them: Button A works as Enter, Button C as right softkey (good for menus, etc) and the D key works as the left softkey. You have a B key as well, and the joystick itself offering 2D navigation. The good thing is that you can actually use the Zeekey software to configure what these input keys should do. For me the Standard configuration worked good out of the box.

Since I’ve got very little time for games myself – being more interested in the technological part of a product, I don’t have too many games installed on my N73, but.. I still have the default ones . So here’s a video of the bluetooth pairing process and then a few seconds playing Zuma:

After the joystick is disconnected, you need to manually reconnect the phone software – a minor inconvenient that I’m sure will get fixed.
Overall, I must say I’m impressed: a small weighted joystick, with embedded wireless capabilities including up to 10m operating radius is simply great. Imagine the possibilities of this device – as I said, I’m thinking over the gaming part: you could use this and a USB dongle to control your desktop PC.
My PC is connected to a large screen TV, and sometimes I use to play films directly from my PC on the TV. Would love to be able to use a wireless joystick instead of a mouse. The main advantage is that for a mouse you need a flat surface, but for this joystick you don’t!

So let’s try this. I have a cheap Bluetooth USB dongle from Ebay installed, running the BlueSoleil stack. Joystick turned on and discoverable, and good news! Not only it got detected but JS1 exports two Bluetooth profiles: The serial port and the HID profile meaning that it can be used as a mouse!
This sure shows a lot about the thought and research Zeemote put into this device. Good work guys!

Bottom line the JS1 is not only a great gaming controller, it is also a replacement for your PC’s mouse (read this as remote control bluetooth device). Fan of games or not, you guys really need to see how comfortable this unit can be!

Radu Motisan

ITON Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse

Most of the computer users are in a constant run to gain more hardware power, but only a few of them realize that part of one’s comfort in front of the computer is …the keyboard.
When it comes to keyboards, my personal choice are those those with finger friendly keys, and sensitive to small pressure. I’m also interested in a slim design, it looks better, and saves some space on my desk. Using those, I can type real fast.

Some new toys

Recently I had the chance to test a Bluetooth multimedia keyboard, manufactured by the Chinese company ITON. The keyboard is the PA-BK02 model. The package came with a mouse as well, matching the same color. The mouse is the PA-BTM02 model. To the left, you can see some actual photos of the keyboard and mouse. One strange thing I’ve noticed was that the keyboard would not operate with two of my rechargeable batteries rated at 1.2V each. It needs instead alkaline batteries rated at 1.5V. Together these two output 3V, seems like this voltage level is a must.

Desktop PC Setup
For Bluetooth connectivity, my PC uses and external USB Bluetooth Dongle, and the software is the BlueSoleil bluetooth stack.

Setting up the keyboard and the mouse is easy, you need to put them in discoverable mode using the little black button underneath, and search for bluetooth devices in the software panel:

The manual covers this aspect well enough and gives connectivity samples for various stacks including Microsoft and Broadcom. So I will not insist on this one, rather I will focus on the next test I’ve performed:

Using the ITON bluetooth keyboard and mouse on Windows Mobile
You might ask me “Why should someone use a keyboard with a Pocket PC?”, I’d say you need to try it first, then ask this question.
A hardware keyboard on a Pocket PC makes a HUGE difference, you can actually type long emails in the same quick manner you’re used to on the Desktop PC, but you also have a mobile platform that you can carry wherever you go.
While USB keyboards/mouses are barely seen on Windows Mobile, because of the lack of hardware support for USB Host connectors on the Mobile Devices, there are plenty bluetooth keyboards and mouses available that can be used instead.
To connect a bluetooth keyboard or mouse to your Pocket PC, you will need a driver.
Luckily there is one available: Teksoft’s BlueInput.

So I’ve tried the ITON Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse on my Axim X51v running Windows Mobile 5.0.
First step was to install BlueInput, the bluetooth keyboard/mouse driver.

Then using the videos on the developer’s website, I’ve quickly configured BlueInput, as both devices have been detected successfully:

This looks awesome, I actually have a mouse cursor on my pocket pc!

Now for some remote action, I was able to operate the keyboard at approximately 12m, unfortunately I was not able to read the content of my Axim’s screen at that distance, but just for the test it was great to see such a wide operating radius.
This reminds me of the possibility of adding an external display/projector to the Pocket PC, and using the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for various presentations.

It would look like this:

Fore sure, this changes the idea of a mobile computer!

Bottom line, Expert’s opinion
1. First the ITON Bluetooth Keyboard.
PROS:
- I love the keys, the size and sensitivity are perfect.
- 8 multimedia keys
- easy to configure
- nice led display area
- slim design
CONS:
- it doesn’t work with 1.2V NiMH rechargeable batteries.
- it could be smaller (it has some big edges that could be removed)
- the multimedia keys are too big, not not very aesthetic
Conclusion:
I’d give this an 8 out of 10, since this is not a high end product and the cost is very small. I’m sure this product needs to withstand some heavy competition from other glittering products that also cost a few times the price.
So all in one: price accessible, fair level of features, and good quality.

2. The ITON Mouse
PROS:
- small sized, but comfortable for bigger hands as well
- it works with 1.2V batteries
- good sensitivity
CONS:
- none

Since this is not a laser mouse, it is not the best on the market, but for this price you actually get a very compact and functional mouse, that deserves a 9 out of 10.

Radu Motisan