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Texas Instruments Keyboard 

Date of introduction:  June 17, 2002
 Available: Nov.4, 2002
Display technology:  
New price:  $44.95 (SRP 2008) Display size:  
Size:  5.0" x 12" x 1.0"
 127 x 305 x 25 mm³
   
Weight:  16.8 ounces, 476 grams Serial No:  
Batteries:  3*AAA Date of manufacture:  
AC-Adapter:   Origin of manufacture:  
Precision:   Integrated circuits:  
Memories:      
Program steps:   Courtesy of:  Joerg Woerner

Keyboard_1.jpg (188163 Byte)Texas Instruments announced June 17, 2002 the full-sized QWERTY keyboard for the TI-83 Plus, TI-83 Plus Silver Edition, TI-89, TI-92 Plus and the Voyage 200 Graphing calculators. 

The included cradle holds the handheld calculator and placed the LC-display in a convenient angle.

In 2005 the design of the cradle was changed to adapt the TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus Silver Edition and TI-89 Titanium calculators. 

 

Find here the original press release dated June 17, 2002:

Texas Instruments Takes Most Pervasive Handheld Technology To New Level With The TI Keyboard

Device Extends Multi-curricular Functionality to Students' Fingertips with Full-size, True-touch Typing

DALLAS, June 17, 2002

Texas Instruments, the leader in handheld educational technology, today announced its TI Keyboard, a full-size QWERTY keyboard available for use with TI's most popular handheld educational devices. The TI Keyboard represents the company's continued commitment to provide educators with more ways to capitalize on the sheer number of TI units already in use in schools.

The TI Keyboard, which comes with the NoteFolio™ Handheld Software Application (App), allows students to type notes directly into their TI handheld for classes from history to literature to foreign language. Students can copy, cut and paste text, change fonts, save notes under different file names on their handhelds, as well as transfer and convert files from a handheld to a PC. It also comes prepackaged with a cradle to hold students' TI handhelds at an easy-to-see angle, can be stacked with other keyboards, is small enough to fit into a backpack, and is designed to handle the rigors of daily classroom life.

Brandy Mills, a high school teacher at Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been piloting the TI Keyboard in her social studies classes for nine months. "My students' response to the TI Keyboard has been very enthusiastic. They like it because they can type notes directly into their TI handhelds, and since they already use these for class work, basic organization, and down time, this gives them another way to maximize this technology. I like it because it encourages them to review and revise what they type, which means they pay more attention to their writing which helps improve it," said Mills.

"Educators beyond math and science recognize the value our handheld devices bring to the classroom. Since millions of students and their schools already own the technology, these teachers see a real opportunity in working with us to expand its multi-curricular functionality -- hence the TI Keyboard was tailor-made to fit their needs." said Tom Ferrio, vice president of the Educational & Productivity Solutions business for TI. "Additionally, because our handhelds support the use of technology all day long, administrators are seeing how it helps make one-to-one computing a reality."

The TI Keyboard will be available for use with the TI-83 Plus, the TI-83 Plus Silver Edition, the TI-89, the TI-92 Plus and the Voyage 200. The Keyboard will be available for Back to School 2002 through instructional dealers. Individuals who wish to purchase the TI Keyboard direct from TI should visit TI's Online Store at http://epsstore.ti.com where the price will be $44.95. 

More information can be found at http://education.ti.com/keyboard.

 

Find here the original press release dated November 4, 2002:

Highly Anticipated TI Keyboard Ships to Customers

Device Provides Users with Ability to Keyboard Notes Directly into TI Handhelds

DALLAS, November 4, 2002

Texas Instruments, the leader in handheld educational technology, today announced that the TI Keyboard is now available for purchase. The full-size QWERTY keyboard extends the use of the millions of TI handheld units already in use by students today by allowing them to type class notes, enter data into spreadsheets and save documents, directly into their TI handheld.

Students participating in pilot sites have been using the keyboard and accompanying NoteFolio™ Handheld Software Application (App) for taking notes in multiple classes. As with traditional word processor programs, NoteFolio lets users copy, cut and paste text, and save notes under various file names, all on their TI handhelds. Files are easily converted from device to PC using the TI-GRAPH LINK™ cable, and TI Connect™ software on the computer.

Teachers and students across the United States have already expressed an overwhelming interest in the keyboard. Since the product’s announcement in June, almost 3000 people have gone online to the product’s webpage to register for advanced notification of the TI Keyboard’s availability. Customers can purchase the keyboard direct from TI's Online Store at education.ti.com at a cost of $44.95 per unit. The durable keyboard unit includes a cradle to hold students' TI handhelds at an easy-to-see angle, can be stacked with other keyboards and is small and sturdy enough to fit into a backpack.

"While the TI-83 Plus family of products are a regular sight in our math and science classes, the TI Keyboard makes them useful in a variety of other subjects," said Kathryn Robinson, a social studies teacher with Parkville High School in Baltimore, Maryland. "I’ve been encouraging students in my classroom to use the keyboard because not only can it facilitate a more engaging learning environment, it also lets them build upon the technology they already own."

"The TI Keyboard brings true-touch typing to our educational handhelds, allowing teachers and students to maximize the technology they already own and use," said Tom Ferrio, vice president of the Educational & Productivity Solutions business for TI. "Moreover, teachers of non-math and -science courses will notice that the TI handhelds they often see in passing are now ready for everyday use in their own classes when coupled with a TI Keyboard."

The TI Keyboard is currently available for use with the TI-83 Plus and TI-83 Plus Silver Edition, and, at a later date, the TI-89 and Voyage 200. More information can be found at education.ti.com/keyboard.

 

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.

© Joerg Woerner, June 28, 2007. No reprints without written permission.