You'd think buying a wireless keyboard would be easy. After all, there's only so many ways you can send words through the air without resorting to yelling. But sadly, it's not that simple. There's a swath of technologies on the market for those wanting wireless input, but the challenge is deciding which one is best. That's no small task for consumers, something that device manufacturers have yet to figure out.
Speakers are plugged in via 3.5mm jacks, and most digital cameras now connect with mini USB. But unlike other peripherals, wireless mouse and keyboard combos aren't governed by any sort of standard. You have your
2.4GHz spectrum, 27Mhz,
Bluetooth, and perhaps even
Infrared if you're feeling nostalgic. The letters always come out the same with each, but the way they get there is very, very different. Most figure it out the hard way —– not all wireless technology is created equal.
Next to Infrared, 27MHz is one of the oldest wireless technologies on the market. While most have moved on to better solutions, Microsoft and Logitech are the two big companies still producing keyboards of this variety. Lower-end models are usually outfitted with 27MHz due to cost, making them great for cheap home use. But there are caveats. Devices generally rely on plug-and-play transmitters that require a device to be paired or synced before use. More so, range is short -- usually within a 6 foot range -- and easily blocked by physical objects.
Says Microsoft, "27MHz peripherals are prone to both increased latency and uncorrectable data loss in noisy environments because they cannot recover from interference-induced transmission errors." Proximity to other, similar devices can cause interference too; put a few of these together in a small room, and watch the havoc unfold.
Recognizing these problems greatly impaired the usability of their keyboards, developers began using another wireless spectrum, this time in the 2.4GHz range. Devices using this technology have a number of improvements over their 27MHz predecessors, including low latency, an increased range of up to 30 feet, and little chance of interference. Furthermore, devices are paired with their transmitters at the factory, removing the annoying connection process found in other wireless tech. These factors alone make 2.4GHz devices great choices for HTPC set ups, or even consoles, where users are often sitting farther away than a conventional computer.
Bluetooth is the latest wireless protocol to join the desktop input market. Already found in just about every mobile device, from phones to game controllers, it makes sense the tech would eventually make it's way here. Depending on the class of the device, a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse can work from distances as far as 100 meters -- more than suitable for an HTPC or gaming console setup. And unlike previous wireless technologies, most machines have bluetooth receivers built-in, which can accept multiple device connections at the same time.
There are some other unique advantages to Bluetooth keyboards, including increased security against over-the-air keylogging, and the ability to connect with a range of devices (including the iPad). However, there is one drawback. Unlike other devices, Bluetooth devices rely on a software-based
driver stack for connectivity, so don't assume your BIOS will play nice. These devices need an operating system to work.
Each of these wireless technologies serve very different purposes; what you choose depends largely on how you use your computer. Those with office desks should find 2.4GHz suitable, while media center owners may opt for a Bluetooth device. Microsoft's
Mobile Mouse 8000, for example, includes both technologies, allowing users to use whichever they prefer. However, this fails to solve the underlying problem -- there are simply too many wireless protocols to play with.
Whether it be Bluetooth or 27MHz consumers don't know the difference, and they don't want to either. They want a wireless keyboard that works, and that's not always a surefire thing with today's devices. Ultimately, what's needed is consolidation, combining the strengths of all into a keyboard for the ages. But until that happens, users need to know what they're getting. Not all devices are as wireless as you might think.
Lead image via Flickr user ahhyeah.
