CoolMIR keyboard & BB OS 4.5

computerslayer · 12-26-2008, 12:30 PM

Merry Christmas to you all - I hope you're enjoying the holiday season and time w/ loved ones.

I received a CoolMIR keyboard yesterday. The OTA drivers installed fine, the necessary permissions were changed (Keystroke Injections) and the program set to 'CoolMIR ON'. From there, the keyboard should just work. However, it doesn't. The green indicator light on the keyboard is on (steady, not blinking), but keystrokes don't register on the phone.

Has anyone had experience with this keyboard & the new OS and managed to get it to work?

Of course, I have contacted the company, but they're on Christmas break until Jan. 5th. In the meantime I would greatly appreciate any help you can offer.

Respectfully,
Deacon Jacob Maurer

Running: Blackberry 8820 from AT&T on BB OS 4.5.0.110

stevetaz · 12-26-2008, 01:35 PM

Hi and welcome to EB:

First, there are some very specific guidelines on their site. Which version of the CoolMIR Keyboard are you trying to use:

Tested BlackBerrys for CoolMIR Keyboard V4.0:
Handheld software version in parenthesis. BlackBerry 8820(4.2.1)

Tested BlackBerrys for CoolMIR Keyboard V3.2:
Handheld software version in parenthesis. CoolMIR version 3.2 does not work with 8830 and 8700 with handheld version 4.2.1 BlackBerrys.
NOTE that the 8820 is not listed at all

The keyboard may or may not work with BlackBerrys that are not in the "Tested BlackBerrys" list above and any future release BlackBerrys or handheld software versions.

Finally, I do not see any devices listed that include any BB software versions above 4.2.XXX. They do mention 4.1 and above, but I am not sure how current they are staying. If possible you might try downgrading your OS to 4.2, but if that is not an option you may have to wait till they return to get assistance.

You did do a battery pull on the handheld after installing everything, yes?
Device On > Pull Battery > Count To 20 > Replace Battery > May take 2-3 Minutes to Restore. Do Not Interrupt

Let us know and enjoy your time here...

SteveTaz

computerslayer · 12-26-2008, 01:41 PM

Hello Steve & thanks for your reply.

I am using CoolMIR keyboard v4.0 and have followed their instructions faithfully, including the battery pull.

The OS downgrade isn't an option, and I acknowledge that they do not guarantee operation for future releases. That said, I am of course interested in getting the keyboard working with the current release. My hope is that someone may have gotten the keyboard working with the latest OS version.

Respectfully,
Deacon Jacob Maurer

stevetaz · 12-26-2008, 02:28 PM

I do hope you get it working and if you can, please remember to post your experiences here at EB...

SteveTaz

computerslayer · 12-27-2008, 02:56 PM

Thanks Steve - I'll definitely post what the results of any conversations with the company itself!

Merry Christmas
Deacon Jacob Maurer

computerslayer · 02-04-2009, 06:12 PM

For those who might still be interested, I spoke with a couple different representatives of Man & Machine Inc this week. The essential run-down is that they acknowledge that the keyboards do not currently work with Blackberry OS 4.5. The changes in the OS are such that the current firmware of the keyboards is not compatible.

Happily, they are working on new firmware which should be available in the next couple of weeks. They are maintaining a list of people to sent notification to if you are interested in finding out when that happens.

When the new firmware is released, owners will need to send their keyboards to the company in order to receive the update. I was assured that the normal policy of charging for this service will be suspended, as this problem affects pretty much everybody.

Also to the credit of Man & Machine, I would like to point out that their representatives were very friendly, prompt in returning my messages and even connected me with their tech support to explain the issue. Stay tuned for further information or contact them yourself for more news as it comes.

Respectfully,
Deacon Jacob Maurer

02-04-2009, 06:43 PM

While cool and all that.. It must be a sign of the time that we are impressed and even amazed that a company does something that should be done in the first place.. Stand behind and support their product.

PotBB

computerslayer · 02-04-2009, 06:57 PM

I wouldn't say I'm amazed or even impressed that they're standing behind their product. On the contrary: I was initially quite dismayed that they hadn't gotten the issue fixed already.

Nonetheless, they are working on the product and took responsibility for their lack. They could have easily argued that they didn't offer 4.5 support (which is true: their website only lists OS 4.2 support). They could have also simply given me a pat answer on how they are 'working on it', as many companies do.

They did none of this - and were quite friendly in the process - for which some credit is due.

Respectfully,
Deacon Maurer

Sav · 02-04-2009, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by computerslayer

I wouldn't say I'm amazed or even impressed that they're standing behind their product. On the contrary: I was initially quite dismayed that they hadn't gotten the issue fixed already.

Nonetheless, they are working on the product and took responsibility for their lack. They could have easily argued that they didn't offer 4.5 support (which is true: their website only lists OS 4.2 support). They could have also simply given me a pat answer on how they are 'working on it', as many companies do.

They did none of this - and were quite friendly in the process - for which some credit is due.

Respectfully,
Deacon Maurer

Wow. Too bad all companies aren't like this...

stevetaz · 02-04-2009, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by computerslayer

I wouldn't say I'm amazed or even impressed that they're standing behind their product. On the contrary: I was initially quite dismayed that they hadn't gotten the issue fixed already.

Nonetheless, they are working on the product and took responsibility for their lack. They could have easily argued that they didn't offer 4.5 support (which is true: their website only lists OS 4.2 support). They could have also simply given me a pat answer on how they are 'working on it', as many companies do.

They did none of this - and were quite friendly in the process - for which some credit is due.

Respectfully,
Deacon Maurer

I am very glad to hear that a company actually did something that would cause a consumer to feel that the company did something right. This is becoming less and less prevalent and I fear as the economy worsens and layoffs grow it will become even more problematic.

I am especially pleased that you took the time to acknowledge their actions and also took the time to update the EB members.

Kudos to them and to you Deacon!

Now let's hope they do what was promised, but one step at a time....