VisionTek CandyBoard Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard

Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices

Written by Olin Coles

Saturday, 15 January 2011

Table of Contents: Page Index
VisionTek CandyBoard Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
Closer Look: VisionTek CandyBoard
VisionTek 900335 Detailed Features
Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Page 1 of 4

VisionTek CandyBoard 900335 Bluetooth Keyboard Review

Wireless Bluetooth mini-keyboard delivers big performance in a small package

My entertainment room doesn't have a lot of table space, so I try to limit the number of remote controls and media center keyboards used to managed the home theater. My Sony PlayStation 3 has a remote for when I play Blu-ray discs, and the HTPC uses a media center keyboard. While each of these peripherals serves its own purpose, I've always thought it would be nice to have something that combined them into one small device. As if someone knew exactly what I wanted, the VisionTek CandyBoard 900335 Bluetooth mini keyboard materialized into what might possibly be the perfect solution. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests this Bluetooth mini-keyboard for range and performance on both PC and PS3 systems.

My initial interest in the VisionTek CandyBoard came from its petite size, and its ability to transmit wirelessly over the Bluetooth network. Knowing that my Sony PlayStation 3 had its own built-in BT receiver, I wasn't expecting to use the included USB button receiver. Then it occurred to me that I could replace the large wireless media center keyboard on my nearby Home Theater PC (HTPC), and use the Bluetooth receiver there. It turned out to be the perfect solution for my needs: one device to control two (or more) platforms.

VisionTek CandyBoard 900335 (Actual Size)

The VisionTek CANDYBOARD 900335 is a mini keyboard with an embedded USB Bluetooth dongle that looks just slightly bigger than a candy bar. Bluetooth connectivity makes the CANDYBOARD an ideal external keyboard for Apple Mac's and PC's as well as iPhones, iPads, and most other smart phones and tablet devices. It features 69 keys in QWERTY layout, offers a "capacitive-sensing" touch pad that's comparable to a real notebook touch pad, and has gaming-oriented navigation keys designed to be used as joystick controls. There are 26 LED's to use in low-light environments and Windows Media compatibility.

EDITOR'S NOTE: VisionTek also offers a non-Bluetooth version of the CandyBoard, which operates over RF (radio frequency). The RF version suffers from shorter range, but it is very similar to this Bluetooth version.

VT2012 Specifications

System Requirements:

Bluetooth-enabled PC running Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, or XP
Bluetooth-enabled Apple Macintosh computer running Mac OS 10.2.8 or later

Mobile Requirements:

Google Android System
Apple iOS
Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 or newer
Nokia Symbian S60 System

Dimensions:

5.8" x 2.25" x .25" (151mm x 59mm x 12.5mm)

Manufacturer: VisionTek, Inc.
Product Name: CandyBoard Bluetooth Mini Keyboard
Model Number: 900335 VT2012
Price As Tested: $64.50 (Amazon) or $69.99 (Newegg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by VisionTek.

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Comments

# thanks! — eric 2011-01-17 10:42

this is great to know! i was wondering about this device, but wasn't sure if it was worth it!

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# Switching between multiple devices? — IM0001 2011-01-18 16:14

I may have glanced over this in you review but when using the keyboard with multiple devices, can you switch between which device it was controlling at a time easily or did you have to manually connect/disconnect when switching devices?

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# RE: Switching between multiple devices? — Olin Coles 2011-01-18 16:22

In my situation none of the devices are on at the same time; it's either the PS3, HTPC, notebook, or something else.

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# Pairs with iPhone 4 but can't "send" texts — Noogies 2011-04-21 20:34

The Candyboard Keyboard pairs easily with an iPhone 4, and makes entering text easy, but you need to use the "Send" button on the iPhone to transmit your SMS message. The enter key acted as a "new line" key only.

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# Works with Android 2.2+ — Marc schlenker 2011-10-26 00:32

I use mine with my Motorola Atrix, PS3 and Laptop.

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# Great concept — Rich 2011-11-26 18:33

I had a Lenovo N5901 but the mouse buttons weren't the greatest so decided to get this one. Works great when it does work seems to get locked up. I am using it with a win7 running XBMC. Don't know if it is just mine or what.

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# pairing code — Judy1686 2011-11-27 08:10

I can't figure out the pairing code to use. I got it paired beautifully with my Playbook, but can't seem to get my Torch paired, what is the code again???????

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# RE: pairing code — Olin Coles 2011-11-27 08:17

From the article: search for Bluetooth device on your computer or mobile phone, press the 'Bluetooth Pairing' button on the CandyBoard (top left button), and type in the security code to confirm. This random code is generated by the phone/device, and changes every time.

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# RE: VisionTek CandyBoard Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard — Judy1686 2011-11-27 08:35

Thanks, doing that and it doesn't give me the random code, not sure what is different from when I paired the Playbook so easily. I have been looking to see if the Torch needs some settng adjusted? Does it work with the Torch? If you know that for sure then I won't give up hope and try to figure this out.

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# RE: RE: VisionTek CandyBoard Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard — Olin Coles 2011-11-27 08:39

I don't have the instruction manual handy, but there could be a generic code listed in there. I am unable to confirm it works with Torch, as I don't have a test sample available to me.

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# RE: RE: RE: VisionTek CandyBoard Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard — judy1686 2011-11-27 09:02

I figured out the code is 0000 but for some reason I get message unable to pair do you want to try again. I have tries several times, I turned off the wifi as I find that helps with the playbook sometimes when trying to connect

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# candy board — frank 2013-12-31 15:52

Will the bluetooth candyboard work with the pivos xios ds media player? And if so how? Thanks

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# RE: candy board — Olin Coles 2014-01-01 09:14

Yes, it should. You would need to assign the control within Android's settings.

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