HomeCookedArt Studio – with Sam Crowe
PRODUCT – AJAZZ 308i Bluetooth Retro Keyboard
ITS ARRIVED!!!
I am so excited. My Portable Microsoft Keyboard has served me well over the last few years, but the keys were beginning to stick. So I pondered over weather I should replace it or not.
Reasons to replace my keyboard :-
– It’s getting old and the Key’s were sticking.
– It’s getting old and I am getting bored with it.
– My Kids have got “Clacky” keyboards and as I am a Touch Typist, I was slightly jealous of them.
– Bluetooth keyboards have come such a long way over the years it would be a shame to only ever stick with one!
Reasons NOT to replace my old keyboard :-
– I can’t think of one?
Well, I have so much to say about this keyboard!!
Firstly, it feels like a lovely chunky typewriter keyboard, or maybe like an original VDU keyboard. It’s back to the keys I used to work on back in the 80’s and 90’s so it will take a little time to get used to it again. I have, after-all been working on a keypad that is only two thirds of the size of this one and before that I was working on an IPad screen keypad, and a tiny phone keypad! I can learn to spread my fingers out a little more again.
Yep this keyboard is larger than the one I am used to now. It won’t be long though before I am used to this one again. It’s like the saying about riding a bike, you never forget how to type even if you do make a few mistakes here and there. It’s easy to correct these days anyway because we now have two types of technology to help us, or is it three? Not only do you have the lovely keyboard with all the original VDU and Typewriter keys and features, but you also have the iPad accessibility and Microsoft Word productivity which has now been renewed for iPad and Blogging use too. With all these technologies thrown in to work together you probably have the best Keyboards you could every dream of or could have foreseen?
Now using this, and it has only been for about 10 minutes at this point, but the difference just between this and my old Microsoft keyboard is unbelievable. I feel like I have just stepped out of the dark ages and found technology all over again. However, in fact, it is the opposite way round because here I am back on a Retro style keyboard again!
I thought I would be talking about the beautiful colours and the clacking of the keys, not to mention the beautiful black surround holding it all together. But no, in just a short space of time I am amazed at the difference in the things I can do with this keyboard compared to my old one. Having said that, it is beautiful to look at too and that is what initially drew me to it. The only thing that slowed down my choice was the fact that I couldn’t find out if it was compatible with an IPad, well I can tell you now, it is!
I am making a little video at the moment while I type this because I know that people like to see people typing on these clacky keyboards. It feels slightly naughty to sit typing knowing that people may be watching, but I have watched these videos too so I know what the draw to them is. Is it weird? Mmm maybe a bit, but I was watching them to get information. The clacky typing just brought back memories of old jobs etc. Nostalgia is how I would explain it all.
Have you noticed that no matter how much technology moves on we still keep going back to the originals. The clacky Keyboards, the vinyl records, Yorkshire Puddings for Starters and the “White Christmas” Movie in December, even the Mini saw a revival several years ago (the cars not the skirts). The advancement of Technology can be so exciting to watch and be part of but it doesn’t always have the hands on experience that we took pleasure in on the old typewriters or the early VDU Keyboards – which have made a comeback too by the way.
Isn’t’ it funny though, when I was a kid and before I taught myself to Touch Type at the age of 13, I used to sit and marvel at the screens and technology shown in Star Trek (the original and best). It was such an exciting programme at the time because it was so futuristic with regard to technology possibilities. I always wanted one of those “Beam me up Scotty” watches and here I am wearing my Apple Watch and getting excited about typing on a Retro Style typewriter.
Oops, did I actually call it a Typewriter? It feels like one, I meant keyboard. Actually no, not sure it does feel like a Typewriter, much as I love them they do actually take quite an effort to use, maybe its really the Electic Typewriters and early VDU Keyboards that this product actually has the feel of. It’s easy to press these lovely keys, and doesn’t feel like an effort at all. If I make a mistake I can tap on the screen of my IPad with my finger or Apple Pencil to highlight and press delete on the keyboard. See, so many technologies helping each other out, but still they can all work independently of each other.
Ritters, were the typewriters that were invented with Writers and Journalists in mind. They were actually called Travel Ritter and Travel Ritter Delux. They were among, or correct me if I am wrong, I think they were THE original portable typewriters that were commercially successful. The keys on these were more boxed off and easier to press, maybe this is where the advancement of keyboards began too? Well this is what I feel like I am typing on right now, the lovely Ritter Traveller, except it isn’t that at all, its this lovely AJAZZ 308i Keyboard. With all the skills of the old and all the skills and compatibility of the new.
They do say the Blick’s were the first portable typewriters back in the 1800’s, but define the word Portable!!
I have a couple of Typewriters myself, maybe I will show them to you in another post.
If you are/were watching the video that goes along with this Vlog, this is what I was typing as I made the Video. The longer I type on this beautiful keyboard the more stories I want to tell. I feel like a Typist again and I always did enjoy that feeling.
Well I hope you enjoyed my review. Please follow my Blog/Vlog if you would like to see more. Very soon there will also be a video to go along with this review on my Youtube Chanel. I have placed a link here at the end of this Blog, I will upload the video as soon as it is ready.
Oh I forgot to tell you, it only cost $25 on Amazon – Mmmm and its an American Keyboard because there isn’t a Pound sign, so thats 25 pounds not Dollar’s is what this little beauty cost me, doesn’t come cheaper than that does it?? I will definitely have to get the matching number pad now, hope that has a Pound Sign on it!!
Here is my YouTube Link
By for now
Sam Crowe
HomeCookedArt.Studio by Sam Crowe 