12 May 2005
VKB Joins Symbian Platinum Program to Bring Virtual Keyboard Technology to Symbian OS Advanced Phone
VKB Inc, an intelligent optical interface and projection display technology company, announced today that it has joined the Symbian Platinum Program to support the growing market for smartphones based on Symbian OS(TM).
As a Platinum Partner, VKB is extending its virtual keyboard technology to the Symbian ecosystem. Symbian develops and licenses Symbian OS, the global industry standard operating system for smartphones, to the world's leading handset manufacturers, which account for over 80-percent of annual mobile phone sales worldwide.
The VKB technology provides an easy, intuitive way for users to input data and access the full functionality of increasingly advanced smartphones allowing Symbian OS to truly fly. By becoming a Symbian Platinum Partner, VKB ensures the close integration of its solutions (both embedded and licensed standalone accessory) with smartphones based on Symbian OS. The modular technology now looks set to be adopted and embedded by Symbian OS OEMs building on the success of the Bluetooth standalone accessory manufactured by i.Tech Dynamic Ltd (http://www.itechdynamic.com/).
 "As Symbian OS phones become more popular and increasingly deployed into the mass market, users look for added functionality," said Simon Garth, vice president, marketing for Symbian. "The virtual keyboard is an innovative projection and detection system that complements Symbian OS smartphones very well. We are pleased to have VKB join the Symbian Platinum Program and bring its projection and detection technology to the Symbian ecosystem."
"This partnership reflects our commitment to build on our mobile strategy; to bring convenient data input capabilities to mobile users whilst continuing to allow the OEMs flexibility in product design," said Jonathan Curtiss, CEO of VKB. "By becoming a Symbian Platinum Partner, we can further expand the reach of our virtual keyboard and strengthen our relationships with users, application developers, smartphone manufacturers and carriers/network operators."
VKB's mission is to create a new generation of high-performance, low-cost virtual interface solutions across a wide range of applications in the communications, computing, medical, automotive, industrial, defense and digital entertainment markets. It has developed proprietary optical technology, received its first major patent and has further patents pending. The initial products, the Virtual Keyboard and Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard, provide superior data input solutions that significantly enhance the usefulness of many wireless communications and computing devices.
BTVKB
a Real Taste of Virtual Reality!!
Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard is the world’s first wireless Virtual Keyboard that lifts wireless mobile communications to a new height.
 BTVKB is an enhanced version of the Virtual Keyboard (VKB). BTVKB is a smart, pocket-size device that projects a full-size keyboard through infrared technology onto any flat surface. Users could then type on the infrared images as if typing on conventional keyboards. Without the need of any wire connection, BTVKB provides unprecedented convenience and mobility to users.
BTVKB performs exactly like a real one. It projects a full-size keyboard through infrared technology onto any flat surface. Users can type on the infrared images as if typing on conventional keyboards, and each key press is even accompanied by the realistic tapping sound.
The BTVKB employs Version 1.1, Class 2 Bluetooth specifications, and has a battery capacity that can sustain more than two hours of continuous typing.
Manufactured by i.Tech Dynamic Limited (i.Tech), BTVKB is a smart, pocket-size device that projects a full-size keyboard onto a flat surface and connects to a variety of personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, laptop computers as well as personal computers. Without the need for any wire connection, BTVKB provides unprecedented convenience and mobility to users.
With a dimension of 90 millimetres in length, 34 millimetres in width and 24 millimetres in depth, BTVKB can be slipped into a pocket or handbag without being noticed. It enables users to type emails or long text messages with such ease as with a conventional keyboard wherever they are.
Ms Christina Teo, Global Vice President, Wireless Business Unit, TSR Silicon Resources (Asia) Pte Ltd, exclusive distributor of BTVKB in South Asia, said, "The BTVKB is launched during this festive season to meet the demands of the technology savvy and trendy gadget-seeking crowd. It is well-placed to change the way PDAs and Smartphones are used, exploiting the untapped computing potential of such mobile devices, as users will be able to work more effectively on the move."
About the Symbian Platinum Program
The Symbian Platinum Program includes companies that have a technology or strategic position that is key to the success of mobile computing technology surrounding Symbian OS. As part of the program, Platinum Partners benefit from a range of commercial services, including technical support and joint marketing opportunities as well as privileged access to Symbian OS source code and a dedicated Partner Support team. For more information please see www.symbian.com/partners/platinum.html.
About i.Tech Dynamic Limited
 i.Tech Dynamic Limited (i.Tech) was established in 2002 to respond to the burgeoning digital opportunity in the 21st century. Equipped with state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and backed by proven product innovation and development capabilities, i.Tech is able to produce cutting-edge turnkey solutions for the mobile communications marketplace.
With a focus on the production and distribution of mobile companion products and solutions, i.Tech aims to create iconic and innovative devices that wow the market and appeal to consumers through user-friendly interfaces that simplify operation.
i.Tech is the technology division of Hutchison Harbour Ring Limited, an established world leader in toys, electronics and premium products manufacturing. HHR, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code 715), is a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL). HWL is part of Li Ka-Shing group of companies.
About VKB Inc.
VKB Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in August 2000 with R&D facilities in Jerusalem, Israel. VKB develops innovative virtual interfaces that can be used with cellular phones, PDAs, PCs/notebooks, information appliances, consumer electronic products and other devices. VKB’s proprietary chipset and optical components are designed to serve as a core platform for integration into specific products by OEMs. The aim is to establish the standard for virtual interfaces across a wide variety of products. For more details, please visit http://www.vkb.co.il/.
Sources:
Symbian
Hardwarezone
Davesipaq
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