NEWS – Darnit, I was all excited when I first saw the pictures of ZAGG’s new Flex universal Bluetooth keyboard for iOS and Android devices. Can you guess from the picture above and the one below why I was excited about a Bluetooth keyboard that can be used with smartphones, tablets, and some smart TVs? No, it’s not the built-in stand, and no it’s not the backlit keys, which is actually a pretty nice feature.
The reason why I was excited is because the images of the Flex make the keyboard look like there’s a solid platform on the bottom of the keyboard and the stand. Why is that so exciting to me? Because a solid platform would mean that you could use the keyboard and your favorite device on your lap like a laptop which feeds into my long time unrealized dream of forcing an iOS or Android tablet to work as a pseudo-laptop – on my lap.
But then my dreams were shattered when I saw another image and realized that the ZAGG Flex keyboard is actually comprised of two separate parts. The keyboard and the stand. It even comes with an ultra-slim protective cover so you can store it in your bag or purse. Sniff… It still looks like a nice little keyboard. The ZAGG Flex universal keyboard is available now at ZAGG.com and select Verizon stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $79.99. For more information, visit ZAGG.com.
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NEWS – If you use your tablet every day as a laptop replacement as I do, then you know that it is important to have all of the right accessories to make the experience as comparable as possible. One of the accessories that I use every day is a case with a keyboard that connects to my iPad via the connection pins at the bottom of the iPad. While I really like my current keyboard and how it seamlessly integrates with my iPad, I am always interested in new products that offer such convenience.
Recently, ZAGG introduced the ZAGG Nomad Book. This is a case with a keyboard that has detachable bumpers on each side to allow the Nomad Book to fit most tablets up to 10.5 inches. The models of tablets include “the Apple® 10.5-inch iPad Pro®, Apple 9.7-inch iPad Pro, Apple 9.7-inch iPad® (2017-18 models), Apple iPad Air® 2, Apple iPad Air, Samsung® Galaxy Tab® S3, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2”.
The Nomad Book features multi-device pairing for increased productivity, four convenient modes (book, keyboard, case, and video) and the ability to easily adjust the screen angle, a rechargeable battery that lasts up to approximately 2 years between charges, and a sturdy reverse kickstand. It even includes a holder for your pen or stylus.
If you would like to purchase the ZAGG Nomad Book, it is available today at ZAGG.com for $99.99.
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Have you found yourself wanting to ditch your Macbook for the convenience of an iPad Pro but dread typing on a screen? Brydge might help you decide with their new 12.9 Series II Bluetooth keyboard. This keyboard gives you a MacBook-like experience you can’t get from any other iPad keyboard. When combined with the 12.9” iPad Pro, it creates a perfect balance between tablet and laptop, allowing you to be productive anytime… anywhere.
The 12.9” iPad Pro is Apple’s most powerful iPad—it’s more powerful than many PC Laptops. With the new Brydge 12.9, you can use the iPad Pro 12.9 like a laptop. Anywhere. Any how. Any time.
You can have a true typing experience with it’s aluminum body, full sized keyboard and beautiful 3-level LED backlit keys. The butterfly keyboard has only 1.5mm of travel for a smoother typing experience. Plus, no matter where you are or how dark it is, the Brydge 12.9 delivers the perfect typing experience in low light conditions.
The Series II now features longer battery life and faster connection, zero lag and greater security with Bluetooth 4.1. There’s an integrated iOS Battery Management for less power drain.
Why get an iPad and a Macbook when you can have the best of both worlds? The Brydge 12.9 gives you the functionality of the iPad in the body of a Macbook. It comes in either silver or space gray to perfectly match the iPad. It sells for $149.99 US and will ship in July 2018. Visit www.brydgekeyboards.com for more information.
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If you’ve ever tried typing a memo or a lengthy reply to an email on your smartphone, then you’ve probably experienced that frustration of cramped fingers, getting the cursor in the right position, or wrestling with highlighting a bit of text to copy. Logitech’s KEYS-TO-GO portable keyboard is a serviceable remedy that comes with a few small hurdles of its own.
What is it?
The Logitech KEYS-TO-GO is an ultra-light, super-portable standalone Bluetooth keyboard specifically made for mobile phones and tablets.
Hardware specs
Works with all Bluetooth-enabled devices
Height: 5.39 in (137 mm)
Width: 9.53 in (242 mm)
Depth: 0.24 in (6 mm)
Weight: 6.35 oz (180 g)
Powered by rechargeable battery, a single charge lasts up to 3 months (2 hours of typing per day)
Full-Size Keyboard with sealed edges
17 mm key pitch
Scissor Keys (1.2 mm key travel)
Keys wrapped in spill-proof, crumb-proof covering
Full row of iOS shortcut keys
What’s in the box?
KEYS-TO-GO Bluetooth keyboard
Attachable phone stand
USB micro adapter
Documentation
Comes with all you see here.
Design and Features
In my initial tests with the KEYS-TO-GO, my first thought was that it was going to take a lot of time to get used to typing on it. The overall size of the keyboard is maybe 85% of the Apple Magic Keyboard that I type on every day, which is admittedly already diminutive compared to many standard PC keyboards. But boy does that little bit make a big difference.
Setup
Pairing is as easy as any Bluetooth device. After the initial pairing, the KEYS-TO-GO connects automatically upon powering on. The indicator light emits a blue light while the Bluetooth is connecting (very brief) and changes over to bright green, indicating that it has a good charge. Then the light remains off until the batter button is pressed or the battery itself starts to get low. There is no key backlight or indicator that the caps lock is enabled.
The indicator light also glows while charging over the included USB micro adapter, and emits a slowly pulsing light.
Usage
First impressions of the key travel, which is arguably the most important aspect of any keyboard… it feels similar to the Apple iPad Smart Cover keyboard. There is a decent amount of separation between the individual keys, lessened by the tension of the rubber material stretched over all of the keys. You can feel the adjacent keys dip a little bit in response to the material being depressed next to those keys. For a touch typist like myself, it certainly doesn’t feel as “clean” as typing on a regular keyboard for that reason. It feels easy to accidentally press the key next to the one you were aiming for.
KEYS-TO-GO vs. my hand.
I’m getting used to it, and it’s certainly better than many travel keyboards I’ve tried in the past. And it’s practically silent.
Being used to Apple’s Magic Keyboard that they bundle with their iMacs or the keyboard they embed in their laptops, I’m accustomed to a low profile and low travel keyboard. The Logitech’s keys are slightly lower than any of those.
Apple Magic Keyboard vs. KEYS-TO-GO
The whole keyboard feels sort of “spongy.” The home row key bumps on the F and J keys are very prominent, so that serves to realign my hand after moving them off the keys or making a strange combination.
That said, it is very well suited for travel. You can throw it in any tote bag, backpack or purse. The keyboard itself is about as thick as a newer Kindle. Thinner than an iPad or iPhone. And it’s waterproof, save for the ports on the side, so spills are no problem.
I like the function keys at the top. It’s something I miss on my iPad Smart Cover’s keyboard.
KEYS-TO-GO vs. 12.9″ Apple iPad Pro and Smart Keyboard.
Those function keys are, from left to right: – home button – app switcher – search – keyboard language selector – software keyboard show/hide – screenshot button – media keys – volume keys – Bluetooth pairing – battery
There is also an odd function key that enables a handful of extra functions, such as hitting FN-C for copy and FN-V for paste, or FN-left or right arrow for highlighting the next word in either direction. And that’s it. I would have much rather that space be utilized to make the CMD key twice as wide as it is… like I’m used to on my other keyboards.
It’s worth noting there’s no escape key. But I suppose there are not a lot of mobile apps that utilize the escape key. Even Apple doesn’t have on on their iPad Smart Keyboard.
The battery life is advertised to last for months when averaging two hours a day of typing time. However, I found that two weeks at that same pace of roughly 2 hours a day seems to drain it enough to put it in the red. It’s possible that I could have left the keyboard in the on position overnight, or over a weekend… that certainly would have done it. I will have to do more testing to see if that was the case. Still, a few weeks of life without having to recharge is excellent.
The inclusion of an attachable phone stand with the KEYS-TO-GO really positions it as a mobile phone keyboard, and that makes a lot of sense. Even with an iPad or tablet, typing in landscape format is fairly serviceable for long-form emails and documents. However, it’s not so easy on an iPhone. Being able to pull this keyboard out of your backpack or purse at a coffee shop or bookstore sounds like a great proposition on paper.
As minimal a typing experience as you can get, an iPhone with a keyboard.
However, in practice, I’m having a hard time thinking of a time or place where I’d prefer typing on the tiny screen of my iPhone vs. a laptop or tablet. If you knew you needed to type out something lengthy, then you’d probably just take something more comfortable (i.e. a larger screen) to type on. The KEYS-TO-GO does pair well with a tablet, provided you have something to prop it up with.
You do need a flat surface in front of you. Trying to type with the KEYS-TO-GO on your lap, on an iPhone, is nearly impossible.
This rubberized coating can take some abuse, too.
This keyboard seems best suited for people who want to travel super light, as in just this small keyboard and their phone, which is certainly an idea I can get behind. If only this keyboard was a tiny bit larger, or my hands were a bit smaller. Personally, most of my bags are large enough to where I could carry around an additional Apple keyboard (which only costs $20 more, new) and use that exclusively with my phone rather than deal with to the differences in key travel and key size.
What I liked:
Ultra-lightweight and portable
Spill-resistant
Phone stand is nice
What needs to be improved:
The keyboard layout is just a little too cramped for my taste
For the price, there are many fuller-sized options
Final thoughts
The KEYS-TO-GO works well in a pinch, provided you have a nice surface in front of you to type on. I’m sure I could get used to typing on it, given time, but personally, there are better solutions for me that are within the price range. I can appreciate their vision of toting this keyboard to use with your always-on-you mobile phone, so it would be easy to recommend to someone who wants to travel light and still accomplish the goal of long-form typing on their phone.
Price: $69.99 Where to buy: You can pick up a KEYS-TO-GO Bluetooth Keyboard from Logitech’s website and Amazon in black, stone gray, blush pink or smoky blue. Source: The sample of this product was provided by Logitech.
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Keyboards, they come in many sizes and shapes, with endless features, but what do I really need in a keyboard? That was the question I was recently confronted with when I changed over to an iOS iOS only user. What I was looking for was a keyboard that was portable, Bluetooth, and rechargeable. I also needed a keyboard that would not break the bank. I found the Arteck HB030B Bluetooth Keyboard a multi-featured, affordable, portable keyboard.
What is it?
The Arteck HB030B Bluetooth Keyboard is a compact, rechargeable, backlit, Bluetooth keyboard, with multiple backlight color options and and two backlight brightness settings.
Hardware Specs
9.3” length
5.3” width
0.24 thick
0.37 pound
Lithium battery
What’s in the box?
Arteck HB030B Bluetooth Keyboard
Micro USB to USB cable
User manual
6 3M rubber feet dots
Design and features
The top view of the Arteck HB030B Bluetooth Keyboard shows the key layout, the on/off switch, the connect button, and the indicators LEDs (CAPS, Status, Charge, and Power).
Other than the Micro USB charging port on the right hand side of the keyboard there are no features on the front, back, sides and bottom of the Arteck HB030B Bluetooth Keyboard.
Two things you should notice in the above pictures. First is the backlit keys. The key colors that I can see are purple, turquoise, green, blue, red and light blue. I did notice another green in the rotation but I cannot tell if it is any different from the first green color. Along with the color options, you have two brightness levels for the backlit keys, as well as the ability to turn the backlight function off. The second item of note in the above picture is the key size on the keyboard. The keys are smaller than my Apple Magic keyboard and the reason why will be evident in the next picture. For me, the key size is not a major issue but for some, it may be.
As you can see from the above picture this keyboard is smaller than my 10.5” iPad Pro. This makes the Arteck HB030B Bluetooth Keyboard a perfect travel companion. The 500mA rechargeable Lithium battery means I should never be without a useable keyboard.
What I like
The keyboard is compact enough to be a great travel keyboard
The price of $19.99 on Amazon makes it a winner
The 24-month warranty is better than almost any of its competitors
Rechargeable battery
Metal construction
What needs to be improved
Not all of the iOS functions work
I could not use the keyboard while it was charging
The keyboard could use the ability to set the keyboard on an incline
Final thoughts
So, what do I think of the Arteck HB030B Bluetooth Keyboard? So far I think it is a winner. Size, price, and features all make this keyboard a favorite, and the two-year warranty doesn’t hurt. I will be honest though while researching this keyboard I did see some complaints about the keys coming off of the keyboard but the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon made me willing to take a risk on it (did I mention the two-year warranty?). Now, if you are a finicky typer this keyboard may not be for you, but if you can accommodate for smaller keys in a smaller footprint you may want to take the Arteck HB030B Bluetooth Keyboard for a spin.
Price: $19.99 Where to buy:Amazon Source: I bought this keyboard with my own money.
