Aug 26

Leather Case Turns iPad into Netbook

Posted in: Accessories and Peripherals, bluetooth, case, ipad, keyboard, Today's Chili

A new, soon to be released case for the iPad comes with a built-in Bluetooth keyboard that will effectively turn the tablet into a netbook. The leather folio-style case has an ingenious design that lets flips between three configurations. Closed; open with the iPad in normal, touch-screen use and open, propping up the iPad with the keyboard flat in front of it.

The keyboard itself is made of silicone and will therefore be squishy and very likely unresponsive. It has a home button along with all the media controls you’d expect, and will go into sleep mode to save batteries after ten minutes of non-use. The battery, must be charged separately from the iPad (although you can use your iPad’s charging cable to do it) and will give up to 45 hours of use on a charge.

It looks kind of neat, if you really want such a bulky thing. I prefer Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard as it is small enough to sling in your bag, but separate so I don’t have to carry it with the iPad all the time. In fact, I bought the Apple keyboard but almost never use it. Like Wired.com NY bureau chief John C Abell, I find I actually prefer typing on the iPad’s screen. The auto-correct along with the big keys means I actually type faster and more accurately on that than I do on a “real” keyboard.

Doubtless there are plenty who rightly disagree, and for them, this case exists. It’ll cost you sixty British Pounds Sterling ($93), or likely less when it makes its way to a US outlet.

KeyCase iPad Folio with Integrated Bluetooth Keyboard [Gearzap via Apple Insider]

See Also:

Follow us for real-time tech news: Charlie Sorrel and Gadget Lab on Twitter.


No Comments | Tags: , ,
Aug 24

KeyCase iPad Folio packs a Bluetooth keyboard, scores FCC approval

Posted in: Apple, bluetooth, ipad, keyboard, Today's Chili

It’s not the laptop-style ClamCase iPad case that we saw renders of way back in May, but this so-called KeyCase iPad Folio does manage to do a similar trick, and it’s thankfully very much real — it’s just landed FCC approval and is already listed at one online retailer (though it’s out of stock). The big selling point here, of course, is a Bluetooth keyboard that fits in the case and props up your iPad while in use, which can also be removed whenever you’re looking to lighten the load a little. Unfortunately, there’s still no official word on a widespread release for the case, but UK retailer GearZap has it listed at £60, or just over $90.

KeyCase iPad Folio packs a Bluetooth keyboard, scores FCC approval originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceGearZap, FCC  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: ,
Aug 23

TiVo Slide Remote Lightning Review: Entering Text Finally Doesn’t Suck [Review]

Posted in: keyboard, remote, review, tivo, Today's Chili, top

Anyone who’s tried to type on a TiVo—searching for YouTube, or viewing Netflix, or trying to find that show you want to record—knows it’s both tedious and rage-inducing. TiVo Slide fixes this problem, plus, it’s a better remote entirely. More »

No Comments
Aug 18

Razer BlackWidow Ultimate mechanical keyboard offers backlit, programmable keys

Posted in: gaming, keyboard, peripheral, razer, Today's Chili

There are mechanical keyboards, and then there’s Razer‘s newest duo. For the past three years, the gaming accessory company has been toiling in a back room trying to figure out how to really get mechanical keyboards right; according to it, the vast majority of the options today “feature stiff keys that cause key actuation fatigue,” and it has sought to remedy said issue with the BlackWidow and BlackWidow Ultimate. Launched today over at Gamescom, these two keyboards offer key actuation that feels much like a mouse click, with an actuation point that’s actually halfway through the full travel distance. The company claims that its power-packin’ pair has one of the lightest actuation forces for all keyboards, making it ideal for hardcore gamers who can’t be bothered with missing a single keystroke. The standard BlackWidow offers up fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording as well as five additional gaming keys, while the Ultimate edition adds individually backlit keys with five levels of lighting, 3.5mm audio and microphone out jacks as well as an additional USB port. Both ‘boards are due out next month for $79.99 / $129.99, respectively, and you can peek the full specs list in the press release just past the break.

Gallery: Razer BlackWidow and BlackWidow Ultimate keyboards

Continue reading Razer BlackWidow Ultimate mechanical keyboard offers backlit, programmable keys

Razer BlackWidow Ultimate mechanical keyboard offers backlit, programmable keys originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 18

EFOs Tiny Keyboard for Mobile Devices

Posted in: bluetooth, ipad, iPhone, keyboard, Miscellaneous Tech, Smartphones, Today's Chili, Wireless

comparison.jpgApparently the folks at EFO decided to defy conventional wisdom when designing their external board. Instead of a standard-size keyboard, the iPazzPort Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard is the size of a credit card.

Intended for the iPad, iPhone, other smartphones and mobile devices, the iPazzPort keyboard is a full QWERTY keyboard, with all the function keys, CTRL, ALT, DEL and multimedia keys (play, pause, next, previous, mute, and volume up and down). Resembling a BlackBerry keyboard (without the trackball), the keys are angled upward, toward the sides. The keyboard has a backlight for typing in dim lighting.

Since it’s both Bluetooth and wireless, you can use the keyboard without any unsightly cables snaking from your mobile device.

For smartphones with an on-screen keyboard and the iPad, this portable keyboard could make texting and taking notes less cumbersome. On the other hand, for mobile devices and smartphones that already have their own keyboards (like the BlackBerry and a number of HTC models), I am not sure where the value is. It can serve as a wireless remote control for those devices, but I wonder how many people are going around wishing, “Man, I wish I had a remote for my phone!”

It’s normally priced at $40, but EFO is currently offering an $8 discount (for a bargain of $32) for anyone who pre-orders the mini keyboard. Shipping is expected in early September.

No Comments | Tags: , ,
Aug 18

Logitech’s Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100

Posted in: keyboard, light, logitech, peripheral, Today's Chili, Wireless

It wasn’t too long ago that we were pondering the relative scarcity of backlit desktop keyboards, so let’s all warmly welcome a new entrant into this niche category. The K800 from Logitech picks up where the wired Illuminated Keyboard left off: it has the requisite inflated price, adjustable and intelligent illumination to please functionalists, and a dagger-like profile for aesthetes. Ambient light sensors will align the keyboard’s brightness to your environment, while proximity detectors will only flip the switch when your hands are in position to start writing. There’s also a Micro USB cable to refresh your battery when it starts running low — it’s rated for up to 10 days of wireless use — but whether this whole package of smart convenience is worth the $99.99 we’ll leave up to you. The K800 should be shipping out later this month, and you can find out more about it in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Logitech’s Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100

Logitech’s Wireless Illuminated K800 keyboard boasts ambient light and proximity sensors, costs $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceLogitech  | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Aug 16

Man attempts to turn MacBook Air into keyboard PC

Posted in: Apple, keyboard, macbook air, MacbookAir, mod, Today's Chili
The attempted revival of keyboard PCs may not have exactly caught on in a big way, but it looks like modder Bart Reardon is certainly a fan — so much so that he ripped apart a perfectly functional MacBook Air in an attempt to make his own. While he’s not quite finished yet, he has managed to get all the main components to fit under an Apple keyboard and Magic Trackpad, and he’s apparently almost ready to replace all the tape holding it together with something more permanent. Hit up the source link below for a look at the complete build process.

Man attempts to turn MacBook Air into keyboard PC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MacStories, Engadget Spanish  |  sourceMacBook Air Project  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 12

Logitech Introduces MK520 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Posted in: keyboard, logitech, mouse, Today's Chili, Wireless

Logitech Wireless Combo MK520If you’re looking for a stylish but feature-rich keyboard and mouse combo for home or the office that won’t look out of place in either,  the newly announced Logitech Wireless Combo MK520 may be for you. The MK520 is the latest in Logitech’s line of wireless keyboard and mouse combo packages, and features a full-sized media keyboard and number pad with the new low-profile, quiet keys that Logitech has been introducing on all of its keyboard models.

The included laser-mouse is dual-handed, and while it doesn’t include Logitech’s new Darkfield technology that allows you to track on mirrored surfaces and glass, it does track on just about any other surface. The MK520 also comes with Logitech’s Unifying Receiver, the 2.4GHz wireless receiver small enough to fit and stay in a USB port even if you have to move your computer. The Wireless Combo MK520 is scheduled for release later this month and will retail for $59.99 US.

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 12

Go Couch-Surfing with the Phantom Lapboard

Posted in: keyboard, mouse, Today's Chili

Phantom.jpg

No one has created the ideal living room keyboard and mouse yet, so maybe the Phantom Wireless Lapboard and the Phantom Wireless Laser Mouse are the devices we’ve been waiting for. The keyboard opens to reveal a hard mousing surface, and can sit at an adjustable angle of anywhere from 0 to 22 degrees.

The lapboard can also rotate in either direction for left- or right-handed users. It’s targeted as the ideal controller for whenever that Internet TV revolution finally happens. The lapboard and mouse are sold as a bundle for $129.99. The mouse is a three-button laser with scroll wheel, with 1200 dpi resolution. The lapboard is slim with scissor-type keycaps. Both devices communicate with 2.4GHz RF technology at a range of 30 feet and are available in black or white. For more on the pair, go to phantom.net.

No Comments | Tags:
Aug 10

Microsoft Research reveals RearType, puts QWERTY back where it belongs

Posted in: keyboard, Microsoft, peripheral, Peripherals, qwerty, Today's Chili

We’ve seen a few wacky split keyboards in our day, and even the occasional back-typing peripheral, but Microsoft Research has just congealed the core ideas into a why-didn’t-I-think-of-that device for mobile use. Dubbed RearType, the QWERTY solution literally sticks a three-row keyboard on the back of a tablet PC, allowing users to have the same physical sensation as on laptop or desktop without taking up valuable touchscreen real estate. While there’s still a few kinks to be worked out of the system (like how to set it down without triggering input) and no plans yet for commercial availability, a brief study showed users could attain 15WPM speeds on average with a single hour of training, and one participant managed to eke out a healthy 47WPM in the same timeframe. We imagine a certain Motorola device is feeling a mite jealous right about now. See the front of the (non-Microsoft) tablet right after the break, and read the full study at our more coverage link.

Continue reading Microsoft Research reveals RearType, puts QWERTY back where it belongs

Microsoft Research reveals RearType, puts QWERTY back where it belongs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceZDNet  | Email this | Comments

No Comments