Logitech Announces Solar-Powered iPad Keyboard Case

MacRumors · May 3, 2012

Logitech today announced the launch of its Solar Keyboard Folio, a folding case for the new iPad and iPad 2 that incorporates a solar-powered Bluetooth keyboard.

Similar to Logitech's solar keyboards for Mac and PC, the Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio includes onboard solar cells that charge the built-in Bluetooth keyboard in any light, whether indoors or outdoors. When fully charged, the battery lasts for up to two years, even in complete darkness (based on a average use of two hours per day).

Much like Apple's Smart Cover, the folio also folds to serve as a stand for the iPad, with two positions available: an upright orientation offering full access to the keyboard and a more reclined position that offers access to only the bottom row of the keyboard for media playback controls.

Logitech's Solar Keyboard Folio will carry a retail price of $129.99 and will launch in the United States and Europe later this month.

Article Link: Logitech Announces Solar-Powered iPad Keyboard Case

ikkejick · May 3, 2012

...Or you simply just could buy a Macbook Air. The solar powering is a nice idea, but I'll never understand people actually working with this kind of gadgets for iPad..

DaveN · May 3, 2012

I may just get one of them.

JustMartin · May 3, 2012

Now, if that could charge the iPad once the keyboard's fully charged, it would be really cool. Mind you, as a I sit here with the heating on and the rain coming down (again) in the great British May, I doubt that solar anything is going to be useful.

Grimace · May 3, 2012

Wait, if it last two years when fully charged, why not just ship it fully charged? Seems silly to have an expensive solar tech component when the battery lasts so long.

pauliaK · May 3, 2012

This is quite an expensive toy, though the idea is nice.

haruhiko · May 3, 2012

JustMartin said:
Now, if that could charge the iPad once the keyboard's fully charged, it would be really cool. Mind you, as a I sit here with the heating on and the rain coming down (again) in the great British May, I doubt that solar anything is going to be useful.

I'm not sure if such a small solar cell can output 10W of energy to charge the iPad. Otherwise your iPad will just show "Not charging" and continue to consume your battery.

BrassPro · May 3, 2012

haruhiko said:
I'm not sure if such a small solar cell can output 10W of energy to charge the iPad. Otherwise your iPad will just show "Not charging" and continue to consume your battery.

let's wait and see.

jclardy · May 3, 2012

JustMartin said:
Now, if that could charge the iPad once the keyboard's fully charged, it would be really cool. Mind you, as a I sit here with the heating on and the rain coming down (again) in the great British May, I doubt that solar anything is going to be useful.

Considering BT keyboards last two months on rechargeable AA batteries, the solar panel in this thing would probably not charge an iPad more than 5% if left in direct sunlight for a day. Especially not iPad 3 which takes around 4-5 hours to fully charge from a wall outlet.

This can charge off of any light, so indoor lighting will keep your keyboard charged even when raining.

ddauerbach · May 3, 2012

solar powered keyboard

I have their desktop version and it works just fine indoors. It's a good keyboard and simply never runs out of power. Ambient light is enough.

oheckyeah · May 3, 2012

JustMartin said:
Now, if that could charge the iPad once the keyboard's fully charged, it would be really cool. Mind you, as a I sit here with the heating on and the rain coming down (again) in the great British May, I doubt that solar anything is going to be useful.

ummm, it EXPLICITLY says you can use it indoors in the post. so it would work fine in your artificial light.

nagromme · May 3, 2012

My job regularly requires me to type in perpetual darkness for three years.

So close and yet so far, Logitech. I guess you dont want my business

camnchar · May 3, 2012

Want.

ivan2002 · May 3, 2012

ikkejick said:
...Or you simply just could buy a Macbook Air. The solar powering is a nice idea, but I'll never understand people actually working with this kind of gadgets for iPad..

For the millionth time: MBA != iPad + KB. I'm not even going to dignify that with an explanation.

A lot of people already use some sort of a case for iPad. Why is it so hard to understand the usefulness of it having a keyboard on which you can quickly and comfortably type a (lengthy) reply to an incoming (urgent) email, or do a (longer) IM session, or use any number of VPN apps to connect to a desktop or an MBP running back at home (or office) to complete some incoming task on it where you wouldn't have to lose the half of the screen to the on-screen keyboard.

japasneezemonk · May 3, 2012

Should this story really be in the front page?

Born Again · May 3, 2012

u know having a physical keyboard is overrated.

honestly never use my bluetooth keyboard with my ipad.

maybe if it was part of the case it would change

ibri · May 3, 2012

This seems like a story Logitech paid for. I would honestly have no problem if that was the case, provided it was made clear. Something along the lines of "sponsored story". It shouldn't be masquerading as something newsworthy.

pubwvj · May 3, 2012

Yeah!

Good news. All products should have cases that are solar electric collectors and thermal electric collectors (another form of 'light'). I have been wishing Apple would do this. Even if it isn't enough to power the device it could trickle charge so that when you don't have wall power your devices gradually regain their charge.

ericinboston · May 3, 2012

$130 for a keyboard?! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overpriced. Especially since a full charge lasts 2 YEARS! Why even make it solar then? Why not just charge it (which would be much faster than solar) once every 2 years via an AC power cord?

$50 and I would buy it. I might just start using the iPad to write longer and more emails.

Chupa Chupa · May 3, 2012

pauliaK said:
This is quite an expensive toy, though the idea is nice.

I think that is a bit overstated. IPad keyboard cases typically MSRP for $99. A $30 premium here for a keyboard that will never die at exactly the wrong moment isn't that outrageous or toy-like. Plus most $99 keyboard cases street for $60-75 so I suspect this will be discounted too after the early adopters dive in.

IJ Reilly · May 3, 2012

JustMartin said:
Now, if that could charge the iPad once the keyboard's fully charged, it would be really cool. Mind you, as a I sit here with the heating on and the rain coming down (again) in the great British May, I doubt that solar anything is going to be useful.

They need to come up with one that runs on moss for the folks in the UK.

----------

nagromme said:
My job regularly requires me to type in perpetual darkness for three years.

So close and yet so far, Logitech. I guess you dont want my business

So are you still working at the mushroom farm?

Confuzzzed · May 3, 2012

I have a generic aluminum body bluetooth keyboard (very pretty) that I bought for £10 and even comes with an on/off switch. If I have to buy batteries once every 4 months for it, I would have to use it for 7-8 years before I spend in consumables what I am expected to spend up front to buy this keyboard. Save your money and use common sense to spend it where it matters (not on bells and whistles!!).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Wireless-Keyboard-Ericsson-Blackberry/dp/B004J4B0MA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331898982&sr=1-1

G5isAlive · May 3, 2012

japasneezemonk said:
Should this story really be in the front page?

It beats reading yet another bit on some new plant Apple is going to build. At least this is something I can use if I wanted to.

farqueue · May 3, 2012

WTF is this crap?

A portable solar keyboard? So what?

Marcus-k · May 3, 2012

Confuzzzed said:
I have a generic aluminum body bluetooth keyboard (very pretty) that I bought for £10 and even comes with an on/off switch. If I have to buy batteries once every 4 months for it, I would have to use it for 7-8 years before I spend in consumables what I am expected to spend up front to buy this keyboard. Save your money and use common sense to spend it where it matters (not on bells and whistles!!).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-W...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331898982&sr=1-1

It's not supposed to save you money, but to save the environment from batteries.

Logitech Announces Solar-Powered iPad Keyboard Case

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