Adding BlackBerry-Style Keys to Your iPhone Just Got More Affordable

[MacRumors]

Keyboard manufacturer Akko has just launched an iPhone keyboard case called MetaKey, proving that BlackBerry nostalgia is alive, well, and willing to add inches to your smartphone's length.

Like Clicks' cases, the MetaKey case connects via USB-C and adds a QWERTY keyboard to the bottom of the iPhone. However, priced at $59.99, it's half the cost of the Clicks keyboard case, which launched in January 2024 at $139.

The case features backlit keys and includes shortcuts for common tasks like accessing Siri, triggering voice-to-text, and entering numbers. There's also a unique scrolling mode that converts the top two rows of keys into large scroll buttons for browsing social media.

One of the practical challenges of these sort of keyboard cases is that they can be top-heavy. To address this, the MetaKey includes a removable 9-gram weight that attaches to the back of the keyboard to improve balance while typing.

MagSafe-compatible and with a USB-C passthrough port for charging, the MetaKey is currently available for the iPhone 16 Pro Max in black, white, and pink. An iPhone 17 Pro Max version is also available in black, orange, pink, blue, lavender, sage, and white, though some of these are currently out of stock.

For what it's worth, Clicks recently launched similar cases for iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro starting at $139, with a 17 Pro Max version at $159.

The physical keyboard case category is undoubtedly niche, but the MetaKey's lower price might appeal if you want to try out the concept without committing to Clicks' premium pricing.

Article Link: Adding BlackBerry-Style Keys to Your iPhone Just Got More Affordable

 

[surfzen21]

Every time I think this nightmare is finally over. Here we go again!😭🤡

 

[Apple-achian]

This is an infringement on the design philosophy of Apple and should be banned.

 

[Mac Overdose]

It is about time! I hate using the virtual keypads on any modern phone. Not only do I want back my old Mtv, I also want back my old Nokia phone.

 

[HouseLannister]

My phone is already too heavy. Adding a counter-weight is nice for balance, but we have just exceeded the length and weight that a phone should be by too much. If you miss physical keyboards, buy a Unihertz Titan 2 over this any day.

 

[cocky jeremy]

I'm sure there are at least 6-7 people waiting to buy something like this. What a useless waste of time and energy to design and manufacture something like this.

 

[aperfectcircle]

I'm sure there are at least 6-7 people waiting to buy something like this. What a useless waste of time and energy to design and manufacture something like this.

It is a bit bloody ridiculous isn’t it, but there must be enough people out there to make it worthwhile. Somehow I think I’m highly unlikely to ever see one of these cases in the wild.

 

[Hajj.david]

There needs to be a review comparing the two. Keyboard feel is a massive factor.

I'm sure there are at least 6-7 people waiting to buy something like this. What a useless waste of time and energy to design and manufacture something like this.

If I was regularly working from the field I would use this, I often have to type out long reports, thankfully my iPad with the keyboard is portable enough for me to comfortable do so. The problem with clicks and this company is they never support the phone I have, this year its the Air and neither of them make it lol.

 

[mk313]

While it might not fit everyone's needs, I'd buy one in a minute if they made one that fit my phone. There are certain times at work when I have to use the phone to reply to emails & Teams messages extensively. It's not super frequent, but during those times, having a physical keyboard would be amazing. And then for the other 95% of the time when I don't need it, I could just remove the cover.

 

[Radeon85]

That looks like a pain in the ass to type on, far quicker to use the on-screen keyboard or use dictation, which actually works pretty well.

 

[iMac The Knife]

If I ever see one of the 3 people using one of these in public, they are in for it big time! 😂 I kid, I kid...

 

[Arran]

It’s good they got the price down, but you’ll still need deep pockets (to keep it hidden)

 

[Hajj.david]

While it might not fit everyone's needs, I'd buy one in a minute if they made one that fit my phone. There are certain times at work when I have to use the phone to reply to emails & Teams messages extensively. It's not super frequent, but during those times, having a physical keyboard would be amazing. And then for the other 95% of the time when I don't need it, I could just remove the cover.

Exactly my use case as well

That looks like a pain in the ass to type on, far quicker to use the on-screen keyboard or use dictation, which actually works pretty well.

Please I can only handle so much sarcasm. That being said on screen keyboard with Apple Intelligence to fix errors is a solid combo.

 

[joshwithachance]

Tried out the Clicks keyboard... Hated it. The modern smartphone experience just doesn't complement, or benefit from, a physical keyboard imo.

 

[Arran]

That looks like a pain in the ass to type on, far quicker to use the on-screen keyboard or use dictation, which actually works pretty well.

Yeah I imagine it’s going to feel pretty top-heavy / unwieldy when typing.

 

[Stenik]

It's useless for people who type in other languages.

 

[boswald]

I get nostalgia, but not everything has to be brought back.

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

Having just watched the Blackberry movie, I find this product especially amusing.

 

[StuBeck]

Not sure why people care so much about something they don't want. If someone else uses this, how does it hurt you?

 

[the 12th Doctor]

I can’t say for sure because I don’t have experience with it. I can only speculate but wouldn’t that be top heavy?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

That looks like a pain in the ass to type on, far quicker to use the on-screen keyboard or use dictation, which actually works pretty well.

I work in healthcare and for that, dictation is garbage. Neither it, nor autocorrect, can even somewhat deal with medication names and clinical terms.

That said, this does look like a PIA; plus my work phone is an SE 2022, and soon to be the 16e, so no chance of this supporting it.

 

[Arran]

Not sure why people care so much about something they don't want. If someone else uses this, how does it hurt you?

Comments that just say “it’s bad” without any reason can - and should - be ignored. A bot could do better.

Having said that, critical but unreasoned comments can still serve a purpose. Maybe the poster wants to get it on record that they don’t want to be gifted that monstrosity? You know, just to be safe.

 

[DougieS]

Comments that just say “it’s bad” without any reason can - and should - be ignored. A bot could do better.

Having said that, critical but unreasoned comments can still serve a purpose. Maybe the poster wants to get it on record that they don’t want to be gifted that monstrosity? You know, just to be safe.

Or e-waste concerns

 

[StuBeck]

Comments that just say “it’s bad” without any reason can - and should - be ignored. A bot could do better.

Having said that, critical but unreasoned comments can still serve a purpose. Maybe the poster wants to get it on record that they don’t want to be gifted that monstrosity? You know, just to be safe.

Ahh yes, I do often look at MacRumors forums to see what I should buy loved ones

 

[Hajj.david]

I work in healthcare and for that, dictation is garbage. Neither it, nor autocorrect, can even somewhat deal with medication names and clinical terms.

That said, this does look like a PIA; plus my work phone is an SE 2022, and soon to be the 16e, so no chance of this supporting it.

Yea for our app we implemented a Whisper model trained on medical terms, its not perfect but its mountains better then the built in dictation to the extent that most of our medical clients are now using the dictation full time.