Apple Addresses Battery Life Issues With Aluminum Wireless Keyboard Firmware Update 1.1

[MacRumors]

Apple yesterday released Aluminum Keyboard Firmware Update 1.1 for the 2007 model of its wireless keyboard, addressing both battery life issues when used with the company's new multi-touch Magic Mouse and an issue related to unexpected key repeating.

This firmware update improves battery performance of the 2007 aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard when used in combination with other bluetooth devices (eg. Magic Mouse, some bluetooth headsets) and addresses an issue with the 2007 aluminum Apple Keyboard and the 2007 aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard where a key may repeat unexpectedly while typing.

The update weighs in at 1.52 MB and requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.2. Additional information on the update is available in the associated support document.

Article Link: Apple Addresses Battery Life Issues With Aluminum Wireless Keyboard Firmware Update 1.1

 

[Pixellated]

Very glad about this, seeing as the batteries on my keyboard just died for the 3rd time this week thanks to the Magic mouse/ old alu kb combo.

 

[iZac]

Thank GOD!

This should be front page news!

 

[creator2456]

I ran the update and the version number stayed at 320, didn't change to 321.

My keyboard was also bricked. It won't stay on for more than 5 seconds after the update.

Tried different batteries and it does no good.

Too busy today to call Apple, but will be calling them tomorrow.

Not happy.

 

[mattwolfmatt]

I heard this was for 2007 KBs only, not 2009s, which also were having problems.

 

[Mr. McMac]

I ran the update and the version number stayed at 320, didn't change to 321.

My keyboard was also bricked. It won't stay on for more than 5 seconds after the update.

Tried different batteries and it does no good.

Too busy today to call Apple, but will be calling them tomorrow.

Not happy.

Damn that sucks big time! I just updated my 2007 version Aluminum KB with no issues so far. Hopefully it will correct the intermittent connection problem after my mac mini wakes up from sleep. It's been an issue ever since I upgraded to Snow Leopard.

 

[lOUDsCREAMEr]

still does not solve that damn bluetooth MS Intellipoint 7.X kernel panic

 

[HLX]

Good - I was just about to chuck the bloody thing in the bin! I should've realised my battery life really started to go downhill when I got the magic mouse...

 

[wolfshades]

I'm hopeful. Just bought a Magic Mouse and installed it last week. This week my keyboard lithium batteries died (three weeks after installing them).

 

[speedbumpnv]

my old apple wireless key board gets stuck on a single letter too. are we sure its just an issue with the new ones?

 

[coolfactor]

my old apple wireless key board gets stuck on a single letter too. are we sure its just an issue with the new ones?

The stuck key issue was for the older keyboard, not the newer.

From the article...

...and addresses an issue with the 2007 aluminum Apple Keyboard and the 2007 aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard where a key may repeat unexpectedly while typing

 

[stridemat]

I have been waiting for this for a long time. I can finally put my old logitech away

 

[50548]

I heard this was for 2007 KBs only, not 2009s, which also were having problems.

I don't have any issues with my wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse, but will apply it anyway...

Edit: Just did it, nothing specific to report.

 

[tbrinkma]

still does not solve that damn bluetooth MS Intellipoint 7.X kernel panic

Not sure why a firmware update for an Apple branded bluetooth keyboard should be expected to fix a problem with a MS branded device of any sort. You'll want to wait for an OS patch, or check for a firmware update for your device. (It'll probably have to come from MS though.)

 

[leonstafford]

Also rumored to be able to control the iPad with Al k/b after this update...








...maybe?

 

[SDub90]

Just had my keyboard and mouse replaced last week because they were inhaling batteries every other day.

Now I have a 2 battery keyboard instead of 3.

Perfect timing

 

[shaunymac]

Hmm, maybe I should hold on to my original wireless keyboard afterall? I am growing fond of the small aluminum one even though it lacks the number pad...

I think I recharge batteries on mine maybe once a month if not longer? for those interested in the old white ones.

 

[Michael73]

Where's the update that restores a number pad to my bluetooth keyboard???

 

[websyndicate]

And now my keyboard doesnt work. F**king POS never worked from day one anyways this just justifys me to never buy an apple keyboard.

 

[sepo01]

Keyboard update failed, now not recognized

So did the firmware update, remotely I might add, and it was not successful.

Now I see bluetooth not available on the 2007 MB. We reset the SMC still nothing.

Keyboard says it is connected but can not type.

Should have waited on this update but my Mom was having battery life issues and I thought this was the fix.

An ideas ?

 

[johny5]

About time, been waiting months for this.....

 

[SFStateStudent]

Glad I bought this AWK, just never used it. The batteries were dead this morning and I've used it once; this morning. Update went well and I'm looking forward to using it with my iSlate in March 2010....

 

[SFStateStudent]

So did the firmware update, remotely I might add, and it was not successful. Now I see bluetooth not available on the 2007 MB. We reset the SMC still nothing. Keyboard says it is connected but can not type. Should have waited on this update but my Mom was having battery life issues and I thought this was the fix. An ideas ?

I had to connect with my MBP then type in a password that was provided on my AWK. Connected then proceeded to complete the update. Restart and I was good to go. PM me if you need to...

 

[guzhogi]

This is one reason why I don't like wireless keyboards/mice. They go through batteries too quickly for me. I don't mind the wires. Plus, I like having a numeric pad.

Only way I could see myself getting a wireless mouse or keyboard is if there was an inductive pad I could put on my desk so I could power them without having to buy batteries all the time.

 

[SFStateStudent]

Only way I could see myself getting a wireless mouse or keyboard is if there was an inductive pad I could put on my desk so I could power them without having to buy batteries all the time.

Yeah, I hear ya' but I've gone to rechargeable batteries, especially the AA and AAA type....