Apple Announces Redesigned Magic Keyboard for iPad Air

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced a completely redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory for the iPad Air.

The new keyboard features a larger built-in trackpad, a 14-key function row, and a new aluminum hinge. From Apple's press release:

The all-new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air expands what users can do at an even lower price. The larger built-in trackpad brings greater precision for detail-oriented tasks, and a new 14-key function row allows easy access to features like screen brightness and volume controls. The new Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth; a machined aluminum hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging. Now starting at just $269 for the 11-inch model and $319 for the 13-inch model, the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air features the magical floating design customers love and comes in white.

It is compatible with all iPad Air models from the fourth-generation onwards. The new keyboard is more in-line with the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro that was introduced alongside the M4 models last year, although it still lacks an aluminum top case, backlighting, and haptic feedback.

The new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air is only available in white. The 11-inch version is priced at $269 and the 13-inch version costs $319.

Article Link: Apple Announces Redesigned Magic Keyboard for iPad Air

 

[brofkand]

Pricing is insane on these things in my opinion.

 

[spaxxedout]

Apple blog editors this morning after having to toss the M4 MacBook Air articles they wrote the night before.

 

[Rychiar]

imagine spending all this money on your iPad Air lol. just buy a pro or get a MacBook Air

 

[Chancha]

The Magic KB of my M1 iPad Pro 13" is actually quite worn, I'd have liked to get this as a replacement since now there is the function row as a bonus. Wonder why it is no compatible to the M1/M2 iPad Pros.

 

[brofkand]

Apple blog editors this morning after having to toss the M4 MacBook Air articles they wrote the night before.

View attachment 2488233

Wouldn't be surprised if we still see the M4 Air very soon.

 

[TechRunner]

Is the cursor for touchpad use on iPads still that largish circle? That was one of the things about using a touchpad with an iPad that felt weird to me.

 

[thefrost]

As expensive as always.

 

[brofkand]

The Magic KB of my M1 iPad Pro 13" is actually quite worn, I'd have liked to get this as a replacement since now there is the function row as a bonus. Wonder why it is no compatible to the M1/M2 iPad Pros.

The camera array is totally different on the Pros. This new keyboard has a cut-out for the single camera of the iPad Air.

 

[Cervisia]

Why the promo pic is a sketch of xi jiping?

 

[Spock]

imagine spending all this money on your iPad Air lol. just buy a pro or get a MacBook Air

The iPad Pro is $400 more, same with the MacBook Air. Imagine saving $400...

 

[Spike1999]

Wouldn't be surprised if we still see the M4 Air very soon.

hmm maybe the end of this month.

 

[Rychiar]

The iPad Pro is $400 more, same with the MacBook Air. Imagine saving $400.

imagine saving that just to waste almost as much on a silly keyboard lol

 

[anshuvorty]

Still no macOS dual boot option....makes no sense to have the keyboard accessory without the use of macOS!!!

 

[satchmo]

$300 for a keyboard without backlighting is insane.

 

[AngstyKylo]

Pricing is insane on these things in my opinion.

A few hundred more and you can just get a M-series macbook in great condition.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I could get the Logitech Combo Touch for US$90 less for the 13" version.

 

[Aeronauts]

I don’t want a white keyboard. They always look dirty.

 

[JGIGS]

"Now starting at just $269 for the 11-inch model and $319 for the 13-inch mode"

"JUST" Ya, they are practically giving them away.

 

[bookcase]

"it still lacks an aluminum top case, backlighting, and haptic feedback." My current magic keyboard is backlit.

 

[tomtad]

Finally the camera cut out fits properly! The previous one which had the larger cut out clearly meant for the Pro annoyed the hell out of me and was clearly just trying to get rid of old stock while charging full price. Tim, you have to love him.

This is looking potentially a bit rock-tastic with the metal hinge not sitting flush with the table. There's a similar design flaw with the Pro Magic Keyboard and with the Air being thicker/heavier than the Pro I can only imagine this issue will be exacerbated. I really hope this isn't the case.

 

[tomtad]

"it still lacks an aluminum top case, backlighting, and haptic feedback." My current magic keyboard is backlit.

Bloody hell, they've actually taken away the backlighting!!

This is actually quite a significant downgrade from what we previously had for a very similar price.

 

[anshuvorty]

The idea is that the white color is supposed to provide the "brightness" that you need to type in the dark or in low light condition, hence why there is no "black" color option on this new keyboard...

 

[thope]

The Magic KB of my M1 iPad Pro 13" is actually quite worn, I'd have liked to get this as a replacement since now there is the function row as a bonus. Wonder why it is no compatible to the M1/M2 iPad Pros.

meh. no backlit is a trade-off.

 

[vbctv]

The Magic KB of my M1 iPad Pro 13" is actually quite worn, I'd have liked to get this as a replacement since now there is the function row as a bonus. Wonder why it is no compatible to the M1/M2 iPad Pros.

Because of the camera cutout, it has the small cutout and the M1/M2 iPad Pro's need a double size camera cutout.