Apple Updates Universal Dock, Discontinues Compact Wired Keyboard

[nathbeadle]

they dont support the current nano with it already but an old one?!

I'm going to guess that since the nano has a flat bottom with the clip on the back, it's perfectly fine standing on it's own... all the other iPods are way taller than wider so they need a snug fit to ensure the connector doesn't get bent as the iPod leans.

The new nano is just as tall as wide and has some depth, doesn't need anything.

 

[shartypants]

Pretty expensive for a dock.

 

[John.B]

No dock adapters for the 6th Gen nano? What am I missing here?

 

[Macmaniac]

I can see why they got rid of the USB power brick with the component and composite cables. It was a 5W adapter, which is not enough for the iPad. Since many people were also buying these cables for iPads it would seem silly to have a power adapter included that was not to Spec.

 

[Analog Kid]

Now, I just wish they would make a dock insert that would fit the iPhone4 with a bumper!

I just came to check if this comment had been made, and sure enough-- it was the first one!

Really annoying that you pretty much need a bumper to overcome the antenna issue, but can't use the bumper with the dock. I've got an iPhone4 specific dock (not the universal, because my universal complained it wasn't made for the iPhone every time I plugged it in) and the phone won't fit with the bumper on it, and even without the bumper I need two hands to take the phone because the dock is so light...

 

[JAT]

no support for 6th gen nano + no support for iphone + bumper = no sale for me.

Does it not fit sideways? I don't even change my dock for our 5G Nano, it weighs so little I just let the connector hold it up. No problems.

Actually, come to think of it, most of the current devices have the same distance from connector to the back of the unit. Meaning you can double-up on some of the inserts. I haven't tried them all, though.

>implying the apple key and command key are not the same.

He meant Apple-specific keys, like Command. But the Windows key on other keyboards functions as the Apple Command key, so no big deal, really.

I don't really see the point of a wireless keyboard, I mean you aren't really going to ever move it are you? Sure, it looks better, but is it worth having to replace batteries all the time (don't know how often though)? A wireless mouse is okay because the wire can be annoying, but even with a mouse it's a pain to replace the batteries.

Unless these devices lasted 6 months at least or even a year on batteries, I think the advantage isn't that big (even less with a keyboard).

Mine is in my living room, the computer shut up in a cabinet. Must have wireless. Although we occasionally plug in a wired gaming mouse for some games, but it's awkward to find a place to use it. I should probably get a USB extension for it.

 

[spillproof]

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I want a black keyed, backlight, bluetooth and usb/wall optional powered keyboard. I'd pay up to $100.

 

[zorinlynx]

I also think that their physical design is not good for fast typing. Natural keyboards are the best choice when you're a fast ten fingers typist, and for the "raw" feeling, still nothing beats the good old IBM keyboards.

I agree completely.

http://zorin.org/share/m-macs.jpg

Yes, TWO of them. I prefer the IBM keyboard over my 2010 Macbook Pro's own.

In fact, a while back:

Coworker: Why do you use such OLD keyboards?
Me: Have you tried typing on them? Try.
Coworker: *types* Good point.

 

[JAT]

You can add a number pad to your apple wireless keyboard.

Wow. Count me in if it actually stays together. Although I'd still prefer the real things. Part of it is the stupid, tiny arrow keys on small Apple keyboards. I want the full size versions that extended keyboards use.

 

[JAT]

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I want a black keyed, backlight, bluetooth and usb/wall optional powered keyboard. I'd pay up to $100.

There was one fully-backlit wireless keyboard, although probably proprietary RF, not BT. Microsoft, $300 for a mouse/keyboard set. Discontinued. I forget the model number/name.

I agree completely.

http://zorin.org/share/m-macs.jpg

Yes, TWO of them. I prefer the IBM keyboard over my 2010 Macbook Pro's own.

In fact, a while back:

Coworker: Why do you use such OLD keyboards?
Me: Have you tried typing on them? Try.
Coworker: *types* Good point.

You just need one with mechanical switches. This was the cheapest, good quality, though. Newegg no longer carries it, wonder if it is discontinued? There are others. Search for ALPS keyboard or mechanical keyboard.

 

[talmy]

Apple used to have a wireless (Bluetooth) keyboard with numeric keypad. White plastic. I got one with an iMac 4 years ago. I can only guess there wasn't enough demand because they never made an aluminum version. At any rate it was a terrible keyboard.

I've got all three combinations of aluminum keyboards. I don't use the numeric pad and enjoy the smaller sized keyboards, although I miss having a separate delete key.

Windows keyboards have a Windows key that produces the same keycode as the Command/Apple key. However, generally you don't even need that. I use a 21 year old Northgate Omnikey/102 keyboard on my iMac that predates Windows keys and it works just fine (and has a fantastic keyboard feel as well). I just configure the Caps Lock key (which is where the Command key is on an Apple keyboard) to act as a Command key.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I didn't know that they had the wired compact keyboard. I need a couple of them too. Bummer...

It would fit perfectly in a computer rack...

 

[Bodypainter]

what is apples problem with offering 2 keyboards (with or without numberkeys) in two different versions (wireless or with cable)?

why does apple not give us choices and instead, we have to (again) be forced to waste batteries if we want a small keyboard?

i'd even say that apple should offer the small keyboard with black keys too, as these things are a question of taste and the mac book pro is also shipped with a black keyboard...

 

[newagemac]

I agree. It's silly to complain about something so trivial, but it's a bit of a pain to take off the bumper and put it back on throughout the day, and it seems simple and cheap for them to include that one extra plastic fitting for a protective case made by Apple and - to an extent - pushed by Apple.

But again, it's not the end of the world. I like the universal dock otherwise.

I heard the iPhone 4 with a bumper case actually works with the universal dock if you don't use any of the adapters. Isn't that true?

 

[BC2009]

I can see why they got rid of the USB power brick with the component and composite cables. It was a 5W adapter, which is not enough for the iPad. Since many people were also buying these cables for iPads it would seem silly to have a power adapter included that was not to Spec.

Mine came with the 10W adapter even before the iPad was released. I have no problem charging my iPad with it.

 

[res1233]

Me too. I've been wanting them to offer a wireless extended keyboard for a long time.

The nice part is, if they do make a full-sized wireless keyboard, they'll be able to include room for maybe 2-3 more batteries. The thing would last for probably half a year.

 

[HiVolt]

Universal dock sounds great at first, until you realize none of those fit if you have a case on your phone, which most people do, and they're not going to take the case off every time they want to charge/sync it.

Indeed. At the very least they could have made a dock insert for an iPhone 4 with Apple's bumper.

 

[applefan69]

That sounds like a bargain.

Then I remember my first iPod.

It came with a headphones, separate in-line remote, FW cable, dock, adapter, soft case, hard case and FW/USB adapter.

Nice job Apple. You've made the public forget how much extra you are screwing them for.

Or apple was strategically taking a loss (or.. more likely a less profits) to make the iPod brand recognized and respected. Apple no longer needs to win our respect. . . shan't we bash apple more, then we might get more again?

 

[mcrazza]

Re. discontinued compact wired keyboard

Old news. Apple ceased selling the compact wired KB on their online store for about a month.

 

[reactions]

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Any idea whether the new dock will fit a 3GS in a Speck Candyshell case?

Why wouldn't it fit if u just avoid using the dock adapter?

 

[farmboy]

It doesn't matter. Apple's keyboards and mice suck anyway - they just look nice, but they are no good input devices.

The biggest downside of the Apple mice is the lack of a PHYSICAL second mouse button, which you simply need when you play games: You actually need to be able to press the first and the second mouse button at the same time, and that's impossible with an Apple mouse.

Apple does not follow any international layout standards with their keyboards, and that plain and simple sucks. (Yes, I know the tools to change that, but that doesn't change the fact that I HAVE to change it manually.)

I also think that their physical design is not good for fast typing. Natural keyboards are the best choice when you're a fast ten fingers typist, and for the "raw" feeling, still nothing beats the good old IBM keyboards.

First, the current standard Apple keyboard is excellent in terms of typing speed. The natural boards have always been slow sellers because the learning curve is long and years of muscle memory are hard to overcome. So that doesn't make them faster. The last IBM keyboard that was good was on the Selectric. Even in most of today's boards the key-press distance slows you down dramatically. Apple is way better here--pressing distance, angle of the board, no flexing.

Second, the Apple keyboard follows US layout standards just fine. What specifically are you complaining about? OR do you just mean they aren't Windows keyboards?

Third, most mice are no good for gamers, in one way or another. So what? You don't have $19 to buy another mouse?

And finally, do you post here just because on the Windows / Linux forums people ignore you? Because clearly nothing Apple has done in the last few years has met your lofty standards, and we all wonder why you keep showing up.

 

[snebes]

For me it would be
* Less clutter
* One extra powered USB port freed up on my machine
* More freedom

I completely understand and even agree with your points for many people, but for many of us, the wireless would be extremely nice, and worth the batteries, etc.

You see it as gaining a powered port? I see that as losing 1 usb port (2 ports on keyboard).

I also use a wired mouse and a firewire hard drive. My desk isn't cluttered at all by the wires.

I wouldn't mind trying a BT full-sized keyboard, though, as long as I don't lose the usb ports on it.

 

[AidenShaw]

Apple redefines the English language, again....

Apple Updates Universal Dock
...
Adapters for other iPod and iPhone models can be purchased separately.

So, it's not "universal".

 

[gglockner]

I'm really disappointed that the compact wired keyboard has been discontinued, but I'm not surprised, either. The trend has been towards wireless, with the exception of the full wired keyboard. The problem with the full keyboard is that it's too asymmetric for me: if I place the keyboard so that the keys are in the natural typing position, then the right side of the keyboard extends so far so that my mouse is far to the right.

I've got a few wireless keyboards in my closet. They're fine if you're using a laptop, but they're unnecessary if you're using a desktop Mac. Charging batteries is a pain, and disposable batteries are a waste of money and create unnecessary trash.

As for the typing speed, I'd challenge virtually anyone else in typing speed. I type very, very fast and I find the Apple keyboards to be very comfortable because the key travel is small. I know the ALPS keyboards and the original IBM PC keyboard have a great tactile feel, but the far key travel is annoying and I find that I type slower on them.

Guess I'm going to look for a source for the compact wired keyboard and put a few away for future use.

And while I'm ranting, I have issues with the lack of a good wired mouse. I want to like the Apple Mouse (formerly known as Mighty Mouse), but I'm sick of malfunctions from the trackball. I practically invented the cleaning method of double-stick tape. I'd love a Magic Mouse but again, I've had bad experience with wireless mouse/keyboards (and it's unnecessary for my Mac Pro). So I just bought a Logitech M500; it's quite good but I would prefer something that did a better integration with the Mac (Steermouse is pretty good but I'm wasting time with configuration tweaks).

OK, sorry for being Dr. Crankypants today.

 

[rkdiddy]

I'm not understanding why Apple would release a new 'universal' dock and not include an adapter to fit the iPhone 4 w/ bumper. This seems like a huge oversight.

I don't get it.