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Brydge Brings Multi-Touch Support to Pro+ Keyboards, Debuts New 10.2-Inch Max+ Model

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Brydge today announced the upcoming launch of a new beta firmware update designed for the Pro+ keyboards, which launched last spring. The Pro+ keyboards feature integrated trackpads and came out ahead of when Apple added dedicated trackpad support to iPadOS.

brydgeprotopdownkeyboard.jpg

The software available from Brydge adds native multi-touch capabilities and should much improve the trackpad experience of the Pro+ keyboard. We reviewed the keyboard back in March and found the trackpad to be inferior as it wasn't initially designed with Apple's integrations in mind.

According to Brydge, the firmware will bring a "natural" multi-touch experience, with the update available through the Brydge Connect app. Using the new beta firmware requires customers to have the iPadOS 14.5 update installed.

Brydge Pro+ keyboard users who want to try out the new firmware update can sign up on the Brydge website. The first 500 who sign up for the public beta will be able to access the firmware on February 24, while others will get access on March 3. For a limited time, Brydge is also offering up to 25% off on Pro+ keyboards.

Brydge today also announced the launch of the 10.2 MAX+ wireless keyboard case with trackpad, which is designed to work with the 7th and 8th-generation iPad models.

brydge-max-10-2-keyboard.jpg

Priced at $130, the 10.2 MAX+ has a built-in native multi-touch trackpad and an integrated backlit keyboard, plus it offers full device protection. Brydge says that it is designed to combine the functionality of a Brydge keyboard with the protection of OtterBox. The 10.2 MAX+ can be pre-ordered from the Brydge website.

Article Link: Brydge Brings Multi-Touch Support to Pro+ Keyboards, Debuts New 10.2-Inch Max+ Model
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/17/brydge-multi-touch-firmware-beta/
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I think it's too little too late. It took a full year for them to add this support, and even though it's a good price point, it's not nearly as nice of an option as the Magic Keyboard. Plus, if the rumored 2021 iPad Pro is a little thicker, it won't fit in the slots the iPad slides in to, which I've never been a fan of design wise. The Magic Keyboard, for its faults, is still a much more elegant option.
 
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Apple_Robert said:
That keyboard appears to add a lot of bulk to the iPad. If one doesn't really need to be portable, that may not be an issue. I like my Magic Keyboard profile better, even though it is a lot more expensive.
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Also looks like garbage, not a fan. 🤦‍♂️
 
I had a Brydge keyboard for an iPad mini years ago. It was good. But I can confidently say that Apple's Magic Keyboard for my iPad Pro is astoundingly perfect for my use cases. I really don't see much of a selling point for Brydge over the Magic Keyboard aside from price. Maybe that's enough for many people. I do feel like they're very late with this firmware update, though.
 
That 10.2" version works with 7th & 8th gen iPads, which means it doesn't use the smart connector on the 8th gen. Bummer.
 
TheBuffather said:
I had a Brydge keyboard for an iPad mini years ago. It was good. But I can confidently say that Apple's Magic Keyboard for my iPad Pro is astoundingly perfect for my use cases. I really don't see much of a selling point for Brydge over the Magic Keyboard aside from price. Maybe that's enough for many people. I do feel like they're very late with this firmware update, though.
Click to expand...

I mean yeah price is literally the only thing better here, and arguably the function keys. But it's a lot of price and many people (like myself, I use the Logitech Combo Touch with my 3rd gen Air) aren't going to splash out £300 for a keyboard for a secondary device.
 
Does anyone know whether you can use one of these or a Magic Keyboard with a Mac? I'm searching hard for a keyboard with a trackpad that responds to MacOS gestures. Thanks!
 
That keyboard looks thicker than my M1 Air. And really if you want a laptop, buy a laptop. With the M1, there is no reason to try to turn an iPad into a laptop.
 
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jerryk said:
That keyboard looks thicker than my M1 Air. And really if you want a laptop, buy a laptop. With the M1, there is no reason to try to turn an iPad into a laptop.
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I think if you have the M1 an iPad Pro with keyboard probably doesn’t make as much sense. However, I use my 12.9 iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard as my primary computer, note taking, video watching, browsing, etc, and my MacBook Pro as my base station to charge peripheral devices and for additional productivity. I have to keep a macOS device for exams, but the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard is absolutely enough to be a very versatile home computer replacement and consumption device.
 
That's great for existing customers, but surely the Magic Keyboard has killed the product? I'm surprised its taken this long to get the update to be honest as I remember us chatting about this when the Magic Keyboard was first announced.
 
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Ive got the previous version (without the trackpad) and had a previous model for my iPad air 2. Brydge make excellent keyboards. Its a shame its taken so long for them to fix the multi touch. Ive read elsewhere that they might have needed to wait for iPad OS to give them access to the features they needed to allow their trackpad to provide true multi-touch. Don't know how true that is, but if the trackpad is as good as the logitech touch keyboard (ie not as good as the magic keyboard but a hell of a lot cheaper) then its probably worth it.
 
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Have they discovered that you can use the Smart Connector yet? Wake me up when they do.
 
Apple killed brydge - it wasn’t really alive anytime anyways.
sad but - magic keyboard is because of the toxic apple eco system (connector) far superior - and i like it
 
I bought the iPad magic keyboard during the recent $200 sale, and I've had it for almost a month now. Not sure why the Magic Keyboard is getting so much love. I could understand the preference when the Brydge keyboard didn't have as good of a touchpad. But if that's been fixed, the Brydge keyboard is definitely a more compelling option.

To be fair to the magic keyboard, the build quality is nice, and the touchpad is very good. But it's had some annoying drawbacks. For one, I keep on wishing that the keyboard allowed for more tilt. I instinctively keep on trying to tilt it further back, only to realize I'm not a laptop. It's not a problem when using it on a desk, but when I have it on my lap, it always seems like I'm looking down on the iPad at an angle; the screen is not perpendicular to my face. Also, though I knew going in that the Magic keyboard didn't have a row of function keys, I didn't realize how much I'll miss them (I had the Brydge keyboard for my iPad Pro 9.7", and it was always convenient having those keys there). It wouldn't have been a major problem if the OS had a bit more of universal keyboard shortcuts. For example, there is no shortcut for Siri, and it's annoying to always speak out 'Hey Siri'. You never know whether it'll pick it up, or your phone will. On the Brydge keyboard there is a dedicated Siri button (which was always useful on my previous Brydge keyboard). For basic functionality like volume control, you either have to extend your hand, or go to the control center, which obfuscates any video you are seeing. It's not the same has having dedicated keys on the keyboard.

The only reason I bought the magic keyboard is because I had read that it had the best trackpad experience, and that the brydge version wasn't as good. That seemed like a deal-breaker, so I didn't opt for the Brydge this time. Also, I had known that swiping from the bottom is not convenient on the Brydge (a problem, I had found irksome even with my previous Brydge keyboard). But after using the magic keyboard, I realized that this will never be a problem when you have a trackpad. On the magic keyboard, not once did I use to use the bottom-up swipe gesture cause you can just move the cursor down beyond the screen for it to mimic the swipe-up gesture. It's just more natural to use the touchpad than to extend your hand.

So, if in fact the touchpad on the Brydge keyboard has been improved to match the Magic Keyboard, I'm going to be returning the Magic Keyboard and will be buying the Brydge instead. Another potential benefit might be that (not sure yet), that I might be able to use it with a TPU cover that I have on my iPad Pro. Currently I have to take it out to use it with the magic keyboard.

To summarize the advantages of the Brydge keyboard -
1. Can tilt more than the magic keyboard
2. Has function keys
3. $40 cheaper at current sale price
4. Might be compatible with protective cover in place

Advantage of the Magic keyboard -
1. Back-side protection
2. Don't have to ever charge it
3. Attaching it magnetically is better than swiping the iPad into rubber holders

The magic keyboard advantages seem meager at best. The Brydge is not perfect either, but I'm willing to bet it's day to day use might be better than the magic keyboard.

Edit - from reviews it seems Brydge can't be used with an external cover.
 
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pumpkinwhite said:
I bought the iPad magic keyboard during the recent $200 sale, and I've had it for almost a month now. Not sure why the Magic Keyboard is getting so much love. I could understand the preference when the Brydge keyboard didn't have as good of a touchpad. But if that's been fixed, the Brydge keyboard is definitely a more compelling option.

To be fair to the magic keyboard, the build quality is nice, and the touchpad is very good. But it's had some annoying drawbacks. For one, I keep on wishing that the keyboard allowed for more tilt. I instinctively keep on trying to tilt it further back, only to realize I'm not a laptop. It's not a problem when using it on a desk, but when I have it on my lap, it always seems like I'm looking down on the iPad at an angle; the screen is not perpendicular to my face. Also, though I knew going in that the Magic keyboard didn't have a row of function keys, I didn't realize how much I'll miss them (I had the Brydge keyboard for my iPad Pro 9.7", and it was always convenient having those keys there). It wouldn't have been a major problem if the OS had a bit more of universal keyboard shortcuts. For example, there is no shortcut for Siri, and it's annoying to always speak out 'Hey Siri'. You never know whether it'll pick it up, or your phone will. On the Brydge keyboard there is a dedicated Siri button (which was always useful on my previous Brydge keyboard). For basic functionality like volume control, you either have to extend your hand, or go to the control center, which obfuscates any video you are seeing. It's not the same has having dedicated keys on the keyboard.

The only reason I bought the magic keyboard is because I had read that it had the best trackpad experience, and that the brydge version wasn't as good. That seemed like a deal-breaker, so I didn't opt for the Brydge this time. Also, I had known that swiping from the bottom is not convenient on the Brydge (a problem, I had found irksome even with my previous Brydge keyboard). But after using the magic keyboard, I realized that this will never be a problem when you have a trackpad. On the magic keyboard, not once did I use to use the bottom-up swipe gesture cause you can just move the cursor down beyond the screen for it to mimic the swipe-up gesture. It's just more natural to use the touchpad than to extend your hand.

So, if in fact the touchpad on the Brydge keyboard has been improved to match the Magic Keyboard, I'm going to be returning the Magic Keyboard and will be buying the Brydge instead. Another potential benefit might be that (not sure yet), that I might be able to use it with a TPU cover that I have on my iPad Pro. Currently I have to take it out to use it with the magic keyboard.

To summarize the advantages of the Brydge keyboard -
1. Can tilt more than the magic keyboard
2. Has function keys
3. $40 cheaper at current sale price
4. Might be compatible with protective cover in place

Advantage of the Magic keyboard -
1. Back-side protection
2. Don't have to ever charge it
3. Attaching it magnetically is better than swiping the iPad into rubber holders

The magic keyboard advantages seem meager at best. The Brydge is not perfect either, but I'm willing to bet it's day to day use might be better than the magic keyboard.

Edit - from reviews it seems Brydge can't be used with an external cover.
Click to expand...
Apple ofCourse made the magic keyboard **** because it has no esc key - am really missing that key
 
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