Brydge iPad Keyboards Now Available From UK Apple Store

[MacRumors]

Apple is now offering the popular Brydge line of keyboards designed for the newest iPads in retail and online stores across the United Kingdom.

As of today, Apple UK is selling the Brydge 10.2 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard for the seventh-generation iPad, the Brydge 10.5 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard for the third-generation ‌iPad‌ Air, and the Bridge 7.9 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard for fifth-generation iPad mini.

Starting at £99.95, the Brydge keyboards are more affordable than Apple's own Smart Keyboards and offer a more traditional typing experience with 1.2mm of key travel.

The ‌iPad‌ nestles into two silicone-lined tabs at the top of the keyboard, with no additional cover required for the rest of the ‌iPad‌, which keeps the design more minimal. The tabs are hinged, so the keyboard can be closed over the ‌iPad‌ in a clamshell design.

Brydge keyboards aren't able to take advantage of the Smart Connector on Apple's iPads and instead must use Bluetooth, but Brydge says they're able to last for up to 12 months on a single charge depending on usage. There are integrated iOS battery management tools to cut down on power drain.

The keys are backlit, there's a row of function keys specific to iOS, and the keyboards use Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to the ‌iPad‌. Each keyboard is made from a heavy, durable aluminum that's able to hold up to wear and tear, and it's simple to remove the ‌iPad‌ from the tabs that hold it in place.

The Brydge 10.2 for Apple's new iPad (7th Gen), and the Brydge 10.5 for the iPad Air (3rd Gen) are available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold. The Brydge 7.9 for the iPad mini (5th Gen) is available in Silver and Space Gray.

The Brydge keyboards are available in all Apple Stores across the U.K., Apple's regional U.K. online store, and Brydge's UK website starting today. The keyboards debuted at Apple Stores in the U.S. and Canada last year.

Article Link: Brydge iPad Keyboards Now Available From UK Apple Store

 

[yellow8]

Is this called a Surfapplce?

 

[notabadname]

I had one. The only thing it had going for it was backlighting. Otherwise heavy and the need to charge it separately made it frustrating. After having Apple’s magic keyboard for a couple of months, I know there is no better (perhaps far cheaper - but no better). I love never charging my keyboard, and I love the backlit keys.

 

[Madhatter32]

Function keys ... nice.

 

[orbital~debris]

These keyboards look like they’d feel akin to the horrid keyboard on an early Chromebook I was issued with at work.

Anyone know how their tactility compares with Apple’s?

 

[and 1989 others]

It looks like something Mary Shelley would write about. Awful design.

 

[Benjamid]

Brydge sucks so hard! Incredible that Apple allows this on their store.

 

[ChrisDolphin]

Brydge’s customer service is AWFUL ! Maybe having Apple do all that for them might help their company. Ordered a vertical dock mid June.....still nothing but Brydge website showing in-stock and ready to ship for last 5days.....
The keyboards were innovative until the new Apple keyboard Arrived (which I’m typing this on now) but their quality is so far off Apple (I’ve owned their iPad Pro Keyboard). I did order the plus at the beginning of the year (with the touchpad) but cancelled it when they couldn’t make good on their delivery dates. Glad I did - the Apple Pro keyboard is the best peripheral I’ve ever bought. Yes, bonkers expensive but all day comfy and so good I will no longer take my MacBook Pro away - it’ll be the iPad Pro and Apple keyboard every time.

 

[deevey]

I was thinking of getting the brydge 9.7 last night for my 6th gen, but after reading reviews and ton of people having issues with various issues and lack of support, I decided against and got a Logitech Type+ (again). Never had an issue with dead keys on any Logitech even after a ton of abuse, and battery lasts forever.

Every other keyboard case I have tried ended up with broken keys / became unresponsive within weeks/months. Only issue with Logitech is if you remove them from the case alot the retaining clips can break eventually, but even handled like a toddler on caffeine my last one survived 16 months.

But I can live without backlighting vs great typing experience and reliability.