First Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Hands-On Videos Appear Online

AudiA4 said:
I think the original Smart Folio Keyboard for last year's iPad Pros are superior in the sense of balancing utility with portability. The whole assembly is very thin and lightweight, yet key travel is quite good. Last year's version can also fold COMPLETELY 360° to the backside, so there's no need to remove the case to simply use it as a tablet. I suppose Apple did a good job considering the additional functionality, but to me, that's WAY TOO MUCH COMPROMISE just for a trackpad, because that's ALL this adds (in addition to weight!).
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Exactly!
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Agreed. I’ll be honest, I don’t really understand this setup. A trackpad is indeed all you get from this. And I don’t see myself or anyone I know ever needing an INTEGRATED trackpad so badly.

Although, maybe this is a big hint at what’s coming in future iterations of iPadOS. Clearly, Apple is going all in on making the iPad mirror a computer. And rumors are pointing to an ARM MacBook soon. So maybe it’s not so much that there will be an ARM MacBook, as it is that the iPad will start encroaching on to MacBook territory. That has to be the direction otherwise there’s really not much of a compelling for this sort of accessory to exist.
 
I have a 2018 12.9 and I love using it without any case. It's amazing how portable and light it is. The downside is the lack of a stand. I wish the iPad had some kind of built in kickstand. Anyways, slap the smart keyboard on and i becomes UGH, heavy. I can only imagine how heavy this new keyboard makes the iPad feel. Not sure I'll get one.

Oh, and why the same old ugly grey color. Come on Apple!! COLORS!!!!
 
I’m definitely buying this. But I am bummed the case does not spin all the way around to use in casual reading mode, and the significant weight.

I may use this more as a dock that only gets moved when traveling. (Remember traveling??? Ah, the good ol’ days…)
 
Born2Run said:
Does anyone else get annoyed by videos where they hold the camera and try to do everything one-handed! I usually have to stop watching as soon as someone tries to attempt something one-handed and it makes it look so awkward!
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I was thinking the same thing. Surely they have a mini tripod or can rest their iPhone on a set of books or something! Watching these people trying to snap open and move the hinge with one hand was hard work!
 
MacRumors said:


The first Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro orders have begun arriving to some customers ahead of schedule, and some have posted hands-on videos online.



Seven videos from two iPad Pro users have appeared online so far, offering the first close look at the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.

The first video appeared in Thai, featuring the unboxing experience of the Magic Keyboard. Other videos by the same user have given a look at the USB-C port on the hinge of the Magic Keyboard, which is used for passthrough charging, as well as the brightness of the backlit keys.

There have since been four videos in English by YouTube user MrExitStrategy, covering many of the new key features. The first of these shows the hinge system of the case, which provides a "floating" cantilevered design for smooth viewing angle adjustments of up to 130 degrees.



There is also a look at the preferences pane of the Magic Keyboard in the Settings app, revealing that the keyboard backlighting brightness may be changed manually or automatically adjusted based on ambient lighting conditions.



The most recent video offers a more detailed comparison of the Magic Keyboard with the Smart Folio Keyboard, and walks through some of the new trackpad gestures in iPadOS 13.4. This video suggests that the trackpad uses a mechanical click rather than haptic feedback. The cantilevered design is tested for stability, including for use with Apple Pencil.



Earlier this week, the Magic Keyboard became available for order online alongside the new iPhone SE, and most deliveries are expected to begin arriving next week.

Article Link: First Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Hands-On Videos Appear Online
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Why doesn't reviewer touch the iPad screen? We all know how keyboards work. The real question is when you touch the screen, does the iPad case flop around loosely or does it stay firm like most laptops. That is the only question I had going into this and this video didn't answer that question.
 
These were some pretty horrendous videos, but nice to see these getting into peoples hands. I would have thought Apple would get a few units out to reputable reviewers ahead of time. I know I am dying to get mine.

For those wondering about weight, the guy in the first video off by quite a lot. I'm reading that the new magic keyboard for the 12.9 is ballpark ~453 grams vs the lesser smart folio at ~407 grams. I can definitely handle that all day long. This puts the entire package at a still very manageable ~2.5lbs for a ~13" device.

I'm in for the high quality backlit keyboard, high quality and highly functional trackpad, increased stability, and angle adjustability. Less important but still worth mentioning.... I think its look and function is slick AF, and ability to charge from the base is fantastic.

Forward looking, I am looking forward to what iPadOS 14 has in store and the next refresh of the 12.9. I would have liked the memory upgrade on the 2020 model, but not remotely worth the $$ from 2018. Next revision should be pretty stellar.
 
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fbr$ said:
Yeah, and also stop saying "humm" in every phrase!
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I’ll give the guy a break. He’s doesnt appear to be a professional on camera personality, just happens to be the first random person to be lucky enough to receive the keyboard and help answer MR questions.

I was once interviewed on the today show as “evacuated tourist in Hawaii during the Japanese Tsunami” and the amount of ummms haunt me to this day. I’m not an on camera personality either!
 
Born2Run said:
Does anyone else get annoyed by videos where they hold the camera and try to do everything one-handed! I usually have to stop watching as soon as someone tries to attempt something one-handed and it makes it look so awkward!
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i hear you but he is just a guy who got the keyboard early and wanted to show other enthusiasts. he isn't a YouTuber or trying to get clicks so you have to cut some slack on the professionalism, some aren't going to have tripods etc. for their camera and want to mess around... this is quick and dirty.
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teknishn said:
For those wondering about weight, the guy in the first video off by quite a lot. I'm reading that the new magic keyboard for the 12.9 is ballpark ~453 grams vs the lesser smart folio at ~407 grams. I can definitely handle that all day long. This puts the entire package at a still very manageable ~2.5lbs for a ~13" device.
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well if it holds true that is good news. i have the 11 and the smart keyboard folio is 298g. that first video implied the new keyboard is 600g so essentially double. again i still think i would be ok with that but id love to see lighter.
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wigby said:
Why doesn't reviewer touch the iPad screen? We all know how keyboards work. The real question is when you touch the screen, does the iPad case flop around loosely or does it stay firm like most laptops. That is the only question I had going into this and this video didn't answer that question.
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the entire video where he demonstrates the settings menu for the keyboard he is touching the screen over and over again. nothing budges.
 
Replaceable battery ?? I'd hate to have to dispose of the mKb or pay ~$120 for Genius replacement after a few years of use. But then again...
 
It’s interesting that some are categorizing the Magic Keyboard as an iPad “case“, and complaining that it doesn’t fold over. I think its pretty clear that Apple’s intention was to make a kick a** keyboard for the iPad Pro that 1) delivers a solid typing experience, and 2) is portable so it can be carried around like a traditional laptop. For those looking for a protective keyboard/case combo they should probably stick with the smart keyboard folio which can be used more like a traditional iPad case.
 
NinjaHERO said:
Also, my Ipad is constantly sticking in the wrong orientation mode when I open it lately. Is this a known bug? Or do the orientation internals wear out over time?
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I have the same issue, I thought I was the only one with that annoying orientation bug. I often have to go to control center before the bug goes away.

I do not think it is a hardware issue wearing out as you are asking, the hardware responsible for this sensing is the accelerometer, I think it is a software issue.
 
Ordered one and arrives in a week or so. Based on these video reviews, I think Apple tried to make a keyboard that appealed to users on-the-go and users at home/office. The end result appears to be a lack of focus. Given that the Smart Keyboard folio is great for on-the-go, Apple should've doubled down on the home/office use case and:

Added a bit more weight to support more viewing angles
Added a bit more thickness to support Force Touch trackpad
Supported USB accessories in addition to charging
Used lightweight aluminum/mixed materials instead of folio materials
Allowed for the Apple Pencil to be inserted into the cylindrical hinge for storage and charging

I may even argue that extending the upper lip so that a low-res camera could be embedded that worked in landscape mode while docked would've been useful as well (camera on the side still doesn't make sense given that most folks use their iPad in landscape mode).

I'll give it a try and maybe the appeal will grow once I've used it for a bit (like many Apple products).

I get that Apple was aiming for a somewhat stationary dock that allows for the iPad to easily attach and detach. But if you're going to add that much weight and the inability to fold back on itself while still claiming portability, that would appear to be an unclear value proposition. And the price point doesn't help.
 
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