Ordered one. 30 day return policy gives me plenty of time to decide how easy it is to move between layouts.
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Hands-On With the Collapsible Magnetic 'TextBlade' Keyboard for iOS Devices
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Curious about how solid it is when snapped together. Would it be possible to hypothetically use this at all in your lap or something (e.g. not on a flat surface)? Or would a lack of a flat surface just cause it to fall apart when you apply typing pressure?
Won't ship until May unfortunately so I may forget!
The ergonomics, programable functionality, and transportability suggest this could replace my apple keyboard for use on my elevated MB in addition to iPhone when traveling. I prefer to use my computer at eye level but don't like lugging around a keyboard.
Use other than on a desk or table
I travel with and use a Macbook Air extensively. One advantage of that as well as some of the other keyboards for iOS devices is that I can or could place them in my lap and type. No need for a flat stable surface onto which to set my keyboard. Any thoughts on how to address this issue with the TextBlade/iOS device combination?
The TextBlade approach seems really innovative. If it can really be faster than a traditional keyboard layout, might it eventually make it into laptop designs in some form? I know that in the past there have been many alternatives to the traditional keyboard layout that offer the potential for faster or more ergonometric typing but they never seem to get serious traction against the traditional layout.
I travel with and use a Macbook Air extensively. One advantage of that as well as some of the other keyboards for iOS devices is that I can or could place them in my lap and type. No need for a flat stable surface onto which to set my keyboard. Any thoughts on how to address this issue with the TextBlade/iOS device combination?
The TextBlade approach seems really innovative. If it can really be faster than a traditional keyboard layout, might it eventually make it into laptop designs in some form? I know that in the past there have been many alternatives to the traditional keyboard layout that offer the potential for faster or more ergonometric typing but they never seem to get serious traction against the traditional layout.
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Really good concept. However, I'm concerned about mechanical wear and integrity weeks and months into use.
The magnetic connection can disqualify it in many environments and I wouldn't what those magnets around my mobile device for fear of data corruption flash memory or polarization of semiconductors.
The three-piece design has concern. What if one is lost?
I'd like to see this done as a mechanical fold-out or flip-out style of design. A good industrial design team could handle this. Overall, a good first shot product while keeping tactile feel of mechanical keys.
The magnetic connection can disqualify it in many environments and I wouldn't what those magnets around my mobile device for fear of data corruption flash memory or polarization of semiconductors.
The three-piece design has concern. What if one is lost?
I'd like to see this done as a mechanical fold-out or flip-out style of design. A good industrial design team could handle this. Overall, a good first shot product while keeping tactile feel of mechanical keys.
I was wondering that too. Turns out they have a $29 repair anything after the 1 year warranty policy. Not sure if that covers if you loose half of the keyboard but that seems unlikely anyway. They also have a 3 year warranty for $9. I'd bet they'd fix you up.
Thanks for the review
I thought this was a great review and I'm glad that Macrumors is stretching its vision to include this kind of reporting. It never felt to me like a paid advertisement.
It seems to me that Macrumors is aiming at delivering news and forward thinking Apple-related information, not simply trying to bug Apple employees to violate their NDA by getting inside "rumors".
As far as the keyboard? It scares me a little to think of re-imagining my use of QWERTY on a regular basis, but it's exciting that with a TextBlade and a 6s Plus I could lose both my laptop and my iPad when I travel. Need to respond to 10 emails, write a letter in Word, create 10 reminders, add detailed calendar items, etc. etc.? If comfortable with these products I may not even need to carry a briefcase anymore, and I'll have just as much functionality as if I had my Macbook Air, my iPad and my iPhone.
I thought this was a great review and I'm glad that Macrumors is stretching its vision to include this kind of reporting. It never felt to me like a paid advertisement.
It seems to me that Macrumors is aiming at delivering news and forward thinking Apple-related information, not simply trying to bug Apple employees to violate their NDA by getting inside "rumors".
As far as the keyboard? It scares me a little to think of re-imagining my use of QWERTY on a regular basis, but it's exciting that with a TextBlade and a 6s Plus I could lose both my laptop and my iPad when I travel. Need to respond to 10 emails, write a letter in Word, create 10 reminders, add detailed calendar items, etc. etc.? If comfortable with these products I may not even need to carry a briefcase anymore, and I'll have just as much functionality as if I had my Macbook Air, my iPad and my iPhone.
You can down vote in Safari by pulling up the JavaScript debugger and changing the value that is sent when the vote button is pressed from +1 to -1. I've tried it in both Safari for OS X and Chrome for Windows - for some reason it didn't work in Chrome for Windows.
Much appreciate the succinct "hands-on" review. I enjoyed the pragmatic insight addressing both the novelty and the physical experience.
Two questions.
1 can it pair to multiple devices like the Logitech bt one that you just press the button for the device you want to type on.
2 Can I work with a Mac, Xbox, or Apple TV as well? That's a bad ass looking keyboard. I could keep it next to tv for those things
Missing keys
No F keys...I am not sure I would want to use this. Plenty of other smallish portable bluetooth keyboards out there, and for less than the asking $100. Seems like half good idea, half gimmick.
Of course one could always continue to use their MBP.
No F keys...I am not sure I would want to use this. Plenty of other smallish portable bluetooth keyboards out there, and for less than the asking $100. Seems like half good idea, half gimmick.
Of course one could always continue to use their MBP.
No it wouldn't. The Watch isn't designed for continuous use. You'd be constantly looking DOWN at the watch on your wrist while typing. Bad idea.
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This is one of the few sensible comments on this article.
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Agreed.
I don't get it. I read tons of reviews for various products across many industries. I can spot advertisements from a mile away. This did not strike me as an ad at all. Sometimes the product is actually that good. A certain level of criticism is good when reviewing a redesign of a product that's been around for years and years, but this is a brand new product and concept. Yet I did still feel the right level of criticism come through.
Why do we feel the need to significantly over criticize things that don't need it yet. Seems like we're not satisfied unless there is something negative to wag our finger at nonstop.
I see an exciting product here that I would love to try out. Do I have questions and concerns? Yeah. But I don't feel like this article was trying to sell it to me. The product was selling itself. When you type for a living something this small that could reduce my hand and wrist strain would be a huge blessing.
At least improve the writing on these paid-for ads
If you are going to run ads, at least EDIT the writing first. The PASSIVE, WORDY writing is horrendous.
Just two examples from the opening...
REWRITE: The TextBlade has a unique design, unlike any other keyboard on the market today.
REWRITE: TextBlade's designers focused primarily on portability.
If you are going to run ads, at least EDIT the writing first. The PASSIVE, WORDY writing is horrendous.
Just two examples from the opening...
REWRITE: The TextBlade has a unique design, unlike any other keyboard on the market today.
REWRITE: TextBlade's designers focused primarily on portability.