How the Magic Keyboard folio may work

[jmgregory1]

A lot of people have been wondering how the new Magic Keyboard folio is going to work with the iPad Pros, so I decided to do a bit of test using my existing Keyboard Folio - not sure why I didn’t think of this previously, as the basic form of both the existing and soon to release keyboard folios are quite similar.

The one difference, which is what most people really like the visual of, is how the new Magic Keyboard folio holds the iPad floating above the keyboard. Current keyboard folios use the two tracks just above the keyboard to hold the lower edge of the iPad in place. But if you pull that edge of the iPad out of the track, and hold it up similar to how the new Magic Keyboard works, you can see exactly how the new floating iPad will work.

It will be interesting to see what Apple is using to keep the bendable section of the iPad hinge to stay in place, as that will ultimately determine just how much you can fold the iPad down into more of a drawing tablet. I can’t imagine this section is going to take lots of bending or bending back completely on itself, and not be negatively effected and lose some of its ability to hold the iPad at a preferred angle.

When I do this on the existing keyboard folio, when the one edge of the iPad is not magnetically stuck in either of the tracks, that bendable section (which is likely shorter in length on the existing keyboard folio compared to the new Magic Keyboard version), allows the iPad to fold almost completely flat on top of the keyboard keys themselves.

I doubt that this will be true with the new Magic Keyboard folio, but we won’t know until it gets into some reviewers hands in the next month or so.

Another interesting thing, which I guessed might be the case in another thread here, is that when the iPad is attached to just the flat back section of the folio, and you don’t let the iPad magnetically attach to the track sections, it is REALLY easy to pull the iPad off the folio, much like how it’s shown in the new iPad commercial. I assume it will be even easier, once you’ve got more structure and resistance to bending of that section of the folio, which today’s keyboard folio just doesn’t have.

 

[ianrip]

if you have to disconnect to use the iPad in portrait then it’s an awful user experience, can you imagine using the iPad like a dedicated laptop.
For me the ipad is the ultimate Home portable device.
This keyboard is actually a portable dock or stand, With a built in keyboard.

 

[jazz1]

if you have to disconnect to use the iPad in portrait then it’s an awful user experience, can you imagine using the iPad like a dedicated laptop.
For me the ipad is the ultimate Home portable device.
This keyboard is actually a portable dock or stand, With a built in keyboard.

So it seems then the new Magi, Track Keyboard doesn’t fold all the way back like the, original on my 2018 12”. Makes sense with the new design. I’m hoping the new one works better than my Logitech 2S Anywhere Mouse. Maybe it is me just getting used to the new trackpad/mouse support?

 

[KittyKatta]

Another interesting thing, which I guessed might be the case in another thread here, is that when the iPad is attached to just the flat back section of the folio, and you don’t let the iPad magnetically attach to the track sections, it is REALLY easy to pull the iPad off the folio, much like how it’s shown in the new iPad commercial.

I was wondering that too because of how much stability is reliant on the magnetism and friction of the wide bottom contact point of the Smart Cover. Without contact on that bottom edge then you are relying an awful lot on the magic of magnets to not only hold the iPad in air AND not drop it when you use finger or pencil pressure on the screen.

Also worth noting is the 2018 iPad has one less set of magnets since some of them are right where the new camera square is cut out

if you have to disconnect to use the iPad in portrait then it’s an awful user experience, can you imagine using the iPad like a dedicated laptop.
For me the ipad is the ultimate Home portable device.
This keyboard is actually a portable dock or stand, With a built in keyboard.

I agree with calling this a portable desktop dock. The Smart Cover folds back which is convenient and offers case protection. The Magic Keyboard doesnt fold back which means you disconnect and now have to manage your unprotected iPad AND carry around an empty keyboard case. Thats a pretty huge inconvenience.

 

[profets]

if you have to disconnect to use the iPad in portrait then it’s an awful user experience, can you imagine using the iPad like a dedicated laptop.
For me the ipad is the ultimate Home portable device.
This keyboard is actually a portable dock or stand, With a built in keyboard.

Agreed, but what I’m most excited about is how easily you’ll be able to remove the iPad to use it as a tablet. Right now with the current Smart Keyboard folio its extremely cumbersome. I still miss the Smart Keyboard cover from the previous iPad Pro, where you could treat it like a Smart Cover, flip it around, or even leave it propped up and pull the iPad off and easily placing it back on.

 

[Lucifer666]

I'm confused. "A desktop stand"? Does't this fold up to be a cover also?. If it didn't fold up, it's a desktop stand obviously. Portrait mode notwithstanding.

 

[jmgregory1]

I'm confused. "A desktop stand"? Does't this fold up to be a cover also?. If it didn't fold up, it's a desktop stand obviously. Portrait mode notwithstanding.

The new Magic Keyboard folio indeed does fold up into a case. What we don’t know is whether you’ll be able to fold the keyboard all the way around, like you currently can with the Keyboard Folio. I’m assuming not, as I don’t think the hinge mechanism will work that way, not to mention it’s something that wigs a lot of people out now (me included), to have the keyboard keys on the reverse side of the case. In my current use case, I’m actually really liking how I’m picking up the iPad Pro and using it separately as a tablet, then when on my desk, it’s a full on laptop / desktop where I’ve got my Apple Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 connected to it.

 

[themaestro]

I own the first 12.9 Pro and recently the 2018. Have the keyboard on the original iPad pro and fed up of it saying Accessory not supported these days. I'll be amazed if the new one isn't the same.

 

[KittyKatta]

I'm confused. "A desktop stand"? Does't this fold up to be a cover also?. If it didn't fold up, it's a desktop stand obviously. Portrait mode notwithstanding.

It folds to a case which is why its being referenced to as a “Portable” Desktop Stand. That isnt a derogatory description, its more about real world use and how the lack of folding makes it clear that this was designed to be used on a desk and not in your hands.

BTW. The commercial does show tiny snips of how it can be used on a lap but there are some legitimate questions about stability on an uneven surface, magnets, how it handles touch, the rigidity of the arm/hinges and what the heck you do with it when its not in use.

 

[ianrip]

I think detaching is easy and then moving away from the stand, but having to remember where the stand is, and then re attaching will be a horrible experience, once you do this 2-3-4 times, the user will stop using the stand/keyboard, and find anothercover/keyboard.

the iPad is sooo independently portable, and this device is making it less so.
A separate trackpad or mouse on a workstation desk is maybe the solution, but the keyboard/cover must rotate fully and remain attached when using portrait mode

 

[goobot]

If the keyboard can’t go backwards for tablet mode that would be a dealbreaker for me.

 

[Lucifer666]

I think it's safe to say it does what is shown in the video. I don't think there's a tablet mode. You remove it, which is about as easy as it could be. Seems like a good solution to me. Folding not so much. Usage scenarios are what's seen in the video.

 

[sparksd]

I first thought that OK, I can live without the folding and essentially treat it as a dock and just pt the iPad in a magnetic folio when I remove it. Then it dawned on me that the keyboard USB-C port is power only and that you can't attach a hub to (i.e., make it a dock). That plus the $350 price for the 12.9 Pro - I'll be skipping it.

 

[D_Apple]

I’m on the fence; having been an iPad Pro 9.7/SK owner and now an 11 Pro SKF AND SF owner, I saw the writing on the wall.

It’s easy enough to pull away from either folio, but this looks like an accident waiting to happen. I’m typing this without anything on it to “practice” and already don’t like the feeling. I tolerate portrait mode with the SKF, but the SF is the most comfortable for me.

 

[parseckadet]

awful user experience

horrible experience

Hyperbole much? Give me a break. We’re living in a time when none of us can leave our homes and hundreds of thousands of people have died from a virus nobody is able to stop. But not being able to bend your iPad case back without just easily taking it off? That, THAT is what you consider a horrible experience? Give me a break.

And by the way, I have the 10.9” 2018 iPad Pro, and my mom as the 12.9” 2019 Pro, both with the keyboard covers. On both those devices the first thing I do is pull that cover off if I’m not using the keyboard. It’s so easy to do I don’t even think about doing it. I’ve never once had an issue with losing one. It’s not like it comes with wings and you have to weigh it down with the iPad to prevent it from fluttering away. I take mine to places like Panera all the time (or at least I used to and hope to again some day). I sit at the table, pull the cover off and set it next to me. If I get up for some reason, I just snap it back on, take the entire thing with me, then pull it off again when I sit back down. All of this requires zero mental or physical effort for me. It’s habitual. How would any of this be any different with the new one?

 

[jmgregory1]

Hyperbole much? Give me a break. We’re living in a time when none of us can leave our homes and hundreds of thousands of people have died from a virus nobody is able to stop. But not being able to bend your iPad case back without just easily taking it off? That, THAT is what you consider a horrible experience? Give me a break.

And by the way, I have the 10.9” 2018 iPad Pro, and my mom as the 12.9” 2019 Pro, both with the keyboard covers. On both those devices the first thing I do is pull that cover off if I’m not using the keyboard. It’s so easy to do I don’t even think about doing it. I’ve never once had an issue with losing one. It’s not like it comes with wings and you have to weigh it down with the iPad to prevent it from fluttering away. I take mine to places like Panera all the time (or at least I used to and hope to again some day). I sit at the table, pull the cover off and set it next to me. If I get up for some reason, I just snap it back on, take the entire thing with me, then pull it off again when I sit back down. All of this requires zero mental or physical effort for me. It’s habitual. How would any of this be any different with the new one?

You’re spot on. There is not only nothing wrong with the idea of simply pulling the iPad Pro off the keyboard folio (or soon Magic Keyboard folio) when you want to use it in portrait mode or for the touch or Pencil interface, but it’s how the iPad was designed to be used in the first place. It’s not like Apple made the iPad keyboard folio where in order to use the device in portrait mode, you had to disassemble the device to make it work. I can’t wait for the new Magic Keyboard version to launch - although working primarily from my desk now, I’m totally fine using my Apple Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 with the iPad Pro on a stand.

 

[ianrip]

Hyperbole much? Give me a break. We’re living in a time when none of us can leave our homes and hundreds of thousands of people have died from a virus nobody is able to stop. But not being able to bend your iPad case back without just easily taking it off? That, THAT is what you consider a horrible experience? Give me a break.

And by the way, I have the 10.9” 2018 iPad Pro, and my mom as the 12.9” 2019 Pro, both with the keyboard covers. On both those devices the first thing I do is pull that cover off if I’m not using the keyboard. It’s so easy to do I don’t even think about doing it. I’ve never once had an issue with losing one. It’s not like it comes with wings and you have to weigh it down with the iPad to prevent it from fluttering away. I take mine to places like Panera all the time (or at least I used to and hope to again some day). I sit at the table, pull the cover off and set it next to me. If I get up for some reason, I just snap it back on, take the entire thing with me, then pull it off again when I sit back down. All of this requires zero mental or physical effort for me. It’s habitual. How would any of this be any different with the new one?

So you’re using the iPad on your desk, you detach, as you want to use portrait to look at something, then get up and walk to the sofa, then later you walk upstairs, and into your bedroom, you suddenly realise the keyboard is down stairs. Wow great user experience

Having it attached is the key, it goes everywhere because its attached.

If it’s used as a dock, then does anyone carry a dock around with them if that aforementioned dock is not docked to something, or do they carry the dock saying, “I’ll need to use my dock sometime later, that’s why I’m carrying my dock”

This product looks great, but I’ll say again having to detach to use in portrait will be terrible, most users will stop using the dock, and go back to the flip over keyboard.

 

[Fat.tofu]

I use the current smart keyboard folio on my iPad 11”. When i want to use it on portrait / tablet mode i just took it off. So easy to do. As thin as light as it is, the current smart keyboard folio (the lightest keyboard case available) is already adding ~65% more weight of the iPad itself. I personally don’t want to carry the extra weight when its just so easy to detach and re-attach. Once done i just put it back to the keyboard case and go. It became a habit that you don’t even notice. I never drop all my iPads ever. So i’m comfortable using my iPad with no case when on tablet mode. As for leaving the case behind, rarely happen as i treat the smart keyboard as a folio, an added protection, i re-attach it back when im done. When i did leave it behind, oh well walk back and get it, same thing as when you left your phone behind.

The new Magic Keyboard will certainly be heavier than the current keyboard folio. I can imagine it wont be a great experience carrying that flipped over and with one hand. Even if the make it able to flip over i certainly would just pop it off and pop it back, now that they make it even easier to do so.

If you happen to have the current keyboard folio and find yourself using it flip over in tablet mode a lot, then this case is not for you. Its meant to be use on a flat surface or something to hold it weight off, so the only time the weight matters is when you transport it.

For me i might get it, just have to figure out hacks to get a good drawing angle. The new keyboard only opens till 130degree. I like to draw on a propped angle rather than flat on table. With the current smart keyboard folio there are several way that can be done to get a good drawing angle.

Want one that flip over? Maybe on next iteration but it will certainly needs a bigger hinge and another added weight.

 

[ianrip]

If you happen to have the current keyboard folio and find yourself using it flip over in tablet mode a lot, then this case is not for you. Its meant to be use on a flat surface or something to hold it weight off, so the only time the weight matters is when you transport it.

Want one that flip over? Maybe on next iteration but it will certainly needs a bigger hinge and another added weight.

I have a Folio, and the best bit about it is, it can be flipped over attached, used as a stand attached, typed on attached, carried around attached, (Always attached is the winner for me) but hey, if it’s not for me, doesn’t mean it not for you.

 

[Fat.tofu]

I have a Folio, and the best bit about it is, it can be flipped over attached, used as a stand attached, typed on attached, carried around attached, (Always attached is the winner for me) but hey, if it’s not for me, doesn’t mean it not for you.

The Magic Keyboard cannot be flipped over. Its not for you isn’t it?

not an issue for me personally.

 

[stocklen]

Hyperbole much? Give me a break. We’re living in a time when none of us can leave our homes and hundreds of thousands of people have died from a virus nobody is able to stop. But not being able to bend your iPad case back without just easily taking it off? That, THAT is what you consider a horrible experience? Give me a break.

And by the way, I have the 10.9” 2018 iPad Pro, and my mom as the 12.9” 2019 Pro, both with the keyboard covers. On both those devices the first thing I do is pull that cover off if I’m not using the keyboard. It’s so easy to do I don’t even think about doing it. I’ve never once had an issue with losing one. It’s not like it comes with wings and you have to weigh it down with the iPad to prevent it from fluttering away. I take mine to places like Panera all the time (or at least I used to and hope to again some day). I sit at the table, pull the cover off and set it next to me. If I get up for some reason, I just snap it back on, take the entire thing with me, then pull it off again when I sit back down. All of this requires zero mental or physical effort for me. It’s habitual. How would any of this be any different with the new one?

Rather than jump up and down and try for whatever reason to claim some bizarre moral superiority..

Why not take some time to understand other people's issues here.


Sure, this is a nice looking accessory - but you still have to detach it frequently for other use cases. YES, its dead simple to do that... and I think this is where you are deliberately misunderstanding here - nobody is disputing that fact. We have all seen the videos where its removed with ease.

What they ARE trying to say is that taking it off the stand for portrait use is less convenient that the existing folio keyboard where you can just fold it behind itself but remain attached. And as someone else has pointed out, the keyboard might have been left in a different room or place and you'd have to go get it if you wanted to type on a keyboard (not the screen) - this is decisively LESS convenient.

As I have mentioned in the past, this lovely, and expensive accessory seems more suited to on-desk use and as a marginally protective carry shroud.... and you will be removing it frequently so expect more scratches and marks on your iPad over time.

Given what I have just said, a £10 easel stand, and a bluetooth keyboard and trackpad would give you MORE functionality than this case given that you can just rotate it and carry on typing with the keyboard for portrait use. Non apple variations are a fraction of the price.

To further this, and for full transparency - the iPad pro folio cover is £79, a stand is £10, the magic keyboard is £99 and the Magic Trackpad 2 is £149. Added together thats £337. So, as you can see... £299 for the keyboard case although seemingly expensive is still cheaper than the component accessories.

Horses for courses as they say. However I still am of the opinion as nice as the new Magic Keyboard case is.. its quite narrow in its usefulness.

 

[supertiffany]

does it only do the floating orientation or you can adjust the iPad by laying it to stick on that free space where it is hanging/floating in the keyboard cover side just like how the iPad can stand on the Keyboard Folio from previous gen?

 

[jcshas]

The new Magic Keyboard folio indeed does fold up into a case. What we don’t know is whether you’ll be able to fold the keyboard all the way around, like you currently can with the Keyboard Folio. I’m assuming not, as I don’t think the hinge mechanism will work that way, not to mention it’s something that wigs a lot of people out now (me included), to have the keyboard keys on the reverse side of the case. In my current use case, I’m actually really liking how I’m picking up the iPad Pro and using it separately as a tablet, then when on my desk, it’s a full on laptop / desktop where I’ve got my Apple Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 connected to it.

It will be great if the Magic Keyboard folds over similar to the Smart Keyboard Folio, but TBH it won‘t bother me if it doesnt. I usually remove my iPad from smart Keyboard Folio and/or use my smart folio anyways.

 

[JayMysterio]

A video with very little info, but there's some more speculation. As I wasn't sure how the charging worked, which is covered.

 

[glhiii]

I have a 2018 12.9” iPad pro. Since the latest iPadOS update, I’ve been using my trackpad, which works very well. I’m typing on a 7 oz jelly comb foldable keyboard and use a muse case. I think this arrangement (portable keyboard, Apple trackpad) is better than the new magic keyboard will be, as the iPad is free and doesn’t have to be taken out of its case if I want to use it without a keyboard/mouse. It seems to work extremely well, and the keyboard only costs $27. Also, the keyboard can be used with almost any computer or tablet.