Hyper's New 6-in-1 Hub for USB-C iPads Features Media Playback Keys

[MacRumors]

Accessory maker Hyper today announced the release of its new 6-in-1 hub for iPad models with a USB-C port, including the latest iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini. Key features of the hub include a form-fitting design and built-in media shortcut keys.

The hub fits snugly around the flat edge of recent iPad models, providing access to play/pause, rewind, and fast forward keys for audio and video. Other ports available on the hub include an HDMI port with 4K 60Hz video, a USB-C port with 60W Power Delivery, microSD and SD card readers, a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The hub is priced at $99.99 in the United States and it is available now on Hyper's website. An included USB-C extension cable allows the hub to work with other USB-C devices.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Hyper. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: Hyper's New 6-in-1 Hub for USB-C iPads Features Media Playback Keys

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗]

Nicely design! Too bad it doesn't come in different colors. Hyper's website is also offering 10% off

 

[BornAgainMac]

Those controls seem so random though.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

That's interesting... And all-in-one to connect it to the outside world. And the price seems reasonable. Hmm...

 

[Dshearin]

Why would you pay $99 for this. I got basically the same thing minus the playback buttons back in February on Amazon for $35. The one I got even has an extra USB-C port for data. You can use playback buttons on screen pretty easily. iPad Pro USB C Hub, 7-in-1 Adapter for iPad Pro

 

[danakin]

Seems quite nice.
Shame that the 3.5mm port has been removed from all of the iPads save the lowest priced model.
It would seem to me that the "Pro" models would benefit from still having the 3.5mm jack for audio/video editing.
I suppose, though, the shareholders still need to be satisfied and the revenue from Bluetooth headphones and MFI licensing is (now) irreplaceable.

 

[icanhazmac]

That is just plain fugly, at least while attached to the side! While on a stand or with a keyboard the video cable pointing straight up won't last and all that stress on the USBC won't be good either. While lying flat I would think the ipad is now on a slight angle, not a deal breaker in that orientation but still just odd.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

That is just plain fugly! While on a stand or with a keyboard the video cable pointing straight up won't last and all that stress on the USBC won't be good either. While lying flat I would think the ipad is now on a slight angle, not a deal breaker in that orientation but still just odd.

That's a good point. Some video cables are really surprisingly stiff. Hmm... Maybe use the extension cable in those cases?

 

[code-m]

Interesting concept but my KB case has those media buttons.

 

[icanhazmac]

That's a good point. Some video cables are really surprisingly stiff. Hmm... Maybe use the extension cable in those cases?

The extension cable would be a good solution while flat but it doesn't look long enough to use with a stand or keyboard.

 

[thesheep]

The media buttons are the wrong way up when watching a video in landscape

 

[joecomo]

Why would anyone need/want such a thing?

 

[richie510]

How could these media keys even be considered a feature? Who wants or needs media keys?

 

[foobarbaz]

What a clever way to distinguish themselves from the competition. Probably no-one needs those keys, but if you're going to buy a hub anyway, why not take the one with playback keys.

 

[yabeweb]

I think we need a better video out software solution first …

 

[gustaw94]

It looks like Nokia N95. Apple way of cordless cabling is so ridiculous, that's hard to comment.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

The media buttons are the wrong way up when watching a video in landscape

From the location of the physical buttons, port, and speakers, to how cramped app ui's get, I don't understand this continual portrayal of the iPad as a portrait device. It's not a phone, & gets used for a million things, only one of which is a reader ...which a significant amount of the time, is better in landscape anyway. I've got this long-running suspicion that everyone at Apple is so into phones, no one actually uses an iPad, & never realize how poorly many UX choices from the iphone OS actually translate to a tablet.

 

[glsillygili]

They should have put a home button on it while they were at it

 

[sw1tcher]

Media playback keys for a device that already has media playback keys (on its touch screen) ?

 

[Jessica Lares]

So I'm assuming that if you're in a video editor, like the one in the screenshot, that it's going to let you go back and forth between sections?

 

[apparatchik]

I'll jump in, why is the hdmi port on top?, producing that indecent cable loop, could it not be placed on the bottom instead and avoid that?

 

[code-m]

I'll jump in, why is the hdmi port on top?, producing that indecent cable loop, could it not be placed on the bottom instead and avoid that?

Talk about undue strain on the USB-C port. smh

 

[Expos of 1969]

That is one ugly look with it on the iPad. If the iPad requires such a contraption to do certain things, use a different device.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

How could these media keys even be considered a feature? Who wants or needs media keys?

See #14. It's a niche market item. Some may love it, some won't. *shrug*

 

[CarlJ]

Having a device with buttons that require some force to push, hanging off of an expensive device where the attachment point is a single small high-value data port (if you mess it up repairs will be expensive, necessary - you can't make do without the port - and time-consuming), seems like it has bad idea written all over it. Is there some enormous upside I'm missing? Seems like roughly the same device would be better if the hub and buttons were in a separate box with little rubber feet that sat on a table and had a short (flexible) cable to attach to the iPad.