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New Apple keyboard, doesn't sync or charge ipod nano

I posted this news 4 days ago

The new Apple Keyboard has two USB ports. According to Apple, the USB 2.0 ports provide high-speed connectivity for your iPod, Mighty Mouse, digital camera, and other USB-based electronic devices.
But it is not absolutely true.
We tested the USB port with several USB Keys; for example with the Kingston’s DataTraveler 4GB USB Flash drive, that is fully compliant with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 specifications. But they didn’t work, because the power wasn’t enough. Apparently, the Apple Keyboard USB port does not allow to connect devices with high power needs.
You can see the Apple warning (in spanish) clicking here.
ESN ID 50383-070815-420967-21

You can see it 'n http://www.mymac.cc/?p=158
 
I suppose it suffers from the same problems as my Keysonic keyboards. Since the Keysonic has a backlight and several LED's to power, it can't supply the full 500ma on both of it's USB2.0 sockets. Thing is though, the Apple keyboard hasn't got any fancy backlights and the old keyboard worked just fine if I recall correctly (I junked all my crappy, bind-y, spongy Apple keyboards a while back). Where's all that power going?

Perhaps the reason the reality distortion field is failing is that the structural integrity field around the ultra-thin keyboard has had to be beefed up...
 
i just tried connecting my ipod nano to my standard white apple keyboard and i got the low power message too,
tried it w/o the mighty mouse too and nothing still
so its still the same deal, no biggie
i just recharge and sync connect to tower
im still going out and buying the new keyboard
as long as i can connect my mouse and basic flash drives its enough to buy the wired version
 
Neither is this issue unreasonable or new (as it happened with the old keyboards as well), but the only issue here is the false advertising. Oh, and it sure as hell is annoying too. The whole point is that when you plug something in, you dont have to reach behind your computer. So much for that.
 
I don't understand what the big deal is. Why don't you just plug your iPod into another port? Better yet, why not buy a hub and run an extension off that?

I'm more concerned about the keys working correctly. There is another thread where people are posting that certain function keys are not behaving correctly. To me, that is a bigger problem than not being able to plug an iPod in. You always have the option to plug your iPod in somewhere else, but nonfunctioning keys is a major F.U. on Apples part.

Seems the lovely new keyboard is not ready for prime-time. Damn, I wanted one!
 
virus1 said:
Neither is this issue unreasonable or new (as it happened with the old keyboards as well), but the only issue here is the false advertising.
Click to expand...

I think the only issue isn't false advertising... there is also the way the USB specification was constructed in comparison to the ways in which USB is used and devices are produced. There's a long history of USB device manufacturers requesting far more power from the bus than the specification permits. Then desktop designers provide that power so customers don't complain. The problem is specification creep, and you end up with a device that doesn't even work properly on a computer that actually follows the USB specification.

In the past, this issue concerned an Apple computer paired (that seemed to stick to the specification and not over power the ports) with miscreant USB devices working erratically because they wanted too much power.

Now, though, the issue happens with three Apple devices (e.g. an Apple keyboard, a Mighty Mouse, and an iPod). So clearly more of the blame lies with Apple.

However, the issue that's coming up with these "high power USB" devices is that the USB specification makes no provision for unpowered daisy chaining, in spite being used that way all the time. The specification provides a maximum current draw for a USB device. The problem is that these devices, particularly things like iPods and phones that charge off their USB or hard drives or scanners that get USB power, actually use most of the permissible current draw.

Now it's a problem of math. You can't design a device so that it draws power off the USB bus within specification if it consumes 40% of the permissible current draw, for instance, and then daisy chains two more devices that consume 60% of the permissible current draw each, without external power.

USB was a great success in that it very really replaced a large number of bus connections (PS/2, parallel, serial, SCSI, ADB, etc). But, the next time around, the issue of power consumption has to be dealt with in a more sensible manner.
 
THX1139 said:
I don't understand what the big deal is. Why don't you just plug your iPod into another port? Better yet, why not buy a hub and run an extension off that?

I'm more concerned about the keys working correctly. There is another thread where people are posting that certain function keys are not behaving correctly. To me, that is a bigger problem than not being able to plug an iPod in. You always have the option to plug your iPod in somewhere else, but nonfunctioning keys is a major F.U. on Apples part.

Seems the lovely new keyboard is not ready for prime-time. Damn, I wanted one!
Click to expand...

the problem is .. for me anyway, that i bought this keyboard as to use it as an USB-hub, and a keyboard and i read on their page that the functions that i wanted/needed were actually available with this keyboard. Now i cant use my iPod with unmounting my externall HDD all the time.. 4 USB ports get uccopied quite quickly with HDD printers keyboard and so on. hence my need for an easy way to connect my iPod. The issue with the keys aren't so nerve wrecking, because they actually DO work. There's just a software/firmware issue with the Mac Mini, maybe the Mac Pro? Which i hope will be resolved by apple very soon.
 
So...do we know if it work or not ? Some say yes, other say no... :rolleyes: Waiting to see if I take the BT or the wired one ;)

Have AppleCare answered some of the questions ?
 
i always thought that keyboard's usb ports are unpowered..which means you cant connect a HDD or an ipod to it..thats what i know =|
 
I was hoping that this would be a non-issue with the new iMacs... I was hoping that Apple have actually allowed it's in-built USB ports to over-power it's new keyboard so that it can power the iPod (as advertised)... Unlike the USB ports on older Apple hardware (Mac Pro, MB, MBP, Mac Mini, etc)... However I recently read statement from a new iMac owner that read:
a 2.4ghz 24-inch iMac owner on the xlr8yourmac site: said:
"You cannot connect an iPod to the USB ports on the new keyboard and expect it to sync or charge."
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/2007_iMac_owner_reports.html
Click to expand...
The obvious 'solution' is to only plug in externally powered USB devices (or low-powered USB devices) into your keyboard's USB slots... This is not always possible / desirable of course...

Off topic (but kinda related really): Can anyone recommend a good USB hub that plugs into a Firewire 800 port? Or a Firewire 400 port even? This makes more sense to me than the multitudes of USB hubs that plug into and are powered by a USB port... I'm pretty sure the Firewire specs allow for a lot more power, thus theoretically powering all (or at least a few) of the USB ports on the USB hub... Don't quote me! So yeah... Recommendations?
 
I don't think Apple would falsely advertise...it is about time the keyboard has better USB functionality. I just think they goofed and it needs to be fixed.

-=|Mgkwho
 
This Stinks...

Just making a contribution here...

I bought the new slim wired keyboard to replace my previous model. I have a 24" C2D iMac. The reason I bought it was because of the advertised USB 2.0 ports.

When I hook it up at home and run an update, then connect my USB memory stick I get a "USB low power notice" prompt on my screen! WHAT?! But my new slim keyboard has USB 2.0 ports!!! I'm gutted. Please note, this is the only device plugged into the keyboard. If I plug my old shuffle into it, yeah I can see it in iTunes and sync it, but it won't charge it!!! What a stinker!

Contrary to the ad for the new keyboard, no you haven't thought of everything Apple!

I've read various folk on these forums defending Apple regarding this and I have to respectfully disagree... I think that it is false advertising - full stop!

Now I've read here and there that the power draw limitations are not set by the keyboard, but by the computer you plug the keyboard into. If so, I'm at a loss to explain this... I have an un-powered USB hub connected to my iMac which sits under my desk. If I connect the same USB memory stick to the hub under my desk, it works. I think Apple has some explaining to do...
 
Bought the new wired keyboard today, and was quite surprised when I saw the low power warning when I plugged in my 2G Nano. A logitech wireless mouse occupied the right USB port on the keyboard at the time. However, after reading mkrishnan's explanation, I'm not surprised. That's OK, though, as I really only bought it for the keys.

System: Macbook C2D, 2.0Ghz, 2GB, 10.4.10

EDITED TO ADD: Oh, and to me the description on the website is rather misleading, but I don't personally feel misled as I didn't visit the site, see the "connectivity" claim for iPods, and then rushed out to buy it. But I can see how some might.
 
what

what are u guys talking about...

my 80gig ipod charges and syncs with this new keyboard on a 20'' mac (aluminum one..) baseline specs
 
Thought that I would add to the thread since I'm having the same problem. Applecare requested that I take the keyboard into the Apple store to have a Mac Genius check it out. They are completeing their diagnostic today and I should have an official Apple answer.
In my situation I'm not trying to run 2 USB devices at the same time. I am using a wireless Mighty Mouse and wanted to simply plug in my SanDisk 2Gb thumb drive and still received the Low Power warning. While at Apple the genius plugged in his thumb drive and it did work but he seemed surprised at how long it took to mount the drive.
 
THX1139 said:
I don't understand what the big deal is. Why don't you just plug your iPod into another port? Better yet, why not buy a hub and run an extension off that?

I'm more concerned about the keys working correctly. There is another thread where people are posting that certain function keys are not behaving correctly. To me, that is a bigger problem than not being able to plug an iPod in. You always have the option to plug your iPod in somewhere else, but nonfunctioning keys is a major F.U. on Apples part.

Seems the lovely new keyboard is not ready for prime-time. Damn, I wanted one!
Click to expand...

It's about the fact that they advertised it as being powered.

Braby said:
I just plugged in my 30GB iPod Video and it works fine.
Click to expand...

It would be helpful if all people posted their machine details and didn't just say "it works". I know you have the new iMac, but it's better to just say it.

Eric Lewis said:
what are u guys talking about...

my 80gig ipod charges and syncs with this new keyboard on a 20'' mac (aluminum one..) baseline specs
Click to expand...

Well, it looks like it's only the new iMacs that can perform this feat! I know that my MacBook certainly can't power anything at all (just an iPod nano) from the keyboard.

As for the person that asked about the function keys not working - that's because some retards expect to plug in a keyboard that's different to the one mapped to their computer and for it to magically work. There's a software update people! That's the first thing I checked for. Of course all those newly mapped keys won't work straight away on your MacBook/Pro/whatever.
 
Eric Lewis said:
my 80gig ipod charges and syncs with this new keyboard on a 20'' mac (aluminum one..) baseline specs
Click to expand...
Yeah... Looks my thoughts on the matter are not completely off-base... Check out the updated response from the guy who initially had troubles (on the site I referenced in my previous post):

"At first I couldn't charge or sync a 2nd-gen Nano or a 5.5 gen video iPod from the keyboard. But last night I disconnected everything, rebooted with just the keyboard plugged in to one of the USB ports, then tried the to connect one of the iPods to the keyboard, and it worked. I've gradually added back all of my other USB devices (card reader, printer, wireless transmitter for mouse), and everything seems to be working now. So I retract my warning from earlier. Guess I just needed to play around with things a little bit."

"IIRC the new Alum keyboard ports supply the same power as the onboard USB ports do (unlike previous keyboards)..." -- Via the new iMacs only I would humbly presume!

Read in context if you're confused:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/2007_iMac_owner_reports.html
 
Only works with new iMac's

It appears the USB2.0 ports on the new Aluminum keyboards only work when connected to the brand new iMac's.

I have tried connecting an iPod video 30GB & iPod nano 2G 4GB via the USB2.0 ports on the new Aluminium keyboard with the following machines:

MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz : Doesn't Sync/Charge
MacBook Pro 17" 2.4GHz : Doesn't Sync/Charge
Mac Pro Quad 2.66GHz : Doesn't Sync/Charge
Mac mini 1.83GHz : Doesn't Sync/Charge
NEW iMac 20" 2.0GHz : Syncs & Charges
NEW iMac 24" 2.4GHz : Syncs & Charges

All machines are running Mac OS X 10.4.10. I also tried restarting/cold starting the machines with the keyboard connected, and then connecting the iPod, which still did not work.
 
interfuse said:
It appears the USB2.0 ports on the new Aluminum keyboards only work when connected to the brand new iMac's.

I have tried connecting an iPod video 30GB & iPod nano 2G 4GB via the USB2.0 ports on the new Aluminium keyboard with the following machines:

MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz : Doesn't Sync/Charge
MacBook Pro 17" 2.4GHz : Doesn't Sync/Charge
Mac Pro Quad 2.66GHz : Doesn't Sync/Charge
Mac mini 1.83GHz : Doesn't Sync/Charge
NEW iMac 20" 2.0GHz : Syncs & Charges
NEW iMac 24" 2.4GHz : Syncs & Charges

All machines are running Mac OS X 10.4.10. I also tried restarting/cold starting the machines with the keyboard connected, and then connecting the iPod, which still did not work.
Click to expand...

If that is infact the case Apple should have made that clear on their website. And not listed it as compatible with all their Mac's which sport a USB 2.0 port.. Am i right?
 
If they'd only sold the new keyboard with the new iMac, then they'd be in the clear. As it is, I think they should add a disclaimer/footnote to the existing marketing material.
 
Just got off the phone with Tier 2 Customer Support. It's true: the new keyboard's hub doesn't give power to USB devices like iPods and flash drives
WHEN CONNECTED TO iMACS OLDER THAN MID-2007.
Sux. They're gonna take mine back and refund it.
 
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