Zagg Announces Two Keyboard Cases for iPad Pro

[MacRumors]

Just a day after Logitech announced the first third-party keyboard case for the iPad Pro, Zagg revealed its keyboard case lineup for Apple's newest iPad line. However, unlike Logitech's keyboard, which was developed with Apple and utilizes the new Smart Connector, ZAGG's cases require a Bluetooth connection.

The first keyboard case for the iPad Pro is the Slim Book Pro, which will retail for $139.99. The iPad Pro's Slim Book is essentially a larger version of the same keyboard case that's available for the iPad Air and iPad Mini, which is a keyboard that comes with a detachable case for the iPad. The second case is a new product called the Messenger Universal, which will retail for $69.99. Zagg has not yet detailed how the Messenger Universal works or what it looks like.

Zagg also announced the new line of keyboard cases for the new iPad Mini 4. The Slim Book with backlit keys will retail for $119.99 and be available on September 15. Two Folio cases will be available on September 25, with the backlit keys option available for $99.99 and the non-backlit option available for $79.99.

The Slim Book Pro and Messenger Universal for iPad Pro will both be available for purchase in November. Zagg also hints that it will offer a full range of accessories for both the iPad Pro and iPad Mini 4, including InvisibleShield screen protector and power and audio products.

Article Link: Zagg Announces Two Keyboard Cases for iPad Pro

 

[Devie]

All it needs now is a trackpad.

And running OSX

...wait

 

[maxsix]

I've found Zagg to be one of the best.

Yet at the end of the day it's the limitations of Apples App Model that severely slows its speed and usefulness. They can brag all they want about split screen and Apples version of multitasking, but truth is without an easy access file system iPads are no match for an OS X powered computer.

 

[mw360]

<forget it>

 

[mw360]

I've found Zagg to be one of the best.

Yet at the end of the day it's the limitations of Apples App Model that severely slows its speed and usefulness. They can brag all they want about split screen and Apples version of multitasking, but truth is without an easy access file system iPads are no match for an OS X powered computer.

Die filesystem, die.

The presence of ctrl, opt, cmd keys on all the iPad Pro keyboards is curious though. iOS has no real need for them, and frankly humanity has no real need for them, yet there they are, waiting for a purpose...

 

[KylePowers]

I can't wait to see what Brydge and Clamcase come out with!

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

So the external keyboard needs a separate case? Why not just use the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard? Oh, no case...

A track pad would be awesome...

My first impression of the Surface was that they should really make the keyboard part of the package, and not try so hard to pretend that you wouldn't need it to use the wretched Windows 8 system. At least with the iPad, you know it'll be very usable, and easy to use without a keyboard.

 

[Madmic23]

Die filesystem, die.

The presence of ctrl, opt, cmd keys on all the iPad Pro keyboards is curious though. iOS has no real need for them, and frankly humanity has no real need for them, yet there they are, waiting for a purpose...

Microsoft Office and any typing program has a need for those keys. When you're typing, you don't want to have to stop and touch the screen to cut, copy, paste or bold something. You just want to keep typing. Those keys are essential.

 

[brent12]

With more and more apps supporting Dropbox and OneDrive I'm finding less need for a local file system.

 

[retep42]

With more and more apps supporting Dropbox and OneDrive I'm finding less need for a local file system.

But only while you have internet. I guess there is a market for battery-powered mobile hard-drives (sorry, SSD...) with built-in hotspot to emulate cloud storage while you are off the grid...

 

[EightBitJoe]

I've found Zagg to be one of the best.

Yet at the end of the day it's the limitations of Apples App Model that severely slows its speed and usefulness. They can brag all they want about split screen and Apples version of multitasking, but truth is without an easy access file system iPads are no match for an OS X powered computer.

And therin is the point: this isn't designed to completely replace a laptop running OS X. It's designed to supplant it for specific circumstances.

 

[mfatunase]

I've found Zagg to be one of the best.

Yet at the end of the day it's the limitations of Apples App Model that severely slows its speed and usefulness. They can brag all they want about split screen and Apples version of multitasking, but truth is without an easy access file system iPads are no match for an OS X powered computer.

File system on IOS is now available with iOS 9. You can link and attach documents, photos and just about anything you have on iCloud drive or dropbox similar to finder on OS X. I was pretty excited to find this out on IOS 9 and have been using this feature since i upgrade my iPhone 6 plus to iOS 9.

 

[sracer]

So the external keyboard needs a separate case? Why not just use the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard? Oh, no case...

A track pad would be awesome...

The lack of support for a pointing device makes the iPad Pro a non-starter for me. Two things confirmed from my time using Samsung Galaxy tablets... the value of multiwindow and a mouse/trackpad. With iOS9, multiwindow/peek on my newly acquired Air 2, fantastic. Come on Apple, bring the mouse/trackpad.

My first impression of the Surface was that they should really make the keyboard part of the package, and not try so hard to pretend that you wouldn't need it to use the wretched Windows 8 system. At least with the iPad, you know it'll be very usable, and easy to use without a keyboard.

Even among the most ardent supporters of the Surface, the required-option nature of the keyboard cover was a sore spot. Windows 8/8.1 actually wasn't bad for using the Surface as a tablet. I still use my Surface 2 with and without the keyboard. Unfortunately, Windows 10 is WORSE (IMO) for using Windows tablets. I have it on my Acer Aspire Switch 11, and it really amped it up as a notebook, but meh as a tablet.

back to the topic...
That's the terrific thing about the 3rd party support for Apple products. An overwhelming number of high quality options from 3rd party vendors. This immediate first wave of options looks great... and it's only going to get better.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

That's the terrific thing about the 3rd party support for Apple products. An overwhelming number of high quality options from 3rd party vendors. This immediate first wave of options looks great... and it's only going to get better.

I would think that third party support is going to be a bit harder for Microsoft to encourage, especially given their history of 'solidly supporting' a hardware device, and then dropping it like a bad habit.

Funny, or maybe not: I asked a Microsoftbot at a kiosk in the inside mall at the southwest corner of Central Park, if you really needed the keyboard. He said, with a tight smile, 'No, you can be perfectly productive without it'. I asked a few other questions about it, and finally got the under his breath the 'Yeah, actually you pretty much need it. We have them attached to all of our demo units. I don't know why they don't just include it with the purchase.' and he walked away to help a very confused looking person in a three-piece suit.

Prior to that I commented that the Surface (non-pro units) were more like a 'big phone' than a 'tablet'. He chuckled, and said that they were bringing out a 'pro' version 'soon'. I said that they should have brought them out either at the same time, or LEAD with the Pro version and then said 'TA DA! Get the 'Pro' feel, at a lower price for home', to which he said 'If only we ran the world'...

I hope the Surface doesn't get 'Zuned'... I didn't notice. Was one of the first colors for the Surface brown by chance?

But, on to the iPad Pro.

I can see it getting a few people upset because it's just a 'big iPad' rather than a 'small Macbook Air'.