Zagg Announces New Flex Universal Keyboard for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV

[MacRumors]

Zagg today announced the launch of the Zagg Flex Universal Keyboard and Stand, which is designed to work with any Bluetooth device. It can be paired to the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and more, along with smart TVs, other tablets, and other smartphones.

The Flex Universal Keyboard features a slim protective cover that keeps it safe when in a bag or a purse. When in use, the cover turns into a built-in stand that can hold any-sized smartphone or tablet at an ideal viewing angle.

Zagg has included support for multi-device pairing so the keyboard can be connected simultaneously to two devices, with a toggle available to switch between them.

Laptop-like keys offer a comfortable typing experience while on the go and backlighting for the keys allows the keyboard to be used in low-light conditions. A built-in battery lasts for up to one year before needing to be recharged.

According to Zagg, the Flex keyboard and cover have been designed to be detachable so it can also be used sans cover with devices that don't require a stand.

Zagg's Flex Universal Keyboard can be purchased from the Zagg website for $79.99. It will ship out to customers starting on September 19.

Article Link: Zagg Announces New Flex Universal Keyboard for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV

 

[chinito77]

There have a been a few times I wished my Logitech Slim Combo would pair with my Apple TV while using my iPad. Then I realize that If you already have an iPad, why pay $80 when the Apple Remote App does it for free?

 

[ignatius345]

Laptop-like keys offer a comfortable typing experience while on the go

Sad day when an aftermarket iPad keyboard is probably more “laptop-like” than the one built into Apple’s currently laptops.

 

[scouser75]

Will this work with an iPad Air 2?

 

[noraa]

Sad day when an aftermarket iPad keyboard is probably more “laptop-like” than the one built into Apple’s currently laptops.

Have you ever actually spent any consistent amount of time with the MBP keyboard? It took me a little bit to get used to, but I actually really like it at this point.

I honestly wonder how many people who bitch about the butterfly keyboard have actually used it...

 

[michelepri]

They should make a keyboard for Macbooks.

 

[scouser75]

Will this work with an iPad Air 2?

My bad! Sorry. I thought this was a case and keyboard combo. But as it's just the keyboard I guess it'll work with my Air 2.
[doublepost=1535632605][/doublepost]Hmmmmm! Now to decide... The Zagg Flex or Brydge 9.7??? What would you guys suggest?

 

[ignatius345]

Have you ever actually spent any consistent amount of time with the MBP keyboard? It took me a little bit to get used to, but I actually really like it at this point.

I honestly wonder how many people who bitch about the butterfly keyboard have actually used it...

Yeah, I have. I spent a month with the butterfly keyboard and it sucked the whole time. I didn't even get to the part where it starts jamming two years into its life like my daughter's has started to. Not sure how long I was supposed to "get used to" the keyboard to earn the right to "bitch" (as you so eloquently put it), but a month was enough for me and I got rid of the machine. First Mac in 25 years of buying Macs that I've gotten rid of immediately after buying it. And I've typed on some mushy old PowerBook and iBook keyboards.

Sorry, but a keyboard that people spend a lot of time "getting used to" and which turns off a significant percentage of users is a design fail, period. You remember how many people had split opinions about the previous generation of MacBook keyboards, how there were tons of threads with people complaining they didn't like it, or rushing to defend it? Oh right -- you don't. Because nobody had **** to say about it. It was a normal keyboard, basically invisible to the user, because it met people's expectations of what a keyboard feels like.

 

[RedTomato]

I’d rather buy the Apple wireless keyboard. Costs about the same, built like a brick, and feels exactly the same as the glorious old pre-butterfly Apple laptop keyboard.

I’m just about to buy a replacement for mine which has lasted over 10 years of frequent use and lugging around in my rucksack. The delete key’s been broken for the last year or so but I was able to remap it to the (hitherto unused) power key just above it and continue typing no problems.

Tbh it still works fine with my Mac gear but it won’t work with my PC which is sort of my excuse for taking up a cheap offer on a clean used much more recent model of Apple’s wireless keyboard. (And having a spare will be useful - I’m very picky about my keyboards).

 

[sledgehammer89]

Have you ever actually spent any consistent amount of time with the MBP keyboard? It took me a little bit to get used to, but I actually really like it at this point.

I honestly wonder how many people who bitch about the butterfly keyboard have actually used it...

Me. Own a 12" MacBook, but prefer the Smart Keyboard for my iPad Pro millions time more.

 

[ignatius345]

I’d rather buy the Apple wireless keyboard. Costs about the same, built like a brick, and feels exactly the same as the glorious old pre-butterfly Apple laptop keyboard.

I’m just about to buy a replacement for mine which has lasted over 10 years of frequent use and lugging around in my rucksack. The delete key’s been broken for the last year or so but I was able to remap it to the (hitherto unused) power key just above it and continue typing no problems.

Tbh it still works fine with my Mac gear but it won’t work with my PC which is sort of my excuse for taking up a cheap offer on a clean used much more recent model of Apple’s wireless keyboard. (And having a spare will be useful - I’m very picky about my keyboards).

The newer Magic Keyboard is generally good too, and I love how light it is, and the fact that one can keep it charged with a lightning cable is a huge plus for travelling. One cool thing: you can pair it with a Mac by simply plugging it in with the cable and it will automatically be recognized. In fact, I'm about to travel with it for several weeks as an adjunct to my iPad Mini instead of bringing a laptop.

I do rather wish they hadn't gotten rid of the gaps around the arrow keys that let you quickly orient your fingers to them without looking, though.

 

[scouser75]

The newer Magic Keyboard is generally good too, and I love how light it is, and the fact that one can keep it charged with a lightning cable is a huge plus for travelling. One cool thing: you can pair it with a Mac by simply plugging it in with the cable and it will automatically be recognized. In fact, I'm about to travel with it for several weeks as an adjunct to my iPad Mini instead of bringing a laptop.

I do rather wish they hadn't gotten rid of the gaps around the arrow keys that let you quickly orient your fingers to them without looking, though.

I never thought about using the Apple keyboard. Does the keyboard also adjust brightness and sound?

What's unclear about the Zagg is, does the keyboard and cover fold together as one if you wanted it to? Or is the keyboard wholly separate? And the iPad and case only fold together like the official Apple covers?

 

[RedTomato]

I never thought about using the Apple keyboard. Does the keyboard also adjust brightness and sound?

What's unclear about the Zagg is, does the keyboard and cover fold together as one if you wanted it to? Or is the keyboard wholly separate? And the iPad and case only fold together like the official Apple covers?

I think it does yeah. I haven't used it with my ipad in a while but I seem to remember it doing that. Needs verification from someone else, or pop into an apple store and ask staff for a try.

I should have mentioned my broken delete key remapping to the power key for my old Apple Wireless Keyboard only works when connected to a Mac. When connected to iphone or ipad, delete doesn't work, and remapping I dont think is possible. However control-h works for delete, as does the various other command key combos.

TBH though I liked the concept, I never really liked the reality of using external keyboards with ipad / iphone - too few words on screen; too awkward to step through emails etc without a mouse or touchpad; and editing / selecting text via touch is a pain in the neck; & I always forget the key combos for selecting text. It's just never worked for me.

 

[ignatius345]

I never thought about using the Apple keyboard. Does the keyboard also adjust brightness and sound?

It does! Very handy. The media playback buttons work as well.
[doublepost=1535951887][/doublepost]

I think it does yeah. I haven't used it with my ipad in a while but I seem to remember it doing that. Needs verification from someone else, or pop into an apple store and ask staff for a try.

I should have mentioned my broken delete key remapping to the power key for my old Apple Wireless Keyboard only works when connected to a Mac. When connected to iphone or ipad, delete doesn't work, and remapping I dont think is possible. However control-h works for delete, as does the various other command key combos.

TBH though I liked the concept, I never really liked the reality of using external keyboards with ipad / iphone - too few words on screen; too awkward to step through emails etc without a mouse or touchpad; and editing / selecting text via touch is a pain in the neck; & I always forget the key combos for selecting text. It's just never worked for me.

Agreed. I’d generally rather be using a Mac. Those keyboard shortcuts are super useful on Mac or iOS. If you get used to using them you can really fly through editing much faster. I clipped this at some point and you might find it useful:

⇧ + ← select left one letter
⇧ + → select right one letter

⌥ + ← move cursor left one word
⌥ + → move cursor right one word

⌥ + ⇧ + ← select backward one word
⌥ + ⇧ + → select forward one word

⌥ + ⌫ delete backward one word
⌥ + ⌦ delete forward one word

 

[IscariotJ]

My bad! Sorry. I thought this was a case and keyboard combo. But as it's just the keyboard I guess it'll work with my Air 2.
[doublepost=1535632605][/doublepost]Hmmmmm! Now to decide... The Zagg Flex or Brydge 9.7??? What would you guys suggest?

I had a Brydge for my first iPad Pro, and loved it, though there were couple of annoyances with it. As much as they advertise slipping an iPad in and our of the hinges, it's really designed to be left in. It's also awkward swiping up to access control centre. As much as I liked it, though, I'm currently looking at the Zagg Flex, for the simple reason, that it'll work regardless of future upgrades.

 

[RedTomato]

It does! Very handy. The media playback buttons work as well.
[doublepost=1535951887][/doublepost]
Agreed. I’d generally rather be using a Mac. Those keyboard shortcuts are super useful on Mac or iOS. If you get used to using them you can really fly through editing much faster. I clipped this at some point and you might find it useful:

⇧ + ← select left one letter

⇧ + → select right one letter

⌥ + ← move cursor left one word

⌥ + → move cursor right one word

⌥ + ⇧ + ← select backward one word

⌥ + ⇧ + → select forward one word

⌥ + ⌫ delete backward one word

⌥ + ⌦ delete forward one word

Awesome shortcuts - thanks!