Want to connect your iPhone and Bluetooth keyboard? There's a (jailbroken) app for that (Update: video!)

The wait has been long, but now there's finally a means by which to connect your dear, yet almost buttonless, iPhone or iPod touch to a Bluetooth keyboard for some more intense finger tapping action. The project that delivered us this teasing video back in February has at long last reached the application stage, where simple commoners like us can use it to synergize our gear -- provided we've had the wherewithal to free it from Cupertino's overbearing clutches first. The BTstack Keyboard app is now available in exchange for $5 at the Cydia store, so if you want to be the first to write a bestseller on his or her iDevice, there's no time like the present.

Update: We've done the inevitable and had a quick play with the app ourselves. Pairing our iPhone and keyboard was a veritable cinch, and we were met by delightfully rapid responsiveness throughout, whether using it in Safari, composing text missives, or jotting those novella notes down. You should note that command, cut, copy, paste, and highlighting functions are not yet active, and then hurry along past the break to see a video demo.

See more video at our hub!

[mikmik111 Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:03PM]

just don't buy the iPhone if you hate virtual keyboard.

[cge10 Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:41PM]

@mikmik111
Yeah that is why god invented HTC and Nokia both of these companies have better products than apple.

[cge10 Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:45PM]

@cge10
O just so people don't think im just trolling. This actually looks good for my iPod Touch, if i will ever use that thing again(getting a HTC TP2 instead of some lame iPhone)

[Khris Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:53PM]

@cge10 So you're not "just trolling", you've actually sunk deeper? Didn't think it was possible, but here we are with you way down there!

[mikmik111 Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:58PM]

What I mean guys, is that if you bought an iPhone then attach a big keyboard for it, then what's the point of it being a phone?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 24th 2009 6:11PM]

@mikmik111
Presumably most people would just use the software keyboard most of the time but, for example, if you were traveling and needed to have the ability to write something long form (thousands of words) you could go back to your hotel and hookup the BT keyboard. I'm sure lots of people would like this option on phones with hardware QWERTY keyboards too.

[mikmik111 Posted Dec 24th 2009 6:17PM]

@(Unverified) if you can afford an iPhone with AT&T's contract, apple's keyboard, and rents on hotel rooms, you might as well get a notebook if you're typing gazillion of words.

[mikmik111 Posted Dec 24th 2009 6:21PM]

@(Unverified) a notebook or a netbook would have been more comfortable to use rather than holding a keyboard on the one hand and the iPhone on the other, because you know, you like traveling and all.

[daytripper Posted Dec 24th 2009 7:05PM]

@mikmik111
quick someone give me some duct tape!

[geekthree Posted Dec 24th 2009 7:33PM]

@mikmik111

Ok, lets try another scenario rather than the hotel room:

1. You already have an iphone (few million people come into this category).
2. You do alot of travelling (say by train or aeroplane).

The compact version of the BT keyboard for the macs is quite teeny, and quite lite, it'd be very handy for throwing into a bag.


The other scenario is of course.. BT Mac keyboards aren't too expensive, you could pick one up on ebay, and have it handy just in case you need to to lots of typing.

Things will suit people more than others, and some won't.

I have an iPhone, and I probably won't do this, because I can type pretty fast as it is.. but being the nerd that i am.. I'll probably try this at some point.

[geekthree Posted Dec 24th 2009 7:35PM]

@geekthree

sorry, my closing comment didn't make ANY sense :)

I mean: I'll not be considering this a permenant soloution to say mobile computing, but as a nerd, I'll probably try it out just to say i've done it.

[Levi Posted Dec 24th 2009 7:39PM]

I agree with the OP. I never understood this. A big keyboard to type on a tiny screen. I'm not like against the app or anything, whatever, I'm sure there's someone out there who will find a way for it to be more convenient than anything else and have a legitimate use for it. But what I don't understand is the widespread desire for it. Until someone makes a detachable HW keyboard for it, it just doesn't make sense to have even a smaller BT keyboard to type on an iPhone. A device that small really needs a thumb pad.

[Ray W Posted Dec 24th 2009 7:45PM]

@geekthree

If you're already prepared to throw a BT keyboard into your bag while you are travelling, why not a small netbook? They would have a much larger screen and be just as easy to type on. I've been considering getting something like that for my wife when she's doing research, but cannot find a valid reason thus far ...

[Information Central Posted Dec 24th 2009 8:03PM]

Look at all the apologists. Pathetic.

No one is claiming that everybody wants this. But there's no excuse for it not to be supported by a stock iPhone, or at least be something that developers can implement.

There were several portable keyboards available for Palm devices, and those had shitty little black-&-white LCD screens. The iPhone has friggin' Bluetooth built in, and Bluetooth keyboards already exist.

The half-assed iPhone SDK prevents developers from making the iPhone the useful tool that it could be. With critical flaws like the inability to sync data with desktop apps, and no access to the Bluetooth functionality, it's no wonder that games and fart players dominate the app store.

[ill trooper Posted Dec 25th 2009 12:21AM]

@mikmik111 Just stop. This isn't for you. And even when presented with a great reason why someone might like and use this, you still come up with an ass-stink comment about how you should buy a netbook instead. NO, GUY. Different solution. Just go away.

[Blastar Posted Dec 25th 2009 1:59AM]

@cge10
Speaking about God..
My N95 had this option since "day one".

[justit Posted Dec 25th 2009 3:03AM]

@mikmik111 iSlate killer

[Millah Posted Dec 25th 2009 6:07AM]

@mikmik111 God you're an idiot.

[pukerocket Posted Dec 25th 2009 6:11AM]

@Information Central

Your comment is pathetic. It's funny how you cite this as a critical flaw. I mean, if this was 18 months ago and you were talking about MMS or copy / paste then you might have a point.

But this is 2009. IPhone users don't want a keyboard. Maybe the odd geek on Engadget would, but even every geek on Engadget is a very small market. Apple want to make money,

If they thought a bluetooth keyboard would make money, don't you think they's be in the Apple store selling at $100 each?

So many armchair marketeers think they know how to run a business better than Apple. But then again, running an industry from the comfort of a comment page is hardly challenging

[mikmik111 Posted Dec 25th 2009 10:55AM]

@mikmik111 I just hate apple, so thanks for the mean comments.

[iCello Posted Dec 25th 2009 11:11AM]

@mikmik111 So don't waste ur time and annoy others by commenting on an apple post.

[mikmik111 Posted Dec 25th 2009 11:31AM]

@iCello so only apple fanboys are allowed to comment on a apple post?

[palegolas Posted Dec 25th 2009 1:41PM]

@geekthree
I'm always writing when I'm on a train. Perfect place to write ideas for scripts, stories or just daydreaming. But you know what? I usually turn off the screen completely, and shut my eyes and keep writing. Just occasionally watch the screen. This would be perfect with a phone. It could just be in your pocket while you're leaning back and typing away. Just add a cmd-s shortcut :)

[ashleythehottiest Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:06PM]

Is it a slow news day? Not that many stories like it usually is by this time period.

[Mr Oos Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:10PM]

@ashleythehottiest

I had to read the second portion of your comment 4 or 5 times and I still just barely understand it.

[ashleythehottiest Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:15PM]

@Mr Oos Well you need help my friend.

[JD01JD Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:23PM]

@ashleythehottiest

Are you sure your not the one who needs help? I can't understand it either.

[zomg0t Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:36PM]

@JD01JD
lololol time to troll: it's "you're" not "your"
"she" is saying that around this time of day there are usually more news articles, so the lack of articles indicates to "her" that it is a slow news day. It's Christmas Eve and Christmas, depending on where you are in the world; I don't think very many companies are going to announce much today.

[Smurf Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:50PM]

@ashleythehottiest am not understanding i am the message you were saying. needed you is help?

L2Win

[Wwhat Posted Dec 24th 2009 6:05PM]

@zomg0t
Asians don't do the xmas thing really, and there is a electronics company over there in asia, maybe even more than one it's rumored.

[Arcticpenguins Posted Dec 24th 2009 6:44PM]

@ashleythehottiest
I'm just going to throw this out there but...It's the day before Christmas. Most people have the day off.......

[blade235 Posted Dec 24th 2009 6:47PM]

@ashleythehottiest

I don't understand either.
I see your name ashley and the word period.
I fill in the blanks...

[Valicore Posted Dec 24th 2009 9:21PM]

@ashleythehottiest This thread is epic. And Asians so DO do Christmas! Hong Kong manages to stick a Christmas Tree anywhere there's a spare hole :P They might not know what Christmas is exactly, but they do it!

[CreepinJesus Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:09PM]

Did this with my DiNovo Mini and my Winodws Mobile phone... and, oh yeh, without the need for any extra jailbroken applications.

[alecpark Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:49PM]

@(Unverified)
and then u realized u have a p.o.s.

[creepin Posted Dec 24th 2009 7:27PM]

@(Unverified)

yeah, the Symbian Phones like my N86 do the same thing.. without any software..

[ThePengwin Posted Dec 28th 2009 10:58AM]

@(Unverified) i would do this with my windows mobile phone too, if it didnt have a slide out one :D

Just to be curious though, can windows mobile pick up the apple BT keyboard?

[pbp8ntballer Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:09PM]

i bet you'll look real darn cute with a regular keyboard sticking out of your back pocket

[SoulinEther Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:54PM]

@pbp8ntballer Nope, I carry mine in my front pocket.

And when it's standing up like that, it wants you to press its buttons. Slowly, then 100+ wpm.

[ZaxCG2 Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:09PM]

Haha, wonder how long it'll take Apple to realize they're loosing money on this scheme.

[newone Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:21PM]

@ZaxCG2

They are waiting for the next iphone "version" to release this "awesome" and "innovative" feature. --Add some more stupid superlatives--

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 24th 2009 6:15PM]

@ZaxCG2
I imagine lots of folks who want to use this app will end up buying Apple's small form factor BT keyboard. It's probably the best small form factor, full size, BT keyboard out there.

[CrackedButter Posted Dec 24th 2009 8:52PM]

@ZaxCG2 you mean losing, not loosing.

[ZaxCG2 Posted Dec 24th 2009 11:41PM]

@CrackedButter
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TOO GRAMMAR POLICE.
You know what? I'm happy for you. I am REALLY FREAKING HAPPY FOR YOU. Because you noticed that one extra vowel. THAT ONE EXTRA O. I am NOW aware of my fallacy. OH THE HUMANITY. HE TYPED THE WORD WRONG. HURPADURDURDURRRR. GOTTA CORRECT THAT CRAP RIGHT NOW!! Whats this? NO EDIT BUTTON!? Well boy, sure am glad this man here pointed it out to the rest of them or else I would have been kicked from EVER MAKING COMMENTS AGAIN.

Sure. My comment was pretty dumb. I honestly wanted to say something that would provoke some conversation. Maybe I'm the kind of guy who likes to comment without getting into a BIG ARGUMENT. UNLIKE YOU. To be honest... I've been bored to pieces this Christmas break and needed SOMETHING to do. But CrackedButter, my friend, you have ruined it. You have ruined my ventures out here in internet land and I am now sad. ON CHRISTMAS EVE. HAVE YOU NO SHAME?! THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS. I MEAN REALLY. WHO THE CRAP IS SERIOUSLY READING THIS RIGHT NOW? I don't know! BUT IF YOU ARE... ohohoho boooooy you must be REALLY BORED. I'm just typ-typ-typin' away in this comment box. And seriously if you have gotten this far I sincerely & deeply wish you the Merriest Christmas of all. You deserve it. No joke. Hope your Christmas is wonderful. NOW STOP READING THIS AND SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY!

[ill trooper Posted Dec 25th 2009 12:25AM]

@ZaxCG2 Have some pride in your work. The word you wanted is "lose," whether you're writing a school report, a newspaper article, or a blog comment. It's pretty annoying to see "loose" used in place of "lose."

Other than that, funny tirade.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:20PM]

iphone haters out in full force. "my atari could do that in like 1980" ::shakes head::

[newone Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:26PM]

@(Unverified)

Apple fanbois refuting iphone idioses until next "improved" version fixes them.

Remember MMS messages? "Who needs MMS?"

Remember video? "Nobody really needs video. The crappy pictures are way better" :)

[CaramelZappa Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:32PM]

@(Unverified)
Actually, I don't see any iphone hate in any of the comments. Paranoid much?

[bushi Posted Dec 24th 2009 5:51PM]

I have never understood why the apple BT stack has to suck so utterly. There is zero reason that this can't be supported native.

[jon Posted Dec 24th 2009 6:36PM]

@bushi

Mostly because if the BT stack was open people could do what they wanted with their phone. Apple can't allow that. Which is why they compared jailbreaking to terrorism.