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Capcom made a ridiculous typewriter keyboard for 'Resident Evil 2'
Over the years, Capcom has had some wild ideas for physical Resident Evil tie-ins. A Bluetooth keyboard modeled after Resident Evil 2's iconic Lexington typewriter might take the cake for the coolest one, though. Unlike the dollhouse that was part of the Resident Evil 7 special edition or the chainsaw controller from Resident Evil 4, folks who are really into keyboards (or typewriters) might actually get some use out of this.
The best bluetooth keyboard
By Kimber Streams This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After testing 25 keyboards over the past two years, we found that the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard is the best for most people. It's the first to meet all the requirements of a great multiuse Bluetooth keyboard—comfortable, compact, and versatile—for less than $50.
Engadget giveaway: Win an iPad Air and Qwerkywriter Bluetooth keyboard!
Need inspiration for a 1930s screenplay or just enjoy the satisfying clack of mechanical keyboards? Either way, the Qwerkywriter from Qwerky Toys could be just the thing for your writing nook. This Bluetooth keyboard and stand appears to be lovingly crafted: The aluminum exterior is coated in matte black paint and each of the 83 mechanical keys are topped with rounded vintage keycaps. There's even a working return bar to complete the look. Of course, charging it with micro-USB and connecting to a tablet via Bluetooth may break the spell, but with up to three months on a charge it could easily be overlooked. This week, the company has provided an iPad Air and Qwerkywriter Bluetooth keyboard to help one reader dial back that future-forward attitude just a touch. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at clacking away on this beauty. Winner: Congratulations to Dan L. of Morro Bay, CA!
LG's roll-up keyboard is cute, but predictably uncomfortable
Getting anyone at all interested in a new portable Bluetooth keyboard is quite the feat, but LG has just about managed it with its new, quirky roll-up peripheral. The Rolly, as it's inventively named, is intended for those who want to be a bit more productive with their tablet time, and I've had a brief tinker with it here at IFA. The benefit of having a keyboard that rolls up around its battery, of course, is that it takes up the least amount of space in your backpack. And neat, the Rolly certainly is. The magnets that run down either side of the key grid are no weaklings, keeping the thing tightly wound and generating a satisfying snap as you roll it up.
LG made a solid, roll-up keyboard for your tablet or giant smartphone
To the untrained eye, LG's new Bluetooth keyboard looks like a (very long) mobile battery, but that's because it's all bundled up. Unfurl the Rolly and you'll get a "full-size" keyboard that automatically switches on and connects to your nearest (LG?) tablet. There's a stand built into the top of the device, which will hold tablets up to ten inches big. The keys are made of solid plastic (not the flat, squishy kind), which LG hopes will offer a typing experience close to what you're used to on your PC. The keyboard is just the start: the company says it plans to offer even more "input devices" in the next few months. The Rolly will launch this September in the US first, rolling out to the rest of the world soon after. (You're welcome.)
KFC's Tray Typer keeps you clicking even with greasy fingers
Horror of horrors, you've just downed a plate of Colonel Sander's famous fried chicken only to have that text you've been waiting for suddenly ping your phone. What do you do? Clearly the answer isn't to reach for the napkins. No, instead you do what every red-blooded poultry eater should: pair the keyboard mat on your serving tray to your phone and you answer that all-important text, greasy fingers be damned.
Logitech's new keyboard can dock your smartphone and tablet
Wireless keyboards are a dime a dozen nowadays, but every now and then we come across one that manages to stand out from the rest of the pack. And that's the case with the new K480 from Logitech, a Bluetooth keyboard that's capable of doubling as a dock for your smartphone and tablet. It even has space to hold two devices simultaneously, as pictured above, so long as the size of each is appropriate -- something like a 5-inch handset with 8-inch tablet combo, for example, should work just fine. As you might expect, Logitech's K480 can also pair with your laptop or desktop, making it rather handy for a number of different scenarios. You'll be able to get one, in black or white, when it becomes available in the US and Europe later this month for $50.
Unknown Bluetooth Matias keyboard pops up at the FCC, is probably the quiet type
We're always keen to peek at Matias peripherals when it's got new ones to share, but this time the introduction comes via the FCC, which appears to have tested and deconstructed an as-yet unannounced keyboard. This reduced model lacks a numpad -- apart from the page up and down keys -- and if the color scheme and command / option keys weren't clear enough hints, the draft user manual within the filing confirms it's meant for Macs. While it connects via Bluetooth, there's a trio of USB ports around the top edge for plugging in a mouse, charging the internal battery, or juicing other hardware. Matias' Quiet Pro mechanical offering bears the model number FK302Q, so we have good reason to assume this new keyboard is a mini variant, given it's known as the FK303QBT in the FCC's docs (Q for Quiet, BT for Bluetooth). As it's been OK'd by the US regulators, we expect an official reveal of the keyboard, alongside a PC-targeted sibling, pretty soon.
Logitech intros two Mac accessories: the Easy-Switch Keyboard and an external trackpad
After unveiling a handful of accessories designed for Windows 8, it's clear Logitech had some catching up to do on the Mac side. The company just announced two things, the Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard and the Rechargeable Trackpad for Mac, and they're both more or less Apple-friendly versions of items that were announced for Windows back in October. Starting with the keyboard, it's basically the same as the Illuminated Bluetooth K810 keyboard, in that you can pair it with up to three Bluetooth-enabled devices and switch from one to the other by pressing a button. As the name suggests, it's also backlit, with sensors that turn on the lights when your hands are hovering, and lower the brightness when backlighting isn't necessary. The truth is, the K810 does all of this too and can pair with devices running any OS; it just has Windows 8-specific hotkeys, which you wouldn't need if you were a Mac user. Moving on, the external touchpad is a Magic TrackPad competitor if ever we saw one, with support for all the multi-finger gestures you're used to making in OS X. Unlike the Magic Trackpad, though, it recharges over USB, whereas the Magic Trackpad runs on AAs. The keyboard and touchpad will be available in the US and Europe starting in January, with the keyboard priced at $100 and the trackpad retailing for $70, about the same price as the Magic Trackpad.
Logitech k810 Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard: Review and Giveaway
Owners of iMacs, Mac minis, and Mac Pros don't have to look at the glowing keyboards of their MacBook-owning buddies with envy anymore. The folks at Logitech have introduced the new k810 Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard (US$99.99) so you can continue banging away at the keyboard in the dark. Let's take a look at this new piece of hardware. Design The first thing you'll notice is that this keyboard is really targeted at users of Windows 8 and Windows RT. Unlike most Mac- and iOS-friendly keyboards on the market, the friendly command key has been replaced with the harsh reality of a Windows key. If you can overlook that slap in the face, you'll find a keyboard with some pretty interesting features. First, let's take a look at the design. Unlike Apple's light aluminum Wireless Keyboard ($69), the k810 features dark anodized aluminum and black plastic construction with black key tops. There's an easy-to-reach power button on the right side of the keyboard and a "connect" button on the bottom for placing the accessory into a pairable state. While the regular F-keys are still located across the top row of the keyboard, the first three are are also used for a unique function -- providing the k810 with access to three different devices. With most Bluetooth keyboards, a single computer or tablet is paired at any time, but the k810 provides easy switching between three different devices. For example, the keyboard can be paired with a Mac, an iPad, and an iPhone, and switching to any of the devices is as easy has pressing a single button. As the name implies, the k810 Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard has backlit keys. The Logitech logo at the top of the keyboard also glows in a not-too-subtle reminder that the keyboard is powered up. Charging of the keyboard is done through a standard USB to micro-USB cable that is included. Size-wise, the k810 is almost identical in size to Apple's Wireless Keyboard. It weighs in at 18 ounces, and is quite portable. Functionality There are some features on the k810 that are incredibly cool. In order to make battery life as long as possible (Logitech doesn't supply estimated life figures...), there's a proximity sensor built into the keyboard. If you take your hands away from it for about 15 seconds, the backlighting dims and then disappears. When your hands get near the keyboard, the backlight turns on again. It's magic! The k810 has a very good feel to it. The keys aren't as "stiff" as those on the Apple Keyboard, which actually makes for smoother typing. The placement of most of the keys is identical; the main exception is in the bottom row where fn, control, option/alt, and command are replaced with control, fn, "Windows" and alt. In the top row -- where the function (fn) keys reside -- the buttons do not correspond to the functions that most Mac and iOS users expect. That was my biggest problem with this keyboard; it's obviously not made for Mac users. The Windows key will act as a command key, though, although it's not in the location that most Mac users will expect it. The ability for the k810 to be paired with three different devices and switch between them with the push of one of those top row buttons is unique and very useful. I used it with my iMac, iPhone, and iPad, and linking to any one of the devices was as simple as pushing the first, second or third function key. A blue "radio" icon appears above the function key when pushed, and then it flashes until the device and keyboard are linked. Conclusion Anyone who has up to three devices they'd like to use with a Bluetooth keyboard should find the Logitech k810 to be a winner. It's reasonably priced, it's backlit, and the easy-switching function for multiple devices is incredibly smart. Best of all, it has a great feel to it and will be a compact wireless keyboard that most heavy keyboard users will love. Pros Easy-switching of Bluetooth pairing between up to three devices Backlighting with proximity sensor for longer battery life Excellent keyboard feel and feedback Nice looks, although not "matched" to most Apple products Rechargeable internal battery Cons Keyboard arrangement is different to what Mac users are used to More expensive that Apple's Wireless Keyboard (unless you take the cost of rechargeable batteries into account) Who is it for? Anyone -- Mac or PC user -- who wants to have a lightweight, portable backlit keyboard that can be used with up to two other Bluetooth devices (iPhone and iPad, for example) with the touch of a function key. Giveaway It's the keyboard that's so nice we want to give it away to a TUAW reader! Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before November 13, 2012 Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a Logitech k810 Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Jorno inventor Scott Starrett talks to TUAW about Kickstarter and crowd-sourced funding
Scott Starrett is an inventor with a dream -- to manufacture a pocket-sized folding Bluetooth keyboard making it simple for anyone to have access to a "real" keyboard when using an iPhone, iPad or other mobile device. With about a day to go in his Kickstarter fundraising, Starrett still isn't assured of reaching his US$100,000 goal -- the Jorno project is currently about 90 percent funded. I talked with Starrett today to ask him about the Jorno project and crowd-sourced funding in general. TUAW: With a little over a day to go, I see that you're at close to 90 percent funding. Are you confident that you'll make it to your funding goal? Starrett: We don't take anything as a given, so we're doing everything we can to get to our funding goal. We are so grateful for the enthusiasm and support of all the donors to date. TUAW: How long have you been trying to get the Jorno concept funded (i.e., Did you try another source of funding prior to Kickstarter)? Starrett: We've been pursuing various funding options for about a year. TUAW: What made you want to try Kickstarter for funding rather than traditional methods (getting friendly with a VC with deep pockets, selling the idea to a manufacturer, etc...)? Starrett: Kickstarter was really the last resort. We pitched countless VC and "angel" investors, and despite a nice set of early orders and a great design, they all turned us down. Hardware is not considered a "hot" investment right now. Ironically every single VC guy told us he would buy a Jorno unit as soon as it's on the market. TUAW: If funding for Jorno doesn't make it through, will you try again with a lower goal? Starrett: Yes, we may go back to VC/Angels and see if they can close the gap and then we can try again with a lower goal. It is a great data point that we were able to capture $90K in hypothetical sales over the course of just one month. That is a testament to the need for Jorno and the solution that Jorno offers. TUAW: Would you consider redesigning Jorno with different components to achieve your design goal of a pocket-sized foldable keyboard, but with a lower cost of manufacturing and hopefully a lower funding requirement? Starrett: The funding requirement is really related to the fixed cost of plastic molds, not the per-unit-cost. So a lower cost of manufacturing wouldn't help us, since even a simpler design would still have significant tooling/mold costs. TUAW: Do you have any suggestions for other inventors who may be interested in using Kickstarter, Indiegogo or other crowd-sourced funding sites? Starrett: Just do everything you can to connect with possible donors. It's easy to get lost on the Kickstarter platform if there is nothing calling attention to your project. Working with the Max Borges Agency was extremely helpful to us in getting the word out. TUAW: Anything else you'd like to say to TUAW readers? Starrett: Would love their support if they want to check out our campaign! (http://kck.st/O8aYRn) Also, many of us would not have a chance if it were not for crowd-funding -- so thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm for our project and other crowd-funded projects. Many thanks to Starrett for agreeing to an interview at a stressful point and time, and best of luck to everyone involved in the Jorno project. Be sure to check out our previous Jorno post for a video of the pocketable keyboard in action.
Logitech's K810 keyboard pairs with up to three devices, has a button for switching apps in Windows 8
It was last week that Logitech announced two mice and a trackpad, all optimized for Windows 8. As it turns out, the outfit wasn't quite finished unveiling its Win 8 lineup: the company just outed the Illuminated Bluetooth Keyboard K810, which has a hotkey for toggling between open programs. It also features Easy Switch, a technology first introduced on the K760 that allows the device to pair with up to three Bluetooth-enabled devices at once, regardless of the OS. As for the switching bit, each paired device gets assigned to one of three function keys; just press the button to start using the keyboard with that device. In theory, then, you could have the same keyboard hooked up to your PC, tablet and phone, and be able to type on all of them from minute to minute, though that admittedly seems like an unlikely scenario. As the product name would suggest, the keys have a backlight glowing from underneath. The lighting will automatically turn off if you haven't been using the keyboard for a certain period of time, but thanks to proximity sensors they'll kick in again when the keyboard detects your hands hovering close by. Lastly, the keyboard has a rechargeable battery rated for a month of runtime, though given the fact that it charges over USB, we can see some people bypassing the wireless connection entirely and leaving it plugged in. The K810 will sell for $100. Look for it to hit US stores in October, with European availability following a month later. In the meantime, we've got some hands-on shots below. (Psst... the Fn key is where the app-toggling button will be on final models.)
Jorno Kickstarter project aims to put a folding Bluetooth keyboard in your pocket
Back in the days of Palm, I recall being thrilled about some of the folding keyboards that were developed for the iconic PDA. They connected to the Palm device via a mechanical connector and made it easy to type text into Palm applications. Now a California company, Jorno, is seeking funding for a pocket-sized folding Bluetooth keyboard to work with your iPhone, iPad or Android device. The project currently has reached almost 58 percent of its required funding with 15 days to go, and the company has provided some incentives to reach the necessary US$100,000 goal by October 17, 2012. Backers who pledge $99 or more to the project get special color options -- cobalt blue, fire engine red or lime green -- and anyone who pledges $79 at the "Preview" reward level gets one of the regular Jorno keyboards in black or white at $40 off the retail price of $119. When folded up, the Jorno is a little 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.2-inch box. Unfold it, and you have an 8.5-inch wide keyboard that's 3.5 inches deep and only 0.3 inches thick. The Jorno works for about a month on a single charge of its rechargeable lithium ion battery. For those of you who occasionally want to use a Bluetooth keyboard with an iPad, but don't want the extra bulk of an keyboard case, the Jorno looks like just the answer. Check out the video below for details.
Logitech debuts white Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad, arriving before month's end for $100
Those who live and die by color coordination can breathe a bit easier today, as Logitech has introduced its Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad in white. Like the black model, the accessory operates via Bluetooth and features a battery that's said to provide up to six months worth of go time -- a statistic that's based on two hours of usage per day. You can expect to coat your very own white keyboard with a layer of grime in short order: it's currently available for pre-order on Logitech's website for $100 and is said to hit Apple retail stores later this month. For the curious, you'll find a teaser video after the break.
Logitech reveals Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the third-gen iPad, a set of keys that protect your slate for $99
Ever thought to yourself that those Smart Covers would be so much better if they somehow had a keyboard built in? Perhaps not, but Logitech is looking to fill the void anyway. The outfit has announced its Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for this year's iPad. On the business side of the accessory, you'll find a full Bluetooth keyboard with function keys that will last up to six months on a single charge -- that is, if you can manage to limit your use to under two hours a day. Securing your slate during those heavy typing sessions is a built-in stand that sits atop the keypad; however, it appears that you're stuck with only one viewing angle. Around back, the cover will protect that precious Retina display while providing instant on / off functionality like the original Smart Covers did, complete with magnetic clip. Don't fret, it'll also play nice with the second-gen model, just in case you haven't committed to the latest Apple tablet. Available later this month in both the US and Europe, the keyboard cover will cause you to fork over $100 before employing either of its services. Full details are in the PR below and a few press shots wait in the gallery that follows.
TUAW TV Live at 5 PM ET: The 2nd anniversary show
Time flies when you're having fun. Yes, believe it or not, TUAW TV Live has been polluting the blogosphere every Wednesday afternoon since December 22, 2009, making today the second anniversary of this live video stream. Viewers have been treated to hundreds of product and app demos, interviews with fascinating guests, and most of my hat collection. Today I'll have more of the same on tap, including demonstrations of the Doxie Go scanner ($199), the Verbatim Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard ($84), Newer Technologies' NuTouch Gloves ($19.99) and NuScribe ($19.99) stylus/pen, the Autriv High-Sensitive Magnetic Stylus ($19.99), the very cool Deckster Re:Class iPod nano watchband (CAD$165), AblePlanet Clear Harmony active noise canceling headphones ($299 with an 8 GB iPod touch), and the most important of all -- the Opena iPhone 4 case (AUD$39.95). Please note that the last demo involves beer... As usual, I'll be starting the show at 5 PM EDT (2 PM PDT / 10 PM BST) sharp, and we'll take a few minutes to chat before the demos start. To join in on the chat and watch the live streaming video, drop by TUAW about five minutes before the start time to get your instructions on how to participate. If you're unable to join us for the show, remember that you can always subscribe to the video podcast and watch the show at your leisure in iTunes or any other favorite podcatching app. The past shows are also available on the TUAW YouTube channel. The chat is now available as well on IRC: join us on server chat1.ustream.tv, chat room #tuaw-tv.
Sony's XBA balanced armature in-ear headphone lineup headed to the US, we go ears-on
We just met with Sony at its New York City store on Madison Ave. in Midtown, and boy did it have some excellent news for in-ear headphone lovers. While sitting down in the PlayStation Lounge, we briefly demoed nearly every piece of its lineup of XBA balanced armature intra-aurals, which if you'll recall, were announced for parts of Asia back in September. While the 11-model lineup, ranging from standard buds to Bluetooth and noise-cancelling sets, is just beginning to hit those regions now, we've been told that folks in the US can expect them to arrive on American shores next year, with official availability details due at CES. The units we checked out are voiced and finished as those set to hit production, but according to Sony, some of the cabling now in place will change before the stateside release. Interested audiophiles and music lovers can click on past the break for the full details, as well as our initial -- and brief -- impressions. %Gallery-141949%
IPEVO Typi folio case and Chopstakes styli for iPad
IPEVO is an innovative computer peripheral manufacturer that has produced some rather impressive products -- the P2V USB Document Cam and Tubular Wireless Speakers, to name two -- and is now making a leap into the iPad market with two new products. The Typi (US$79) is a folio case for iPad with a removable Bluetooth keyboard, while Chopstakes ($34.95 - $45.95 per pair) are a pair of styli for your favorite tablet. IPEVO Typi folio case and Bluetooth keyboard TUAW has reviewed a number of folio cases for the iPad and iPad 2. These cases all have one thing in common -- they look somewhat book-like, and totally encase the iPad. For the most part, the cases are made of either a plastic material or a more natural material like leather. We've also reviewed a lot of keyboard cases for iPad -- these are usually designed like a folio, but include a stationary or removable Bluetooth keyboard so that users can type on a real keyboard rather than the virtual keyboard on the iPad. The Typi is a folio keyboard case that comes in either black or tan felt with a brown leather strap. That strap serves several purposes -- when the Typi is closed, it wraps around to the front of the case and holds everything in place with a strong magnet. When the Typi is opened, there is a snap on the strap that plugs into one of three receptacles to prop up the iPad's screen. I have to admit that the Typi is one of the better-looking folio cases I've had a chance to review. The review case has the tan exterior, and it looks very classy with the leather strap. The keyboard is encased is similar leather and is as easy on the eyes as it is on the hands. Like many of the keyboard cases, the Typi has a removable keyboard that is held in place with magnets. If you don't like where the keyboard is, it's no problem to just move it to a more comfortable position. The keyboard comes with a standard micro-USB to USB cable for charging -- there's no AC adapter included, but considering that most of us have either an iPad "brick" or a handful of other USB charging adapters, it's a nice touch that they didn't include another one. At $79 MSRP, the Typi is much less expensive than other keyboard folios I've reviewed. By comparison, the MSRP for the Qmadix Portfolio for iPad 2 is $149, and the two folio cases are almost identical. I could write about the various and sundry positions that the Typi folds into, how the keyboard works with its 13 hotkeys and more, but I'll let you take a look at the very descriptive Typi page to get the details. Be sure to look at the photos in the gallery, though. %Gallery-137334% Chopstakes iPad styli The first time IPEVO told me about the Chopstakes styli (yes, that is the plural of stylus), I wondered why anyone would need two styluses. The Chopstakes come in two models -- Long ($45.95) and Short ($34.95) -- and are made of aluminum that tapers from a square top down to a circular bottom covered ending in a soft hemispherical capacitive tip. A lot of us don't use styluses, so what the heck are you going to do with two? I kind of got the idea about these things when I was experiencing some pain in my right fingertip this weekend. Any time I tried to use a trackpad or my iPad, it hurt. So, being a fan of chopsticks for eating Asian food, I decided to give the Chopstakes a try. I have small hands, so I used the short Chopstakes. First, I used one of the Chopstakes as a regular old stylus. It works very well -- the short model balanced in my hand very well, and the tip provides a lot of pinpoint detail when you use a light tough, or a wider footprint when you push a little bit. The thin cylindrical bottom of the Chopstakes makes it very easy and comfortable to hold -- it's about the same diameter as a stick pen at that point, but the extra heft of the aluminum body makes it feel like a fancy pen. I was very dubious about using two Chopstakes, but I can see several situations where it would be useful. First, if you like to use two-finger gestures like rotate or zoom-in/zoom-out, they're impossible to do with traditional single fixed point styluses. Holding a pair of styluses as if they were a pair of chopsticks makes it possible to do two-finger multitouch gestures while using the Chopstakes. In this case, your hands are further up on the Chopstakes, near the wider and square tops. This part of the design makes is comfortable to hold the styluses like a pair of chopsticks. By the way, if you've never used chopsticks, there's a three-step tutorial inside the cardboard liner in which the Chopstakes are packed. The Chopstakes are packed in a lockable plastic carrying case, perfect for carrying the pair in a backpack or bag. I can think of other uses for the Chopstakes. If you're using a music app, they're quite useful as drumsticks -- I used 'em, one in each hand, on some of the drum kits in Garage Band for iPad, and did a reasonable job drumming (although that's really Dave Caolo's forté). I also played around with the two styli in the fun Bebot app, although I can't really say that it was an improvement over just using two fingers. How did the Chopstakes work instead of a finger on the surface of the iPad? Just fine. And I plan on continuing to use one of the pair as a iPad stylus until my finger decides to stop hurting. Conclusion IPEVO seems to understand the Apple market. They're doing a great job of making well-designed, well-made, and reasonably-priced products that fill specific needs. Sure, there are other folio keyboard cases for the iPad 2 out there, but the Typi is nicely constructed, attractive, and less expensive than similar cases. The Chopstakes are unique, and might find a place in the iPad bag of musicians, painters, and photographers who want to try out a well-balanced and high quality pair of styluses.
Crux360 iPad 2 keyboard case review
Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case cloaks your iPad 2 in a MacBook Air duvet Crux Loaded case almost turns your iPad into a laptop for $250 MacBook Air review (mid 2011) Yeah... we know. At this point you're probably clutching your funds tightly, eagerly anticipating the release of the iPad 3. But for those of you who recently purchased version 2.0, or perhaps just discovered your need for a Bluetooth keyboard, allow us to shed some light on the Crux360. Sure this isn't the first one of these we've seen, but the full range of motion in the hinge makes this a nice accessory for your Apple slate. We spent a couple weeks putting it through the wringer, so read on past the break to see what we discovered. %Gallery-131743%
Crux360 raises the bar for iPad 2 Bluetooth keyboard cases
Just yesterday, I reviewed the Qmadix Portfolio case for iPad 2 and was favorably impressed. It's too bad I didn't wait a day, because I could have done a smackdown between it and the new Crux360 (US$149). Both keyboard cases are a sign that manufacturers are doing their homework, listening to consumers, and producing innovative new designs to protect and enhance the iPad 2. Design The Crux360 comes in an attractive box that when opened, reveals the case wrapped in a reusable monofiber drawstring bag. Power is provided to the keyboard's lithium-ion polymer battery through a standard micro-USB to USB connector that can be plugged into an iPad 2 power brick or any Mac or PC USB port for charging. While charging, a bright red LED just above the keyboard glows; it's helpful, but you can't tell when charging is done if you have the lid of the case down. The Crux360 is a hard shell keyboard case, not a soft leather portfolio like the Qmadix. It can be used in four different modes: laptop mode, where the keyboard and iPad work together as a mini-laptop; movie mode, propping the screen up in landscape orientation for easy video viewing; tablet mode, where you're using the iPad in its native mode; and carry mode, in which the case is closed and protecting the iPad from scratches and dings. The hard shell of the case has a soft-touch finish, meaning that it is easy to grip and not likely to slip out of your hand. The hinge that connects the "screen" portion of the case with the keyboard is the namesake of the Crux360, as it will rotate through a full 360°. This hinge is very stiff, which allows the case to hold your iPad in the assorted modes without the various props and velcro tabs that you see on so many other cases. %Gallery-129584% Inserting an iPad 2 into the case is a cinch -- the top of the case is in two parts, so you just pop the iPad 2 in, press the two parts together until they click. This takes a little force, but you will feel confident that the iPad isn't going to fall out of the case. What's interesting about the design is that the keyboard has four "feet", one in each corner. Sure enough, when you're using the Crux360 in movie mode or have it flat on a table in tablet mode, those feet keep the keys from being accidentally depressed. Of course, you'll probably want to turn off the keyboard if you're using the Crux360 and iPad in your lap. The Crux360 keyboard has a power-saving mode that makes the most of the 510 mAh battery by switching to a low power setting after two minutes of non-use. Touching any key brings the keyboard back to full life. As with the Qmadix keyboard yesterday, the Crux360 has replaced function keys with a bunch of iPad-specific keys. There are 17 altogether on the Crux360, six of which provide the same music-related track/play/volume functions. The copy and paste buttons are accompanied by select all and cut buttons, and there's a special button for changing the language on the iPad. Finally, the Crux360 works like the Apple Smart Cover, automatically turning on your iPad 2 when the case is opened and turning it off when it's closed. Functionality How did the Crux360 do in my tests? Very well, thank you. As with the similarly-priced Qmadix keyboard case, the Crux360 has a very high-quality feel to it. While I'm not sure how long a "normal" charge takes, I was able to charge up the Crux360's battery in about 90 minutes prior to testing. Turning on the keyboard just takes a five-second press on the dished On button. The red power light glows for a second, letting you know that the keyboard is on. To pair the keyboard with an iPad 2, there's a small button that makes up part of the power light. Pressing it for several seconds puts the keyboard in discoverable mode, at which point pairing with the iPad is done quickly. The hinge on the Crux360 is almost infinitely adjustable and holds the iPad in place in a variety of positions. Crux Case says that the hinge is good for up to 10,000 open/close cycles, so it should outlast most iPads. The keyboard has a good feel, but is a bit loud in operation. One thing I didn't like was the size of the delete button -- on the Qmadix Portfolio, the delete button was almost normal sized. Here, it was the size of any of the regular letter or number keys. In addition, there were three command keys, as well as two shift keys on the right side of the keyboard. Right next to the Enter / Return key is another Enter key. There's nothing wrong with the extra keys, but the placement and number of the keys just seems ... odd. Putting the case onto an iPad 2 is really quite simple, as everything slides into place. Pulling the iPad 2 back out of the case was another matter -- I had to enlist my wife's help in holding onto the keyboard side of the case while I pulled the iPad out with the other. Crux Case notes that you may need "extra hands" available when removing the case, and they certainly weren't kidding. The Bottom Line The Crux360 is a very versatile and well-made keyboard case for the iPad 2. The solidity of the case is excellent, and the price is not out of line with other keyboard cases. Other than the odd placement of several keys on the keyboard, I was able to quickly start touch-typing on it. As an iPad stand, the Crux360 also does a good job although it doesn't work in portrait orientation. If you're considering using your iPad 2 as a laptop replacement, you might want to wait for a few months. Crux Case is coming out with a new case called the Crux Loaded that will feature a Bluetooth trackpad for actually controlling the cursor on the iPad screen. Crux plans on charging a steep $249 for the Crux Loaded, which means that the total price tag for a mid-range iPad 2 and the keyboard case would start getting into the range of an entry level MacBook Air. For a student or commuter who wants to protect an iPad 2 while having a Bluetooth keyboard on hand for fast typing, the Crux360 is perfect.
