New, lighter BrydgeAir keyboard aims to bring laptop functionality to Apple's iPad Air
Popular iPad keyboard maker Brydge is now accepting preorders for a new model designed specifically for Apple's iPad Air, bringing not only physical backlit keys, but also upgraded stereo speakers and a lighter aluminum design.
The new BrydgeAir is scheduled to begin shipping in October. Preorders for the device are currently available at a discounted price of $150 for the first 1,000 units, and it will eventually retail for $199.
Taking a cue from Apple's popular MacBook lineup, the BrydgeAir is made from a single piece of aluminum. It's also 35 percent lighter than the previous Brydge keyboard, matching the svelte design of the full-size iPad Air.
As such, the BrydgeAir is only compatible with the iPad Air, and will not work with previous-generation models. For those users on legacy iPad models, the heavier Brydge+ is available in polycarbonate for $79, aluminum and speakerless for $89, or with speakers for $99.
Like its predecessor, the BrydgeAir boasts a simple clip-in design that allows the iPad to be easily secured or removed from the keyboard dock. When in place and connected over Bluetooth, it turns Apple's iPad Air into a laptop-style form factor, complete with physical backlit keyboard, higher quality stereo speakers, and a 180-degree viewing angle.
The keyboard also features a full row dedicated to shortcuts such as Spotlight search, the Photos app, cut, copy, paste, media playback, volume, and screen lock.
Scheduled to ship in October, the BrydgeAir will arrive around the time Apple is expected to unveil its next-generation iPad models. However, rumors so far this year have suggested that Apple's iPad lineup will not undergo any significant design changes, as the company is instead reportedly focused on bringing the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to its 2014 models.
The new BrydgeAir is scheduled to begin shipping in October. Preorders for the device are currently available at a discounted price of $150 for the first 1,000 units, and it will eventually retail for $199.
Taking a cue from Apple's popular MacBook lineup, the BrydgeAir is made from a single piece of aluminum. It's also 35 percent lighter than the previous Brydge keyboard, matching the svelte design of the full-size iPad Air.
As such, the BrydgeAir is only compatible with the iPad Air, and will not work with previous-generation models. For those users on legacy iPad models, the heavier Brydge+ is available in polycarbonate for $79, aluminum and speakerless for $89, or with speakers for $99.
Like its predecessor, the BrydgeAir boasts a simple clip-in design that allows the iPad to be easily secured or removed from the keyboard dock. When in place and connected over Bluetooth, it turns Apple's iPad Air into a laptop-style form factor, complete with physical backlit keyboard, higher quality stereo speakers, and a 180-degree viewing angle.
The keyboard also features a full row dedicated to shortcuts such as Spotlight search, the Photos app, cut, copy, paste, media playback, volume, and screen lock.
Scheduled to ship in October, the BrydgeAir will arrive around the time Apple is expected to unveil its next-generation iPad models. However, rumors so far this year have suggested that Apple's iPad lineup will not undergo any significant design changes, as the company is instead reportedly focused on bringing the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to its 2014 models.
Comments
Now you can turn your iPad into a Surface! Heh.
Now you can turn your iPad into a Surface! Heh.
Actually- the Surface keyboard is much better. I thought it was a terrible idea- both the surface, and the keyboard- however the integration between the two was pretty impressive. The Surface keyboard has its own battery life, but also extends the battery life of the Surface itself by 70%. Thats pretty intuitive.
I like this look- great job by BrydgeAir- and clearly the best keyboard for the iPad out there.
Okay, I may be one of the three people on the planet who do this, but still...
Double-tap the home key on the keyboard (top left corner).
Just buy a Surface.
Nah..... Just buy a Macbook Air.
KeyboardGate
If you need a keyboard for your iPAD, you're using it wrong.
KeyboardGate
If you need a keyboard for your iPAD, you're using it wrong.
Say your high school senior has an iPad you bought him for Christmas. He goes to college and wants to take notes. Do you buy him a $150 keyboard, or do you buy him a new $900 MacBook Air?
It's not a terrible idea, the uses are just extremely niche- thats one of the reasons why the surface was a colossal failure.
Just buy a Surface.
Just go away hater. You are just wasting your time.
Say your high school senior has an iPad you bought him for Christmas. He goes to college and wants to take notes. Do you buy him a $150 keyboard, or do you buy him a new $900 MacBook Air?
It's not a terrible idea, the uses are just extremely niche- thats one of the reasons why the surface was a colossal failure.
First, if you bought a high school senior an iPad, and they have no laptop for when they start college, you clearly have your priorities WAY off, as an ipad is mostly a toy, and not geared for any real work. A laptop can help you do school work, while an ipad will allow you to visit web pages, read ebooks, rattle off short emails, play games, watch movies, check facebook, etc (and you can only guess which of these tasks a college student is going to do the most).
As for taking notes in class... Personally I found computers/tablets WAY too distracting for taking notes. There are just way too many things available on the device that are MUCH more exciting than the class. I'm no longer in school now, but when I'm in an important meeting, I often close my laptop and take out a pencil and pad of paper.
Phil
You should try out Server Auditor. I use it for ssh almost every day, and it gives you an on-screen button for esc. Note that a lot of vim users map to escape, since you rarely type it for anything else.
The only thing I wish Server Auditor had that it doesn’t is way to type a backtick key, but I can just use instead.
If you do use it I’d recommend using tmux or screen so it’s less of a problem when sessions get dropped.
The iPad has a built-in keyboard; amazing, huh? No need for a $150 add-on keyboard or a $900 laptop. You can even record sound whilst taking notes in case you miss anything. You can also draw diagrams in your notes with your finger and ease, something you'd find difficult on a laptop.
Draw with your fingers while the Surface owner is digging around in his backpack for his stylus. Way to go!
Later he's digging around for his power adapter and an outlet...
You could always offer to airdrop the poor slob your notes, but wait.... Microsoft's Surface needs a USB cable to transfer data.... bummer....hehehe.
Double-tap the home key on the keyboard (top left corner).
You mean the top right - the power button? There is no home button on the top left corner of the apple BT keyboard.