AppleInsider Staff
Mobile accessory maker Belkin on Thursday announced that its QODE Thin Type keyboard, a slim Bluetooth-connected aluminum keyboard for the iPad Air, is now available for purchase nearly six months after its debut.
Originally unveiled last October, the QODE Thin Type is made of anodized aluminum and comes in at just 4 millimeters thick. The keyboard attaches to Apple's tablet using the built-in Smart Cover magnets and sports an "auto off" function designed to conserve power.
Belkin touts the Thin Type's design as a way to combine a protective screen cover and keyboard into a single piece. The keyboard does not, however, act as a full case for the iPad.
The Thin Type will prop up an iPad in either portrait or landscape modes, and Belkin says the built-in battery is good for up to 79 hours of use or 3,100 hours on standby. Additionally, the keyboard sports iOS-specific function keys that grant quick access to features like copy and paste, volume adjustments, and music controls.
Since the initial announcement, Belkin has added a darker gray color option to the lineup. Both the white and gray QODE Thin Type Keyboard models are available now for $99.99 directly from Belkin or from resellers like Amazon.
Oliver Haslam
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4 Comments
Interesting! I have to wonder if this keyboard is universal, that is will it act as a keyboard for any Bluetooth compliant device? That would require a work around for the power switch arrangement.
Interesting! I have to wonder if this keyboard is universal, that is will it act as a keyboard for any Bluetooth compliant device? That would require a work around for the power switch arrangement.
Like that ugly universal size keyboards?
I have had this keyboard for about a month (in the black and space gray colour way). It's nice, and the magnetic hinge / connector is stronger than the old Logitech slim case keyboard – so it doesn't become separated in transit. However, it doesn't have a standard key layout – the " and ' key is missing from the second row, having been moved to the right of the space bar. I do a lot of writing and have found this a rather frustrating glitch that slows me down a lot. It's also quite heavy, being made from quite thick aluminium rather than plastic. Consequently, I have ditched this keyboard in favour of the new Logitech Ultrathin case (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/ultrathin-air), which is much better.
I am using the clamcase for the iPad mini. A little heavy but it completely protects it and is up to Apple's high standard for quality. Check it out