Brydge supports 2020 iPad Pro & improves with iPadOS 13.4 cursor overhaul

Hands on with the upcoming Brydge Pro+ keyboard and trackpad

Apple's new cursor and Bluetooth peripheral support in iPadOS 13.4 not only allows Apple's mice and trackpads to work with iPad but it will greatly benefit third-party accessories as well, including the Brydge Pro+ keyboard and trackpad.

Brydge has confirmed that it's upcoming Brydge Pro+ will not only work perfectly with the updated 2020 iPad Pro but the integrated trackpad will work even better than it would without Apple's iPadOS 13.4.

"We're happy to confirm that the Brydge Pro+will seamlessly integrate with the newest iPad Pros - delivering the same trackpad experience as Apple's new Magic Keyboard"

Apple's iPadOS 13.4 — a free update coming to all compatible iPads and iPads Pros — brings full cursor support as well as support for external mice and trackpads. That includes the trackpad baked into the Brydge Pro+. Brydge says this update will "significantly improve the user experience, making it more intuitive and fluid."

The accessory maker also released a short new video demoing the improved experience ahead of the product's release mid-April.

Brydge Pro+ offers backlit mechanical keys, a full row of dedicated function keys, its patented hinge that allows almost any angle, and an integrated trackpad for significantly less than Apple's Magic Keyboard. It also is expected to launch sooner as well with Apple's Magic Keyboard not slated until May 2020.

The Brydge iTrack iPad trackpad

Aside from the Brydge Pro+, the company's iTrack iPad trackpad will also benefit from the iPadOS 13.4 update, gaining the same fluid motion and expanded cursor features.

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AppleInsider tested the Brydge Pro+ during CES and while it was a good experience, the Bluetooth trackpad did suffer from not having full-fledged support built into iPadOS. It was not as smooth as we'd like and only supported a few gestures. The iPadOS 13.4 update has an updated cursor that is more intuitive when navigating and working on iPad and iPad Pro.

Learn more about how you can use the Brydge Pro+ or any Bluetooth mouse or trackpad with your iPad or iPad Pro in AppleInsider's in-depth hands on.

If you'd like to preorder the Brydge Pro+ you can head over to Brydge's website and reserve yours starting at $199.

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5 Comments

indiekiduk

said about 4 years ago

Sherlocked!

mac voyer

said about 4 years ago

indiekiduk said:

Sherlocked!

At $150 cheaper, I’d say it has a lot of life left in it.

galfridus

said about 4 years ago

indiekiduk said:

Sherlocked!

It's a different beast. My issue with the Magic Keyboard isn't just the price (though that is too much for what you get), but the fact that, like all of Apple's folio-style cases and keyboards, they simply don't play well on anything than a hard surface. If my tablet is going to act like a laptop, then I want to be able to use it on my lap—I don't see this Magic Keyboard making that any easier than the Smart Keyboard Folio. I've used keyboards with my iPads for close to a decade now and, despite Apple's style and design, I think Brydge's implementation is the first truly practical one.

IanS

said about 4 years ago

Will be looking for a comparison article.

ApplePoor

said about 4 years ago

I acquired Apple's keyboard at the same time I purchased a new 2018 11" iPad Pro in the early summer of 2019. The next day I was on the patio and the iPad slid out of the Apple Keyboard glass side down onto the concrete. Destroyed the screen. I took the two items to the Apple store and returned the Apple keyboard and got a new iPad Pro. I then tried the Zagg keyboard. The tang foot sticking out the back made it too deep for any airline table. Then I found the Brydge keyboard.This is the one that makes an iPad Pro useful. I plan to give my first generation Brydge keyboard to a step daughter when my Brydge track pad version arrives in April. BTW, I was surprised that the credit card was charged at the time of order months ago rather than shipment date.

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