Brydge Max+ keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro, iPad Air now available

Just curious why these keyboard/case/folio manufacturers don't use the smart connector, is there some obstacle or hurdle preventing them?

williamlondon said:

Just curious why these keyboard/case/folio manufacturers don't use the smart connector, is there some obstacle or hurdle preventing them?

I have a logitech keyboard for my 2nd gen iPad pro that uses the smart connector. I love the fact that I never need to worry about charging a battery for it. People argue that ‘every xxx months is not inconvenient,’ but when the battery dies while you’re on a trip and you don’t have the cable it’s very inconvenient.

I’ve also noticed that few (none?) of the newer keyboards use the smart connector. My assumption is that there are royalties involved but I could be wrong. Apple also moved the smart connector for some reason so it’s in a much less convenient or logical position so that may play a roll as well.

MplsP said:

williamlondon said:

Just curious why these keyboard/case/folio manufacturers don't use the smart connector, is there some obstacle or hurdle preventing them?

I have a logitech keyboard for my 2nd gen iPad pro that uses the smart connector. I love the fact that I never need to worry about charging a battery for it. People argue that ‘every xxx months is not inconvenient,’ but when the battery dies while you’re on a trip and you don’t have the cable it’s very inconvenient.

I’ve also noticed that few (none?) of the newer keyboards use the smart connector. My assumption is that there are royalties involved but I could be wrong. Apple also moved the smart connector for some reason so it’s in a much less convenient or logical position so that may play a roll as well.

Thanks for that, didn't know Logitech actually had one, good on them more should do the same. I absolutely agree with you on the convenience of not having to recharge it, even every few months. Seems a no-brainer, at least from a user perspective it is.

Just received my Brydge Max+ keyboard unit for my 11" iPad Pro M1 2TB. Really like it. Works great on the airlines. One can take it off the keyboard and rotate it to vertical which was not an option before. Build quality is great. Another improvement is the power inlet is now on the same side as the iPad power port so cables do not need to wrap around the desk top.

MplsP said:

williamlondon said:

Just curious why these keyboard/case/folio manufacturers don't use the smart connector, is there some obstacle or hurdle preventing them?

I have a logitech keyboard for my 2nd gen iPad pro that uses the smart connector. I love the fact that I never need to worry about charging a battery for it. People argue that ‘every xxx months is not inconvenient,’ but when the battery dies while you’re on a trip and you don’t have the cable it’s very inconvenient.

I’ve also noticed that few (none?) of the newer keyboards use the smart connector. My assumption is that there are royalties involved but I could be wrong. Apple also moved the smart connector for some reason so it’s in a much less convenient or logical position so that may play a roll as well.

I bought a no-name case, keyboard & trackpad for my grandson's iPad last year for 1/4 what this one costs.  It charges with a USB-C cable so that's easy enough.  But, nevertheless, I've only charged it once (maybe twice) in that time frame.  

I don't get the objection to bluetooth peripherals.

Neither do I understand why these things cost so much.  We've have wireless bluetooth keyboards and such for years -- they're cheap and they work well.