Accessories
Brando Folding BlueTooth Keyboard
Back in the UMPC days we saw a number of interesting BlueTooth and USB keyboard designs that included rigid form factors as well as flexible ones. With the advent of the iPad and the potential for all of those Tablet/Slates we keep hearing about, we’re sure to see a resurgence of BlueTooth keyboards, and to some extent we already are. I’ve been content to use my iGo Stowaway BlueTooth Keyboard since picking up the iPad. It is a great piece of kit for my arsenal, but sadly it is no longer manufactured, but you can still find them for sale if you look. Now that Apple has included support for BlueTooth keyboards in iOS4, I could also use the Stowaway or another such keyboard with the iPhone should I need or want to.
But there are other alternatives out there. I recently came across this foldable (or is that roll-able) BlueTooth keyboard from Brando. From the looks of the pictures on the product page, the device is made of silicon, and can be rolled up to tote around. It costs $40. I’m content with m solution at the moment, but if anyone tries this out, let us know how you like it.
asiriusgeek
07/14/2010 at 9:18 am
I’m looking at this one for my iPad when it arrives: https://www.amazon.com/Menotek-Flexible-Bluetooth-Waterproof-Keyboard/dp/B003K1VABO/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I31RORKA208W6F&colid=15JZYWZWQBLYX
dstrauss
07/14/2010 at 12:18 pm
Warner – I’m like you – I really love re-purposing that old iGO I didn’t sell when I got rid of the Treo. It works perfectly with the iPad and I suppose it would work as well under iOS4 now with the 4 and 3GS. Just wish it were a tiny bit deeper so it had a discrete number row at the top!
sbtablet
07/14/2010 at 6:57 pm
Here’s hoping they will bring back the iGo Stowaway. It’s a great little keyboard.
Chad Essley
07/15/2010 at 7:48 pm
Beware! I’ve actually tried the silicone / rollup keyboards out years ago, and the tactile response is terrible. Perhaps just enough to tap out an e-mail, but not enough spring for the true touch typist. I just ordered one of these, as my Igo / stowaway keyboard broke. (my third)
I just ordered one of these: https://mobile.brando.com/bluetooth-foldable-keyboard_p5071c921d92.html
Similar to the think outside, and works with a pc / ps3, so I assume the ipad as well.
(My review, when I get it in a day or so)
The Igo had a thin cable inside it that would fatigue with age and render the keyboard useless, as the tiny traces of metal, bonded inside that thin plastic ribbon cable, fractured over multiple bends with time. No wonder they ditched that product!