IMHO: The Macbook (the small one, that was killed) made more sense than these iPad + keyboard attachments. You had a one, slim package that was easy to use on lap and carry around with one hand (even if open). It was able to run normal software, there was no need to resort to hacking to do for example software development.<p>The negative thing with Macbook was the price point. It was a bit expensive to have as a second computer and on the other hand not powerful enough to be the primary workhorse. Also the battery life could have been better.
Nice keyboard that brings iPad Pro closer to Macbook Air. It seems inevitable that Apple will launch an Arm laptop form factor with iOS.<p>Has Apple blocked keyboard makers from using the Smart Connector on iPad Pro 3? All 3rd-party keyboards for iPP3 are using Bluetooth, which does not have a good security track record. Apple's iPad Pro keyboard does not have backlighting, media keys or good key travel.<p>For iPad Pro 1 and 2, Logitech made good external keyboards with media keys and backlighting, using the Smart Connector (no Bluetooth).<p>On iPad (regular) and Air, Apple's keyboard has a magnetic connector at the bottom of the iPad, which has the ability to remotely enable (?!) Bluetooth, even if the user has turned it off. No onscreen prompt is given to the user to let them know that Bluetooth was turned on at the time of keyboard magnetic attachment.
Now if only Apple would provide decent iPadOS Xcode, and ability to sideload apps (call it disabling SIP or whatever) we'll be able to actually use it.<p>I got this year a 2019 iPad 10.2". I even bought a logitech crayon. with the exception of entertainment and being a nice tool to learn (watching online courses, reading).
it's not a computer replacement yet.
and Apple's multi-tasking gestures are horrible.<p>p.s. - Swift Playgrounds is interesting but not only it is limited I saw some bugs with it and were able to make it unresponsive quite easily (without infinite loops or nasty coding on my end...)
Looks very nice. And shows us, that Apple wouldn't need to bring out a separate ARM powered MacBook. If they wanted, they could have effectively had an ARM powered laptop years ago. Just by unshackeling the software of the iPads they make. My iPad Pro would be a great laptop for me, except for the limitations of the software. Proper mouse support for applications which require it would be one thing. The other would be dropping limitations about what kind of Apps are allowed on the machine the other. I fully support that Apps are sandboxed and plain MacOS would not be an ideal fit for a tablet, which is mostly operated by touch. But that doesn't mean that applications like tmux aren't allowed in a sandbox. Or full IDEs.
I recently purchased a Ducky One 2 SF [1], which has built-in mouse functions. After remapping caps lock to Fn: left pinky + wasd for movement, q left click, e right click, r/f scroll. The default tracking speed is low, but thankfully iOS lets you change that. Configuring accessibility stuff to hide by default, you get a “mouse” when you need it and a pretty good keyboard when you don’t.<p>Other features: USB-C connector. It let me swap windows/alt-option so the command key is in the right place. Light weight plastic, but it’s Ducky so it still feels well built. Surprisingly, the silent red switches bottom-out quieter than my MacBook keys.<p>I leave you with my PgDn macro: sleep snug, smug.<p>[1]: <a href="https://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/Ducky-One2-SF" rel="nofollow">https://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/Ducky-One2-SF</a>
I bought the logitech one, with a full keyboard. I would imagine this is similar but have the same drawbacks (for my use case). It's nice, but a bit clumsy and won't allow me to swap caps <-> ctrl. These days I'm using a very small stand and a 61 keys wasd keyboard: I can swap caps <> ctrl and even choose a dvorak layout at the hardware layer. Keybord is small enough that I can carry it with me on my backpack. It's not good for "laptop" mode, of course, but super easy to setup on any desk/coffee shop.<p>wasd keyboard: <a href="https://www.wasdkeyboards.com/wasd-vp3-61-key-custom-mechanical-keyboard.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.wasdkeyboards.com/wasd-vp3-61-key-custom-mechani...</a>
I have made something similar by detaching the display from an old Macbook Air.<p>That gives me the keyboard that I love the most with the best trackpad, placed below the keyboard the way I like it, working with my PC.
That looks really nice. Kudos to them. These are nice enough that Apple could acquire them.<p>Too bad it’s still possible to bend the iPad Pro in without much force or pressure. This keyboard would be a big reason to consider an iPad Pro.<p>I ended up with an iPad mini for this reason, but the thought of an iPad mini pro would be intriguing. I hope someone might make a keyboard (maybe expanding) for the iPad mini
How does this connect to the iPad, via Bluetooth or the Smart Connector electrical contacts on the iPad?<p>I have a 2nd gen iPad Pro and Logitech keyboard that uses the Smart Connector. Great combo. I don't really want a Bluetooth connection though.
I have a Brydge on my Pro V1 and iPad Mini 5 (the previous iteration of the Brydge mini) and they completely change how you can interact with them. Specially for the mini, which then becomes a very small laptop-ish. Very recommended products.
I like the design and would buy it in a heartbeat (particularly as my iPad Pro’s current Logitech keyboard recently had an unfortunate run-in with honey that seeped under the space bar) but it seems I’m unable to register for updates.
As someone suffering from RSI, I’d buy this in an instant if it worked with MacBook Pro and connects wirelessly (so that I can rest the keyboard on my lap). Promising !
> The Brydge Pro+ has been designed to bring a better experience to the iPad Pro. We've created hardware that maximizes the current functionality within iPadOS, and as accessibility features evolve and improve, the user experience will become more intuitive.