Making an appearance at CES in Las Vegas this year is the iType, a standard QWERTY keyboard with full-size keys for the iPhone.
Created by ION Audio, a company best known for its line of USB turntables, the device is expected to “transforms the handheld device from a touch-screen mobile phone into an ultra-portable computer,” according to ION.
To be made available in black and silver, the iType is a full-size board with a space in which to sit the handset in landscape mode, it also has its own power supply, so it won’t drain the iPhone’s battery. In fact, if reports are true, it might in fact charge it.
The potential here is pretty interesting. If ION made it possible to navigate the iPhone using the keyboard (and maybe a touchpad), you’ve got yourself a super portable computer that in some respects might make you wonder, why bother with a tablet after all? Keep the iType in your bag/suitcase and bring it out whenever you’re sat at a desk.
Of course, Apple’s tablet is likely to offer much more than an iPhone with a larger keyboard. If reports are true, it’s an entirely new 3D interface that will in fact that some getting used to.
I still want one of these though. The iType will reportedly be available in Q2 of this year and ION is aiming to sell it for £70 ($112).
via Reg Hardware.
Sorry am I missing something here? Why would I carry around a device the size of a laptop – that has a fraction of it’s capability and screen size – so I can use my mobile device on a desktop?
This feels like an external portable 3 1/2 floppy drive from 8 years ago – it merges new tech with a legacy interface I think it kind of misses the point of where HCI is probably headed.
If only the iPhone had bluetooth and Apple made a bluetooth keyboard. Oh, wait… Well, at least Apple’s bluetooth keyboard worsk with Nokia phones ;)
Hm’ what is the advantage of having a “keyboard” in the bag and the i*phone in hand instead of having another smartphone in hand and having a netbook with a much bigger screen etc. in the bag except of a minimum weight-difference?
Useless ++
You seem to be missing entirely that the keyboard has a larger cutout than fits the iPhone. Perhaps this will be iSlate compatible?
You seem to have published an Onion article by mistake.
Please issue an appropriate apology.
About as useful as the USB turntable and they should have been tarred and feathered for that one alone. I guess we’ll be seeing extra large pockets to accommodate these.
Hm, now if only you could plug a monitor into that, it would be a nirvana. :)
well i like this.. Nokia Wireless Keyboard SU-8W is better.. wrks wid bluetooth :) http://darlamack.blogs.com/darlamack/2005/03/nokia_wireless_.html
have fun typing long mails :)
I’m thinking this is going to flop. Besides what other commenters have mentioned, the thing just isn’t built well. If you’re going to mount your iPhone into a device like this, wouldn’t it make sense for the back to be slanted at least 45 degrees? Maybe more? For proper viewing of the screen? I don’t know about you guys, but when I look at a screen it’s typically not comfortable for me if it’s laying flat.
FABULOUS. This is a writer’s dream.
Why would you use this? Sitting in a lowlight bar someplace. Sitting in a dark theatre when you get a great idea you want to write down. You can see the keys and turn the light of the iPhone down. The tactile experience that some writers like. Working on an airplane when you dont want the guy beside you reading what you’re writing.
All the 40+ crowd with (1) either eyesight problems, or (2) those not able to get over a full keyboard size.
It’s more unobtrusive than a clamshell anything.
Thank you, ION! I want one now.
Another thing: going through customs. I’ve had two laptops absconded with, in foreign countries, another with the innards copied at the border (I have a way of telling that.)
There are a lot of security reasons to have something like this. And even though I intend to be customer #1 for that Apple tablet, I will think twice traveling to certain countries for week long trips with something so innovative.
This may seem like the Flintstones to some, but it’s brilliant, and ION has obviously done its homework and understood a global need. You can pack an innocent looking keyboard that doesn’t set off IMALOTTAMONEE in your checked baggage, go through security with your innocent iPhone with 32 GBs of info, and have something that allows you to access your data easily once you reach your destination. Just add a cigarette-box sized projector.
One more thing: think China. Internet censorship is on the bandwidth. This keyboard accomplishes two things: real work can go through the phone networks, bypassing the censorship, and, two, it’s not obvious.
I’ll bet ION checked in the grandma market via AARP. All those arthritic hands tapping away to the grandkiddies.
I think its a little much for a phone.
woww!!! very nice but i think it a bit expensive..