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.
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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.
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