New Mobile Keyboard courtsey of Apple Inc.
November 5th, 2007 by Scott Janousek
(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)
Loading ...Looking for a wireless mobile/portable keyboard for your devices and/or desktop?
Nokia SU-8W
Well, I had looked at Nokia’s Bluetooth wireless SU-8W Mobile Keyboard (the one that folds), a while back … to this day, however, I never went that route … mostly due to the fact that I was concerned about the somewhat unique key footprint/layout and going back and forth between desktop and mobile keyboard layouts. Also the cost (> $100)!
Jump forward to this year … I’ve just replaced my PS2/USB keyboards for both my MacBook, PC desktop, and N95 with a new wireless (mobile) keyboard.
What brand, you ask? Apple!
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Yep. I picked up the Apple Wireless keyboard after I read about using it with the Nokia N95 over at the N95 Blog.
So far, barring some key mapping issues (I’m working out) … I am absolutely loving this keyboard.
Some things I like in particular:
- It’s small and thin (I can fit it in any bag, no problem).
- It’s lightweight but also durable since it’s made of aluminum.
- In terms of capability … I’ve gotten it to work successfully with Windows XP, OSX (Leopard), my N95, (have to try my iPhone next).
- The tactile “feel” of the genious that is Apple … well, maybe my old keyboard just sucked wind. But really, the keys on this thing are very similar to those on the MacBook … actually, they are the same. If you place the Apple Wireless keyboard ontop of a MacBook keyboard, you’ll see all they did was take that design and put it in an external housing with wireless.
- The footprint is the same as the MacBook keyboard, so I don’t have to learn another keyboard layout.
- I now have ONE keyboard layout for PC, Mac, and mobile device(s)!
Some things I hate:
- The price tag. At $79, ouch (but cheaper than the Nokia!). But what did you expect from Apple?
- Remapping keys of PC and mobile devices!
) … still trying to figure out some mappings!
All in all, if you’re searching for a mobile keyboard … I’d recommend checking out both the Apple and Nokia wireless keyboards. Both are pretty sweet if you ever need to input data on your mobile device(s) without the frustrations of T9.
Darla still has an old review of the Nokia keyboard and you can find all the Apple keyboard specs, here.
I can’t believe how good it felt to type this post out on my new keyboard.
It’s got a really awesome tactile feel as far as keyboards go (IMHO)!
November 9th, 2007 at 8:27 am
I have tested this keybord at “media markt” here in berlin. In my opinion it is to small to write a longer text as fast as a normal keybord.
But really good desing
Cheers,Chris
November 9th, 2007 at 11:28 am
To each his/her own. If you have a MacBook it makes a whole lot of sense to have this to use across your MacBook, PC, and other devices.
One consistent keyboard layout is better than 3+ IMHO.
November 12th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
That keyboard looks really cool!!! I think I need to add that to my Christmas list.
November 12th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Darla, it takes a bit of finese to make it work with a PC … but on the N95 and my Mac it was pretty straightforward.
I got it because I like the “feel” of it … I’d give it a try in store and see if you like it … I’m quite biased on the design since I use a MacBook as my lappy.
November 14th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
I’ve heard that with the Nokia SU-8W it’s possible to control everything on the phone (not only entry text), e.g. enter the menu.
Is that possible with the Appe Keyboard? (it does not have the symbian menu key, for example)
The total control of the phone is essential, since i will use it connected to a tv, and with the keyboard i will not need to stay close to it!
Thanks in advance! =D
November 14th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Oh well, i saw now the ‘n95blog’ topic asking my question! (I hadn’t see it before)
Thanks one more time for this article, and sorry for my bad english =P
November 17th, 2007 at 8:33 am
I am unable to par my wireless apple keyboard with my Nokia 95 8
I have tried by using the wireless keyboard find and checked blue tooth is on.
can anyone assist me please? thank you
December 5th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
@peter – i had the same troble. but i just got a tip from a friendly e61 enthusiast to make it work.
fire up the wireless keyboard app, search for keyboards, select it once you see it (if you have several devices around it might make sense to pair it with a laptop first to be able to give it a distinctive name!), and IMMEDIATELY after selecting, enter e.g. “1111″ and on your keyboard. then the phone will ask you for a pairing code, enter the same code, and you’re up and running.