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Best portable keyboards for 2015 smartphones and tablets

No matter how advanced our gadgets get, typing on a touch screen can still be a chore. Here are three different ways of getting more out of a tablet, mini-tablet and a smartphone

No matter how advanced our gadgets get, typing on a touch screen can still be a chore. Here are three different ways of getting more out of a tablet, mini-tablet and a smartphone.

 

If you need more screen space than a smartphone can offer, a mid-sized tablet like the iPad mini is perfect. A clip-on keyboard cover that magnetically attaches to the spine of the iPad mini, the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover (HK$698, logitech.com) acts as both a slimline protective cover and an excellent Bluetooth keyboard. The slightly concave keys are surprisingly large and typing is always accurate. The cover also has a healthy amount of heft so the iPad mini doesn't move while you're working. However, the magnetic spine doesn't grip the iPad mini's spine as strongly as it should.

 

A roll-up, pocket-sized keyboard that can be used with any mobile device boasting Bluetooth would seem like the perfect solution for commuters and travellers. The Mini Roll-able Bluetooth Keyboard (HK$197.49, hk.mobilefun.com) weighs a fraction of a laptop or desktop keyboard, and is easy to pair with any tablet or smartphone. However, despite being highly portable (it's no bigger than a couple of smartphones when rolled-up) the flexible keypad proves difficult to type on. It's too easy to make mistakes, and some keys need hitting twice, although this is still a reasonable option if you only intend to type occasionally.

 

If you're not a fan of putting your tablet in a protective case, the Belkin QODE Ultimate Pro Keyboard (HK$1,298, belkin.com) is probably not for you, although its one-piece design is as impressive as it is productive. The killer feature is a backlit keyboard, which is very useful in dimly-lit aircraft cabins. The iPad can be supported at two different angles, while it can also simultaneously attach to two devices. Typing is easy, although not quite as refined as on the Logitech, with flat keys prone to slippage and mistakes. 

 

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Toybox: Mobile keyboards
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