2011-02-19T19:00:00
Rated 4 out of 5
Keyboard is awesome, software is weak
I bought this to use with my iPad. It appears to be an OEM Apple BT Keyboard with some stickers/overlays on the front and a silicone cover. Included was a registration code for the AppsKey Pro software.
The keyboard is excellent. It is a newer model Apple BT keyboard which takes 2 batteries. There are a handful of shortcuts labeled on existing keys. The keyboard synced and paired quickly to my iPad. A few of the standard shortcuts don't work as I'd hoped. Spotlight, for example--I hoped Command+Space would trigger the iPad search so I could use that as a launcher much like I use Spotlight as a launcher on my desktop. Many of the shortcuts for copying, pasting, and moving around text fields do work.
The silicone cover is relatively thick and appears to be of good quality. The cover is flat--not indented for individual keys, but includes the finger nubs for the home row. I chose to remove the cover because it interferes with touch-typing. I prefer feeling the individual keys with my fingers.
The software leaves much to be desired. To use the shortcuts, you:
1. Open up the AppsKey Pro software
2. Press the option key plus the shortcut key
Instead, I save a step by just opening the program I want to use.
Some of the shortcuts open up a browser window rather than an app (Facebook, Youtube).
My rating reflects the hardware. The software gets a 0. If this software would intercept shortcut keys in the background and also allow custom shortcuts, I could see a market for it in the App Store. It is of very limited use in its current state.
At retail price, I would recommend buying the regular OEM BT keyboard.
Jay
