iPhone and iPad Bluetooth keyboards worth buying

You have bought a brand new iPad for yourself and now would like to take full advantage of the options it offers you. The next step would be to buy a keyboard for it, one you can use to write longer email messages or type URL addresses with ease in Safari. There are options you could look at but not so many as you would like to think. Then there is the cost factor to take into consideration when buying a bluetooth keyboard for your iPhone or iPad. Here is what you should look for.

The Portability Factor

Your best bet would be the Apple BT keyboard. It was designed to work with Apple products and when it comes to size you can rest assured that it will fit almost any bag. What you should think of when talking about bluetooth keyboards and their sizes would be the fact that if they are too big you won’t be able to always carry them after you. If they are too small, the keys o the keyboards would also be too small for your fingers so you won’t really like using the keyboard this way.

The Cost Factor

There are cheap keyboards and then there are keyboards that cost the same as an 32 GB iPod Touch. If you think you’ll use the keyboard on a regular basis then it’s worth getting a expensive one. Better be safe. However it’s not worth it buying an expensive one if you’re going to use it twice a year.

The Compatibility Factor

Make sure that the bluetooth keyboard you have set your eyes on is compatible with iOS. Although most bluetooth keyboards will work out of the box with your device, some of these might be designed with Windows-compatible devices in mind. So you might be surprised later on if not all keys are working as they should or if you are having trouble pairing the keyboard with your device. Ask the seller if the device is Apple compatible or check the box it comes in for the Apple logo.

The Stability Factor

There are different kinds of bluetooth keyboards out there. Some are flexible, some are rugged, some will even use laser to display a virtual keyboard upon a flat surface. Pick the one you are most comfortable with. Most people like to use a solid plastic keyboard, the kind that is available in most stores.

We have tried some products for this article and each of these products had its ups and downs. In the end we have settled for the Apple Wireless Keyboard. The Apple Wireless Keyboard works with two AA batteries. It is a very light keyboard and a very thin one. Batteries will last for a long time since the Apple Wireless Keyboard has excellent power management. As of other operating systems, the Apple Wireless Keyboard is compatible with Windows Vista and Windows 7, so you can use it with other devices such as your laptop or Windows tablet, should you have these.

The issue with the Apple Wireless Keyboard is the size of the keyboard. It’s not foldable and you have to make sure you have enough room in your bag or backpack for it if you plan to carry it around with you. Then there are the rubber keys of the Apple Wireless Keyboard, keys that attract dust particles. You will probably have to use a cover for the Apple Wireless Keyboard to prevent dust and dirt covering it.

Freedom Bluetooth Universal Keyboard PRO

Another keyboard you could like is the Freedom Bluetooth Universal Keyboard PRO. The Freedom Bluetooth Universal Keyboard PRO is a foldable keyboard which makes it portable. The cost is high, around $89.00 but you might find it cheaper elsewhere in time. It also has a stand for your device, so it will always rest in front of your eyes. The stand is too light to be able to hold an iPad but the Freedom Bluetooth Universal Keyboard PRO can easily hold an iPhone or an iPod Touch.

Stowaway Sierra Bluetooth Keyboard

Yet another keyboard worth mentioning is the Stowaway Sierra Bluetooth Keyboard by Think Outside. It is a very thin keyboard that is also foldable so you may be able to carry the Stowaway Sierra Bluetooth Keyboard by Think Outside with you. It also has a stand but it won’t be able to hold an iPad’s weight, but the Stowaway Sierra Bluetooth Keyboard by Think Outside can easily hold an iPhone. If you find one online consider purchasing this.

Clamcase

A product that has been designed with the iPad in mind is the Clamcase. It can hold your iPad 1 or iPad 2 and will practically give your device a laptop look. The best part in the Clamcase is the fact that it has built in buttons for volume, search, media controls and slideshow. This eases work with your tablet. What would make one not consider the Clamcase is the fact that the price is a little steep: $110.

Boxwave Keyboard Buddy

One final bluetooth keyboard we would like to talk to you about is the Boxwave Keyboard Buddy case. The Boxwave Keyboard Buddy case is your best bet if you want to carry less with you. Just like a Blackberry or an Android device, the Boxwave Keyboard Buddy case will turn your iPhone into a compact system that has a slidable keyboard behind it. One downside is the fact that the spacebar is a little bit to the right and just a little bit small on the Boxwave Keyboard Buddy case. The Boxwave Keyboard Buddy case costs $69 and it will give your device a sleek look.

There are a lot of bluetooth keyboards you could use but not all of them will work well with your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. If the store you are thinking to buy from has these keyboards on display what you could do is take your device with you and test them on the spot. It is also a good idea to buy your bluetooth keyboard from a store that has a return policy.