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Logitech Announces Solar-Powered iPad Keyboard Case

Thursday May 3, 2012 7:28 am PDT by Eric Slivka
Logitech today announced the launch of its Solar Keyboard Folio, a folding case for the new iPad and iPad 2 that incorporates a solar-powered Bluetooth keyboard.
Similar to Logitech’s solar keyboards for Mac and PC, the Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio includes onboard solar cells that charge the built-in Bluetooth keyboard in any light, whether indoors or outdoors. When fully charged, the battery lasts for up to two years, even in complete darkness (based on a average use of two hours per day).

Much like Apple's Smart Cover, the folio also folds to serve as a stand for the iPad, with two positions available: an upright orientation offering full access to the keyboard and a more reclined position that offers access to only the bottom row of the keyboard for media playback controls.

Logitech's Solar Keyboard Folio will carry a retail price of $129.99 and will launch in the United States and Europe later this month.
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nagromme
14 months ago
My job regularly requires me to type in perpetual darkness for three years.

So close and yet so far, Logitech. I guess you don’t want my business :(
Rating: 31 Positives
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Grimace
14 months ago
Wait, if it last two years when fully charged, why not just ship it fully charged? Seems silly to have an expensive solar tech component when the battery lasts so long.
Rating: 24 Positives
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ddauerbach
14 months ago
I have their desktop version and it works just fine indoors. It's a good keyboard and simply never runs out of power. Ambient light is enough.
Rating: 9 Positives
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JustMartin
14 months ago
Now, if that could charge the iPad once the keyboard's fully charged, it would be really cool. Mind you, as a I sit here with the heating on and the rain coming down (again) in the great British May, I doubt that solar anything is going to be useful.
Rating: 9 Positives
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IJ Reilly
14 months ago

Now, if that could charge the iPad once the keyboard's fully charged, it would be really cool. Mind you, as a I sit here with the heating on and the rain coming down (again) in the great British May, I doubt that solar anything is going to be useful.


They need to come up with one that runs on moss for the folks in the UK.

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My job regularly requires me to type in perpetual darkness for three years.

So close and yet so far, Logitech. I guess you don’t want my business :(


So are you still working at the mushroom farm?
Rating: 7 Positives
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DaveN
14 months ago
I may just get one of them.
Rating: 7 Positives
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ivan2002
14 months ago

...Or you simply just could buy a Macbook Air. The solar powering is a nice idea, but I'll never understand people actually working with this kind of gadgets for iPad..


For the millionth time: MBA != iPad + KB. I'm not even going to dignify that with an explanation.

A lot of people already use some sort of a case for iPad. Why is it so hard to understand the usefulness of it having a keyboard on which you can quickly and comfortably type a (lengthy) reply to an incoming (urgent) email, or do a (longer) IM session, or use any number of VPN apps to connect to a desktop or an MBP running back at home (or office) to complete some incoming task on it where you wouldn't have to lose the half of the screen to the on-screen keyboard.
Rating: 5 Positives
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pauliaK
14 months ago
This is quite an expensive toy, though the idea is nice.
Rating: 5 Positives
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Chupa Chupa
14 months ago

This is quite an expensive toy, though the idea is nice.


I think that is a bit overstated. IPad keyboard cases typically MSRP for $99. A $30 premium here for a keyboard that will never die at exactly the wrong moment isn't that outrageous or toy-like. Plus most $99 keyboard cases street for $60-75 so I suspect this will be discounted too after the early adopters dive in.
Rating: 5 Positives
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jclardy
14 months ago

Now, if that could charge the iPad once the keyboard's fully charged, it would be really cool. Mind you, as a I sit here with the heating on and the rain coming down (again) in the great British May, I doubt that solar anything is going to be useful.


Considering BT keyboards last two months on rechargeable AA batteries, the solar panel in this thing would probably not charge an iPad more than 5% if left in direct sunlight for a day. Especially not iPad 3 which takes around 4-5 hours to fully charge from a wall outlet.

This can charge off of any light, so indoor lighting will keep your keyboard charged even when raining.
Rating: 4 Positives

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