Razer Debuts $170 'Mechanical Keyboard Case' for 12.9-inch iPad Pro

uses Bluetooth to connect to the iPad Pro

And that's where they lost me.

I still don't understand the need for backlit keys. Are people still that unaccustomed with their keyboard that they have to look to type? A backlit keyboard just warms my hands (more than I would like) and wastes battery.

Usually not while they type, but since people's hand are usually not on the keyboard 100% of the time, it's useful to look right before you place you hands on it to know which keys are under your fingers initially. I know that's what the nibs on the F and J keys are for, but it's often quicker to quickly glance at the keyboard than the look for the nibs by feel alone. There are also those times where you use less frequent keys and don't know where they are just by memory. Do you think most people would hit the right key on their first attempt if they were asked to press, say, F7 without looking?

Okay guys, the BT factor sucks, but this isn't about that. A mechanical keyboard CASE?! I adore my mechanical keyboard for my desktop. The price is what it is because of the key switches. If you have never used a mechanical keyboard, I strongly encourage you to try one out.

I've been a software developer for over 40 years and have (and still) use mechanical keyboards all that time. I get it that hipsters love them (I'm not saying all who love mechanical keyboards are hipsters), but I don't like them. They're ponderous to type on.

When I get to use my iMac, Macbook Air, and iPad Pro keyboards, it's a pleasure by comparison. It's the difference between slogging through knee-deep snow without snow-shoes and flittering across a running track. :confused::D

I still don't understand the need for backlit keys. Are people still that unaccustomed with their keyboard that they have to look to type? A backlit keyboard just warms my hands (more than I would like) and wastes battery.

It's not like you have to have the backlight on... it's technically an option. And do those tiny little white LEDs really generate enough heat to make a difference? I'd say it's just your laptop that's hot, not he keyboard. I use a backlit mechanical keyboard at work for 8 hours a day (using it right now) and I've never noticed any heat difference. In fact, my hands are freezing right now...

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Apple's own keyboard is a pure cash cow and they have zero interest someone eating into their profit, so they set incredibly high MFi licensing costs for the Smart Connector and the manufacturer is left with pennies in margins.

I assume this will stay that way until Apple no longer gets away with it or the market is saturated enough and they pull out before looking too much like a bully to the conscious observer. (and the pro market is just that)

I want to develop an accessory that communicates with an Apple device using only Bluetooth Low Energy. Do I need to join the MFi Program?
No. Accessories which connect to an Apple device using only Bluetooth Low Energy/BTLE/Bluetooth 4.0 or standard Bluetooth profiles supported by iOS are not part of the MFi Program.

Source: https://mfi.apple.com/MFiWeb/getFAQ.action#1-1

Nobody knows if the smart connector will change over time, so why build to something that may disappear if Apple decides it doesn't want that extra port anymore? Don't blame Razer for only taking so much of a risk with this new product.

As someone who would connect an IBM Selectric to my desktop if I could use it for my keyboard, I look forward to trying out a demo model of this keyboard. :) Not to buy, just to see how much of a mechanical feel they incorporated into this tiny a case. Weight isn't mentioned in Razer's specs though so I'd imagine this won't be a light keyboard case.

Keyboard cases wrap around or at least attach to the specific device's dimensions which are much more likely to change.
When something changes, it also means you get to sell more typically, especially a third-party can't be blamed for whatever Apple changes, so they can sell you another case, keyboard case / attachable keyboard, etc all without looking like the one "FORCING" you.

Glassed Silver:mac

...yet, they want to charge the insane premium for their product.

It's the exact same price as the Apple version for iPad pro and the Razer version is an ACTUAL mechanical keyboard, AND you get backlit keys... I don't see how that makes it an "insane premium." You're really getting more bang for your buck if you ask me... even if it doesn't utilize the smart connector.