Brydge Brings Multi-Touch Support to Pro+ Keyboards, Debuts New 10.2-Inch Max+ Model

That keyboard appears to add a lot of bulk to the iPad. If one doesn't really need to be portable, that may not be an issue. I like my Magic Keyboard profile better, even though it is a lot more expensive.

That's great for existing customers, but surely the Magic Keyboard has killed the product? I'm surprised its taken this long to get the update to be honest as I remember us chatting about this when the Magic Keyboard was first announced.

Price. Also extremely useful function keys. It’s a great alternative.

Touch screen with handwriting/drawing support... yes there is a reason....

I bought the iPad magic keyboard during the recent $200 sale, and I've had it for almost a month now. Not sure why the Magic Keyboard is getting so much love. I could understand the preference when the Brydge keyboard didn't have as good of a touchpad. But if that's been fixed, the Brydge keyboard is definitely a more compelling option.

To be fair to the magic keyboard, the build quality is nice, and the touchpad is very good. But it's had some annoying drawbacks. For one, I keep on wishing that the keyboard allowed for more tilt. I instinctively keep on trying to tilt it further back, only to realize I'm not a laptop. It's not a problem when using it on a desk, but when I have it on my lap, it always seems like I'm looking down on the iPad at an angle; the screen is not perpendicular to my face. Also, though I knew going in that the Magic keyboard didn't have a row of function keys, I didn't realize how much I'll miss them (I had the Brydge keyboard for my iPad Pro 9.7", and it was always convenient having those keys there). It wouldn't have been a major problem if the OS had a bit more of universal keyboard shortcuts. For example, there is no shortcut for Siri, and it's annoying to always speak out 'Hey Siri'. You never know whether it'll pick it up, or your phone will. On the Brydge keyboard there is a dedicated Siri button (which was always useful on my previous Brydge keyboard). For basic functionality like volume control, you either have to extend your hand, or go to the control center, which obfuscates any video you are seeing. It's not the same has having dedicated keys on the keyboard.

The only reason I bought the magic keyboard is because I had read that it had the best trackpad experience, and that the brydge version wasn't as good. That seemed like a deal-breaker, so I didn't opt for the Brydge this time. Also, I had known that swiping from the bottom is not convenient on the Brydge (a problem, I had found irksome even with my previous Brydge keyboard). But after using the magic keyboard, I realized that this will never be a problem when you have a trackpad. On the magic keyboard, not once did I use to use the bottom-up swipe gesture cause you can just move the cursor down beyond the screen for it to mimic the swipe-up gesture. It's just more natural to use the touchpad than to extend your hand.

So, if in fact the touchpad on the Brydge keyboard has been improved to match the Magic Keyboard, I'm going to be returning the Magic Keyboard and will be buying the Brydge instead. Another potential benefit might be that (not sure yet), that I might be able to use it with a TPU cover that I have on my iPad Pro. Currently I have to take it out to use it with the magic keyboard.

To summarize the advantages of the Brydge keyboard -
1. Can tilt more than the magic keyboard
2. Has function keys
3. $40 cheaper at current sale price
4. Might be compatible with protective cover in place

Advantage of the Magic keyboard -
1. Back-side protection
2. Don't have to ever charge it
3. Attaching it magnetically is better than swiping the iPad into rubber holders

The magic keyboard advantages seem meager at best. The Brydge is not perfect either, but I'm willing to bet it's day to day use might be better than the magic keyboard.

Edit - from reviews it seems Brydge can't be used with an external cover.

Erm....can a mac be used like a tablet?

Nope for those tasks I have an iPad Pro. Which even with a keyboard is a poor replacement for a laptop with its full file system and ability to run more powerful applications and a full shell. Two different devices for two different sets of tasks

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