I love my Bluetooth keyboard
liquidbrain.netI got a pocket-sized Bluetooth keyboard (also used for travel around Asia), 195mm x 85mm x 15mm, with a flap - NOT a foldable keyboard, though it does have a cover flap and a kickstand. Sold under a few brands, but the dimensions are quite specific. Mine was sold under a "Doohoeek" brand; "CACOE" is another. It doesn't have a touchpad, though.
Its size reminds me of my Psion Series 5 days many years ago. While it doesn't clamshell-mount my phone, my phone sits on the KB nicely, though it's still two things to carry around, not one (I miss the Psion still). I have bought loads of Bluetooth keyboards. Foldable keyboards have more parts to break and have to be unfolded to use them.
Previously I got the TECHGEAR Active Strike Pro MINI Slim (230mm x 149mm x 6mm), not pocket-sized, but it has a touchpad. The Geyes Foldable "tri-foldable" (223mm x 54mm x 18mm closed, 223mm x 170mm x 6mm open) got a broken hinge.
For comparison:
- Pocket keyboard ("Doohoeek", "CACOE", etc): 195 x 85 x 15 mm. Pocket-sized, flap/kickstand; no touchpad.
- TECHGEAR Active Strike Pro MINI Slim: 230 x 149 x 6 mm. Not pocket-sized; has touchpad.
- Geyes tri-foldable: 223 x 54 x 18 mm closed; 223 x 170 x 6 mm open. Foldable; hinge risk.
Still waiting for the day when I can get rid of my work laptop and replace it with a phone entirely. Technically it's already possible, but it's just not practical until I can easily run docker containers on my phone. Also the samsung desktop mode is a bit underwhelming right now.
If this is not the default in the next decade I'm gonna riot. Hotels could replace the TV with a big computer screen and the corner chair with an office chair. Even a cheap hotel room could be an office without anyone having to bring their own toys with them. Just the phone in your pocket.
Postmarketos can run the containers, however a 4k desktop environment is still a bit sluggish
Though it might be a while before hotels start offering Aeron Classic chairs in their rooms.
I want this too, though I suspect the hard part is less compute and more the boring peripheral/ecosystem stuff
If you want a full size foldable keyboard with function keys and a trackpad, I can recommend the ProtoArc XK01[0]. This is a good enough keyboard that I use it as my main keyboard at home, and it's surprisingly cool to be able to just fold up your daily driver keyboard and take it with you.
[0] https://www.protoarc.com/products/xk01-tp-foldable-keyboard-...
Most folding keyboards I've tried felt like travel compromises first and keyboards second
It's not expensive either, just $46 (EUR. 41). Weirdly enough, they only sell/ship to the five biggest EU countries.
They have a direct link to buy from AliExpress
I tried to follow that link, but AliExpress only lists one product (a mouse jiggler) when I actually went to that website.
German Amazon should ship to me without additional costs but then I'd end up with QWERTZ...
I'm used to having a trackpad below the keyboard
So something like this[1] could be cool then. A actual thinkpad keyboard with touchpad, bluetooth, trackpoint and even a fingerprint reader.
If you get an Android you can use termux and do literally anything. I like to write websites, write newsletters in vim and run a jekyll instance, transcode video with ffmpeg, etc.
Termux and DOSBox are great for running or writing software on a phone. I almost never resort to installing or writing apps anymore as that is just more cumbersome and has APIs that keep breaking (not to mention the threats from Google about making non-Play app deployment more regulated).
I think the remaining friction is mostly ergonomics and integration
Termux for iOs might also be available, cursory searching suggests.
The iOS one is pretty much just an SSH client (and also seems like a different developer piggybacking off the name)
I've noticed the same thing with writing on smaller screens too: shorter paragraphs, less overthinking, and a lower psychological barrier to starting
Not long ago there was this dude here that made a typewriter from an old laptop by using text only Debian neovim and a few other tools which made me think, it's funny how something like a typewriter evolves to a personal computer only to.. de-volve? back to a typewriter.
I love my keyboards the same way my wife loves shoes. We can't get enough of them. Clicking on different switches feels like a constant dopamine flow and a lesson in paying attention. If you have no idea what I'm talking about I highly recommend you start trying mechanical switches.
> Not long ago there was this dude here ...
>> If you have no idea what I'm talking about I highly recommend you start trying mechanical switches.
I recommend instead just buying one decent keyboard and using your money on something useful.
I've just recently got a mechanical keyboard, after doing a workspace ergonomics assessment, and also cultural influence from various other developer friends, etc...
It's a Keychron Q10 Max (Alice Layout) - looks like a split keyboard but it's one piece. It's excellent typing, has both wired (USB-C) and wireless (Bluetooth, probably also radio too? I don't use that) connectivity too. I don't normally use the LED lights, but occasionally they are fun...
It's heavy, so not portable like the one the author uses. Had something like that before, the portability was nice, but then didn't use it much. This is not (practically) portable, but still has all the flexibility, and it's a joy typing with it. I wouldn't go as far as I love a piece of euqipment, but I do look forward using it every day.
I do think more about keyboards as I use Mac, Linux, built in laptop keyboards, this stand alone one, etc... And because of the variety it's really hard to build up some muscle-memory. Ctrl, Option, Alt, Fn, ... basically all the extra keys beside the alphabet are slightly different in all systems. So it's more conscious typing than I'd hope for, but not toooooo bad (and it's not the keyboard's problem, I might have to look into remapping stuff, but it's not that level of pain yet).
Happy typing, everyone!
I've looked at those and was considering buying one since I already own a K2 v1 which I love. But for the life of me I cannot understand why they switched from the 5-key layout on the rightmost vertical to a 4-key one. And Keychron are not the only ones, I've seen other manufacturers with the same layout, both Alice and regular 75%. Especially since there still is physical space for the missing key. This would allow direct access to home / end / pgup / pgdn. But now, one of them is missing, or delete is missing, etc.
> It's heavy, so not portable like the one the author uses
My first mechanical keyboard was a das keyboard, which was also quite heavy, and it completely spoiled other keyboards for me.
I've tried quite a few others since in various configurations, but discovered if it doesn't feel like it's got a lead brick in it, I'm not interested.
I'm still upset that Apple managed to convince the world that typing on a touch keyboard is superior.
Somebody please make a slide out keyboard case for latest gen phones like early iphones used to have - like this https://www.boxwave.com/iphone-4-cases-and-covers/keyboard-b...
MrMobile on YouTube has a company that builds keyboard cases. They recently came out with a slide out keyboard case that works for any phone with Magsafe (or the newer Qi equivalent). https://clicks.tech/en/powerkeyboard
Personally, I think we could make touchscreen typing a lot better if we could move away from QWERTY. QWERTY is relatively better than Dvorak or Colemak on a touchscreen device. But we don't see a lot of innovation on the touchscreen keyboard layouts. One project I'm interested in is the Clearflow Keyboard layout (https://clearflowkeyboard.github.io/) which is already available on Gboard on Android. But there seems to be no way to try this out on iOS right now
That's nice, never heard of anyone using a keyboard for a phone. I use it for for my mac though and I can't imagine my life now without it, each typing feels liberating. Although, mac's keyboard is not bad either, it's just different. You basically can't get tired when typing mac's one because it doesn't require any effort clicking actually buttons.
Android allows both keyboards and mice, either via USB On The Go adaptors, or Bluetooth.
I’m planning to take an iPad air on a trip and thought about getting a bluetooth keyboard too.
What do people generally recommend for travel?
I don’t plan to use it for extensive periods of times, mainly writing some emails/docs/notes in the hotel room.
For that use case I'd probably optimize less for "best keyboard" and more for "least annoying thing to pack and set up"
At least with android devices, you can plug in any usb keyboard, and have it work. Those are free, in the garbage all over the place
You can do that with iPhone, too, using the (poorly named) "USB Camera Adapter", which splits out a USB type-A jack. (I assume you need a similar adapter on most Android phones, too, since I've never seen one with a type-A jack built in.)
I don't think so. I think usb-c based phones don't need any type of active adapter.
For example, on usb-c iphones, I can plug my camera with a c-to-c cable in mass storage mode and it shows up. So I expect a dumb a-to-c adapter would work. On my lightning-based iphone, a c-to-lightning cable doesn't work.
I'd assume it's the same for androids and keyboards.
reminds me the time i had an iPhone SE (1° gen) and i could play 1-3 minutes of garageband with my Korg keyboard using it and then it stopped saying my (adapter) wasn't offcial :) the official gadget in Brazil was > 10 times more expensive than the cheap copies
The bonus being that typing properly works (the lag on Bluetooth drives me insane and often a key press is missed)
I suppose that perfect posture of the photo will disappear after a few minutes of use.
Maybe there exists some kind of selfie stick / tripod that allows you to place the phone at eye height?
This is actually a setup I might prefer over using a laptop.
> I really wish there was an alt+tab replacement for window switching in iOS.
On Android it's a simple Alt+Tab to switch between apps; press it to bring up the current apps, then Alt+Tab lets you cycle through them too. In general Android is much more keyboard friendly.
Cmd+Tab works on iOS on iPad, when keyboard is connected, not sure about iPhones
Apple only tries to satisfy mu +/- 1 sigma of people.
I'd highly recommend the iClever BK05S. It's the same size as a normal laptop keyboard, so your fingers don't need to feel cramped. It lays flat and stable, it types well, it pairs easily, it charges with USB-C, and you can use it as a wired USB-C keyboard in a pinch.
Only problem is where to get it. Unavailable everywhere, spoke to the manufacturer on alibaba and they told me its EOL:( And if it breaks they probably won't repair it anyway.
It's a derivation of an old Kickstarter project: Jorno keyboard
On “field trips” where laptop is too much and just the iphone is too little, I have been pairing my ipad with a k380 for the last 200 years and cannot complain much. The only warning I get is that k380 causes some kind of interference with the apple pencil and other bluetooth connected devices. Can’t precise exactly how much though.
Logitech!
Love-hate relationship with their products.
I have M570 trackball and it's perfect for me and i love it.
Only problem -- the switch on it fails in one year and starts doubleclicking like crazy.
(I am aware of DIY fixes to replace the switch that needs desoldering and soldering)
Accumulated six useless M570 trackballs in past six years. I hate that.
They are waiting for me to find enough time and motivation to attempt the DIY fix. Maybe after I retire in a few decades.
Get a soldering iron and fix! I did. It’s sort of fun in a way. Shouldn’t have to do it, sure, but it saves you buying more and more. You could fix the fleet!
Didn't you look at the mx trackball? I've had one for ages [0], and it still goes strong. The only annoyance is that I regularly have to clean its base, or a bunch of grime accumulates.
---
[0] I don't remember when I bought it exactly, but I'm sure it was before covid because I remember having it delivered at my old office with a bunch of other mice to test. I moved to a new office in 2020.
I'm stuck in the same relationship with them: MX Master 3s/4 is my perfect productivity mouse. Problem? The rubber coating gradually disintegrates and accumulates dirt. ERGO K860 is my perfect keyboard. Problem? The plastic ABS surface of the keys wears and smooths in just a few months. The first set of AAA batteries have a far longer life!
If only they didn't cheap out on the materials and plastic quality.
I have the same trackball, and did end up having to change the switches after a year. They need changing again, I should stock up on them in the hopes of having something that works for a while.
> k380
Logitech k380? Jesus Christ those round keys are ugly as unemployment.
I've recently bought a samsung galaxy tab s11.
I had some huawei tablet for reading before, but now the main goal was to be able to ssh/kubectl to remote machines and for quick surfing, chats, etc (my new laptop is heavy).
I was trying to find a case + keyboard with good reviews, no luck then, I didn't think it was possible, I've found out that you can use an apple magic keyboard with it and I had a spare one, so I have a case and a bluetooth magic keyboard.
The keyboard, comparing to anything that is sold for tablets is amazing, laptop experience.
Is there any keyboard with flat keys, no NumPad and full sized square up/down keys, that one can obtain ?
What you‘re looking for is called a low-profile TKL (tenkeyless aka. no numpad) keyboard. You might also like a 65%, which removes even more keys but still retains the arrow keys.
Thanks, found this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/keyboards/comments/1rvjds0/low_prof...
This one looks great:
https://iqunix.com/products/mq80-aluminum-low-profile-mechan...
Now I only need a tripod to keep my phone at eye height. And a way to run Linux or VNC on my GrapheneOS phone.
Next step is to get a foldable keyboard: Action is selling one for 6 eur or go fancy with IC bk-05s). Fits in a jacket pocket and with some getting used is almost as good
Why didn't you take your laptop to China though?
Probably fear of it being rootkitted by the Chinese government
> and use copy/paste
Also ctrl-z for undo! I recommend looking into Unexpected Keyboard for a virtual Qwerty with a control key.
I tasted heaven for a moment with Planet Computer's QWERTY phones. Now that those are gone, I despise text communications with the phones that don't have a real keyboard and just want to avoid it overall.
I'm so confused by the picture. He's looking at a tiny phone screen when there's a proper display right next to him.
Yes, it can be confusing if you don’t read the article. He said he went on a 10 day trip and didn’t take a computer. That is context for why he got a Bluetooth keyboard. I doubt he decided to bring a monitor on the trip.
Android now has a desktop mode on phones like the Pixel that support HDMI out on the USB-C port
Logitech k480. I carry it everywhere. Has a three way switch, iPhone, iPad and Mac. Only problem is it interferes with headphones/wifi somehow. Mac cries piteously when the k480 connects.
I also like my K480, and got a couple for friends as well. One failed suddenly, and on opening the flat-flex had just come out of its socket. I like the sturdy rubberized channel for putting phones and tablets in. They hold in securely enough to carry it around the house and not have the tablet falling out.
K380 is the non-stand version. It got me into low-profile keyboards. Even spent a while on my desk full time.
Other pluses: rearrangeable keys (dvorak), runs on AAA batteries.
The legends eventually fail, and the keys take a shine.
I’ve had both - the 380 is much lighter to carry around than the 480.
I wouldn't recommend either though, for both, the keys are not nice to type on if you don’t press perfectly downward, if you have any angle other than vertical, the keys occasionally bind a little. This is amplified on the 480 with longer key travel. They’re different types of key mechanisms on both but suffer the same problem.
If you have any kind of case, the 480 stand slot can be harder to use.
> k480
Logitech k480? Oh my god and it even has round keys!
Does anybody know the specific keyboard make/model/type? Doesn't look like a foldable from the image?
OP mentions "Logitech Pop" at the end of the article.
I've always wanted a phone keyboard that folds yet still types reasonably well. Tried a few, hated them all.
The MS Universal Foldable KB is the best I tried. Indestructible and still quite easy to get.
I think the title really should be, "Smartphone keyboards are so bad I carry a physical keyboard with me"
That's not the only reason. On-screen keyboards take up valuable screen space.
I think the main complaint is with virtual Qwerty keyboards rather than the idea of virtual keyboards overall. If the KeyBee keyboard had a control key it would be very good. (Well, the fork of it that allows extra-alphabetical custom keys along the top, anyway.)
_iPhone_ keyboards. Android is great.
All a man need is a keyboard, which is nice to type, makes asmr sound typing!
And a Clorox wipes container to lean the screen (phone) up against.
Another advantage is that a mistake on a keyboard is only a typo, whereas a fat finger on a touch screen can and will trigger almost anything. In spite of doing EVERYTHING to turn of "gestures", they persist, and my phones screen is an inadvertant landmine game where I always loose. Then there is the total impossibility of turning of the gyros and they overlayed the screen rotate on one edge of the keypad. Presumably this is partialy due to de~guggling the phone, but who knows anymore.
I used to have long conversations via text. Some friendships existed primarily via text. The move to touch screens destroyed that. It just doesn't work for some reason. Nobody wants to have a long conversation using their phones. I'm not sure if it's due to the keyboard per se. I think it's more because you take the phone with you everywhere rather than sit down specifically to have a conversation. I'm not going to just keep talking forever throughout my day, so without a special time and place, it just stops altogether.