Tag: Wireless Keyboard

Universal Wireless Keyboards for iOS, Android, Windows, Tablets and Computers

by Greg Johnson, posted in Products, Tech Tools, Technology Devices

Summary

As people are increasingly using a variety of computing devices, it’s often necessary to switch between different devices while working. Universal keyboards save space by letting you have a single keyboard at your desk, and switch between devices. So, with one keyboard you can work on your smart phone, tablet, and desktop. Using a single keyboard is helpful because it takes up less space, and you can learn one keyboard rather than three or more. Not all keyboards feature easy switching, so you’ll need to look specifically for that feature.

Typing Efficiency

Laptop keyboards generally have a non-standard placement for arrow keys as well as the CTRL, ALT, Option, Fn (function), and Windows Start key (or Apple Command key). Variations between laptop keyboards, desktop keyboard, and Windows vs. Apple can limit your ability to have high familiarity and efficiency when moving from one computing device to another. Having a single standard keyboard that works on all devices (home, office, mobile) can help.

Keyboard Models

  • Anker® T320 Ultrathin Keyboard – Compatible across Android, iOS, and Windows, enabling you to mix and match with devices.
  • Logitech Wireless All-In-One Keyboard TK820 with Built-In Touchpad – This innovative keyboard seamlessly integrates typing, touch and gestures. So now you have everything you need to control and navigate your computer in one device. With a large, built-in touch pad, you can type and swipe comfortably together. It’s a new way to navigate—especially in Windows 8.
  • Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810 – Type in style with this elegantly designed, Bluetooth illuminated keyboard for Windows 8. Press one button to instantly switch between typing an email on your Windows PC, taking notes on your Apple iPad or replying to a text on your Android smartphone. With sharp, bright, backlit characters, this keyboard lets you create and communicate more easily on more devices—even in the dark.
  • Microsoft Universal Mobile Keyboard – For iPad, iPhone, Android devices, and Windows tablets. Operating system switch allows you to easily switch between devices.
  • Microsoft Wedge Mobile Keyboard for Windows Tablets – This is a nicely styled keyboard, but primarily for Windows Tablet computers.
  • Minisuit BluBoard – BluBoard supports devices running Bluetooth 3.0 on iOS, Android, Blackberry, Kindle, and Windows. Acer, Blackberry Playbook, Google Nexus, iPad, Mini 2nd Gen, Kindle Fire HD/HDx, Microsoft Surface, Motorola, Samsung Galaxy Note, Tab, and many more!

Photo Gallery

Below are images of the keyboards mentioned above.

Minisuit BlueBoard
Minisuit BlueBoard
Minisuit BlueBoard
Minisuit BlueBoard
Minisuit BlueBoard
Minisuit BlueBoard
Microsoft Universal
Microsoft Universal
Microsoft Universal
Microsoft Universal
Microsoft Universal
Anker® T320
Anker® T320
Anker® T320
Anker® T320
Anker® T320
Anker® T320
Anker® T320
Anker® T320
Microsoft Wedge
Microsoft Wedge
Microsoft Wedge
Microsoft Wedge
Microsoft Wedge
Microsoft Wedge
Microsoft Wedge
Microsoft Wedge
Microsoft Wedge
Microsoft Wedge
Logitech Illuminate K810
Logitech Illuminate K810
Logitech Illuminate K810
Logitech Illuminate K810
Logitech Illuminate K810
Logitech Illuminate K810
Logitech Illuminate K810
Logitech TK820 with Touchpad
Logitech TK820 with Touchpad
Logitech TK820 with Touchpad
Logitech TK820 with Touchpad
Logitech TK820 with Touchpad
Logitech TK820 with Touchpad

Rename a Bluetooth Wireless Device on Apple

by Greg Johnson, posted in Tech Tips

New Bluetooth devices from Apple may initially have a broadcasted name of their MAC address. This is a uniquely identifiable serial number given to every Bluetooth device. Usually once a device is paired, it’s then given a generic name such as Keyboard.

Follow these instructions to rename a device:

  1. On your Apple computer, from the Apple Menu choose System Preferences > Bluetooth.
  2. With a keyboard for example, presuming it’s not Paired yet, it should be viewable in the list of available devices. Click on the Pair button and type the number displayed on the keyboard. It should then be Paired.
  3. Right click on the device and choose rename from the pop-up context sensitive menu.
  4. Rename and click the Rename button.
  5. To pair it with another device, right click on the item in the list and choose Remove. You’ll be told that to use it again you will need to Pair again. Confirm this message.
  6. If it’s a keyboard, the green light above the CD eject button will blink rapidly. If it doesn’t, push and hold the power button to turn the green light off.
  7. Then, press and hold the Power button as well as the Esc key for about 5 seconds and let go. The green light should begin to blink. This means the keyboard is ready to be paired with a new device. It will connect using the new name.

Note that when a device is paired to an iOS device, renaming isn’t an option. Only through the desktop computer can you rename it.

Considerations for iOS Devices

You may notice that a renamed device still shows up under the old name. Here are the conditions when this will happen and how to correct for it.

  1. On an iOS device, click the information link for a specific Bluetooth device, and click Forget This Device. Then follow the instructions above to rename the device.
  2. After you’ve renamed the device on a desktop Apple computer, your iOS device may still recognize it by the old name because the Bluetooth address (a MAC address serial number) is still the same.
  3. Pair the device.
  4. Use the ‘Forget This Device’ option to remove it.
  5. Pair it again.
  6. This time the new name should be showing up.

New Universal Mobile Keyboard works with Windows, iOS and Android mobile devices

by Greg Johnson, posted in Tech Tips, Technology Devices

(Source: Microsoft, 16 Sept. 2014)

[Purchase on Amazon]

Today’s tablets and smartphones are more powerful than ever, enabling people to be productive on the go. However, typing on the small, virtual on-screen-keyboard of a smartphone or tablet can be uncomfortable and inefficient.

It’s also common for people to carry multiple mobile devices and use the one that is best suited for the specific scenario they’re in — an iPad while in a coffee shop, a Samsung Galaxy S4 while sitting on an airplane, a Windows laptop in their hotel room.

With all these different devices, people frequently find they have a mixture of operating system platforms, resulting in them having to carry different accessories for each device. Microsoft’s new Universal Mobile Keyboard helps address that — it works with iPad, iPhone, Android devices and Windows tablets.

With the Microsoft Universal Mobile Keyboard, getting stuff done while you’re on the go has never been easier. Power through emails, put together a proposal, build a presentation, or simply instant message with a friend. The Universal Mobile Keyboard has an OS switch that lets you change from one operating system to another while maintaining a fully functional keyboard. And with the physical “chiclet” style keyset on this keyboard, you’ll feel like you’re typing on your laptop without lugging around the extra weight or bulk.

The Universal Mobile Keyboard was built with portability in mind. It’s easy and quick to set up, especially on the go. Simply open the protective cover and the keyboard automatically turns on, and connects using Bluetooth. Shut the cover, and it instantly turns off.

The cover has an integrated stand that can easily be detached, so you can position your tablet in the most comfortable position.

The Universal Mobile Keyboard will be generally available in October 2014 for the estimated retail price of $79.95 at the Microsoft Store and at various other retailers.

Suzanne Choney
Microsoft News Center Staff

20140922mo-Microsoft-Universal-Keyboard

__________

Note: This article was reposted here from the Microsoft website for broader distribution and for the purpose of promoting the product. No payment was received for posting this article.