alt Hacker NewsI love my Bluetooth keyboard
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I was about to recommend the excellent Plugable folding keyboard: https://plugable.com/products/bt-key3xl
I used it as a key part of my software engineer's writing toolkit for the first draft of a novel: https://frequal.com/forwriters/
Unfortunately the Plugable keyboard appears to be discontinued. Perhaps it can still be found used. It is quite impressive. It folds small for travel. The keys travel nicely. The case magnetically clicks into a phone stand. The battery lasts a month or longer. Truly a mechanical marvel.
I only wish I'd bought two.
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-...
I 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.
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.
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.
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.
Is that you in the photo? You know, from the back, you kind of look like Conan O'Brien.
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!
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
Stalled project: I ordered a replacement keyboard for an Alienware gaming laptop, one that has Cherry MX ULP ultralow profile switches. Very very nice. Then I was going to butcher it into a triptych – cut it in three parts – and bodge a RP2350 controller on each. And figure out some kind of case-something. Tadaa! Actual keyboard – real keyboard – that's actually portable.
I originally got a Nuphy Air 75 slim mechanical kb to lug around to school, since the iMacs we had there had horrible cheap kbs. It has since surpassed a full sized mechanical as my primary kb. Occasionally on weekend trips, when I wanted to get some stuff done, I've opted to only take the Air 75 instead of a laptop and worked on the phone, either in notes, cloud or termux. Sometimes I've thought about getting a neck holder for the phone to improve ergonomics, but so far the wacky image of using one in public has deterred me from it.
I don't understand the various Mac references... Is he comparing a phone to someone with a laptop or even desktop (and Apple in particular)?
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.
I've noticed the same thing with writing on smaller screens too: shorter paragraphs, less overthinking, and a lower psychological barrier to starting
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.
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.
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
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.
> and use copy/paste
Also ctrl-z for undo! I recommend looking into Unexpected Keyboard for a virtual Qwerty with a control key.
> 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.
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.
keyboards remain the superior input when compared to basically anything. touch controls will never close the gap, voice control even worse - gimme them keys.
What I like about the picture is that the user could've plugged in their smartphone on that monitor and then have a decent screen. Now, one may argue I type blind. Then, why does the screen have to be on? Smartphone screen size is meant to be used from hands, not such a distance. Ie. I don't think this setup is ergonomic (eyes, RSI).
Nokia also had a foldable keyboard. Which I've used with Nokia N810 and Nokia E71 (good to compare with their native keyboards with device in hand). I think I brought mine to the bin because the comfort was terrible. The lack of travel and latency, for example (I believe this is better nowadays.) A 60% keyboard can be pretty small, too. With USB2BT+ you can turn any USB device into Bluetooth. Works OK with powerbank (you can DIY that with 18650 batteries).
I wouldn't use a high-end smartphone in China though. I'd bring a burner, and consider any hardware I brought with me compromised.
So perhaps that isn't the place to do digital notes, and just write analog in the most fucked up handwriting you got. If they OCR it, let them have some fun with their models. Of course, that may also mean you cannot apply OCR on ypur notes. But the latest Mistral OCR I tried was very good. As a European, -unfortunately- I'd apply the same rule to USA nowadays though.
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.
Is there any keyboard with flat keys, no NumPad and full sized square up/down keys, that one can obtain ?
Does anybody know the specific keyboard make/model/type? Doesn't look like a foldable from the image?
I've always wanted a phone keyboard that folds yet still types reasonably well. Tried a few, hated them all.
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.
All a man need is a keyboard, which is nice to type, makes asmr sound typing!
I think the title really should be, "Smartphone keyboards are so bad I carry a physical keyboard with me"
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.
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've wished for a BlackBerry Bold 9900 form factor Bluetooth messaging device. Cheap and efficient messaging, though one extra thing to lug around.
Some of my friends who are really into keyboard nerding look at me funny but I've been on K400 Plus for like half a decade by now. It fits in a bag and costs like 30-40 bucks, and it has touchpad for webshit like Jira that can't be driven through Vimium and other keyboard maneuvers.
I mistreat it heavily, like dust, crumbs, drool and so on, and still I'm on only the second one. It weighs little so it's easy to put in the lap and move around to get some ergonomics for the wrists going even though the touchpad part sticks out on the right hand side.
Can I push four keys at the same time and get something out of it? Probably not, but it's not something I feel like I'm missing out on. I push a key, it sends the bytes, the operating system does what I told it to, that's good enough for me. In case I break it I'll be like 'yeah whatever' and order a new one. It's cheap enough that I could have like four for the price of something cool.
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.
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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.