Microsoft’s Universal Mobile Keyboard Brings Android, iOS and Windows Together

Microsoft Universal Mobile Keyboard

The problem with most mobile keyboards is that they’re optimized to work with only one OS. Microsoft’s Universal Mobile Keyboard solves that problem by allowing users to switch between operating systems while typing on it.

Android, iOS and Windows are finally living happily under the same roof, at least from one point of view. Microsoft created the Universal Mobile Keyboard starting from the premise that it is common for people to own devices running various mobile operating systems.

The Universal Mobile Keyboard comes with a switch that enables users to make the transition between the devices quite effortless. That basically means that the keyboard can be paired with up to three devices running different operating systems. The OS switch definitely makes things a lot easier.

The cover of the keyboard also doubles as a stand for the tablet or the smartphone. As a downside, it’s a bit of a one size fits all product, meaning that it won’t fit the contours of the tablet, for example, nor will it act as a cover for it.

Closing the cover will turn the keyboard off, while opening it will power it up and connect it to the mobile device. That’s a neat feature, while also qualifying as yet another thing that can break.

Microsoft claims that the rechargeable battery can keep the keyboard up and running for up to six months on a single overnight charge. Additionally, a 10 minute charge will provide plenty of power for up to 8 hours of use.

Since the keyboard relies on Bluetooth to connect to the mobile device, there won’t be any wires in your way. Not at last, there’s a Home key on the keyboard that will take you to your home screen, no matter what OS you’re using.

Anyone wanting the Universal Mobile Keyboard should head over to the Microsoft Store next month, when it becomes available. The Redmond giant claimed that various other retailers will carry it, but there has been no word on which retailers specifically. Some claim that $79.95 is a bit too much for such a product, while also pointing out that a lot cheaper similar keyboards are available out there.

It’s up to you whether you think that the device is worth the money or not, but the main idea is that it’s nice that Microsoft thought of blurring the lines between these three operating systems.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about Microsoft’s Type-Hover-Swipe keyboard that obsoletes touch screens, and the Qwerkywriter Bluetooth mechanical keyboard that’s a typewriter for nostalgics.

Slice Keyboard Gives Your Typical QWERTY A Twist

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People who grew tired of the common QWERTY keyboard on their Android tablets are highly recommended to give the Slice Keyboard a go.

This is more than a recommendation. It is actually a challenge, since using the Slice Keyboard is not that easy and it might take a while till they ...
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Throwaway NFC keyboard improves productivity, reduces bank balance

Throwaway NFC keyboard improves productivity, reduces bank balance

NFC is used primarily for enjoyable activities, like buying things, sharing content and making QR codes feel old. But Japanese company Elecom is looking to change all that with a compact keyboard that exploits NFC for productivity. The silicon menace requires a companion app and is compatible with Android phones running Gingerbread (2.3.4) and up. If the bundled case had you sold on the peripheral, you may want to reconsider. The retail price is a sizeable 18,690 yen (approximately $240), and what's worse, the battery is neither rechargeable nor replaceable, so you'll have to bin it after the stated six months to a year 18 months (eight hours a day) of life. Still interested? Then head over the break for a video demo from Norwegian co-development company one2TOUCH.

Continue reading Throwaway NFC keyboard improves productivity, reduces bank balance

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Throwaway NFC keyboard improves productivity, reduces bank balance originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Via:Akihabara News
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  • Source:Elecom (1), (2), one2TOUCH
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    New Swype update brings ‘four kinds of keyboard’, sync-able voice-text dictionaries

    New Swype update brings four kinds of keyboardIf it's one thing Android does right, it's the sheer range of keyboard apps and skins available -- something its competitors haven't quite latched on to just yet. While SwiftKey has charmed us with its latest iteration, Swype's also been in the testing labs and it wants to show you what it's been up to. The new version packs the same next-word prediction from Nuance's XT9 heritage and a new voice-text dictionary sync feature will add new words to both speech and text databases. You can even get the app to crawl around your emails and texts for some extra (familiar) personalization. The latest version can now download over 55 languages, while Nuance has crystallized all of its know-how into a four-in-one keyboard. This includes the typical letter-to-letter swiping that the keyboard cut its teeth on, a more typical predictive text input run through XT9, integrated dictation through a Dragon button and the simple (but slower) fingertip input, where you can trace each individual letter. You can find the beta version of Swype's latest at the source link below. Take it for a test-drive and let us know if it's enough to nudge SwiftKey out of favor.

    (Update: The beta version hasn't gone live just yet. We're expecting it will launch soon.)

    (Update 2: And it's live!)

    Continue reading New Swype update brings 'four kinds of keyboard', sync-able voice-text dictionaries

    New Swype update brings 'four kinds of keyboard', sync-able voice-text dictionaries originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink   |  sourceSwype Beta  | Email this | Comments