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Scosche freeKEY Bluetooth keyboard: flexible and splashproof

by Steven Sande Apr 28th 2011 at 4:00PM

Have you ever wanted to spill water onto your Bluetooth keyboard? Of course not. But that doesn't mean that some day you might not accidentally dump an icy glass of sweet tea onto the keyboard or have one of the kids decide to give Mr. Keyboard a bath in the toilet.

Schosche's new freeKEY Bluetooth keyboard (US$59.99) doesn't mind spills, although a swim in the loo might prove too much. The chiclet-type keyboard rolls up like a frightened armadillo for compact travel and is made of a water-resistant silicone material. When it gets wet, simply shake it off. Chiclet keyboards have been known to be typing-unfriendly in the past, so you may want to try one out at a local retailer before buying.

The freeKEY is available now, works with all of your Bluetooth-equipped devices, including the iPad 2, and comes with a retractable USB to micro-USB cable for recharging. There's video on the next page, showing the freeKEY in action as it gets splashed and rolled up into a snug cylinder. I'm hoping to try one out soon for a full TUAW review just to see how comfortable the keyboard is, and to see how the freeKEY works after spilling a Margarita on it.



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Have you ever wanted to spill water onto your Bluetooth keyboard? Of course not. But that doesn't mean that some day you might not...
 

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11 Comments

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Mark

I bought the Menotek keyboard and liked it--easy to type on, very portable, and a good conversation starter. But it had one major flaw: it woould freequently doubble letters when typingg. I wrote to complain and they sent me a new one. Saame probleem! They didn't respond to my second message. Forget it.

May 01 2011 at 2:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bennnn

What I wanna know is, what's that clear case they've got on the iPad 2? I've been looking for a clear case that works with the smart cover :)

April 29 2011 at 6:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hfwbr

Looks exactly like the models that have been available at discount online merchants for at least the last couple of years, for less, and that everybody warns are pieces of junk.

April 28 2011 at 11:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
KosherSalt

Buh. I've been seeing these flexible keyboards everywhere. Someone must have a warehouse full of them that can't move 'em.

They seem to be a good thing for kiosks and such - but definitely try typing on one before you buy it. No picnic.

April 28 2011 at 9:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
davidbergphd

Check out the Menotek BT keyboard at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Menotek-Flexible-Bluetooth-Waterproof-Keyboard/dp/B003K1VABO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304026766&sr=8-1-spell

I bought it last year for $30.
Looks like the Scosche is a rebranded version of the same keyboard.
IDENTICAL.

DB

April 28 2011 at 5:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
glad

I have the apple metal wired keyboard and to clean it i just pop it the shower shake it dry on a towel works every time, so i don't know what the problem is.

April 28 2011 at 5:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pat Hartl

I have one of these, but in wired form. While they're cool and interesting, I cannot recommend them unless you need a keyboard under water for some reason. I've never had a worse typing experience than on these purely-silicon keys.

April 28 2011 at 4:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Pat Hartl's comment
Tony Rayo

Agreed. It's a great idea in theory, and I even received one from a co-worker as I've ruined multiple keyboards with coffee, soda, and in one case an energy drink (I was mostly mad at myself that time because the energy drink cost more than the keyboard =/), however it's like typing in molasses. The keys need to be depressed very hard and there is very little sensory feedback.

Right now my blue spill-proof keyboard is rolled up in the corner of my drawer, while I bang away at a 10$ black keyboard that allows for maximum speed. I was asked by one of my non-programming/technical friends why I don't just go to the kitchen for eating and drinking... they obviously didn't know how much progress has been made by uninterrupted caffeine-fueled sessions at a computer.

April 28 2011 at 4:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pat Hartl

@Tony my biggest problem is as you said, you had to hit the keys really hard in order for them to be responsive. If anyone really wants to know what this keyboard will feel like, take an old PS/2 keyboard apart, leaving only the rubber nubs as the keys. They are quite hard to press, and if you don't hit them dead center, you don't make contact.

April 28 2011 at 5:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tuaw

I tryed one of thouse, and its not full size, all in all i typed faster on ipad screen and with less errors... even after 1 hour of typing i did not get used to it, and could not type a full sentence flawless.

perhaps its good for children

April 28 2011 at 4:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to tuaw's comment
Kirk Vogel

Looks pretty cool, tidy for traveling and might fit in a cellphone pocket!

April 28 2011 at 4:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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