Nuu ships MiniKey for iPhone 4

Nuu MiniKey Chinese accessory maker Nuu has released the MiniKey, a stylish case and Bluetooth keyboard combo for the iPhone 4. The case includes a landscape keyboard that makes the iPhone look, well, just like an HTC phone.

The keyboard slides out from the back side of the case and works with email, messaging and other text-based applications. Because the virtual keyboard does not launch, the MiniKey lets you write a novella using the entire screen of the iPhone 4. It also includes a few extra features like backlit keys, a command key that can be used for shortcuts and a toggle key that lets you switch between the MiniKey keyboard and the on-screen keyboard.

The Nuu keyboard is a bit pricey at US$79.99, especially when 4iThumbs sells an overlay keyboard for under $25, and ThinkGeek sells a flip keyboard case for $39. You can order the Nuu Mini Keyboard from Nuu's online store or a variety of retailers in Europe, Hong Kong and the UK. The full list of online merchants can be found at Nuu's website.

[Via Electronista]

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Source: http://www.nuubrand.com/minikey.html

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Chinese accessory maker Nuu has released the MiniKey, a stylish case and Bluetooth keyboard combo for the iPhone 4. The case includes a...

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mrd

Why so negative against this? It might be useful to some people who can't get the hang of a virtual keyboard on an iPhone. So why shouldn't they have a choice? I recently heard Andy Ihnatko say that he uses a real keyboard with his iPad. Vive la diffÃ©rence!

On this device, I wonder if the weight distribution might be a problem since the heft is at the top.

May 13 2011 at 11:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

glad

a physical keyboard completely unnecessary for the iPhone or the iPad and a waste of money!!

May 13 2011 at 10:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to glad's comment

Renzatic

I somewhat agree with you when it comes to the iPhone. When I was first getting into smartphones, I thought I'd prefer physical keypads due to the tactile feedback they provide. I figured it'd make for less mistakes because I could feel the keys under my thumbs.

Nowadays, I think a little differently. I think keypads feel too cramped, and have come to rather enjoy using the virtual keyboard on my iPhone. Still, I can see why some people would prefer one over the other. If not for speed, then for at least the added perk of not having a little graphic keyboard eat up half your screen space.

For an iPad, it'd depend on what I'm doing. If I'm typing up a long, drawn out document, I'm gonna want access to a good laptop sized keyboard. Being able to touch type properly, and not having to stop to switch between letters and numbers is a huge advantage here. Using the virtual keys are great for posting to up a tweet, or firing off a couple quick emails, but can be a little slow and tiring when you have to spend more than 15 minutes with something.

So, you know, YMMV. Subjective opinions. Ect. Ect.

May 13 2011 at 12:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Prof. Peabody

How incredibly awkward and bulky looking it is. Why would anyone want this? Isn't it about time the myth that the physical keyboard is better than a virtual keyboard died?

I remember reading a blog where they did a three way comparison test between the iPhone virtual keyboard, Blackberry's physical one and a netbook when the iPhone 3Gs came out. iPhone came out the fastest and easiest to use even then.

Virtual keyboards are faster, more flexible, and easier to use.

May 13 2011 at 10:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply