LOOK: This keyboard case turns your iPhone into a classic BlackBerry
Are keypads cool again?
In the early to mid-2010s, BlackBerry phones with their full keypad ruled the world but these were later overtaken by iPhones and Androids with full touchscreens. Now it looks like the physical keyboards on phones are making a comeback.
During the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, startup Clicks Technology unveiled a case for the iPhone with a built-in keyboard at the bottom.
The silicone case comes in vivid yellow and gray colors and connects via the Lightning or USB-C (depending on what iPhone model you have) port—no need for Bluetooth.
There's a full QWERTY keyboard as well as keys for command, tab, and text-to-speech. The Command or CMD key will be for shortcuts. CMD+H takes users to the home screen while CMD+space opens search.
The Clicks case will also have a backlight so it can be used even at night, and a companion app will be released to the App Store eventually to add functionalities to the keyboard.
One of the case's founders, YouTube creator Michael Fisher addressed some drawbacks to the gadget including how it makes your iPhone bigger and awkward to hold. Additionally, MagSafe accessories won't stick as well to the case because it doesn't have a built-in magnet.
The Clicks case starts at $139 or about P7,800.
The team behind the case includes former employees from Apple, BlackBerry, and Google. The keyboard is said to be for creators so they won't have to go to their laptops to work.