Apple’s New iPad Pro Accompanied by a Physical Keyboard
Apple will make its own physical keyboard to accompany the larger iPad Pro. The $169 Smart Keyboard is a full size keyboard that will join the Apple Pencil stylus as the new accessories designed specifically 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
The full-size foldable keyboard attaches to the tablet with a Smart Connector, which looks very similar to the Mag Safe connector used for Macbooks. The connector “allows seamless communication between the Smart Keyboard and iPad Pro,” according to Apple and doesn’t require bluetooth paring or other hardware switches.
When you’re not using the keyboard, it folds up into the Smart Cover for easy storage, The keys themselves have been specially designed to accommodate the 4mm thick keyboard while a special material was used to keep them extra springy and responsive.
It also takes advantage of Apple’s QuickType features and supports shortcuts for text formatting as well as copy and paste. Third-party developers will also be able to take advantage of the shortcuts in their apps so developers will likely be creating app-specific shortcuts for productivity apps.
The keyboard will go on sale for $169 when the iPad Pro becomes available in November.