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Best iPad Air 2 Keyboard

eyeseeyou said:
Is the Brydge designed to allow the ipad to be detached from the keyboard easily?
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Couldn't be easier. The two hinges are lined with soft TPU so the iPad just slips in and out, but it holds stong enongh that you could lift the keyboard by the iPad. I never felt that the hinges that hold it would damage the iPad screen or back. I love that the keyboard feels and looks like a solid matching aluminum piece. Google the Brydge Air reviews and their web site. All very positive when it cost $20 more than it currently cost. http://www.brydgekeyboards.com/products/brydgeair?variant=7751695937
 
archrider said:
Couldn't be easier. The two hinges are lined with soft TPU so the iPad just slips in and out, but it holds stong enongh that you could lift the keyboard by the iPad. I never felt that the hinges that hold it would damage the iPad screen or back. I love that the keyboard feels and looks like a solid matching aluminum piece. Google the Brydge Air reviews and their web site. All very positive when it cost $20 more than it currently cost. http://www.brydgekeyboards.com/products/brydgeair?variant=7751695937
Click to expand...

Can this also switch connection between multiple devices like the qode pro can?
 
eyeseeyou said:
Whats a click on style?

My vote for the best iPad Air 2 keyboard is the belkin qode pro.

  1. "Thin"
  2. Detachable
  3. Smart Cover compatible
  4. Can be used as a wireless keyboard to switch between multiple devices.
  5. Portrait or landscape mode
  6. Can be used with a case
  7. Backlit keys
  8. Firmware upgrades through the app
  9. Can snap on and off the iPad similar to the surface pro
  10. Can get a deal on the iPad Air 1 version because it mostly works with the iPad Air 2
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kapp2 said:
Hey. Whats the best Keyboard right now for Air 2 ? :) Thinking about click on style, not case :)
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archrider said:
Brydge also sells a clear Polycarbonate protective shell back that goes onto the iPad Air and protects like the Qode it lets you see the nice Aluminum iPad back. It stays on the iPad when It's removed from the keyboard. I also use a Zagg glass screen protector. It all works fine and protects well. I also bought Brydge's leather sleeve. All nice!
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Hi mate, quick few questions for you - I have a Boxwave polyurethane cover for my Air 2. Will this work with the BrydgeAir? I don't however have a screen protector. My concern is that the screen could get scratched when it's closed. How have you found it so far?

Here's a link to the back cover http://www.amazon.co.uk/BoxWave-Apple-iPad-Smart-Sleeve-clear/dp/B00OL7L2QO
 
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scouser75 said:
Hi mate, quick few questions for you - I have a Boxwave polyurethane cover for my Air 2. Will this work with the BrydgeAir? I don't however have a screen protector. My concern is that the screen could get scratched when it's closed. How have you found it so far?

Here's a link to the back cover http://www.amazon.co.uk/BoxWave-Apple-iPad-Smart-Sleeve-clear/dp/B00OL7L2QO
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The BoxWave will not work with the Brydgeair keyboard. There are cutouts for the hinges so I recommend that you purchase the Brydge clear back that has hinge cutouts. A screen protector isn't necessary. There are rubber pads that hold the keys away from the screen. The keyboard itself serves as a screen protector.
I do feel a protector makes me feel more secure. I had a Belkin Qode keyboard that was pressed hard against my screen by airport security and the keys slightly marked the screen.
 
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archrider said:
The BoxWave will not work with the Brydgeair keyboard. There are cutouts for the hinges so I recommend that you purchase the Brydge clear back that has hinge cutouts. A screen protector isn't necessary. There are rubber pads that hold the keys away from the screen. The keyboard itself serves as a screen protector.
I do feel a protector makes me feel more secure. I had a Belkin Qode keyboard that was pressed hard against my screen by airport security and the keys slightly marked the screen.
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Hi archrider, thanks for your reply. From the videos I've seen, it's possible to adjust the cutouts for the hinges so you can put an iPad, iPad Air or iPad Air 2 in the Brydgegear. If that's the case, my thinking was that even though I've got the back cover on I can adjust the hinges so the air 2 with cover can slide in.

What do you think?

If that doesn't work, then it'll have to be the Brydge clear back. Or if the iPad can go in at either side into the bridge gear, I can cut a very small section out of the Boxwave case so it can slide in on the naked part of the iPad.
 
scouser75 said:
Hi archrider, thanks for your reply. From the videos I've seen, it's possible to adjust the cutouts for the hinges so you can put an iPad, iPad Air or iPad Air 2 in the Brydgegear. If that's the case, my thinking was that even though I've got the back cover on I can adjust the hinges so the air 2 with cover can slide in.

What do you think?

If that doesn't work, then it'll have to be the Brydge clear back. Or if the iPad can go in at either side into the bridge gear, I can cut a very small section out of the Boxwave case so it can slide in on the naked part of the iPad.
Click to expand...

I didn't think of that. they send silicone inserts for both the Air and Air2. You could use the Air inserts for your air2. The extra space may allow for the Boxwave. The hinges can be adjusted by bending with your fingers. they are strong and will not lose their stiffness. They will press the case against the Air2, but the hinge can hold the iPad without much pressure. I don't know about the type of plastic the Boxwave is (hard or soft). Whether it will cut easily. I would personally go for the wide hinge space option.
 
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scouser75 said:
Hi archrider, thanks for your reply. From the videos I've seen, it's possible to adjust the cutouts for the hinges so you can put an iPad, iPad Air or iPad Air 2 in the Brydgegear. If that's the case, my thinking was that even though I've got the back cover on I can adjust the hinges so the air 2 with cover can slide in.

What do you think?

If that doesn't work, then it'll have to be the Brydge clear back. Or if the iPad can go in at either side into the bridge gear, I can cut a very small section out of the Boxwave case so it can slide in on the naked part of the iPad.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1458402936][/doublepost]I've used four keyboard cases for my Air. All are aluminum. By far the brydgeair is the best. It's like it's made by Apple. The only negative I can think of is, swiping from the bottom for control panel you have to slide the iPad almost out of the hinges. Not great but I can live with it. I almost never use that feature.
 
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I might just take a gamble and hit the 'Buy' button. If it doesn't work with the Boxwave, I can always return it.

Is there a UK keyboard available with the £ symbol or are they all the same?

What other keyboards have you used?
 
scouser75 said:
I might just take a gamble and hit the 'Buy' button. If it doesn't work with the Boxwave, I can always return it.

Is there a UK keyboard available with the £ symbol or are they all the same?

What other keyboards have you used?
Click to expand...

Your dedication to the boxwave case has me curious about that case lol
 
eyeseeyou said:
Your dedication to the boxwave case has me curious about that case lol
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Haha! I fully understand your curiosity. The reasons are:

a) I don't want to keep changing back covers when I want to use the keyboard. Raises risk of ipad getting scratched.

b) once I've finished with the keyboard, I can simply detach iPad (with the Boxwave still on), reattach my Smart Cover and put the keyboard away.

c) the Boxwave shows off a fair bit of the iPad's design.

I've had a look at the design of the Boxwave and the Brydgeair. I might, just might, get away without having to cut or modify the Boxwave. There might just about be enough naked iPad bezel to the left where the Smart Cover attaches for it to slide into the Brydgeair.
 
scouser75 said:
I might just take a gamble and hit the 'Buy' button. If it doesn't work with the Boxwave, I can always return it.

Is there a UK keyboard available with the £ symbol or are they all the same?

What other keyboards have you used?
Click to expand...

Belkin Qode Ultimate (not Pro)
Belkin Qode Thintype
Logitech Ultrathin
Brydgeair

I could be wrong but I don't think the Boxwave and a smart cover together will fit the Brydgeair hinge. The brydge back cover can be left on all the time.

I really like the Zagg glass screen protector. Best Buy will install it for a small fee and it's perfect.
 
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The qode pro keyboard setup does exactly what you're asking for and even disconnects from Bluetooth automatically once you detach the iPad from the keyboard. It's a hybrid case/Bluetooth keyboard that switches from laptop to tablet like the surface.

The main difference I see is that the case is thicker than the boxwave although it is still compatible with a Smart Cover.
 
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Thanks guys for replies.

I don't want to use the ipad with both the smart cover and boxwave. I want just the boxwave in conjunction with keyboard.

I'll check out the qode pro tonight. See if that's good for what I want.

In the mean time - what are the chances of the new ipad Pro 9.7 smart keyboard working with our Air 2?
 
scouser75 said:
Thanks guys for replies.

I don't want to use the ipad with both the smart cover and boxwave. I want just the boxwave in conjunction with keyboard.

I'll check out the qode pro tonight. See if that's good for what I want.

In the mean time - what are the chances of the new ipad Pro 9.7 smart keyboard working with our Air 2?
Click to expand...

i don't think theirs any chance. It needs the special connector. It has three contact points on the edge.
 
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