From all of the pics, I still can’t see how this folio would work if you just want to read or hold the iPad without actually using the keyboard. With the current ASK, it can flip behind the iPad just right but the new one looks like you would be holding the actually keyboard if you folded it behind the iPad.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How does this folio work?
- Thread starter MrRugged
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yep, I think you are right. I've cancelled my order for the keyboard folio because of this. I'll stick with the non-keyboard folio initially and maybe upgrade later.
I will work like you're expecting it. In this illustration, purple surface will lay on purple surface, and green will lay on green.
I think if it folded as you suggest the bottom of the keyboard would stick out past the body of the iPad. The keyboard covers the full front of the iPad but the hinge point you are talking about looks to be more like 35% of the width so that 'sticking out' bit would be around 30% of the width of the device.
That seems like a really bad design. I can’t believe Apple will have us holding the keys when it is flipped back behind the iPad. I love the ASK but don’t want to have to keep taking it on and off to hold it comfortably.
I did the math, it will fold flat and the keyboard will be covered. Keep in mind you have the length of the “hinge”. Just align the purple and green above.
It’s not a bad design! Look at my diagram.
The dimensions on the diagram don’t seem to line up...
That’s because I made the diagram in about 11 seconds with Snagit, just to show the fold pattern, not the exact lengths of purple/green.
Keyboard won’t face out.
No keyboard for me!
I use my iPad mostly in my lap and an attached keyboard will suck. I have been using the on screen keyboard for years now and it work fine for me. I bought the Folio case which should suit my needs.
Looks like it is held by magnets only as it does wrap around a hold onto the edges like previous cases. I have ordered the 11” with the smart case folio and hope it works. I got a box full of old 3rd party cases that all sucked for the 10.5. Hoping Apple got this right.
I use my iPad mostly in my lap and an attached keyboard will suck. I have been using the on screen keyboard for years now and it work fine for me. I bought the Folio case which should suit my needs.
Looks like it is held by magnets only as it does wrap around a hold onto the edges like previous cases. I have ordered the 11” with the smart case folio and hope it works. I got a box full of old 3rd party cases that all sucked for the 10.5. Hoping Apple got this right.
As a Surface Pro owner, I can confirm holding the keys is super annoying. If I’m using the SP as a tablet I rip the keyboard off because I can’t stand the feel of the keys. I suspect I’ll do the same here.
[doublepost=1541020716][/doublepost]
Right, but that’s a real pic of the iPad and keyboard, and the sections on the actual device don’t line up.
Here's the purple/green lines to scale. Looks like the spacebar might poke out a bit when folio folded flat? That would be very un-Apple-like.
Last edited:
I’m also not sure the keyboard part bends between the purple and green sections. It would make it pretty unstable in the lap of it did.
EDIT: I see you mean the purple part in the back would fold all the way up, so no need for the keyboard to fold. That seems awkward at best, and yeah, the space key would sit below. Not ideal.
I suppose we’ll know in a week (or less).
As much as I want this to be true, it just doesn't seem right that the keyboard will rest against the bare iPad (green to green). Also wouldn't the purple make for a "triple layer" where as the keyboard on bare iPad would be double layer? Though I suppose this is how the original ASK seems to be...
I would be very disappointed to have to return my Keyboard folio for this reason, but I would do it in a heartbeat if necessary.
Thank you for making the image BeatCrazy! Perhaps I am just being slow, and not seeing how it will work quite yet...still staring at it haha!
I would be very disappointed to have to return my Keyboard folio for this reason, but I would do it in a heartbeat if necessary.
Thank you for making the image BeatCrazy! Perhaps I am just being slow, and not seeing how it will work quite yet...still staring at it haha!
I’m 99% certain it doesn’t (i.e. the front is on solid piece). The joints are quite apparent and are thin, flexible segments. The keyboard looks to be a few mm thick at it’s thinnest point.
Also, is it just me or do the product shots take great care not to show what the front looks like closed? The non-keyboard folio has clear shots of both front and back, in contrast.
Try this:
Line up 1->1 and 2->2. Yeah, you're right about the triple layer part. Hmmmmm.....
Correct. See this still from Apple's video. I'll reserve judgment about whether it's Apple-like until I use it.
I don't know why this is so confusing. Look at the back hinge - it's long enough to wrap around the edge of the ipad. The entire keyboard sits against the screen when closed, it doesn't weirdly fold around the back.
Check the images here: https://www.apple.com/smart-keyboard/
Just underneath "Available starting 11.17" on the left, it shows the iPad from the top down, with the screen facing downward. You can tell because the sleep wake button is on the top next to a speaker, and the volume buttons are visible on the right. The keyboard is clearly against the glass.
Check the image here of the keyboard cover closed: https://store.storeimages.cdn-apple...t=jpeg&qlt=80&op_usm=0.5,0.5&.v=1540504903161
The edges are flush with the top and sides - no weird overlap, no visible folding.
I think everyone here is overthinking it too much today
Check the images here: https://www.apple.com/smart-keyboard/
Just underneath "Available starting 11.17" on the left, it shows the iPad from the top down, with the screen facing downward. You can tell because the sleep wake button is on the top next to a speaker, and the volume buttons are visible on the right. The keyboard is clearly against the glass.
Check the image here of the keyboard cover closed: https://store.storeimages.cdn-apple...t=jpeg&qlt=80&op_usm=0.5,0.5&.v=1540504903161
The edges are flush with the top and sides - no weird overlap, no visible folding.
I think everyone here is overthinking it too much today
I think everyone here is overthinking it too much today
The issue:
We know for sure the keys will face out when the folio is folded around like a magazine cover. What we're debating is if you can slide the iPad "forward" towards the keyboard's spacebar and have the keys face inwards.
Ewww, it never occurred to me that there would be any problem with folding it back, never been the case with the ASK. Pretty big negative.
Keep in mind for right handers, the ledge will allow you to grab it without hitting keys.
Lefties like myself would be forced to either hold the iPad upside down or hold the keys.
Regardless of your dominant hand though, keys could potentially collect debris if the iPad is set down, and that could end up scratching the screen when you fold it back up again.
Needless to say, I now have a simple folio ordered! Coming Friday!
Lefties like myself would be forced to either hold the iPad upside down or hold the keys.
Regardless of your dominant hand though, keys could potentially collect debris if the iPad is set down, and that could end up scratching the screen when you fold it back up again.
Needless to say, I now have a simple folio ordered! Coming Friday!