The introduction of the first iPhone in 2007 signaled the beginning of an era for smartphones with full screens and digital keyboards. However, some people still long for the big physical keyboards that formerly defined the success of smartphones from companies like BlackBerry. Before CES 2024, a new device that brings back the glory days of tactile texting will be available; well-known YouTubers in the phone sector helped with the design.

The first product from the new company Clicks Technology is the $139 Clicks keyboard, which is initially compatible with iPhones. With the iPhone 14, it is compatible with Lightning connectors; for the iPhone 15, it is USB-C. The keyboard is really built into a wraparound enclosure. Simply insert your iPhone into the device and begin typing. It doesn’t need to be charged because it runs on the phone’s battery and has lighted keys for typing at night.

“It’s kind of weird that we abandoned physical buttons on the smartphone-we use keyboards on our desktops, laptops, and tablets every day,” stated Michael Fisher, a.k.a. Mr. Mobile on YouTube and co-founder of Clicks Technology, in a news release. Fisher’s channel features both modern evaluations and nostalgic profiles of phones from the past, when the screens were smaller and the designs were more unusual back then, when makers would develop phones with distinctive and unusual looks to attract customers.

With its vibrant banana yellow color that wouldn’t seem out of place on a Nintendo N64 controller, the Clicks keyboard restores some of this energy. For this initial Founders Edition version of the device, it’s also offered in a svelte gray color; additional colors might become available later on.

It may not fit in your pocket because the physical keyboard below the phone extends the device overall, and it’s difficult to predict whether this extra length will make it more difficult to grip while typing. However, there are certain benefits to using a dedicated keyboard, including the ability to type more quickly and accurately than with a digital keypad and the ability to have a command button for quick access to the home page and search bar. A less evident advantage is that you can type using the entire screen without a digital keyboard appearing.

Kevin Michaluk, better known on YouTube as CrackBerry Kevin, is a co-founder of Clicks Technology. “We labored over every decision, from exactly how the buttons should feel to the keyboard layout, ensuring it would be intuitive for iPhone users,” he added. To create the keyboard, he worked with Fisher and a group of professionals with mobile experience from firms like Apple, BlackBerry, and Google.

Kevin Michaluk, better known on YouTube as CrackBerry Kevin, is a co-founder of Clicks Technology. “We labored over every decision, from exactly how the buttons should feel to the keyboard layout, ensuring it would be intuitive for iPhone users,” he added. To create the keyboard, he worked with Fisher and a group of professionals with mobile experience from firms like Apple, BlackBerry, and Google.

Orders for the Clicks keyboard can be placed right now, and shipping will start on February 1. According to a press release, the keyboard will “bring new functionality to the keyboard over time” and is powered by additional software that is available for download from the Apple App Store.

Topics #apple #Blackberry #Clicks #Clicks Keyboard #iPhone #Iphone 14 #Keyboard #New Keyboard #New Tech #news #Steve Jobs