What’s up TR Fans and welcome back for another review here on Technology Reviews! Today, we’re going to be looking at how accessible Apple’s new Magic Keyboard Case for the 11-inch iPad Pro is for disabled people, or anyone with limited movements.
But before I get into this review, I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has got my Phoebs Does Technology Reviews YouTube Channel to 25 subscribers, and for making my Story of My Life / 20th Anniversary of my Accident video the most watched video on my channel, with it now on 151 views. If you haven’t seen the video yet, you can find it at https://youtu.be/zO5AHsRAgYg, and if I get to 30 subscribers, I will put a video out on my Instagram announcing options for what type of blog and video I will make if we get to 50!
So the new Magic Keyboard Case for iPad by Apple came out last year, and can be used with the iPad Pro 11-inch 2nd Generation, as well as the 4th Generation iPad Air, and the 2019 iPad Pro. It features a similar keyboard that comes with the new MacBooks and on new Bluetooth keyboards, and is now joined with a trackpad and a USB-C port for passthrough charging, turning your iPad into a mini computer.
Coming with a floating, cantilever design, it allows you to attach your iPad magnetically, and to smoothly adjust its viewing angle, depending on what’s more comfortable for you.
The box that the case comes in has a picture of the case on the cover, and at the back, some details and images on what all it’s compatible with.
And like everything else Apple related, it has the usual special plastic that comes with all other Apple Products, so for fans of the packaging, you’re still not losing out.
Once you open the box, the first thing you’ll see is the Smart Keyboard Case, and the paperwork on how to use it is in the middle of the case, which you can set aside until you’re ready.
Some other features that this case comes with are full-size, backlit keys, how you can use the same Multi-Touch gestures that apply to MacBooks on the trackpad, and how it folds into a case that provides front and back protection. However, the keyboard case doesn’t cover the entire iPad as there is a bit at the side that is uncovered that other YouTubers have pointed out, so it’s best to just be aware of that in case you’re travelling, but it hasn’t personally impacted me just yet as I only got it near the start of this most recent Lockdown.
It’s been over two months since I bought this case, but I was so excited to get using it when I first got it that I got stuck in to testing how accessible it was straight away. Here’s a video of when I tried using the keyboard and trackpad on it for the first time, and how easy it was to get a hang of it.
But what do I think about the Apple Magic Keyboard Case overall, and would I advise other people to get one? Well, since I got the new Magic Keyboard Case, I’ve been using my iPad more than I’ve ever used it, and it brings a lot of the worries over not being able to reach something away, now that the trackpad has been added. I also like how I can plug my hard drive into the iPad while charging it at the same time, how your keyboard settings will be the same as they were if you’re swapping over from another keyboard case, and the keyboard is nice to type on, but I would like if you could change the colour of the backlight.
However, although there are good things about it, there are also some things that Apple could improve on.
Unfortunately, the same customisable trackpad settings you have on Mac aren’t available in the trackpad settings for iPad, most notably, the ability to right click with the left or right of the trackpad, which could make life easier for some physically disabled people. A lot of apps also don’t support scrolling with arrow keys, which might disadvantage people who can’t scroll using the trackpad or for whom clicking a button might be easier. The price _ at £279 _ also makes it expensive, although if you can afford it, it’s well worth the money, and lastly, more mac apps should bring out iPad and iPhone apps, but that might be closer than we think if the rumours regarding Pro apps coming to iPad are anything to go by.
But overall, I think the Magic Keyboard Case for iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd Generation) is accessible, but it could still improve in some ways.
Phoebelyle.com 