News
Apple exec Schiller suggests no keyboard dock for iPad 2
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Friday, March 25, 2011
News Category: iPad, iPad Accessories
In reply to a customer email, Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Phil Schiller has suggested that Apple won’t be making a Keyboard Dock for the iPad 2. 9to5Mac reports that the customer’s email read, “From what I’ve heard, the Apple keyboard dock is not made for the iPad 2. Is there an iPad 2 version that I can’t find on your online store – or is it coming soon?” While Schiller did not directly answer the question, he did suggest that most users prefer to use the device’s soft keyboard. “People prefer to use the iPad’s built in soft keyboard most all of the time, it works very well,” Schiller said in his response. “Those that do choose to use an external keyboard most often choose to use Apple’s bluetooth wireless keyboard for the convenience it provides.”
As noted in our comprehensive review of the iPad 2, Apple’s iPad Keyboard Dock works properly with the iPad 2, as does the original iPad Dock.
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1
I use the regular iPad dock and the Bluetooth keyboard. Works great and I can move the keyboard around a bit without having the whole setup move.
Posted by Dick Bacon on March 25, 2011 at 1:09 PM (PDT)
2
The keyboards must not have been selling well. And at $69 or $79 a pop (can’t remember), I’m not surprised.
Posted by Clint on March 25, 2011 at 1:46 PM (PDT)
3
I found the forced portrait orientation of the keyboard dock to be a big downside. While still usable, of course, I suspect many prefer to use a keyboard with the iPad in a more typical landscape orientation.
Further, the thing was ridiculously non-portable compared to even toting around Apple’s own Bluetooth Keyboard, which sold in the same general price range and provided much more flexibility.
Posted by Jesse Hollington in Toronto on March 25, 2011 at 3:36 PM (PDT)
4
I always thought the keyboard dock looked kinda clunky. The only thing it had going for it was the hardware iPad buttons, like Spotlight, SpringBoard, photo frame, etc. Other than those two things, I like my bluetooth keyboard so much more.
Plus, the bluetooth keyboard can be used with so much more. I’ve seen lots of people with the bluetooth model, but I’ve only ever seen one of the keyboard docks in public. I think Apple’s making the right choice here.
Posted by Josh Calvetti on March 25, 2011 at 7:28 PM (PDT)
5
the docks do look a little odd, my wife and I keep them in our offices so we can use the ipad more like a computer (for teaching) and they work well…dedicated function buttons are really nice
Posted by Eric on March 26, 2011 at 5:25 AM (PDT)
6
Presumably Schiller has the surveys and sales figures *shrug*
Not an iPad owner, but I don’t see why [any dock] + [bluetooth] keyboard wouldn’t work as well.
Posted by ypocaramel@gmail.com on March 26, 2011 at 11:52 PM (PDT)