The iPad has a problem: typing on a touchscreen keyboard (and thereby losing half your viewing space) just isn’t that conducive to being productive. You can connect any Bluetooth keyboard, but then you have added complication of finding a case to prop up the iPad and all of extra things to carry around; or it only works when laying flat on a desk.
Brydge+ solves this problem, and more besides. With integrated Bluetooth speakers, a set of clamshell hinges that securely connect to your iPad, and iPad-specific function keys – you really aren’t going to find a better iPad keyboard.
The Brydge keyboard case began as a Kickstarter and went on to enormous success – 10 minutes alone with the product and you’ll see why. The Brydge+ we’re reviewing today is the option with speakers currently available for $99, a speakerless model for $89, and a plastic model for $79. There are less expensive alternatives such as the Snugg FlipStand Keyboard Case ($49), or the Kensington Keyfolio ($70), but neither is these is really suitable for use on your lap – a common situation when travelling. On the higher end of the market is the Logitech Fabric Skin, a water repellant keyboard and folio case ($120), though the particular style and feel of the keys won’t please everyone, it doesn’t have speakers, and the plastic locks break quickly according to many reports.
This review was written using the Brydge+ keyboard in an extended session of a few hours, to fully test comfort during prolonged use.
Inside the box you’ll find:
- Brydge+ keyboard, already fitted with rubber clips for iPad 3rd and 4th generation
- Case stickers to protect your case, if you wish
- iPad 2 rubber clips (and a warning to check which iPad you have first)
- Quick start guide, mainly about the process of initial pairing
Design
The Brydge+ is beautiful, complimenting the iPad in every way it could; sleek brushed aluminium with matte black keys. The only thing that stands out to me is the oblong speaker grill – Apple would never have something so crass.
The iPad – second, third or fourth generation only (not iPad Air — you’ll need the $150 BrydgeAir) – slides into the keyboard through two hinges at the back. The hinges are strong, and can be fully extended all the way back so the iPad lies flat with the keyboard.
It can also be fully closed into a neat clamshell, then placed into the neoprene sleeve for easy transport. When in regular use, the back of iPad is fully exposed to anything it might encounter. For that reason, the Brydge isn’t suitable for general use around the home, particular if you’re sharing with kids.
Though held only by the friction from rubber inserts, it is surprisingly secure, but Brydge doesn’t recommend you carry it just by the keyboard. Use two hands to carry it around, and close the clamshell when possible.
The Keyboard
Initial pairing of the keyboard is simple: turn on the device from the sliding switch at the side, and hit Control-K – you’ll then find it listed in the Bluetooth settings. Click to pair, and type in the code displayed. Done. There were no connection problems, and no need to pair again later.
The keys are satisfyingly solid, raised about 1.5mm from the metal casing, with pleasing tactility. If you’ve used other mobile keyboard in the past, particularly those atrocious Microsoft Surface Microsoft Surface Tablet Review and Giveaway Microsoft Surface Tablet Review and Giveaway Read More rubbery things, you’ll really appreciate the quality of these. They’re only about 1mm smaller than a standard Apple keyboard and slightly more closely spaced, but you shouldn’t have any trouble adapting.
My one complaint is the small right-hand Shift key – it’s far too easy to hit the neighbouring up arrow instead, ruining the flow of typing. I can’t think of another design that would have worked in the same amount of space, but it’s a minor frustration none the less.
Finally, I’d say about 1 percent of key presses results in double characters – I believe this is quite typical with Bluetooth technology though and can depend upon interference.
After prolonged use typing out this review, I did feel a little finger strain, but nothing that short breaks between typing (which you should be doing anyway) wouldn’t deal with. One thing I can confidently say is that attempting to then compare to the on-screen keyboard was like day and night – it makes you wonder how anyone survives without one of these.
The Speaker
Pairing the built-in speaker is a separate process, and it doesn’t automatically reconnect in order to save on battery life. Hold Control-B for a second or two turns on the speaker, letting you know with a 4-tone sequence, but continue holding for longer and you’ll enter pairing mode, indicated by a 2-tone sequence. Timing it just right is a little difficult until you get the knack of it – often I would turn off the speaker, only to find I’d actually entered pairing mode.
On full volume, the Brydge+ speaker seems only slightly louder than the built-in iPad output – but completely lacking in bass or clarity. Tested against a third generation iPad, I’ve got to honest here: I actually preferred the iPad built-in output, which does appear to have an overall warmer, rounder quality of sound. The Brydge+ speaker is an afterthought, with the only discernible benefit being that you’re saving your main iPad battery and using the power from the Brydge+ instead.
Function Keys, and iOS7
A row of function keys along the top will be instantly familiar to Mac users:
- Brightness
- Volume and media controls
- Home
- Lock
- Show / hide on-screen keyboard
- Search
- Photo slideshow
- Keyboard language input switch – though I did initially think this was a Safari / Internet quick launch key, which would have been infinitely more useful.
Sadly, the search and photo slideshow functions were removed in iOS7 (or at least, the commands to launch them were removed, obviously iOS 7 still has a search feature and can still display slideshows). Even more disappointing was that there is no mention of this on the product support site or FAQ. The rest of the commands function fine, and I hope that with the coming extensibility APIs of iOS 8 What's New In iOS 8? What's New In iOS 8? After last year's big iOS 7 redesign, you'd expect a muted iOS 8 announcement at this year's Worldwide Developer Conference – but you'd be wrong. Read More , the other features can perhaps return (or even be reprogrammable).
The Brydge+ iPad keyboard also functions like a smart case: closing it automatically locks the screen, and automatically unlocks when opening.
Frustratingly, there’s still no way to task switch other than to double tap the home button and scroll through apps with your fingers. No Command-Tab; not even the arrow keys to select a window or Enter to switch – it must all be done through touch gestures.
Is It Right for You?
From the perspective of giving you an easy way to type accurately and at a reasonably normal speed, the Brydge+ keyboard works wonders and feels great. However, adding a decent keyboard to the iPad – which looks and feels not dissimilar to my MacBook Air – has its own drawbacks.
Upon first use, I instinctively reached for a trackpad, and upon finding none, spent a good few seconds wondering how I was supposed to move my mouse cursor down to Safari without one; followed by even more seconds wondering where my cursor has gone. Yes, I am that stupid. For me, the Brydge+ “bridged” the gap between iPad and full laptop just a little too much – so much so that instead of feeling more productive for having a keyboard on my iPad, I now felt cheated for not having more laptop features. When all I had was a touchscreen, it was easy to accept certain limitations; now I want more.
If you spend a good deal of time just responding to emails on your iPad, you’ll love the Brydge+. I haven’t even mentioned that there are a few great keyboard shortcuts specific to Mail so you can essentially leave the touchscreen alone – and you’ll appreciate them for sure. If you travel a lot and despise having to take both your iPad and laptop, the Brydge+ may be the one killer device that will allow you to finally leave your laptop behind.
The speaker functionality however, is just not worth it unless you really want to sacrifice quality of sound for battery life. I’d recommend buying the standard, speakerless Brydge+ model and not the Brydge+ with speakers, which are otherwise identical.
People have landed some well-deserved criticism at the iPad before as being unable to replace a laptop; the Brydge+ keyboard equips your iPad to do just that, but is still held back by Apple limitations.
How do I win the Brydge+ keyboard?
You may enter by submitting your name and email address. You’ll receive one entry simply by doing so.
After that, you’ll also be offered various methods to earn additional entries. They range from sharing a link to this giveaway on social networks; to commenting or visiting a specific page. The more you participate, the higher your chances of winning! You will receive 5 additional entries into the giveaway for every successful referral via your shared links.
The Winner
Congratulations, Lyn Bosomworth! You would have received an email from jackson@makeuseof.com. Please respond before August 9 to claim your prize. Enquires beyond this date will not be entertained.
This giveaway begins now and ends Friday, July 18. The winner will be selected at random and informed via email. View the list of winners here.
Send your products to be reviewed. Contact Jackson Chung for further details.
Explore more about: iPad Case, MakeUseOf Giveaway.
There nice to have thank you and god blessthank you for telling me about the phone and god bless see
Yes love to have 1my others cellphone his old I need to buy a new 1 or maybe I can weekend that 1 and be nice b awesome f*** you just we in something
Seems like a comprehensive device and review.
Like it Sounds nice. Great review
I love it honestly. My mother doesn't have a keyboard for her Ipad, and I think this would be the perfect solution!
Its fine. Gives the mac look.
I LOVE it! What a great way to merge iPad and keyboard. Yes, you did a great job!
Sounds nice. Great review!
Yes, very in-depth review as always
I like the review and the keyboard looks nice.
Excellent and informative review as always :)
it's ok
Good review of a great keyboard - just needs a mini version.
Is a nice gadget.
While it seems to have a lot of drawbacks, I'd love to have a keyboard for my iPad and would find work- arounds.
thanks, the review is good.
Good discussion. The Brydge Keyboard would be a great addition to my iPad!
Your review was informative. The keyboard looks better than most
Sure it did.. and I hope to win !! Good luck everyone !!
I think that it looks like a pretty sweet set up! Would like to try it out myself.
Hi:) I love d the review cause as usuall it's detailed and useful. And i actually didn't know that such keyboards exist. Now i know and i'm sure it's cool gadget. Thanks
This review makes me want the keyboard more! :D
I need that for my iPad. <3
I think move the price at a later part of the article. But overall article was great, and the pictures tells it all. And oh, one more note, I like how you frankly tell about the negative side of the products it makes it more realistic.
Yes, it did. This keyboard should be a must-have for every hardcore iPad user!
Great product with nice info in the review.
Looks good!! :)
Thank you giveaway!
Looks good and solid
The Brydge keyboard seems pretty nice, and this review provided me with all the details I needed.
Great review! So good I want one now :)
Great review! I would love to win this awesome device.
That's awesome!!!
Great Review and Brydge+ Keyboard is a must have gadget. Hoping to win
Thanks for the review!
Very extensive review - Using a keyboard with the ipad is so usefull for writing....
review is great, thank you!
This product is awesome and I want to have it. Thanks for the review, because of it, it made me decide wanting to have this.
Great review, keyboard looks amazing!
Solid review with all the details I want about the Brydge+ keyboard. Thanks!
Great review. Brydge+ Keyboard is awesome.
makeuseof always did a great job reviewing new techs. brydge and keyboard is just an awesome combination for a giveaway
thx for the amazing preview
Nice and slim
Great product and riew!
I just cross my fingers!
Thanks for this review! Now I really want this keyboard :)
good presentation and review
review with lot of details
It does look pretty sturdy. I would very much make use of (pun intended) this for note taking at college.
Nice review..I want to own it..
great review and i want it ;)
It's awesome product and good review about that.
Brydge's keyboard is a compliment accessories to iPad user. The review is useful and insightful.
I think the Bridge would be great for any ipad owner. Your review was well done.
Well, I think it's still not good enough.
It can never replace computer yet.
It's very informative. Thank you^^
Thank you very much giveaway!
Inke
Hungary
Good review. Covered the pluses and minuses. Clear, concise. Bottom line, nice keyboard, skip the speaker.
It looks awesome! Greatly reviewed.
I think I have no questions left about the Brydge.
Very useful, nice review!
It seems to be useful.
yes it did thanks for all the details great review
It looks sweet.
Bridge Keyboard is for everyone - easy, smart and home early! :)
looks good! yes great review!
Would love to try it with my iPad and the review is good. Thanks.
I still prefer mechanical keyboards better
It's kind of like a poor-man's ASUS Transformer - no extra battery/USB/track pad. Still, it makes the iPad way more usable.
The Brydge looks awesome! My mum has an iPad and she thinks it's the best thing ever but she's just not used to touch screens at all so it's like reading another language trying to see what she's typed. If she had a Brydge she'd be faster and much more coherent! Great review!
It looks a good keyboard. Great review because I don't need other infos about this product.
Good product, great review!
Amazing review of the device. It makes it look like a macbook ! :)
This looks very useful.
Awesomely superb. Both product and your review. :)
i like the design,great review
Never had a laptop, having this keyboard on my iPad will be a great start for me. Would really be so awesome having one.
i like it . it looks like comfortable
I like it, and your review is great. Thanks.
I love editing and writing on my ipad, but not having a laptop interface for it can be a nightmare. I have a regular keyboard for it, but it doesn't hold the ipad, which is troublesome.... this is a great looking lappie system.
It looks good. I have a bluetooth keyboard for my Android devices. It would be nice to get one for my Ipad as well.
The review was super informative and thorough. There's a lot to like about this product. I especially like that there are speakers and the keyboard looks sturdy.
I like it. I like the laptop look and the added speakers.
I got all the information I needed from the review. I really like the comparison with other products.
looks great - very useful, especially the option to remove it when you know you won't need it. thanks
Great review,,it sounds perfect!
Really like the Brydeg+ Ipad keyboard. The review was very clear, knowing that I can use with my ipad 2 is a real bonus! This is a unit that I can really use!! Sorry about the spelling, it is 35* here yesterday, inside & out, no air conditioning ( Ouch ). Would love to win this prize!!
I like the keyboard and I think it will work well. The review did provide enough information..thanks.
I want to try this keyboard. Thank you for useful review, i think this keyboard looks great!
I like it, I might have to get myself one
I like the quantity of key options, great review!
It's awesome, very convenient! And the review is quite thorough, thankee guys!
Great review! Useful thing ))
This looks like a very high-quality keyboard. I love the speakers also. Very informative. Looks awesome!
I think that the keyboard looks great. I really like the idea of a hinged keyboard
Awesome review but im afraid what will happen if it falls
I like the keyboard and I believe it would work really well. I think the review did provide enough information to be helpful.
The article is complete and honest!!! Couldn't ask or anything else about this keyboard!! Even the $10 saving tip is awesome!!!
Really like the Brydeg+ Ipad keyboard. The review was very clear, knowing that I can use with my ipad 2 is a real bonus! Thia is a unit that I can really use!!
Nevermind, the video review did include the information about the hing strength
I think that the keyboard looks great. I really like the idea of a hinged keyboard, but the review failed to mention how easy it was to position the iPad when using the keyboard. Will it move at a slight touch, or do you have to push it so hard that you worry that the hinges might bend?
Great review. This would be great for those on the go but don't want to carry a laptop.
The article is appealing, with as much detail as you'd like.
Always been my issue with the iPad, I need a keyboard! Sounds like this solves the problem. Great review; thank you!
This looks amazing...my wife has been wanting a keyboard for her iPad and this looks perfect!
solid review and makes it work like a laptop without having to have an actual laptop
It sure looks like a solid product - save the missing trackpad, but that's not their inherent fault, it's iOS'
This review was posted just in time. I am in the market for a keyboard for my iPAD. Your review was very helpful in my decision.
Great review~very informative and yes, you made me want one!
This review was very interesting and informative. It has answered all my questions about this product, and taught me a lot.
Looks like a great thing for travelling and your review was wonderful.
Nice addition for an iPad, great review.
This is amazing. I would give this to my mom. She is always using Hey ipad
Funny how the Brydge+ styling makes one think of (and compare to) a small MacBook Pro, and then start missing things like the trackpad and cursor.
The next neat trick would be to give it a full-size keyboard like the old ThinkPad 701 from the 90s. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_ThinkPad_Butterfly_keyboard)
It's great
And surely did
Although my skepticisim against such kind of tablet+keyboard combination, this review made me reconsider this possibility as a most effective replacement to my actual heavy notebook. This decision can only be made with the aid of precise and concrete facts given in ths review - thanks!
It was a great overview.
I don't own any Apple product but your review, as always, is top quality!
Good review! I'd definitely consider buying one if I had an iPad. Great point about the lack of a trackpad though.
kindof !!
You did well with your review, covering all the important details. I'm particularly pleased that you described the lackluster built-in Bluetooth speaker honestly. I dislike reviews that mention only the good points of a product, leaving me to surmise the product's weak areas from what the review did not address.
Based upon this review, the sans-speaker version of the Brydge+ keyboard seems to be a worthy choice. It may even be better than my existing iPad keyboard, but not to such a degree, I think, that I'll be rushing out to upgrade.
like the hinge thingy
Fantastic.
Makes me want to get a newer iPad just to go with this
Is great! would be perfect for my iPad. Become a macbook.
Great review - this looks like a winner to me and, as I rarely use the speakers, the poorer quality is of no concern to me.
Looks neat and useful
Cool stuff !
Great review - thanks!
looks good, quite original hinges
If I had an ipad, I'd get one of these keyboards.
Wish you were giving away an iPad Air model, but it looks like a well-engineered and useful product...
The review is great, but know I wish for one...
Nice report! nice and high-quality keyboard, I'd love the speakers also.
i like it
Good review, I think it could be useful.
Your reviews are always on point! That's enough for me!
The keyboard looks pretty cool and I think there are enough details given about it.
Good review of features, now I want one. (or two)
The keyboard looks very well built, and fits the iPad's design perfectly
I say thank you for this the giveawy!
Inke
Hungary!
Great review, especially the speaker part.I want this Brydge+ iPad :) :)
I think it is very convenient
The review is great, but I cannot be sure of Your rating until I try it myself. :)
Good enough review
I think tis is one of the better keyboards I've seen for an iPad. Thanks for the information.
I have the Kensington keyfolio and it isn't ideal for lap use. This would be great for traveling. The review was very comprehensive, covered way more than I would expect from a keyboard review.
looks like you have it all covered......sounds like a great product as well thx
Great Review, i love this
Great review, but I do not have a full size iPad I have the Mini.
The Brydge would make life so much easier! It would save me from having to pack so many devices when I travel, gotta love that!
Looks like a great product to use when you don't want to bring a laptop to get to work! Great review, especially the speaker part.
I think it is a pretty smart innovation and I love the appearance as well. Great review too.
Looks like a great review, as i have not used anything attached to ipad, i dont know what really you could have missed in this review.
Sounds like an excellent product and one I could use! Great article...very informative.
Great review. Very thorough.
It seems a quite good keyboeard and the review was very complete.
I like it its something new unlike the ipad or tablet that everyone has
I think its a good inovation
Your reviews are always excessive of information, which is good. I almost never have to google anything else. Thanks and keep up the good job! Brydge+ keyboard seems cool and useful, I'd love it.
Looks nice. As always, your review is Great.
The design is good and somewhat affordable...
This keyboard would be perfect for my studying, because this year i am going to college.
I liked the video review Pick me Pick me
Looks nice. As always, your review is verbose.
Great review, after watching the video, I am positive that it works way better than the current keyboard that I have. Since I have to bring my ipad around to do my work, typing on my current keyboard or screen makes me wanna scream at my work sometimes.
I like it and the review recommends to get the standard model without speaker and save $10.
I hate touchscreen keyboards. This looks like it would be great!
I think the review covered great details of the product. The Brydge+ keyboard allows you to utilize the full power of apps and become much more productive with your iPad.
Great review! I love the Brydge+ keyboard because it lets you truly use your iPad as a hybrid by giving you the feeling of a premium laptop.
The Brydge may tip me over into actually liking my ipad. I'm just not much of a touchscreen person...that stuff didn't exist when I started using computers...but then again the computers I started on took up an entire noisy room!
Neat idea, especially if you are someone that needs to work on your lap. Honestly, I would just consider a Macbook Air if what I really needed was a laptop.
If what you really need is an OS, not an iOS, the Air is it for portable.
An external keyboard is a great idea for tablets but the price point is sort of high. I really don't see why there should be a premium for it when I could buy a PC keyboard just as good of quality for half the price even in a similar size.
The review was excellent. I learned a lot more about the product and it gave me a good sense of what it was capable of doing.
Good review! would really be useful
It sounds like a good investment if you plan to create more of a hybrid device with you ipad. The review was very informative and well written. It touched upon all the key points and gave personal experiences with it.
I liked the original design better
It sounds like the Brydge does what it's intended to do quite well. The review covered it quite well. I'm just not convinced that it makes sense to use the Brydge with an iPad, instead of just using a laptop.
Looks great!
I'm always on the look-out for new accessories for my old iPad2, and this seems like it might definitely be worth checking into. Thanks for the info!
This sounds good, now if there was only a similar one for the ipad mini, which I have.
It was a great review. I think it covered everything
looks good, but would like to see more differentiation information from other keyboards on the market and also information about batterylife
I was just diagnosed with tendinitis in my wrist and my doctor recommended using a keyboard with my iPad. This keyboard looks like it might help me.
I would love more specific info on the battery and how quickly it charges. Also, exactly how thick and heavy is it? Is it truly a lot less weight to carry the ipad and keyboard than carrying the Macbook?
I'm not sure if I entered the give away or not. I entered my name and e-mail but when it showed me that it was going to access all of my Facebook info, I cancelled. Does that just cancel the FB access or the whole thing?
It was a great review. I think it covered the pros and cons of the keyboard quite nicely. I definitely need one of these.
I'd be curious to see how it compares to a rugged option like the New Trent Airbender.
Great review. Thanks.
As always a very detailed review, thank you.
Good review. I want one
Brydge keyboard is simply awesome, sturdy & a cool product. Excellent product review as well as it is very precise and catchy too.
The aged (senior citizens) hate typing on the screen. They will embrace this keyboard. Thanks for advising speaker issues.
Review looks good. Hope it functions as reviewed.
The keyboard sounds fantastic -- a friend was just telling me she couldn't decide between a laptop & an iPad; I told her to get the laptop if she really wanted to do work. Now, she could do fine with theiPad & this keyboard. Your explanations were spot on! Thanks
Decent review, I would be curious to learn more about the battery life in general. Thanks!
Perfect Keyboard/Cover. Looks great, very functional.
Great Product. Good review. Want one.
Great idea. Good review. Want one.
Unbias review, it does seem like a nice little keyboard.
nice review
I was pleased to get a side by side listen to the speakers. I agree, they don't merit the extra expense.
Sounds like an awesome product. Your review is perfect, unbiased and concise as always!
Yes...Perfect combination and completely portable. Excellent product.
I've been looking for a quality keyboard for my iPad. It would make using my personal device at work much more efficient.
This keyboard is just what I need for may iPad and your review is great!
Awesome!
This might be the keyboard I've been looking for. I don't need speakers -- I need to type.
Awesome review, as usual~
It looks great, I've been meaning to look into a decent keyboard for mine.
It is a good to have product and yes the review are great and save plenty of my time to do my own review instead. Thanks guys. :)
The product seems very nice. The review is very complete.
It seems like a useful compromise - I doubt the typing experience will ever be as good as a standalone laptop, but it means I have the choice between just taking out my ipad and also taking along the keyboard - so carrying only what I need that day. Useful review.
still no wired keyboards for the ipad - for when you're on the plane?!
This would be really cool to have, but if this is the main way you need to use your ipad you should have a laptop instead which comes with much more functionality.
Pairing the built-in speaker is a separate process, and it doesn’t automatically reconnect in order to save on battery life. Hold Control-B for a second or two turns on the speaker, letting you know with a 4-tone sequence, but continue holding for longer and you’ll enter pairing mode, indicated by a 2-tone sequence. Timing it just right is a little difficult until you get the knack of it – often I would turn off the speaker, only to find I’d actually entered pairing mode. very useful
It seems friendly while traveling... yes, its good review from you guys.
Your review was great. It solves the problem of having to research iPad keyboards ourselves. :)