Typo 2 is the new keyboard case for iPhone 5/5s and 6 produced by Typo. It deliberately provides users the benefit of using a physical keyboard that a lot of people have missed after the introduction of the touchscreen smartphones. Since many of us still dream of using the keyboards again but seemingly impossible as the smartphones are now occupying majority of the market that ultimately disposed the traditional keyboard, every mobile phone manufacturers are up for the touchscreens. But not BlackBerry.
The traditional QWERTY keyboard is an iconic trademark of BB and although the company is struggling right now in competing against the Androids and smartphones with their touchscreen interface, the company believes keeping its keyboard provides them the uniqueness against the odds. On the other hand, BB would not care if some smartphone manufacturers will be adapting the keyboards again. But what if somebody said it has keyboard for the iPhone and it looked like a BB’s keyboards? BB won’t like that, naturally. Last January BB has filed a lawsuit against Typo, the company that manufactures keyboards specifically for certain iPhone models.
What’s wrong with Typo?
The history of Typo is somewhat fascinating. Knowing that Blackberry is trying to revive itself even offering to buy iPhones in exchange for its new Passport, it is now telling the world that even Apple wants its keyboard.
In January 2014, the first Typo model was released. This is a slip-in case keyboard that fits right and connects to the iPhone 5/5S through Bluetooth. But days after, Blackberry was suing Typo pointing that the keyboard is a “blatant infringement against BlackBerry’s iconic keyboard”. And judging from critics’ perspective, comparing the two keyboards, the Typo really resembles BlackBerry’s. The San Francisco court can’t do anything but put up an injunction against Typo in selling the case and Typo seemingly guilty had no choice but to follow the ruling.
In November, however, the Typo came back not with a vengeance but with a slightly modified case. Typo said the Typo 2’s keyboard original concept comes from the iPhone’s touchpad itself. Looking closer, it still retains the QWERTY pad but only few keys have moved out of their previous places from the first Typo while a backlight is the newest feature.
Will the Typo 2 Sell?
Typo 2 is only intended for iPhone 6 (not suited with iPhone 6 Plus) and compatible with iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s. Now being sold at $99 from Typo’s website, ironically, many people are still not excited about the new development. This is because the TouchID capability of the iPhone is blocked by the case itself.
Though Typo’s CEO Laurence Hallier said this could not be an issue as he believes a lot of iPhone users are not fully dedicated with the TouchID, many consumers said they may not like the Typo 2 because the TouchID is the iPhone’s best protection feature that everyone must use.
Typo 2 is now only available in black. It has an independent rechargeable battery and can be charged with a standard micro-USB cable that comes with it. It won’t supply charges also to the iPhone and its battery can last from 7 to 10 days. Ryan Seacrest, an American celebrity host is the co-founder of Typo and is now an active promoter of Typo 2.
Still, if you are serious about getting back in tapping the keyboard while you have an iPhone 5/5s/6 on board, the Typo 2 may suit your taste. Most iPhone users were previously owners of BlackBerries so Typo 2 isn’t that bad after all although BlackBerry won’t like it much.
Can you help me? How do I unlock the ‘lock keyboard’ function? I locked it by mistake. Thank you