You are here: Home / Microsoft / Hardware: Microsoft has a $50 keyboard for your iPad

Hardware: Microsoft has a $50 keyboard for your iPad

by 6 Comments

Microsoft Hardware today announced a new Bluetooth mobile keyboard that might just turn the heads of a few iPad owners.

The $49.99 Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 5000, with special “Comfort Curve” design, works with Windows tablets and many Android devices, but its support for iPad/iPad 2 is particularly notable given the Apple device’s current leadership in the tablet market.

Sorry, Kindle Fire users, you’re out of luck. Amazon’s tablet doesn’t support Bluetoooth devices.

In a blog post announcing the new keyboard, Microsoft points out that tablet purchases are slated to increase 81 percent between now and 2015, with many consumers replacing traditional computers with tablets. The company is touting the keyboard as more ergonomic than typing on-screen.

The new keyboard is available in the U.S. starting today.

  • Guest

    Looks like MS’s strategy for the future is to be an apps and accessory supplier to Apple customers. Well played, Mr. Ballmer.

  • Guest

    You can order today but per all of the reseller sites, it won’t be shipping until January 6th. So much for THAT Christmas present idea…

  • Guest

    Congratulations to Microsoft on capturing this market segment! All my Mac-using friends swear by their Microsoft keyboards and mice, so an iPad keyboard would be a welcome addition to any tablet-toter’s toolchest.

    Moreover, as customers get used to Microsoft being everywhere, they will be more likely to buy Windows 8 devices that include Microsoft keyboards right in the box.

    I don’t work with or own Microsoft, but I like this strategy.

  • Mike G

    We have one for the kitchen PC and it’s awesome.  Makes my Apple bluetooth keyboard (at $69) look like a big fat laptop keyboard. :)

  • Anonymous

    I use a Kensington keyboard/cover. Carrying around a separate keyboard seems like it defeats the point of mobile.

  • Yetter

    Well this is nice but it would be even nicer if they brought HID support to my windows phone handset