People on the lookout for a new iPad keyboard will soon be able to pick up a new model from…Microsoft?
The company announced today that it will be releasing a new Universal Mobile Keyboard that’s designed to make it easy for users to get serious typing done while on the go with a tablet, including those produced by its competitors. The Bluetooth keyboard folds up when not in use, and Microsoft claims its battery will last for six months on a single charge.
The portion of the case that works as a tablet stand is also detachable from the main keyboard, which is a nice feature for people working at a table who want to have their tablet slightly farther away from their typing surface. Here’s a video that shows how it all works:
The Redmond-based company is no stranger to making cross-platform mobile accessories – all of its past keyboards have worked across the major platforms – but the Universal Mobile Keyboard is tailored for Android and iOS with a button that will let users on any mobile platform get back to their device’s home screen, and an Apple-style command key.
Microsoft’s new keyboard dovetails nicely with the company’s evolving strategy of providing many of its services for tablets that don’t run Windows. Earlier this year, the company launched Office for iPad, and a version of Office for Android is in the works.
When it launches in October of this year, people interested in picking up the new keyboard will be able to do so for $79.95.
