Microsoft Possibly Working on 'Touch Cover' Smart Keyboard For iPad

Microsoft appears to be working on a Touch Cover smart keyboard for at least one iPad model, according to battery information for products containing lithium-ion batteries shared on its website earlier this year.

Microsoft's Surface RT with Touch Cover

The documents were published in April, but they were only discovered now by German blog WinFuture, which tipped its information to The Verge. The product is clearly listed: iPad Touch Cover (Model 1719).

Microsoft previously sold Touch Covers for its Surface tablets that doubled as pressure-sensitive keyboards and protective covers.

Those covers magnetically click into place and provide protection for the Surface's touchscreen. They have a standard keyboard layout, shortcut keys, and a two-button touchpad that supports gestures.

It's unknown if the iPad version would be similar. All that's known is that it presumably has a lithium-ion battery, suggesting it could connect over Bluetooth. It could also work with an iPad Pro's Smart Connector, but that seems less likely.

Of course, Microsoft could have scrapped plans to release an iPad keyboard between April and now, or perhaps even earlier. For now, the single document is all we have to go on. We'll provide an update if that changes.

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Top Rated Comments

sracer

113 months ago

But Why? Lost the confidence of their own product?

No, not at all. It's simply a matter of extending their reach and influence. Microsoft makes MS Office available for Mac OS. It's not because they "lost confidence" in Windows, but because it helps them reach people who they otherwise wouldn't reach.

It'll be interesting to see what MS does with the TouchCover for iPad. First, because there is no support for pointing devices (does Microsoft know something that we don't? ;)) and Secondly, because there is no integrated kickstand on the iPad, the TouchCover will need a redesign to support the iPad.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

DTphonehome

113 months ago

I've heard good things about their keyboards. Unfortunately, due to iOS's lack of mouse support, the trackpad probably won't carry over. I really wish they would've added that to iOS 11. It's very awkward to keep reaching up to the screen when using the iPad with a keyboard.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

44267547

113 months ago

It's a shame it (presumably) won't use the smart connecter there is no battery bulk. That would make sense for a touch cover.

And allowing the Apple smart keyboard using the smart connector with iPad, it doesn't require any batteries inside the keyboard, which makes the keyboard thinner and lighter.

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

rowspaxe

113 months ago

It'll be interesting to see what MS does with the TouchCover for iPad. First, because there is no support for pointing devices (does Microsoft know something that we don't? ;)) and Secondly, because there is no integrated kickstand on the iPad, the TouchCover will need a redesign to support the iPad.

Doesn't it seem strange no one has developed an attachable ipad kickstand cover. Even a good plastic implementation would be far better than the smartcover fabric souffle

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Appleaker

113 months ago

And allowing the Apple smart keyboard using the smart connector with iPad, it doesn't require any batteries inside the keyboard, which makes the keyboard thinner and lighter.

Yeah that’s why it would make sense for the touch cover, one advantage was it’s thinness. It’s a shame because I would like to see some genuine alternatives to Apple Smart Keyboard (i.e. keyboard without battery bulk and Bluetooth connections).

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

sracer

113 months ago

I haven't used Apple's iPad keyboard, but I have used a few different Surface keyboards, including the expensive versions. If they actually do work better than Apple's, then Apple should be ashamed since - the Surface keyboards seemed universally horrible.

"better" is subjective. I have owned TypeCovers, TouchCovers, and still own and use the ASK. I've had no problems at all with the keyboard portions of the Type and Touch Covers, but the trackpads were worse than useless.

I think that the TouchCover concept is nice in that it provides a similar experience as typing on the screen itself without taking up screen real estate. A TouchCover would be no thicker than a regular smart cover but offer the ability to have off-screen typing.

Before owning the 12.9 iPad Pro w/ASK, Microsoft's TypeCover was my favorite keyboard for any device. It was that good. (again, the touchpad is a different story)

But the Apple Smart Keyboard has replaced the TypeCover as my all-time favorite keyboard. It's terrific. It would be better if it didn't need additional material to form a kickstand and if it had a touchpad, but those are physical limitations of the iPad itself and iOS.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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