Hippih

The keys of this keyboard are a bit more awkward to reach compared to the Apple Wireless keyboards, which I also own, that are a better fit. However, my typing speed and accuracy are much improved.

I have been finding the Hippih very handy, with more and more use and really love the portability of this keyboard. I have it in a small pouch along with my accessories that I carry for my digital devices.

My "mobile office" is a small briefcase, iPad Air, this keyboard (in its included neoprene case), credit card reader, a wireless internet device, and an external battery pack with cord. I've typed a lot of documents (and done a lot of business) on my iPad Air using this combination and I recommend it highly. I really like my MacBook Pro 15 (upgraded with OWC RAM and bootable external hard drive) but I'm happy I don't have to take it everywhere.

This keyboard gives me a lot of flexibility and I recommend it highly

I would recommend this item to a friend!

It comes well packed in a hinged clamshell plastic container that thankfully isn't heat sealed. It simply pops open instead of making you cut it open with sharp weapons. It comes with batteries and a neoprene case.

The AppsKey keyboard is narrower across the key rows than the AWK. The width of a full key row on the AppsKey is 9-1/2" vs 10-5/8" on the AWK, or about 88% of the AWK. However, the width across the A-L keys was 6-5/8" on the AppsKey vs 6-1/2" on the AWK, so the actual key spacing was almost identical. The punctuation keys, tab key, and other keys were narrower to reduce the width. I was able to type quite well by touch, as the keyswitches respond positively and the keyboard feels pretty solid. The delete key at the right end of the number row, is quite small (3/8" square) and can take a little practice to hit. Most of the letter keys are 1/2" square, which is fine, Probably not for people with big fingers.

Almost all of the letter keys have icons for popular web sites printed on them. This is meant for use with their Appskey Pro app, which allows for these keys to function as short cuts to websites. However, since the icons are printed in the same dark gray as the letters and take up most of the space on top of the keys, they tend to make the keyboard look cluttered and make it harder to find the right letters visually. One quirk though, the shortcuts only seem to work if the Appskey Pro app is open and running in the foreground. That makes the shortcuts less useful. The F and J keys had small ridges to help place your fingers. There was no problem touch typing with the keyboard. The keys are very positive and feel much like the keys on the AWK.

My suggestion to the manufacturer is that they either print the letter and number labels in black and/or print the icons in a lighter gray.

There is a dedicated key next to the delete key to bring up and send down the on-screen keyboard. Not sure how useful this is. I hit it accidentally a few times when trying to hit the delete key next to it.

For editing, the keyboard has dedicated arrow keys at the lower right, similar to the AWK. It lacks a forward delete key, which the AWK doesn't have either. The Tab and the shift-Tab work fine. The usual command key shortcuts work.

The keyboard contains quite a few dedicated function keys, including the Apple command key, iOS Home keys, speaker volume keys, and playback controls that work with iPod and video functions. There's also a blank key between the left control key and command key. There's no indication whether that key can be customized for anything. The 12 key Function key row on the AWK is missing on the AppsKey.

The pullout tray works fine for an iPhone or iPod Touch, but it's definitely not usable with an iPad. The tiny lock switch at the top of the keyboard extends a wire that keeps the keyboard from bending. It works to hold it straight, but I wouldn't put too much weight on it if the keyboard was in your lap, as it doesn't look that strong. For some light typing in your lap, it'd work. 

All in all, I was quite satisfied with the AppsKey keyboard. The app wasn't that useful, but the keyboard worked well and I typed this review with it on the iPad. I think for mobile use with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch, this keyboard is recommended. The AWK is sturdier and better for serious key pounders, and for those willing to carry it around. The AppsKey would be a good match for those carrying iPhones and Touches, because it folds up into a very compact package, and has it's own neoprene carrying case. It would probably fit easily in the outside pocket of an iPad sleeve, where an AWK would be too long. A thumbs up!

I would recommend this item to a friend!