When Microsoft released the Surface RT tablets this year, one of the accessories that just seemed like an easy buy included the Touch Cover keyboard that offered protection as well as a keyboard for the tablet. Even though the Surface is not selling as well as Microsoft would have liked, the accessory is getting attention from other companies that just might copy it. Apple is reportedly working on a keyboard cover much like the Touch Cover, for release with the new iPad 5 model being announced this week. The rumored keyboard cover comes from a former developer who posted about it online.
The source noted that a “couple of people at Apple” said that Apple was testing a case for the full sized iPad and that it would be very similar to the Touch Cover from Microsoft. According to the source, “It’s not clear whether the process is far enough along to make this Tuesday’s event, but they did say a few different styles had been in testing for awhile. This would certainly allow Apple to differentiate the larger iPad from its little brother and market it as the more ‘pro’ of the 2.”
Apple does offer a Bluetooth enabled option right now for those that want a keyboard on the iPad and originally sold a keyboard docking station when the iPad first showed up on the market, but any new accessories have been few and far between. The new SmartCover from Apple will function very similar to the Touch Cover from Microsoft and it will also connect to the iPad magnetically. There are other third party options for you if you want use a keyboard with your iPad from companies like Belkin or Logitech and those options have proven to be quite popular but that might have been because Apple did not offer any choice.
The new iPad 5 and the second generation iPad Mini 2 will be getting showcased this week by Apple and should be selling millions of units each within the next few weeks. The larger iPad 5 is expected to bring a more compact look with smaller bezels and design elements stolen from the iPad Mini. Most of the hardware specs will be enhanced as always. The popular iPad Mini 2 will also be coming this week and it features the Retina display, better battery life and hardware enhancements as well.
