Akko’s MetaKey Places a New Spin on Typing with Your iPhone

Akko has established itself as a producer of keyboards and associated elements, equivalent to clickable switches and keycaps in a wide range of colours. The MetaKey is the corporate’s most up-to-date use of such experience. It’s a bodily keyboard that attaches to the underside of your iPhone and means that you can textual content with out the on-screen keyboard getting in the best way. Extra space above your phrases. It’s much like how earlier BlackBerry telephones labored, with thumbs dancing over buttons slightly than glass.

It’s obtainable in six colours: black, white, pink, blue, inexperienced, and orange. Every one connects to the telephone by way of USB-C and features a passthrough for charging or connecting different cables with out having to take away the case. The keyboard illuminates with a white backlight, permitting you to textual content at the hours of darkness. Shortcut buttons run down the borders, offering speedy entry to Siri, voice dictation, and even a mode that transforms the highest rows into massive scrollers for feeds. Numbers present with a single faucet, and app-specific instructions save steps in your on a regular basis routine. Precision holes on the perimeters make microphones, audio system, and buttons simply accessible, so nothing appears muffled or hidden.

A 9g weight behind the keyboard retains every thing in equilibrium. With out it, the telephone extends just a few inches and the load shifts ahead, making one-handed use troublesome throughout prolonged intervals. Snap on the load, and the telephone will draw again, permitting you to relaxation your fingers whereas typing. The casing is constructed of many layers of polyurethane and thermoplastic, making it gentle however sturdy sufficient to face up to frequent impacts. Magnets within the rear mirror Apple’s MagSafe system, guaranteeing that chargers, stands, and wallets keep in place even after an off-the-cuff toss on the desk.

Information additionally passes easily because of the passthrough port, which handles each knowledge and energy. Numeric entry is a devoted shortcut that means that you can enter places and costs with out having to navigate layouts. It takes seconds to arrange; merely plug it in and go, with no apps or pairing obligatory.

At $59.99, the MetaKey is considerably cheaper than rivals such because the Clicks circumstances, which begin at $139. Availability begins with the iPhone 16 Professional Max proper now, with the 17 Professional Max model ready in line at $69.99—although an early chicken low cost reduces that to $59.99 for preliminary consumers. Clicks continues within the recreation with new iPhone 17 circumstances which might be 40% smaller and 11% lighter. These begin at $139 for the 17 and Professional, and $159 for the Professional Max, and have sculpted keys and facet lanyard holes that match Apple’s crossbody strap.