Belkin QODE Ultimate Wireless Keyboard and Case for iPad Air (Black) Review
Turn your iPad Air into a laptop with the Belkin QODE Ultimate Keyboard Case. The well-spaced keys offer the movement and response of a laptop keyboard, making emails and word processing far easier and more comfortable than typing on a tablet's touchscreen. Smart sensing technology automatically turns the keyboard on when you need to use it, and off when you don't. The case supports multiple viewing angles to help you find the most comfortable position for watching videos or reading blogs. Made of aircraft grade aluminum, the lightweight keyboard acts as a cover offering exceptional protection for your iPad Air while the case prevents it from being scratched.
Turns your iPad Air into a fully functioning laptop with well-spaced keys that let you type faster and more accurately (shown in black).
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Belkin QODE Ultimate Wireless Keyboard and Case for iPad Air (Black) Feature
- Convert your iPad Air into what feels like a full functioning laptop
- Three neodymium magnets keep the iPad Air securely in place and automatically turn the keyboard on and off, so that the keyboard is only on when you're using it.
- Light and slim - a mere .75 inches thick
- Strong and sturdy, crafted from aircraft grade aluminum
- Fully protects iPad when closed
- Extended battery life. 280mAh battery provides 1900-hour active battery life / 4300-hour standby battery life
- Keyboard folds out of the way for comfortable reading and viewing
- Precise positioning system with neodymium magnets hold your iPad securely at variety of comfortable angles
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Costumer review
83 of 83 people found the following review helpful.
By A. D. Lum
Oh my goodness, I love this thing! I've used three different regular cases, a mini bluetooth keyboard, and a keyboard/case combo. I did not expect this to be vastly different from the other keyboard case that I tried.
First of all, this is a hard case. It does not flex. The other keyboard case that I tried was rigid/stiff, but it could flex a tiny bit. That means that when closed, part of the keyboard could make contact with the iPad screen. Maybe that's nothing, but I don't like anything that isn't soft touching the iPad's screen. This case was built with close tolerances. When closed, the keyboard comes very close to the screen, but does not touch it. If you hold it up to the light, you can see the tiny separation. If you don't believe your eyes, you will find that you can slide a sheet of paper between the keyboard and iPad when the case is closed.
The bluetooth syncing/linking was easy. Also, there is no physical switch to turn the keyboard off and on like there was on my other keyboard case. The keypad is engaged when the keyboard is in one of its three possible reclining positions. The case magnetically "snaps" into one of the three reclining positions. Snap it out and bluetooth goes off. No more worrying that you forgot to turn off the bluetooth switch.
There are two trade-offs. A trade-off is not a flaw. It is a feature whose existence means that something else is necessarily lost or diminished. For some, trade-offs are good, and for others not so good. For me, both trade-offs are good.
Trade-off #1: The sound deflector over the speakers directs sound toward the user. It amplifies it a little and also makes it quieter for those who are not in front of the device. A larger deflector (including your own cupped palm) does the job better, but then it would look ugly and get in the way. I prefer a deflector that does a moderate job but is unobtrusive and looks good. That's better than one that works great but looks like a bullhorn stuck on your case.
Trade-off #2: The case is not hinged. That means it does not open predictably like a book. The two portions of this case are "tethered" together by a strong, wide, and thin material. This makes it easier for butterfingers to fumble with, but it allows the case to do something that a hinged case cannot do. You can flip the keyboard section in back of the iPad section with the keys facing away from you or toward you. In this configuration, the sections are "stacked". It's like folding a magazine so that the rest of the magazine is behind the page you are reading. But a magazine is hinged. The part folded back is always facing away from you. Another way to say it is that you can flip the keyboard directly behind and parallel to the iPad, with the keys facing away from or toward the iPad. I much prefer the keys to be facing toward the iPad. That way, my fingers are contacting the smooth outer case instead of the keys on the keyboard. Bravo. I like this tethering feature, even if it does require one to be a little more careful.
How about the feel of the keyboard? No complaints.
Scratching? I tend to treat my electronic stuff with care. But I'm not a fanatic about it. I do a normal amount of sliding it around (metal side down) on tables and such. There is no scratching that I can see.
While in the library using my iPad to do word processing with Pages 09, I felt like taking a break and browsing a bit. I wondered if I could stand it up in portrait orientation. I expected it to utterly fail as it was not designed to do this. But much to my delight, it can stand up on its side. Sure, it stands vertically (can't tilt the screen), but I tend to slink down in my chair when I relax so it was no problem!
Finally, this case looks good. It looks cool. It's slimmer than even the non-keyboard cases I've used. The smooth finish and the perfect way it mates up with the iPad is something to admire. I have an urge to show it off. OK, it's more than just an urge - I show it off whenever the I get the chance :-)
68 of 73 people found the following review helpful.
By Positive Logic
IMPORTANT: Scroll down to see my updates in which I explain why I've raised the rating to 4 stars from 2 originally.
ORIGINAL REVIEW 7/30/2013
I ordered the silver version from Best Buy. It's the same as the one sold on Amazon except for the color. There were two immediate problems, that escalated into a huge hassle:
1) As mentioned by another Amazon reviewer, the orange light that is supposed to indicate that the unit is fully charged never turns blue, no matter how long I charged. I called Belkin Tech Support and after an 20 minutes on hold, I find that the person on the other end had no knowledge that such a defect might exist among a certain percentage of units sold. Consequently, she did not know how to troubleshoot it. So that was a big waste of time.
2) Also as mentioned by another reviewer, the keyboard case, when closed, leaves long horizontal scratch on my screen protector. I tried to rub it out, but it's permanent. Now--it's entirely possible that if I removed the screen protector that, the actual screen of the iPad itself would not be scratch. But the fact that my screen protector would get scratched is pretty alarming.
I am disappointed because the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard for the iPad actually has a good feel to it and I'm able to type accurately with it. Unlike my Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio Carbon Black for iPad 2 and iPad (3rd/4th generation) (920-005370) it does not have the alternate layout which causes occasional errors when typing on the top number row.
Bottom line: I wanted to like this because of all the glowing review the Belkin has had. But my Logitech Fabricskin remains my #1 favorite iPad Keyboard.
For those who insist on getting the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard, I strongly suggest you get a scratch resistant screen protector. As for the issue of about the orange light never turning blue, chances are that I got a lemon and you might be okay.
UPDATE: 7/31/2013
Since writing the above review, I confirmed two things which make me feel more comfortable about keeping this:
1) I asked the reviewer who had mentioned that the issue about the Orange light never turning blue if he still got satisfactory use out of the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard. He confirmed that he has not had to recharge it in months and has been using it often.
2) I replaced my cheapo screen protector with Tech Armor Apple New iPad 4, 3 & 2 HD Clear Screen Protector with Lifetime Replacement Warranty [2-Pack] - Retail Packaging. While I think it's a sloppy design that enables a sharp edge to touch your iPad screen, I was glad to see that, while the Belkin still left a mark on my new screen protector, it was not permanent. I was able to rub it away. Since this was a bigger issue than the battery indicator light, I've rechecked it several times and confirmed no permanent scratches before writing this review update.
In the meantime,to reiterate and add to what I said above, here are the positives:
1) Keyboard allows for quick accurate typing. It's not as solid feeling as my Logitech Fabricskin and overall quality is not as impressive, but it makes up for through it's standard layout on the number row.
2) It's light. Other than the Logitech Ultrathin, which I've also used, it's the lightest iPad keyboard I've used, with the added bonus of offering full protection on all sides for your iPad.
3) Stable enough to be used on your lap, or on non-level surfaces. Many reviewers have stated that the magnets and too weak and it has a tendency to collapse if you put it on your lap or try to type while slouching on a couch. I've tried both, I've found that it holds together quite well. I'm guessing that they made the magnets stronger on later versions.
ONE ADDITIONAL NEGATIVE.
When it's locked on the magnet that is closet to the keyboard, I notice that the iPad leans over slightly to the left. I doesn't affect performance and I'm guess that it's due to the iPad being slightly heavier on one side in landscape position. I wish Belkin had accounted for this, but it's not really that big of a deal.
BOTTOM LINE:
I've tried may iPad keyboards and I've returned most of them for a refund. My returns have included Logitech's super popular Ultrathin Keyboard (offers no protection to the iPad's backside) and the Clamcase Pro (defective). So it says something when I find one I like enough to keep to one. The Belkin has multiple flaws. But the pluses outweigh them at this point.
Update as of 8/1/2013
I was contacted by a member of Belkin's public relations people (see comment area) who wanted to address the concerns I expressed in my review. I explained that one remaining issue I had was how the orange light does not give any confirmation that the keyboard is charge. Plus, contrary to what is stated in Belkins's support site, the light does not ever turn blue to indicate a charged battery. It only turns blue when when a bluetooth connection is being established.
I explained that every tech support and customer service rep, told me that it was supposed to turn blue.
I told the PR person that I did not know whether it was a case that I had a defective keyboard or that Belkins staff was simply misinformed. I told him to have senior technology person from their corporate offices call me to address this issue.
Interestingly, someone from Belkin Corporate did call me and explained that the orange light indicates a full charge when it fades out. That is consistent with my observations. Their customer service and tech support staff was obviously misinformed on a massive scale. If someone had told me that initially, we could have save a lot of time.
With all that said, while not I'm happy about all the time wasted, I am happy with the keyboard and the fact that the orange light not defective. On the next revision, they do have fix the issue of the edge on the keyboard service can cause scratch on non-scratch resistant screen protectors. As well, they need to change the wording on their website.
I started out the review with two stars. Belkin get two stars added for a pretty decent product and the effort they put into bring a customer's satisfaction up a couple notches.
Update 8/8/2013
All issues reported earlier in this review are resolved.
1) I put on a scratch resistant screen protector and the Belkin does not leave any marks on it.
2) A few days, someone from their corporate tech teamed confirmed that the Orange Light fades when the Belkin is full charged.
I am now use the Belkin when I take the iPad out in the field because it's thinner than my Logitech Fabricskin and easier to fit in my SOLO Storm Collection Universal 10-Inch Tablet Sling (STM751-4). I use the Fabricskin at home.
Update 8/14/2013
Another reviewer stated that he/she had noticed the scratch on the screen caused some raised sharp edge on the keyboard is butting up against screen. Again -- my recommendation if you want to reap the benefits of this keyboard is to use a scratch resistant screen protector.
Update 9/18/2013
For those who obsessed with this kind of thing, here's a quick update. I have now downgraded the Belkin from 4 to 3 stars. For the past month I have primarily used the Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad 2G/3G/4G - Electric Blue (920-005453) because it's just higher quality and I type far more accurately with it. Sometimes I switch back to the Belkin to try and understand what I'm missing because because I see all these rave reviews about it. But I always immediately go back to the Logitech. It's not just the solid, aesthetically pleasing build and quality, but Logitech, in retrospect, did a very smart thing by giving it a full-sized keyboard with the keys spaced out like a normal keyboard on your laptop. There trade off in that the caps lock does double duty. But I prefer this to the cramped approach of the Belkin. Plus the Belkin feels cheesy, flimsy, and just sort of slapped together. Many reviewers pointed that out. It's just poor build quality that is mismatched with the style and grandeur of the iPad. It's like a loin cloth as a case. Plus, I still have a bad taste in my mouth due to the time-wasting tech support issue I had when I first got it.
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful.
By James Tepper
The Belkin Belkin Ultimate Wireless Keyboard and Case for iPad 2, 3rd Gen and 4th Gen iPads performs exactly as advertised. It has a complete wireless QWERTY keyboard, about 10% smaller than the standard keyboard that is surprisingly responsive and comfortable to type on, with a bit of adjustment. It mates with the iPad via standard Bluetooth pairing. Out of the box, it literally takes but a few seconds to have your iPad snapped into the plastic top holder and paired with the keyboard. There is no on-off switch. Simply set the back containing the iPad into one of three small notches in the keyboard/base unit and the keyboard is powers up. Take the iPad out of a slot and the keyboard goes off. Removing the iPad is also a snap.
The unit is charged via a USB cable and claims to be good for 160 hours. I have no idea if that is true or not, but I have not had to charge it since the first time, and I've had it for couple of weeks (but I often use the iPad for reading with the keyboard folded with keys facing the the back of the iPad and therefore "off" ).
With the iPad set at one's desired angle (there are 3), the keyboard and iPad so resembles my MacBook Air that I keep looking for the track pad. There isn't one however, and it takes a bit of getting used to the thing to know when to touch the screen and when to use the keyboard. There are a number of function keys that are similar to those on a regular Mac keyboard for controlling sound (which is actually better with the case's little baffle that directs the sound forward than it is with a naked iPad), video and a home key that takes the place of the home button on the iPad. The arrow keys make editing text MUCH easier than the touch-drag and release that one must use on the touch screen itself. There is no manual (at least none that I could find, but there probably ought to be) to explain what some of the other function keys do. I am still discovering little surprises (e.g.., space bar returns you to the last open app when the iPad goes to sleep) and I expect to discover a few more.
The keyboard/case is reasonably light for the strength and protection afforded by its aluminum base, and the self contained keyboard, but it is heavier than the heavy duty Snuggs leather case that was the iPad's previous home. The keyboard folds out of the way in back of the iPad for reading, but the resulting sandwich is less comfortable for reading than with the iPad in my Snuggs case or caseless.
The biggest drawback is that the keyboard is 10% smaller than a regular keyboard so for (rather lame) touch typists like me, switching back and forth between the Belkin keyboard and one of my regular computers is (at least with my rather limited experience) troublesome. Maybe that will go away with more use.
Bottom line: The Belkin adds a considerably amount of functionality to the iPad for e-mail and text-based apps like Pages. Without it, one is basically reduced to typing with one or two fingers. With it, one can begin to approach the texting ability of a laptop or desktop computer for many applications with the much smaller and lighter iPad. On one of my next trips, I think I'll leave the laptop at home and try just the iPad with the Belkin.
Recommended.
J.M. Tepper
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