In our ongoing iPad Air 2 Keyboard Review series, we have kept an eye on Clamcase Pro and Bridzier. Today we saw a more popular iPad keyboard Macrumors Readers have suggested that we review, Belkin’s cod ultimat pro.
The Kude Ultimate Pro keyboard case is one of the more versatile keyboards we have seen, because it is capable of separated from the keyboard to serve as a standlone iPad case and it is usable in both portrait and landscape mode. Other standout features include backlit keys, a complete keyboard format and auto -on/off effectiveness.
Box and setup is what
The box in the box, a micro-USB charger with a with one, and how it is up and running instructions. The setup is like any other Bluetooth device, pressing the Bluetooth button on the keyboard and selecting the keyboard in the iPad Settings menu.
We have some occasional disadvantages with Bluetooth, where we had to completely remove the device from our familiar device and re -joint list, but in most parts, the Bluetooth connection was strong in our exam.
Design
The cuda ultimat pro comes to two separate pieces: a separate keyboard and a plastic case that snaps behind IPad Air 2. The two pieces connect to each other using several magnetic. The keyboard has a magnetic flap with a leather material that is attached to the back of the case to hold the pieces together and then the case fits into one of the two slots of the keyboard where it is placed in place (these magnets control your iPad and the keyboard). Two separate slots allows some different viewing angles.
To connect two pieces of the case together, the iPad does not connect the keyboard or fold the keyboard back, it is not possible for several possible use of other keyboard cases in the market.
Although there is a bad side – the magnets used in the balconin cud system are not very powerful, so if you make it wrong or take it in the wrong way, two pieces can separate. For example, if you pick up the case with the keyboard and if you were taking it to a new place, you are leaning slightly, then there is a good chance of throwing your iPad keyboard and hit the floor.
That is why, you need to be careful when using this case, when you need to re -establish it, it takes a few more seconds to see how you pick it. When used in a lap, it is possible for the iPad to read the back because it is so heavy. The part of the keyboard itself is very light to balance the iPad and when the keyboard is not placed on the flat surface, the magnets are not able to handle the weight of the tablet fully. We fell backwards to the iPad and separate the cole several times during the test. However, this is not a flat surface problem.
You can also use the cud ultimatta pro keyboard with the iPad attached to portrait mode, it is something that is not possible in many cases available in the market available in the market. In this position, due to weight, it is a little more at risk of falling backwards. The magnets are somewhat weak, but it is worth mentioning that this system is convenient – it is easy to remove the iPad from the keyboard and it goes back to the right place when you want to use it again. Most people will probably not use the keyboard with the iPad in portrait mode, but this is a great option.
Snaps on the iPad are made from solid plastic, which is covered with soft leather ingredients on the outside. The Sans Keyboard Attachment, it looks as a run of the mill rear case, which is a bit thick and heavier, aesthetic that cannot like anything. It leaves access to all ports of the iPad Open from the Volume button and the power button from the thunderstorm port.
It can be used as a regular case every day when not connected to the keyboard and it has a cutout for camera, volume button, power button, headphone jack and thunderstorm port. It is negative when trying to use as a daily case is that it leaves the left side of the iPad without protection as it slots the iPad on the keyboard while using it.
This is definitely a case that always refers to the iPad and it is a bit difficult to remove from iPad Air 2 because of the rigid plastic ingredients. Belkin Kood Ultimate Pro keyboard case is probably not the best solution if you don’t care for the rear casing because it is not something you want to travel and continue repeatedly.
The keyboard itself is made from aluminum on the top and a plastic material at the bottom. It is available for silver aluminum and white shell and white shell and Apple’s Ga Er ipad available for a space gray aluminum and black shell to match the Space Gray and Silver iPad Air 2. The keyboard is thin and light weight, it makes it fairly portable, but with the bulk added to an iPad to the dense plastic back shell it is almost as thick as other keyboard offers, such as clamcase pro and bridzier.
When not used, the keyboard folds the front of the iPad Air 2 to protect the screen, it is a great, portable clamcase when it is closed. There is a rubber bumper on the edge of the keyboard that prevents the keys from hitting the iPad screen. In 1.13 pounds, the cuda ultimatat add some weight to the iPad, if you plan to use it for travel, remember something, but this is not too heavy than the other market solution.
Key
Type on the cud keyboard does not feel satisfactory to type on the keyboard of a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro because the original travel is short and the activation force (the amount of force required to press) is not as great. Because of this, the keys do not feel enough – they are soft, squashi and MacBook Air or Pro are not spring like keys.
Compared with other iPad keyboards like clamcase pro and bridlezier, the balconin keys have inferior feelings. It was said that the keys may seem different, but it is not difficult to adapt to using the cud keyboard and it has not had a significant effect on our typing speed. We saw some mistakes in the cud because of the smaller key gaps than any of Apple’s keyboard. The keys are closer together, which takes some time to adjust.
Belkin cud does not experience desktop-style typing when it comes to feeling, but it makes the same number of keys on the laptop keyboard. It contains alternative, command, control, function and tab keys, as well as a complete row of function/number keys that provide useful iPad-specific commands. Regular keyboards can be cut, copied and pasted using the command key.
There is a key for access to the home screen, which is twice as a way to lock the iPad while holding the function key. Also starting Siri, searches, open applications to see the open applications to switch to multitask view, take screenshots, bring in the screen keyboard, control the sound and control the media playback. Accesses to access to open applications (duplicate a double tap on the home button) and unique for taking screenshots and not all iPads are offered on keyboards.
To use the keyboard in the dark or in the enlightened room, there is a built -in backlight. There are three levels of brightness that can be selected by taping the brightness key on the keyboard several times. The battery of the keyboard used to backlolting will drain the battery quickly.
Battery
The cod has a great built -in battery conservation feature that gives it the longest battery life of any portable iPad keyboard available in the market. According to Belkin, if the keyboard backlolting is not turned on, it may last for a year at a single charge (with two hours of use a day).
Whenever the keyboard is connected to the iPad, the magnets automatically turn on Bluetooth, allowing the iPad connection. When the iPad is removed, Bluetooth is closed, the battery saves. This automated on and off feature works well – the iPad connects within a few seconds when docs on the keyboard and turn off quickly. The Bluetooth battery is closed after about 10 seconds of inaction to save the battery, a feature that you break one or twice in your writing may be a barrier because you still close the keyboard even after you use it.
The automatic feature means that the keyboard comes only when the iPad is dock, it can always be triggered by folding the leather flap that connects the keyboard to the iPad. When this flap is folded again, the magnet is kept the keyboard so that it can be used on a single basis with any Bluetooth device, including Mac and iPhone.
When the battery of the keyboard is low, it can be charged via micro USB. There is no way to check the battery life on the keyboard, so it may be a good idea to charge every few months to make sure it is never died when needed.
Other features
The cud has the ability to pair two separate devices at the same time, and hold the switching function key at the same time and tapping + or delete, can also be lapsed as a Bluetooth key. This is a useful feature that is not present on most iPad keyboards.
There is also a “soundflow” design to increase the sound of iPad Air 2 without the case without the case, but we did not notice a huge difference between sound quality or volume with the case.
Who is it for?
Belkin’s cud Ultimate Pro is one of the more versatile keyboard cases in the market, and if you are looking for something that can be used in multiple ways – in landscape mode, in portrait mode and other devices other than iPad. If you appreciate the flexibility of using an accessories in different ways, it can be a keyboard for you.
The keys are somewhat softer and shallow than the other few other cases in the market, but it is possible to type in the standard MacBook Air or Pro keyboard almost quickly. Built -in -backleting, a complete set of keys and a great set of iPad activities makes the keyboard attractive despite its low -desired key feeling.
Those of you who want a keyboard that can be used on a lake or on a surface that is not strong and flat, the cud ultimat pro is about to be frustrating because it is not capable of supporting the iPad plastic weight while on the surface. If you do not object to that aspect of the keyboard or the case part of the iPad, the cud is a strong choice.
Professionals:
- The full set of keys
- Backlicking
- Works in versatile, landscape and portrait mode
- Works with two devices
- Lotus
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Magnets are weak and do not well support the weight of the iPad
- The keys are soft and what feelings are not the best
- Cannot be used reliably on unstable surfaces
- The case is heavy
- Bluetooth is sometimes incredible
- There is no battery index, short sleep may be inconvenient during sleep
How to buy
Belkin cuddle Ultimate Pro keyboard case for iPad Air 2 can be purchased from the Balkin website for $ 149.99. It is available at Amazon at a slightly lower price from $ 132.
