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Microsoft Designs Bluetooth Keyboard for Tablets

- By - Source : Geeky Gadgets

This keyboard is designed to be used with Apple's two iPad tablets, numerous Android devices and Microsoft Windows.

Keen eyes have discovered that Microsoft recently added a new keyboard designed specifically for tablets to its library of gadgets. Simply called the Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 5000, it's compatible with Microsoft Windows, Apple's iPad and iPad 2, and "many Android devices." It measures just 0.62-inches in depth, making it nearly twice as thick as Apple's flagship device.

"Miss the tactile feeling of a real keyboard when typing on your tablet? The full-sized Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 5000 enables more comfortable typing than on-screen keyboards, and encourages natural posture with the Comfort Curve design," reads the product description. "And at less than three-quarters of an inch thick, you can easily slip it into your bag, which makes it the perfect mobile companion. Plus, there’s no need to worry about cords or transceivers."

Microsoft's big selling point is not only in the tablet-friendly Bluetooth connection, but the keyboard's "comfort curve" design that "encourages natural wrist posture and is easy to use." Otherwise, it's just another Bluetooth keyboard that runs on three AAA alkaline batteries and requires a PC enabled with Bluetooth technology (meaning it doesn't come with a USB-based Bluetooth adapter, sorry).

It's probably no coincidence that we're seeing this tablet-oriented keyboard show up right before CES 2012. Windows 8 tablets aren't expected to enter the market until the fall, but that apparently isn't stopping Microsoft from getting ready while offering a branded product for competing devices in the process.

Microsoft's Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 5000 is available now for $49.95 and can be purchased directly from the company here.

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Anonymous 12/18/2011 2:19 PM
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babi la maikrosof

sissysue 12/18/2011 3:09 PM
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Never likes curved keyboards but the compatibility is nice. Compared to the Apple wireless keyboard I would prefer on an iPad, Too bad Apple had to be turds and make it work only with Apple.

zulutech 12/18/2011 6:52 PM
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Why does microsoft create apps, and hardware for apple?

xerroz 12/18/2011 7:00 PM
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zulutech :
Why does microsoft create apps, and hardware for apple?


Easy money from the sheep herd

Kyuuketsuki 12/18/2011 7:16 PM
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zulutech :
Why does microsoft create apps, and hardware for apple?


1) It's not designed specifically for Apple products. It is designed to be compatible with pretty much any tablet.

2) It'd be stupid to release a product targeted at tablets and then make it incompatible with the tablet that has, by far, the largest market share.

silver565 12/18/2011 7:19 PM
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zulutech :
Why does microsoft create apps, and hardware for apple?



Well.. it could be because they own a large stake of apple.

Secondly, I've always been impressed with Microsoft keyboards & mice. They seem rock solid.
Has anyone else noticed this?

nezzymighty 12/18/2011 7:29 PM
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Microsoft.... make it compatible with the PS3 as well...

molo9000 12/18/2011 10:09 PM
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silver565 :
Well.. it could be because they own a large stake of apple.



Since when? Microsoft had bought 150 million dollars worth of non-voting Apple stock in 1997 (Part of a bigger deal that involved a copyright infringement lawsuit, patent-sharing, MS Office for Mac and Internet Explorer for Mac), but that was not all that much money back then. (Market cap of Apple was 2.3 billion back then according to wikiinvest. Annual revenue 7 billion)

I think Microsoft sold that stock long ago.

WyomingKnott 12/19/2011 12:42 PM
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I'm missing something. I have a device on my desk right now. On the back it says "Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000." It is a curved keyboard.

Is the news that they reduced the model number by 1,000?

otacon72 12/19/2011 3:10 AM
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zulutech :
Why does microsoft create apps, and hardware for apple?



Microsoft gets $15 for every Android device sold why not milk Apple for some money too? It's all about the green backs.

otacon72 12/19/2011 3:13 AM
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silver565 :
Well.. it could be because they own a large stake of apple.Secondly, I've always been impressed with Microsoft keyboards & mice. They seem rock solid.Has anyone else noticed this?



I'm using their Arch keyboard right now and love it. Best keyboard I've ever used.

otacon72 12/19/2011 3:15 AM
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molo9000 :
Since when? Microsoft had bought 150 million dollars worth of non-voting Apple stock in 1997 (Part of a bigger deal that involved a copyright infringement lawsuit, patent-sharing, MS Office for Mac and Internet Explorer for Mac), but that was not all that much money back then. (Market cap of Apple was 2.3 billion back then according to wikiinvest. Annual revenue 7 billion)I think Microsoft sold that stock long ago.



They did sell it a long time ago.

dark_lord69 12/19/2011 4:43 PM
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Microsoft already makes a bluetooth keyboard. I have 2 of them.
(I used them on for my Sony Playstation)

DaddyW123 12/19/2011 8:32 PM
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They should put adjustable hinges on it, so that you could also physically attach your tablet to it, making it like a universal version of the transformer keyboard.

eddieroolz 12/20/2011 4:05 AM
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Nowadays after using laptop so much I actually prefer the straight keys.