Clicks Power Keyboard is a Headless Blackberry

My most-used display has been Vision Pro ever since it launched in February 2024, but it's been used exclusively as a Mac Virtual Display. This is not only because the Mac is a real computer and visionOS is an IMAX-sized iPad, but because its software keyboard is worse than the worst iPhone keyboard to ever be released. And while I'd be happy to pack a travel keyboard, Vision Pro is already too bulky to fit in my bag. As a result, I may as well lug a real computer around with me and just use Vision Pro as a dumb display.

My second most-used display is an iPad mini, which essentially replaces my iPhone when I'm at home. It's set up to be more book-like: an iPhone stripped of any way to communicate with the outside world, with the exception of e-mail. Only problem is that when I do want to type, I'm stuck with what is probably Apple's second-worst software keyboard after visionOS.

My third most-used display is one of a handful of XR/AR glasses—I've been using the XReal Air 2, but am currently trialing the RayNeo Air 3s and Viture Luma Pro. With these, I can use output from any device straight to my eyeholes, so long as it supports DisplayPort over USB-C (e.g., iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Steam Deck). These are great, but once you pair an iPhone or iPad with a desktop-grade display, their lack of a similarly serious keyboard becomes apparent. Besides, when you've got shit on your face, guessing where touch targets are on a screen you can only see indirectly is maddening.

I've wanted the same solution for all three of these modalities: a well-made, pocketable keyboard I could pair with multiple devices. Yesterday, Clicks announced a mobile keyboard that looks like a real contender for solving this problem:

I'm reserving judgment (and praise) until I get my hands on this thing, but the headline features made it an insta-preorder:

• Designed to be held while attached to a phone or as an independent accessory
• Doubles as a MagSafe battery, so it manages to be useful even when you're not using it
• Pairs with up to 3 Bluetooth devices (already bummed it's only 3…)

Little touches abound, too:

• "Batwing" mode, where you can rotate the iPhone to a landscape orientation and—rather than have the display dominated by a software keyboard—actually have the full screen estate for your content while you type
• It appears to have a simple sleep/wake switch, meaning iOS won't banish the software keyboard whenever it's in range
• Quite a few special characters are handled by function keys

Alas, the one thing holding it back is no escape key. Not sure how I'll manage.

$70 if pre-ordered today (shipping in "Spring"), $110 after launch.