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Frequently Bought Together
Technical Details
- Form-fitting shell designed to snap on securely to perfectly fit your Apple iPhone 4
- Cut-out design for the touch screen so that you can keep the same tactile feel as using the Apple iPhone 4 without a case
- Conveniently designed to provide quick access to all of Apple iPhone 4's controls, features, camera, and ports
- Integrated slide-out Bluetooth keyboard allows you to switch from the touch screen to a physical keyboard as desired
- Includes a USB cable to charge the integrated keyboard
Product Details
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Product Description
The buddy system was a good thing during 1st grade field trips and it's an even better thing now. Never again will your iPhone be alone thanks to the iPhone 4 Keyboard Buddy - Backlit Edition from Boxwave.
Designed to be the perfect complement to the iPhone's on-screen keyboard, the Keyboard Buddy's easy slide in and out keyboard is smooth and natural. The instant you slide out the Buddy's keyboard, the iPhone's touch screen keyboard disappears for even more on-screen real estate.
Your iPhone will further appreciate the Keyboard Buddy's form fitting shell and secure snap on. No weird angles, bumps, or protrusions to get in the way. So natural in feel, we call them the perfect pair.
An onboard battery, chargeable by micro-USB cable, with up to 2 weeks worth of charge duration means your iPhone won't be slowed down by its buddy's nap time.
Your iPhone will also be proud of its buddy's newest improvement; backlit keys make the Keyboard Buddy a great partner both day and night.
Other improvements to the Keyboard Buddy include:
-Raised keys to make typing faster and more accurate than ever
-Improved button layout for a more intuitive typing experience
-A larger cutout for the iPhone's camera and flash
The Keyboard Buddy - Backlit edition. A great companion. The perfect pair.
Designed to be the perfect complement to the iPhone's on-screen keyboard, the Keyboard Buddy's easy slide in and out keyboard is smooth and natural. The instant you slide out the Buddy's keyboard, the iPhone's touch screen keyboard disappears for even more on-screen real estate.
Your iPhone will further appreciate the Keyboard Buddy's form fitting shell and secure snap on. No weird angles, bumps, or protrusions to get in the way. So natural in feel, we call them the perfect pair.
An onboard battery, chargeable by micro-USB cable, with up to 2 weeks worth of charge duration means your iPhone won't be slowed down by its buddy's nap time.
Your iPhone will also be proud of its buddy's newest improvement; backlit keys make the Keyboard Buddy a great partner both day and night.
Other improvements to the Keyboard Buddy include:
-Raised keys to make typing faster and more accurate than ever
-Improved button layout for a more intuitive typing experience
-A larger cutout for the iPhone's camera and flash
The Keyboard Buddy - Backlit edition. A great companion. The perfect pair.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
117 of 118 people found the following review helpful
By DVDiva
Amazon Verified Purchase
It looks like I get to do the first review again (I did the first review on Amazon for the original non-backlit Keyboard Buddy)! My beloved original Keyboard Buddy finally broke after I dropped for the millionth time, so I decided to purchase this new backlit one and give it a try.
First off, for any of you that had the original one and are upgrading to this one - note that the keyboard layout/feel is completely different than the original. There are no more separate number keys which allows the keys to be bigger and for the keyboard to have additional keys which are actually quite helpful. However, you will need to relearn your "muscle memory" since the keys are different from the non-backlit one.
However, it seems like Boxwave took the problems with the original non-backlit keyboard and really tried to fix them with this version since there are some really nice features that are included. Although I'm sure that most of you reading this don't have the original non-backlit one, I will make some comparisons to the old one since this one is a big upgrade and is quite appreciated by me!
The backlighting is super helpful - finally, you can type with this keyboard in the dark! You can turn on and off the backlight by holding down the fn key and the left arrow. You can also adjust the brightness of the iPhone screen from the keyboard by holding down the fn key and using the up and down arrows.
Speaking of the fn key, you will use it a lot. Any character in blue can be activated with the fn key. Boxwave got rid of having a separate row of number keys - instead, if you want to type numbers, you just press the fn key once and then use the top row of letters (QWERTYU...) to type numbers. You press the fn key again when you want to stop using any character in blue.
The case is a rubberized feel - it is now all black with no silver trim. The iPhone 4 fits perfectly in there, and I only needed to pair the Bluetooth once (the first time). It now uses a micro-USB as a charger (comes with a cable, but NO AC adapter). The keyboard slides out smoothly and securely - not loose at all. The cut out for the camera and flash on the back don't obstruct them at all. Just like the old version, you just have to get used to the weight of the iPhone with the keyboard slid out - it's basically the same size and weight as the prior version. See my review on the older version for more details.
Other nice features are:
* Space Bar - this is now placed in the bottom center (people complained before because the original one had it towards the right side)
* Caps Lock key - this lets you press that first, then, any character you press next is Capitalized - same as what happens on the Blackberry keyboard. If you press it twice, a little blue light comes on and all letters are capitalized until you press it to deactivate it.
* Select key - If you hold down the Select key and move around with the arrows, you highlight text that you can then copy and paste (instead of highlighting with your finger on the screen and having to move those vertical lines with the balls).
* Command keys - yes, you can then use the Command key along with "C" or "V" or "X" to Copy or Paste or Cut, respectively. There is a little manual that comes with the keyboard that shows you additional features you can do with the Command key like Select All, Undo, go to Home, go to End, Delete all before cursor and change languages.
* Keyboard key - toggles on and off the onscreen keyboard
* Lock key - locks the screen. This is my least favorite feature because I inadvertently press it and it locks out the screen. You just hit it again, and it unlocks, but it's a bit annoying where it's placed on the left side of the keyboard.
* Home key - allows you to quickly go back to your home screen. You can also double-click on it to open up the panel at the bottom of the iPhone that shows your running apps. Holding it down will also activate Voice Control.
* Alt key - this key allows you to access a bunch of other non-standard characters - this key is like the mystery key since there is no documentation that tells you which key creates which character.
* Unlike the original one, this keyboard seems to stay connected via Bluetooth most of the time. In fact, pressing a key on the keyboard will turn on the iPhone screen (the old one used to fall asleep and you would have to turn on the iPhone screen first and then press keys to wake it up). This keyboard acts more like a keyboard that is integrated with the phone as opposed to a separate peripheral that you have to turn on separately. You still have to press a key or two to wake up the iPhone sometimes.
* The keys are a bit softer now (the old one was more tactile, but loud and clicky). I miss the more tactile feel of the previous keyboard, but it is definitely much quieter now - the old one sounded and acted like a Blackberry keyboard, not the nicest when you're in a quiet meeting.
* Raised Dots on the F and J keys help you orient your fingers to the correct keys.
Now, onto the quirks...
I am still trying to get used to the keyboard after having it for about 2 weeks. If you need to type a sequence of numbers and letters (like "5.1 and 2.0" for example), it gets annoying because you have type the fn key for each number and hit it again to switch it back to the normal characters like a period and the letters "and". If you don't hit the fn key, you get a string of non-sensical characters - I find myself having to delete out several characters constantly because I forgot to hit the fn key before continuing to type. It would have been nice if there was a light that would come on when the fn key was active (like the Caps Lock when it is hit twice), so you know when it's on and when it's off.
You really have to train your brain to hit the keys like the Caps Lock and the fn keys at the proper time because the iPhone Auto Correct doesn't seem to work most of the time with the keyboard, so you will have to capitalize the first letter of each sentence and add apostrophes for words like "don't" and "can't" because the iPhone won't do it for you. However, the apostrophe is a normal key, so at least you don't have to fn that key.
You also have to remember that a comma is left of the space bar while the apostrophe is on the right side of the keyboard (where the comma used to be on the old keyboard). I do inadvertently hit an apostrophe when I mean to use a comma.
Overall, the keyboard is nice to have if you can get past the quirks. I still like it more than the onscreen keyboard, there are times where the onscreen keyboard might be faster to type on. It is definitely a conversation piece as well - when you flip it open, people will inevitably ask you what kind of phone you have.
I haven't been able to figure out how long the battery lasts per charge, but I will report on that once I figure it out. I have been charging it every 3-4 days, just out of habit because of my old keyboard. I use it constantly and it definitely hasn't run out of juice for me.
First off, for any of you that had the original one and are upgrading to this one - note that the keyboard layout/feel is completely different than the original. There are no more separate number keys which allows the keys to be bigger and for the keyboard to have additional keys which are actually quite helpful. However, you will need to relearn your "muscle memory" since the keys are different from the non-backlit one.
However, it seems like Boxwave took the problems with the original non-backlit keyboard and really tried to fix them with this version since there are some really nice features that are included. Although I'm sure that most of you reading this don't have the original non-backlit one, I will make some comparisons to the old one since this one is a big upgrade and is quite appreciated by me!
The backlighting is super helpful - finally, you can type with this keyboard in the dark! You can turn on and off the backlight by holding down the fn key and the left arrow. You can also adjust the brightness of the iPhone screen from the keyboard by holding down the fn key and using the up and down arrows.
Speaking of the fn key, you will use it a lot. Any character in blue can be activated with the fn key. Boxwave got rid of having a separate row of number keys - instead, if you want to type numbers, you just press the fn key once and then use the top row of letters (QWERTYU...) to type numbers. You press the fn key again when you want to stop using any character in blue.
The case is a rubberized feel - it is now all black with no silver trim. The iPhone 4 fits perfectly in there, and I only needed to pair the Bluetooth once (the first time). It now uses a micro-USB as a charger (comes with a cable, but NO AC adapter). The keyboard slides out smoothly and securely - not loose at all. The cut out for the camera and flash on the back don't obstruct them at all. Just like the old version, you just have to get used to the weight of the iPhone with the keyboard slid out - it's basically the same size and weight as the prior version. See my review on the older version for more details.
Other nice features are:
* Space Bar - this is now placed in the bottom center (people complained before because the original one had it towards the right side)
* Caps Lock key - this lets you press that first, then, any character you press next is Capitalized - same as what happens on the Blackberry keyboard. If you press it twice, a little blue light comes on and all letters are capitalized until you press it to deactivate it.
* Select key - If you hold down the Select key and move around with the arrows, you highlight text that you can then copy and paste (instead of highlighting with your finger on the screen and having to move those vertical lines with the balls).
* Command keys - yes, you can then use the Command key along with "C" or "V" or "X" to Copy or Paste or Cut, respectively. There is a little manual that comes with the keyboard that shows you additional features you can do with the Command key like Select All, Undo, go to Home, go to End, Delete all before cursor and change languages.
* Keyboard key - toggles on and off the onscreen keyboard
* Lock key - locks the screen. This is my least favorite feature because I inadvertently press it and it locks out the screen. You just hit it again, and it unlocks, but it's a bit annoying where it's placed on the left side of the keyboard.
* Home key - allows you to quickly go back to your home screen. You can also double-click on it to open up the panel at the bottom of the iPhone that shows your running apps. Holding it down will also activate Voice Control.
* Alt key - this key allows you to access a bunch of other non-standard characters - this key is like the mystery key since there is no documentation that tells you which key creates which character.
* Unlike the original one, this keyboard seems to stay connected via Bluetooth most of the time. In fact, pressing a key on the keyboard will turn on the iPhone screen (the old one used to fall asleep and you would have to turn on the iPhone screen first and then press keys to wake it up). This keyboard acts more like a keyboard that is integrated with the phone as opposed to a separate peripheral that you have to turn on separately. You still have to press a key or two to wake up the iPhone sometimes.
* The keys are a bit softer now (the old one was more tactile, but loud and clicky). I miss the more tactile feel of the previous keyboard, but it is definitely much quieter now - the old one sounded and acted like a Blackberry keyboard, not the nicest when you're in a quiet meeting.
* Raised Dots on the F and J keys help you orient your fingers to the correct keys.
Now, onto the quirks...
I am still trying to get used to the keyboard after having it for about 2 weeks. If you need to type a sequence of numbers and letters (like "5.1 and 2.0" for example), it gets annoying because you have type the fn key for each number and hit it again to switch it back to the normal characters like a period and the letters "and". If you don't hit the fn key, you get a string of non-sensical characters - I find myself having to delete out several characters constantly because I forgot to hit the fn key before continuing to type. It would have been nice if there was a light that would come on when the fn key was active (like the Caps Lock when it is hit twice), so you know when it's on and when it's off.
You really have to train your brain to hit the keys like the Caps Lock and the fn keys at the proper time because the iPhone Auto Correct doesn't seem to work most of the time with the keyboard, so you will have to capitalize the first letter of each sentence and add apostrophes for words like "don't" and "can't" because the iPhone won't do it for you. However, the apostrophe is a normal key, so at least you don't have to fn that key.
You also have to remember that a comma is left of the space bar while the apostrophe is on the right side of the keyboard (where the comma used to be on the old keyboard). I do inadvertently hit an apostrophe when I mean to use a comma.
Overall, the keyboard is nice to have if you can get past the quirks. I still like it more than the onscreen keyboard, there are times where the onscreen keyboard might be faster to type on. It is definitely a conversation piece as well - when you flip it open, people will inevitably ask you what kind of phone you have.
I haven't been able to figure out how long the battery lasts per charge, but I will report on that once I figure it out. I have been charging it every 3-4 days, just out of habit because of my old keyboard. I use it constantly and it definitely hasn't run out of juice for me.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Aiden L.
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is my first bluetooth keyboard for the iPhone 4, and I have to say that overall, I am pleased with this product. It is nice to have a tactile keyboard; I have had iPhones since the first one came out, so I have had years of experience with the virtual keyboard, yet I still find myself endlessly trying to correct typos. The tactile keyboard really cuts down on the number of typos and shortens the time necessary to type a long email. I still use the virtual keyboard for quick texts.
Anyway, the quirks:
First off, the build-quality is not top-notch by any standards. There are some creaks in the plastic, and some of the keys have a double click. After two weeks I started noticing some paint chipping off of the keys. Also, the keyboard, when not exposed, does not sit flush with the case that holds the phone. If you look at the front of the case, the corner with the camera cutout sticks out a bit. The biggest quirk of all, however, is with the capitalization key: for some reason, if I try to type a capital P, after pressing the shift button, the P comes out lowercase, and the next letter in the word is capitalized. I don't know if this is universal with the backlit edition or just on the unit I received, but it is annoying.
I am hoping there will be an update that allows for the auto-correct functionality to remain functional while using the keyboard. I would love auto-cap, and double-spacebar periods.
Overall, however, I am pleased with this product and would recommend it, especially at its sale price.
Anyway, the quirks:
First off, the build-quality is not top-notch by any standards. There are some creaks in the plastic, and some of the keys have a double click. After two weeks I started noticing some paint chipping off of the keys. Also, the keyboard, when not exposed, does not sit flush with the case that holds the phone. If you look at the front of the case, the corner with the camera cutout sticks out a bit. The biggest quirk of all, however, is with the capitalization key: for some reason, if I try to type a capital P, after pressing the shift button, the P comes out lowercase, and the next letter in the word is capitalized. I don't know if this is universal with the backlit edition or just on the unit I received, but it is annoying.
I am hoping there will be an update that allows for the auto-correct functionality to remain functional while using the keyboard. I would love auto-cap, and double-spacebar periods.
Overall, however, I am pleased with this product and would recommend it, especially at its sale price.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By TJ
I have fat fingers which causes me to mis-type a lot of my words because the on-screen keyboard doesn't work very well for me. I bought this because I am used to using physical QWERTY keyboards (Nokia, Blackberry). Not as compact as those phones, but the keyboard works very well for me, and I can type as fast I was able to. It lasts me for about a month or so before I recharge it - I text a lot, so that's pretty long for me. This is a great product and would recommend to anyone.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
No WOW here!
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Published 20 hours ago by Always Curious
4.0 out of 5 stars
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Published 23 days ago by Frederick H Cannada
1.0 out of 5 stars
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Published 3 months ago by Kevin L. Ready
1.0 out of 5 stars
Really bad
Certain keys stopped working outside of the window I could return it in, it looked nice but now it looks nice in the trash.
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1.0 out of 5 stars
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Published 5 months ago by Troiskd4
1.0 out of 5 stars
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Published 6 months ago by customer 101
1.0 out of 5 stars
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Dear fellow consumers:
I have had a very disappointing experience with the 'BoxWave Keyboard Buddy for iPhone'BoxWave Keyboard Buddy iPhone 5 Case - Backlit Edition -... Read more
I have had a very disappointing experience with the 'BoxWave Keyboard Buddy for iPhone'BoxWave Keyboard Buddy iPhone 5 Case - Backlit Edition -... Read more
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