iClever BK05 Folding Keyboard

Let’s be honest, a portable/foldable Bluetooth keyboard is not a piece of gear that everyone needs in their day to day life but the fact that you are here checking out this product and reading these reviews tells me that you are likely one of those people!So, who needs a device like this? I think the easiest way to explain that is just to tell you why I purchased one, and it is very simply for typing on my iOS devices. When I travel I seldom bring a proper laptop unless it is 100% necessary, so that leaves me with my iPad Pro which I love to travel with. Let’s face it, 99% of the trip I am utilizing my device as a consumption device and it’s only during the actual meetings that I am using the device for creation/presentation purposes. It is because of this that I no longer utilize one of the bulky keyboard case options that I have tried in the past, aka Logitech, Brydge, or Apple’s Smart Keyboard... I just don’t need the keyboard on all the time... might as well use the laptop if that’s the case...So for me I use a slim, yet protective case made by Zugu which keeps my iPad protected and allows me to prop it up to watch movies on my long flights because at that moment I am in 100% consumption mode. Then, if I need to draft some pre-meeting notes on the fight, or finalize a report once I get to my destination, I pull out this awesome foldable keyboard by iClever and *BAM* I am now typing away as effectively as I am on any laptop.“But what about the iOS keyboard?” Yes IOS has an on-screen keyboard... but apart from some brief notes, I HATE the tactile-less experience of typing on a glass screen. Maybe I am old fashioned but there is just something about the feel of the key press that just gives me a better all-around typing experience and that absolutely translates to a better end product for me.So what do I like about this keyboard... Well first of all let’s be clear that iClever has two versions of this keyboard for sale and this is the larger of the two, model number IC-BK05, (IC-BK03 being the smaller). What isn’t there to like?! For me the build quality is top notch. Compact fold is a great feature but if the device is cheaply made then it doesn’t really matter how compact it is if it’s just going to fall apart on you. In my experience typing on this keyboard I have had no indications that this device will fall apart unless it’s due to my own miss-treatment. So build quality and compactness were paramount for me but one thing I did not consider, but I now throughly appreciate, is a solid Bluetooth connection. This thing connects lightning fast on the initial set up and after that it remains paired with the device until you put the keyboard to sleep, which, cleverly enough, is done just by folding the device up... and to turn it on - you guessed it, unfold it! The Bluetooth connection is rock solid and I have yet to drop the signal when utilizing it within a reasonable distance. What is reasonable you might ask... it’s a keyboard folks... most of us will be using this within 6 inches of the device it’s pair to but I also tried pairing this to my home entertainment system and for me it works from the couch, which is about 10’ from the receiver, and that’s without any drop in signal... Haven’t tried it any further because I realistically would never use it any further than that.The tactile feel of the keys is every bit as good as the keyboard on my MacBook Pro, pre-butterfly keys, and I opted for the “larger” version of this device and I am very pleased with my decision. It is every bit as portable as the smaller version yet my hands experience less fatigue because the keyboard is the same size as a laptop keyboard.The backlit keys are really useful and the option to chose between three color, blue, green, and red is a nice extra! While I think the blue looks the coolest, I tend to keep it on the green as it is the brightest of the three colors and I find it the most usable in the conditions were I use the backlit keys.Finally we come to battery life, and yea, it’s pretty darn good! The manufacture claims 10 day battery life if used 8 hours a day and that’s really amazing. First of all you would never type on this for 8 solid hours a day for 10 days straight but those are pretty solid numbers. They claim that this equates to 90 days of normal use and that works for me! Standby time comes in at a comically good 218 days and, on yea, it charges in 2-3 hours! I have not actually timed how long the batter lasts but if it is even close to what they claim then we will be just fine. I will obviously update this review if I find the battery claims to be significantly off.All in all I am VERY pleased with this purchase and I offer my FULL recommendations to those who are considering a device such as this. This will be my new “go-to” configuration until further notice!

This foldable keyboard is simply amazing!! I am currently using it right now to type up this review with my iPad Mini 3 and it is SO helpful. I am kind of a keyboard snob and I like my keyboard to feel right, and the for the keys to have a solid feel and click behind them... This keyboard does not disappoint.I was very impressed to see how small and compact it was, but also how sturdy and solid it felt. It is very compact when it is folded up, but when it is unfolded it is still large enough to use easily. Folding it and unfolding it is quite simple and it comes with a great soft pouch to carry it around in. The keyboard was very easy to pair to my iPad, and I LOVE that it is backlit. That is a must, as I type in low light situations some times and need the backlit keyboard. It is neat that you can change the backlit color too, just a cool function.Once unfolded, the keyboard is very solid, and except for the hinges at the top and bottom, it is easy to forget that it is a foldable keyboard. Again, the feel of the keys is superb and the spacing is just right for typing on my iPad.Pros: Very professional and sleek look and feel. Solid build with an all around quality appearance and operation. Nice click to the keys, and smooth texture as well. Love the backlit feature and its a plus that it can be changed from Green, to Red, to Blue. Easy to fold up and unfold. Easy to pair. Has additional buttons that can be used for tablets, such as a home button in the upper left that will take my iPad to the home screen. Has directional buttons which is AWESOME with iPad. Very slim form factor, excellent for traveling.Cons: I have nothing bad to say about this keyboard, it is fantastic and I am very impressed and pleased and I will be using this for months to come. I will say it takes some getting used to if you are used to typing on a full size keyboard.I would HIGHLY recommend this to anybody who is looking for a quality Bluetooth keyboard that they want to travel with. VERY small form factor, yet exceptional functionality and looks great!!*I received this product in exchange for this unbiased review, it's just my opinion.See photos for size references, note that the iPad pictured is an iPad Mini 3.

12-13-23 Update: Okay, this CAN connect with Linux Mint. You need to be comfortable using a command line, which you need to be to be using Linux in the first place. At any rate it can be done so I/m giving this a 4th star. I'm only going to 4 because I think the light isn't bright enough. I would now recommend this keyboard as long as the light level isn't an issue for you. I have bad night vision, so for me it is an issue.I am using the keyboard to write this review on my Samsung Android tablet,The keyboard is decent enough as a simple keyboard. It works with Android and Windows perfectly. But, the backlight isn;t nearly bright enough. Not even close.Pros:Great switchesFolds into small and light packageBacklitBattery life seems decentCons:Backlight is FAR too dimStatus/CapsLock LEDs arw also rather dim, but not so dim as the backlightBluetooth doesn't pair with Linux (though USB does work) (see update above)Decent enough keyboard, but I can't recommend it. This is 2023 and there is NO EXCUSE for a common device (mouse, keyboard, headset) not to work with Linux. These are well documented interfaces. And yes I'm a Linux nerd (a minority to be sure), but guess who common users come to for advice?Finally, I have seen others remark on repeating keys. I have not experienced this. If I have this problem later I will update this review.12-12-23 Update: Still no key repeats. But, the brightness of the backlight is so dim that it is difficult to see even in near total darkness. Also, and this is just a little quibble, but the battery level is NOT reported over the bluetooth connection, making this the only device I have that doesn't do this...