While nearly all current smartphones on the market these days have fully shifted to using touchscreens for device input and UI interaction, it should be said that there’s still a subset of users and enthusiasts who yearn for physical input controls on their devices. Phones from manufacturers such as BlackBerry and some select Nokia phones for example pioneered the way for keyboard-equipped smart handsets back in the day.
With that in mind, Clicks Technology is looking to update this type of functionality for the new age, with the Clicks Creator Keyboard. Geared towards content creators and such, the Clicks is a more modern take on tried-and-tested (albeit older) tech, but it does promise to bring some key (pun intended) refinements along the way. The keyboard is designed for iPhones, although one good design trait is that it doesn’t take up screen estate that would otherwise be obscured by an onscreen keyboard. Adrian Li Mow Ching, CEO of Clicks states:
“We’re excited to bring Clicks to those who have a latent love for keyboard phones, as well as a whole new generation of iPhone users… In founding Clicks Technology, we’ve established the capabilities to deliver on an ambitious roadmap of mobile products for people who create on the go.”
The company is the result of a collaborative effort between Michael Fisher (known as MrMobile), and Kevin Michaluk (known as CrackBerry Kevin), together with a team with mobile experience from companies including Apple, BlackBerry, and Google. Fisher comments:
“We use keyboards on our desktops, laptops and tablets every day – so it’s kind of odd that we abandoned physical buttons on the smartphone… Clicks brings the tactility and precision of a physical keyboard to iPhone, so people don’t have to wait until they get back to their desks to create or communicate with the satisfying feedback only real buttons can provide.”
Clicks say that the keyboard’s design offers users a tactile typing experience that enables new possibilities for creating on the go with speed and precision. Kevin Michaluk, Co-founder at Clicks Technology adds:
“Clicks will appeal as much to longtime iPhone users as it will to past keyboard phone users… We assembled a dream team of tech industry veterans to bring together the best of physical keyboards with the best of iPhone. We labored over every decision from exactly how the buttons should feel to the keyboard layout, ensuring it would be intuitive for iPhone users.”
The keyboard add-on also gives iPhone users more control of their phone with keyboard shortcuts and new dedicated keys that unlock the full power of iOS. Available in BumbleBee and London Sky colour variants (for the exclusive founder’s edition), the keyboard features backlit buttons, keyboard shortcuts for faster typing and page scrolling, easy installation, as well as a direct power supply via the iPhone’s charging port.
Clicks for iPhone will be available to order beginning today for $139 (USD) at Clicks.tech, with orders shipping on February 1. The Clicks app for iPhone, coming to the Apple App Store, will continue to bring new functionality to the keyboard over time. Users can also check out the hardware at CES 2024 on January 9-12.
