May 12, 2024
An iPhone in the Clicks keyboard case.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

CES usually isn’t an enormous present for cellular, however CES 2024 has been a wierd exception to that rule. From the Asus ROG Telephone 8 Professional to futuristic foldable ideas from Samsung, there’s been loads of thrilling cellular tech to take a look at.

That additionally consists of Clicks — a brand new accent that primarily transforms your iPhone right into a BlackBerry.

The Clicks Creator Keyboard was introduced on January 4, and at CES 2024, I had a possibility to go hands-on with the keyboard case to see what it’s actually like. And now that I’ve used it, I feel it’s one of many coolest cellular devices on the complete present.

What Clicks will get proper

A Clicks keyboard case without an iPhone in it.
Andrew Martonik / Digital Traits

The pitch for a keyboard case is a reasonably straightforward one to know. As a substitute of typing on a digital keyboard, you now have a bodily one to sort on. However this isn’t nearly having a bodily typing expertise. Whereas that’s the primary draw, what actually me was the trickle impact this has on how you employ your iPhone.

Take shortcuts, for instance. Clicks works with all kinds of iOS keyboard shortcuts, supplying you with quick entry to a variety of actions. Should you’re in Safari, urgent Cmd + T opens a brand new tab, whereas Cmd + F opens the finder so you may search for a selected phrase or phrases on a webpage. You too can press the house bar to simply scroll by way of lengthy web sites.

In an app and wish to return to your private home display? Urgent Cmd + H takes you there. And if you happen to’re on the house display, urgent Cmd + House opens Highlight Search.

I knew all of this stuff about Clicks going into my hands-on session, however after really utilizing them, it clicked with me how helpful they are often. Particularly as somebody who’s at CES proper now and dealing lots from my cellphone, the concept of getting these shortcuts available to me is basically compelling.

An iPhone without the Clicks keyboard, next to one with a Clicks keyboard case.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

The opposite side of Clicks that I like shouldn’t be having to see a digital keyboard. Considered one of Clicks’ huge pitches for the keyboard case is that it provides “as much as 50%” extra show house for the reason that digital keyboard is hidden when it might usually occupy your display. It sounds just a little foolish, however the distinction it makes actually is critical.

Whether or not you’re including textual content to an Instagram Story, replying to somebody on Threads, or finishing another job, seeing the whole lot in your display with out the digital keyboard taking on the underside half actually is incredible.

The typing expertise

The keyboard on a yellow Clicks keyboard case.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

Clicks has me offered on the advantages of utilizing a bodily keyboard with an iPhone. However right here’s the $139 query: How does it really feel to sort on Clicks?

In some methods, I feel Clicks will get lots proper right here. There’s an excellent quantity of clickiness, particularly contemplating the keyboard’s dimension. It doesn’t really feel like full mush, which is an enormous plus. I additionally love that there’s a backlight for once you’re typing at night time or in a dim room. I genuinely didn’t count on to see that in such a compact physique.

Nevertheless, there’s an enormous studying curve when going again to typing on a small, bodily smartphone keyboard.

An iPhone in a dark navy Clicks keyboard case.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

After typing on a digital keyboard for thus a few years, I typed lots slower and much more inaccurately with Clicks in comparison with simply utilizing iOS’ digital keyboard. I needed to look the place sure keys had been, delete letters I didn’t imply to sort, and so forth.

That every one sounds fairly unhealthy, however right here’s the factor you want to account for. I can’t inform you the final time I typed on a smartphone-sized keyboard, and I’m certain that’s the case for most people on the market. This isn’t a type of stuff you decide up instantly and are a professional at. It’s going to time and observe to refamiliarize your self with this type of typing expertise.

How lengthy will that take? It’s unattainable to say after solely spending about an hour with Clicks thus far. That will flip some folks off, however that’s simply the truth of a product like this.

I can’t wait to make use of Clicks once more

Someone holding two iPhones with Clicks keyboard cases.
Joe Maring / Digital Traits

Do I feel Clicks is an ideal gadget? No. Does it make your iPhone huge and ponderous when it’s within the accent? It certain does. Is $139 (or $159 for the iPhone 15 Professional Max mannequin) some huge cash to spend on one thing like this? Yep.

Nevertheless, I got here away from my time with Clicks counting down the times to after I’ll be capable to use it once more. Not essentially as a result of I hate typing on a digital keyboard, however due to the entire different issues it does. You don’t must cost it or pair it in any respect. The keyboard shortcuts may genuinely make working from my cellphone simpler. Seeing extra of my display whereas typing was nice to expertise. It’s not an adjunct I’d rock 24/7, however I may see this being an extremely useful software after I’m out and about and dealing from my iPhone — like after I’m protecting CES.

Clicks is a really focused and particular sort of iPhone accent, and though I’m not the bodily keyboard mega fan it’s focused at, I nonetheless suppose there’s lots to love right here. When it comes to the cellular devices I’ve seen at CES 2024, it’s actually one of the crucial memorable.

The Clicks Creator Keyboard is obtainable for preorder now and can begin transport in February.

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