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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: mlangner001 on Sun, 18 September 2011, 19:06:42

Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: mlangner001 on Sun, 18 September 2011, 19:06:42

Since Apple has changed the specs of the power output on the USB part of the photo connection kit, none of my USB keyboards work with my iPad anymore (unless I use a powered USB port for it)
Are the any keyboards (preferably mechanical) that use so little power that they would still work with the new iOS version on my iPad?


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Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: litster on Mon, 19 September 2011, 01:07:30

My Filco works with my iPad1.  But sometimes it would stop working until I reboot the iPad.

Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: nhwhaup on Mon, 19 September 2011, 03:27:15

I have the iPad 1 and just within the last two weeks bought the camera adapter.  Both my Filco and my Poker (before I broke it) work fine.  Of course the original warning comes up but then after hitting the okay it works perfectly.

Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: litster on Mon, 19 September 2011, 03:32:34

Right, just ignore and dismiss that dialog.  The keyboard works after that.

Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: mlangner001 on Mon, 19 September 2011, 05:15:20

Are you guys sure that you have upgraded to the latest iOS version? It's 4.3.5


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Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: nhwhaup on Mon, 19 September 2011, 05:26:28

I have iOS 4.3.3.

I guess I won't upgrade to 4.3.5 as I really like being able to plug in my keyboards for typing.

Bummer that you lose that feature.

Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: duncan on Mon, 19 September 2011, 06:00:01

This
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC184LL/B?fnode=MTc0MjU4OTY
 is going to work (obviously - since it draws no power from the iPad) but not really the answer you are looking for.

If you are super handy then there are a few mods about the place that turn a Filco or similar into a wireless board and since they bring their own power to the party they should resolve the power issue.

What a bummer to have this update remove this feature.

EDIT: A link to a wireless Filco mod
http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=948

Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: mlangner001 on Mon, 19 September 2011, 06:28:21

I know... Ok I understand that apple wants to push their own keyboards (because the keyboard dock doesn't have that problem - even if it is not plugged in) ... But I would guess that folks would go for Bluetooth anyhow, so why would they even bother?




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Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: duncan on Mon, 19 September 2011, 19:35:57

I suspect it is less about blocking other keyboards (the tiny proportion of iPad users who would be using a external keyboard via a cable would not register in Apple's thinking).

I suspect it is more about reducing the capacity of plugged in items to draw on the iPad battery and thereby reduce the operating time for a battery charge.

You and people reading this forum would understand what has happened in such circumstances but not all iPad users are savvy enough to understand the balance of draw and battery life and Apple doesn't want the service calls from the ignorant if they can avoid them by removing the 'problem' all together.

Not defending the decision but I think that is more likely the thinking here (but I am often wrong so...)

Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 19 September 2011, 20:30:51

Quote from: ripster;418865

Messed up the photo guys big time too.  I'm sticking with my HP DM1z for a while while waiting for HTML5.

Parts of HTML5 are already here. See my Sig for more info.

Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: keyboardlover on Mon, 19 September 2011, 21:40:43

...he fixes her cable?

Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: mlangner001 on Wed, 21 September 2011, 20:19:40

I used the wired apple keyboards (both TKL and the extended one), a HHKB2 lite, and a Filco TKL... None of them worked... Maybe one of the boards without any onboard processors or LED lights draw low enough power to still work? ... After all: they are mechanical so they should use close to nothing


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Title: Mechanical Keyboard with new USB spec of iPads
Post by: SmallFry on Wed, 21 September 2011, 21:09:46

Has anyone tried pulling the gnd and vcc pins out of the camera adapter?