Smart Keyboard Folio
The writing is on the wall: Apple and the Smart Keyboard Folio are breaking up.
When Apple announced the new M4 iPad Pro & M2 iPad Air lineup at their Let Loose Event in May, they discussed the Air's compatibility with the existing Magic Keyboard (announced in Spring 2020) and unveiled a new Magic Keyboard specifically for the re-engineered iPad Pro. However, the mention of one product was noticeably absent: The Smart Keyboard Folio. Apple has removed all mention of the keyboard from its page dedicated to iPad keyboards and removed any product imagery across its iPad websites. Even after checking Apple's new keyboard compatibility tool, iPads compatible with the Smart Keyboard Folio only listed the Magic Keyboard as an option. Though it's still available on the Apple Store website (as of May 12), it remains at the bottom of the keyboards and cases search results and has not been updated to suggest compatibility with the new iPad Air (though it’ll likely be the case that it is). It's clear Apple and the Smart Keyboard Folio are breaking up.
History
Apple Debuted the first Smart Keyboard alongside the announcement of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2015. An origami-style design, the Smart Keyboard consisted of a woven fabric that created the structure and covered the butterfly keys (yes... those infamous keys) underneath while the external was a dark grey polyurethane. It retailed for $169, connected magnetically to the side of the iPad, and communicated with the iPad via a new pogo-pin "Smart Connector."
The Smart Keyboard was introduced in 2015 for the iPad Pro. It’s eventually made it’s way to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and base model iPad Generation 7 through 9. Image Credit: Apple
Apple later brought this same design over the smaller 9.7-inch iPad Pro and the 10.5-inch iPad Pro. It remained compatible with the entry-level iPad (7-9th generation), which also gained the Smart Connector when they were introduced.
But the keyboard was far from perfect. It sat awkwardly as a cover (forming an uneven bulge as a cover where the keys folded underneath), had a complicated unfolding process, the viewing angle was not adjustable, and many never really cared for the mushy feeling of the fabric-covered keys.
Apple addressed most of the Smart Keyboard's shortcomings in 2018 with the launch of the redesigned iPad Pro and the new Smart Keyboard Folio. The case is now wrapped around the back and front of the device, eliminating the previous uneven bulge. And the unfolding process was simplified, with users opening the Folio like a book and magnetically attaching the iPad to one of two magnetic grooves for different viewing angles. The keys retained their fabric cover, which some users complain to find felt mushy for typing. The Smart Keyboard Folio was priced at $179-199.
The Smart Keyboard Folio was introduced in 2018 for the 11 & 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Image Credit: Apple
This Folio remained Apple's de-facto first-party keyboard until the spring of 2020, when Apple introduced a new Magic Keyboard with plastic backlit keys, a cantilever hinge for more viewing angles, and added a trackpad to the keyboard's design. Both keyboards remained in Apple's lineup, though the Magic Keyboard was considerably more expensive ($299-349 vs. $179-199) and markedly heavier (1.32-1.56 pounds vs. 0.65-0.89 pounds) than the Folio. Additionally, whereas the Folio could be tucked behind the iPad for handheld use or drawing, the Magic Keyboard required the iPad Pro to be peeled off the accessory to be used effectively for these uses.
That brings us to the present moment, with Apple effectively burying the Folio in its store, not listing it as compatible with the newly updated iPad Air, and omitting it as a compatible keyboard option in their new compatibility tool.
Why Do I Care?
My 2020 Magic Keyboard Folio still going strong.
I may be in a small minority (probably why Apple killed it), but I loved and preferred the Smart Keyboard Folio in many ways. Its significant weight difference from the Magic Keyboard made it an ideal companion cover whenever I was travelling and wandering around town and wanted to do mostly "iPad things" while having the option of more substantial typing if needed. It was a cover that did a half-decent job of being a keyboard, while the Magic Keyboard was, first and foremost, a keyboard stand. Think Goldilocks: a Smart Cover felt like not enough, a Magic Keyboard often felt like too much, but the Smart Keyboard Folio felt just right!
As a result, the forethought of what I planned on doing with my iPad increased when deciding whether or not to bring along the Magic Keyboard during an outing, which doubled the weight of the product it is meant to complement. To some, this might all seem stupid (and they might be right), but I like to travel light and carrying weighty extra accessories if all I wanted to do was a bit of typing got cumbersome.
Another reason I adored the Folio was that it felt more weatherproof. When out and about, I didn't need to fret about grim, dust, dirt or water getting into the keyboard; the completely sealed keys provided extra peace of mind, making me feel more comfortable to use the iPad to work outdoors or in areas like the kitchen.
The Folio was also more cost-sensitive. For me, it might be a matter of preference, but for others, having the only first-party keyboard cost $120-150 more than the existing Folio ($299-349 for the Magic Keyboard vs. $179-199 for the Smart Folio) is a significant expenditure. Thankfully, third party options do exist.
And finally, a portion of iPad users don't need a Magic Keyboard but want to type occasional typing. My family, for example, uses the iPad as their primary computer, but their text input is limited to occasional messaging, brief emails, and web surfing. They use the Folio, and that more than satisfies their needs.
In Sum
It sucks that it appears the decision was made to phase out the Smart Keyboard Folio from the iPad lineup. The original Smart Keyboard design was a little rough, but the Folio grew into a fantastic case and keyboard option with its lower price, weight, and utility for those who only do occasional typing. It was the perfect keyboard accessory that still served as a lightweight cover and let the iPad remain mostly an iPad.
I’m glad I’m not alone, after writing this piece I stumbled across Chris Welch’s piece over on The Verge about his use and affection for the Smart Folio.
