Japanese electronics firm Elecom is claiming a world first with the launch of an NFC-enabled portable keyboard designed to work with Android smartphones – a gadget which could appeal to time-starved, fat fingered mobile workers.
The keyboard, designed in collaboration with Norwegian firm One2Touch, is similar in layout to a regular PC keyboard except with a space in the middle to place the smartphone.
The 34cm, 45-key keyboard is made out of silicone, which means it can be folded away into a neat little carrying case. After initial software installation and configuration, all the user needs to do is place their NFC-enabled Android device onto the space in the keyboard and start typing, according to Elecom. According to Elecom, the device will feature a built-in battery that apparently cannot be removed or charged. It will last for 18 months if used for eight hours per day, but after that, the user is forced to buy a replacement keyboard.
At just 144g the keyboard could be a neat little addition for the business user on the move.
However, while widespread in mobile phones in Japan, NFC is far from a standard feature elsewhere as of yet, which could limit its appeal. Added to that is the hefty price tag of 18,690 yen (£152.47) – particularly high when one remembers the battery situation.
