Amkette, a popular Indian manufacturer of media players, storage devices, and PC peripherals, has launched the SmartBoard keyboard with Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology. Meant primarily for tablets, the company claims that this is the only keyboard compatible with all major platforms, including iOS, Mac, Android, and Windows. However, we'd earlier reviewed the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 5000, which was found to be compatible with all the above systems, including Symbian phones.

The input device comes with a tablet stand that lets you convert any slate into a laptop by pairing it with the SmartBoard. Bluetooth 2.0 does not require a direct line of sight, thus allowing a claimed operational range of 10 metres in all directions. The full specifications sheet is as follows:

• Bluetooth 2.0 Class 2 supported.
• Up to 10 m of operating range.
• Requires 2 x AAA batteries.
• 10.2" x 5" x 0.6" (14 mm), 264 grammes (without batteries).
• Requires Apple iOS v4.0, Android 3.0 (limited functionality with Android 2.3), Windows XP, Mac OS X.

The device has special navigation keys for tablets, such as Home, Search, Menu, and Return, as well as multimedia control keys. The slim keyboard has compact dimensions, and the included leather-finish carry case offers protection when transporting the gadget in a bag or suitcase. Apart from a power-saving mode when idle, it has a switch to turn it off altogether when not in use, thus prolonging battery life. The Amkette SmartBoard is available for purchase at Rs 2700 from the official website.

TAGS: Input Devices, Tablets, Accessories, Amkette, Jayesh