As life gets crazier and crazier, the amount of devices we have at our disposal seems to also increase. It's like an unwritten rule or something. Do you have a busy life? Make sure you have all your devices to keep you on track; that you're where you need to be, when you need to be there.
As technology continues to play an integral part of our lives, a way to easily switch between all these devices is also an increasing need.
Seizing the opportunity to fulfill this need, keyboard manufacturers have quite brilliantly begun selling keyboards that solve the problem of keeping us connected with the least amount of hassle. As you may have multiple devices, and may be looking for a way to switch between them without juggling multiple keyboards, (though, if you do attempt this, please Periscope it), then I encourage you to have a good look at the
Matias Wireless bluetooth Keyboard
which will fit the bill of connecting you to those multiple devices you're still trying to juggle.
Alright, Let's have the Skinny
The Matias keyboard is, in fact, quite thin, coming in at 1.7 pounds and sports a full-size aluminum body. The other dimensions are: 8 x 4 x 2 inches. For those who wanna get down and fancy with your keyboard choice, they have a variety of colors to choose from, including: silver, gold, rose gold, and space gray.
The keyboard can pair with up to 4 devices supporting: Mac, PC, iOS, and Android. A nifty feature, aside from being able to pair with that many devices, is that the layout of the platform you're connecting to is readily available as soon as you switch.
For example: if you're using the keyboard with your Mac, (where the command key is Windows and the option key is alt), and you switch to using it with a Windows PC, the key that was your command key, is now your alt key. In some instances, if you run Boot Camp or a Virtual Machine on your Mac, you have to remember that the keys are switched. The ability the Matias keyboard possesses to switch layouts when you switch devices, is a huge time saver, and keeps your brain from getting scrambled!
Description of Pairing Keys
Fortunately, when you get such a slick device as this, getting paired and up and running is quite simple.
Let's begin with a description of the unit:
- Above the row that has the numlock key are 4 keys.
- These keys are for switching between paired devices.
- Take note of the order you pair your devices in, as that's the key you will need to press to get back to them.
- If your iPhone is paired to what I will call key 1 on this row, then that's the key you will press to switch to it.
- Now that you know the basics, let's do this thing!
Pairing with iOS
To pair the keyboard with an iOS device, do the following:
- Go to Settings>Bluetooth.
- Hold down the option key, (or where the Windows key would be), and one of the keys above the numpad until you see the keyboard appear in the list.
- Tap on "Matias Keyboard", and it will connect.
Pairing with a Mac
To pair with a Mac, do the following:
- Go to system preferences>bluetooth
- Hold down a pairing key for a few seconds
- The user guide indicates the key will flash blue when it is ready to be paired
- Look for it in the list, and tap on pair when it is found
Pairing with Windows or Android
To pair with a Windows or Android device, do the following:
- Go to the bluetooth area of your device.
- Hold down the control key, (which is where control normally is), along with one of the pairing keys
Tap on the keyboard when you find it in the list of devices
Demystifying the Keys on the Top row
When paired to Windows, the top row of keys are the "function" keys which are handy for such tasks as pressing alt in conjunction with f4 to close a program. however, they do different things when connected to iOS. They are as follows:
- f1-f2: adjust screen brightness
- F3: brings up "Spotlight search"
- F4: activates the "home" button.
- f5: locks the device as if you pressed the sleep/wake button.
- f6: Show/hide Onscreen Keyboard
- f7-f9: media buttons. F7=previous track, f8=play/pause, and f9=next track.
- f10: mute.
- f11-f12: volume down/volume up.
- the last key on this row appears to not have a function
- Going to the row above the "6-pack" keys, the first one takes a screenshot
- the other 2 on this row do not have functions
The Keys on Windows
The 3 keys above the "6-pack" do the following when the keyboard is paired to Windows:
- From left to right: the first one is the "print screen" key.
- The second one is the "scroll lock" key.
- The third one is the "pause" key
- Where a conventional insert key on a "6-pack" should be found, this is a function key
- The other "6-pack" functions work as expected
Final Thoughts
After all this, you might be thinking: "Ok. This keyboard sounds great, but what is it truly like to type on?"
One of the most noticeable features of this keyboard is something you won't find listed in the user guide. It is, simply, the quiet typing that you experience when using this keyboard. It's as if you're typing on air. The keys spring back enough to let you know they're there, but not enough to let you know you're typing on a desktop keyboard.
It's the perfect compromise between extreme productivity and efficiency, while giving you quiet typing comfort.
When switching from device to device, it takes about a second for you to be up and running, which keeps things going smoothly.
The on/off button is easy to find, located on the back, near the USB port. The battery is reported to last 1 year on a single charge, and charges via the included micro-USB cable. It takes 5 hours to charge, and is recommended you do so before first use.
Final, Final Thoughts
If you are in search of a keyboard that connects with up to 4 devices, doesn't compromise layout depending on what you're connecting to, and gives you a comfortable, almost silent typing experience, then the Matias Keyboard is up your alley!
You're essentially getting 4 keyboards for the price of 1, so is well worth the investment. Its one of those purchases, that as soon as you get it out of the box, you want to begin typing your next masterpiece.
If in fact, a keyboard is in your future, consider the Matias, and how mighty you'll feel once you have it!
