Brydge is an iPad keyboard dock that wants to look like a MacBook Air

posted by Victor H. / Apr 26, 2012, 10:05 AM

Brydge is an iPad keyboard dock that wants to look like a MacBook Air

Brydge is probably one of the most elegantly designed keyboards docks for the iPad and this really is a compliment given the myriad of options available. It’s not much different than other iPad keyboard docks in functionality - you just get a keyboard with the option for additional stereo speakers, but it’s designed using premium materials like aerospace-grade aluminum for maximum durability. Of course, it also has a full QWERTY keyboard with specific iPad functions built in and it allows charging via USB.

Brydge also comes with a solid hinge offering 180 degrees of iPad rotation and secure hold of your tablet. The hinge itself is pretty elaborate and a patent for it is pending. The hinge is made of metal alloys and magnets, with a thermoplastic elastomer shell, all fancy words describing how you can easily hold the tablet and have the keyboard tightly attached and not falling.

Brydge has been on Kickstarter for a short while but it already broke its funding requirement of $90,000 and is on its way to become another solidly overfunded project. An early pledge of $150 would’ve gotten you the keyboard dock, but now that option is sold out and the minimum entry point stands at $170 for the dock without speakers.

What Brydge doesn’t provide is a mouse or a touchpad, both things you’d need if you want to emulate a MacBook Air experience on your tablet. If you’re fine with that, you need to know that Bridge will work with both iPad 2 and the new iPad, but does not support the first-gen Apple tablet. Overall, when you have the keyboard with the iPad closed, it’s just a hair thicker than the MacBook Air at 0.33 inches. Check out the video below for all the details, and jump on to Kickstarter if you want to reserve yours now.

source: Brydge on Kickstarter

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14 Comments

1. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

thats pretty nice looking. with all the weird gadgets and accessories people sell for iProducts, im actually surprised something functional and nice hasnt come out yet.

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 10:34 AM 5

2. gp284

Posts: 120; Member since: Feb 25, 2012

yeah your right. But it still doesn't comapare to the Asus mobile dock though.

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 10:44 AM 6

6. remixfa

no it doesnt. im waiting for people to start coming in screaming that they are copying asus, even though this isnt an official apple product.

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 11:36 AM 1

3. protozeloz

Posts: 5396; Member since: Sep 16, 2010

that dock is quite awesome!

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 11:01 AM 3

4. TrainFromUkraine

Posts: 95; Member since: Mar 26, 2012

I would be interested if it had a battery. Alas..

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 11:03 AM 3

5. theoak

Posts: 324; Member since: Nov 16, 2011

Having infinite angles is huge. All current iPad keyboard docks that I have seen mean disconnecting the iPad and placing the iPad in a fixed slot and hence a fixed angle. The speaker is a nice touch too. I wonder if it works with the white version of the iPad ;)

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 11:27 AM 0

7. max9777

Posts: 78; Member since: Dec 11, 2011

I have the Air and it looks nothing like it LMAO! It looks more like the Pro. Anyways whats the point of getting a tablet if your going to convert it into a laptop? Why not just get the laptop.

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 11:52 AM 0

9. raunak

Posts: 507; Member since: Oct 12, 2011

well you cant deattach the keyboard from a laptop later on can you?

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 1:02 PM 2

13. dodo1234

Posts: 40; Member since: Nov 06, 2011

The Mac Air costs over $1000 doesn't it? New Ipad is 600, Ipad2 is 400, I'm guessing on these numbers btw. Plus 170 for the dock makes it way cheaper plus its detachable as a thinner lighter tablet DUH :)

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 11:02 PM 0

8. WakaFlakaD

Posts: 575; Member since: Apr 30, 2011

0:44...nice @$$ lol

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 12:25 PM 1

10. Chronos

Posts: 258; Member since: Feb 25, 2012

This is what the original dock for the iPad should be.

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 1:45 PM 0

11. sorcio46

Posts: 435; Member since: Jul 27, 2011

Nice copy of Asus Transformer series dock !

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 2:58 PM 0

12. King_Me_Chris

Posts: 5; Member since: Dec 27, 2011

while it is a copy of the Asus Transformer, I have no problem with that cuz nobody get on BMW for making cars which ford copying for, nobody says anything when a new line of clothing comes out and all the other clothing brands make something similar, this is what companies do, look at what was successful and then try to make it better, just like apple expanded on blackberry and android expanded on apple, this is how things go. Dont get me wrong, I got Android in my blood but it's ok if others look to Android for ideas to make other products better, that way we all win.

posted on Apr 26, 2012, 3:31 PM 1

14. chebner

Posts: 249; Member since: Oct 17, 2011

Funny this comes out exactly one day after Tim Cook, in the qtrly earnings call, likened the Asus Transformer to combining a toaster and a refrigerator.