Before the iPhone revolutionized smartphones, physical keyboards were the norm on devices like BlackBerrys, Palm Treos, and Nokias. The iPhone’s touchscreen interface, however, led to the demise of physical keyboards on smartphones. Enter Clicks, a company that has brought the physical keyboard back to the iPhone with its innovative case. I was eager to try Clicks, having fondly remembered the days of my BlackBerry Pearl and T-Mobile Sidekick III. Clicks’ case itself is remarkably lightweight thanks to its soft plastic and silicone construction. This lightweight design is essential for usability, ensuring the case doesn’t add too much bulk to the already heavy iPhone. The keyboard draws power from the iPhone, eliminating the need for a separate battery. The case features passthrough fast charging, so you can charge your iPhone without removing it. Clicks offers a range of colors, including London Sky, Bumblebee, Miami Beach, and Royal Ink. The keyboard sits at the bottom of the case, extending the length of the iPhone. The round keys provide satisfying tactile feedback, and the QWERTY layout mirrors the iOS virtual keyboard with the addition of keys like CMD, Enter, and Tab. Clicks offers numerous keyboard shortcuts, allowing you to navigate your iPhone efficiently. For example, you can press CMD+H to go home, CMD+space to bring up Spotlight search, and use the spacebar to scroll in Safari. A companion app is available for updating firmware and customizing settings. You can adjust the backlight intensity, set a timer for backlight dimming, and choose caps/alt/soft return options. A battery-saving mode allows you to cut off power to the keyboard after a period of inactivity. The idea of Clicks excited me, bringing back the joy of a physical keyboard. While I don’t use Clicks constantly, I appreciate the tactile feel of the keys, the satisfying click when pressed, and the backlit feature. The keyboard shortcuts are a welcome addition, making it easier to navigate and search. Clicks’ biggest advantage is freeing up the entire iPhone screen, allowing you to view more content without being obstructed by the virtual keyboard. This makes it ideal for content creators who need maximum screen space. However, Clicks has its flaws. Firstly, it makes the iPhone comically large, adding significant height due to the protruding keyboard. Secondly, the lightweight design leads to an uneven weight distribution, making the iPhone top-heavy and uncomfortable to hold. I found the keys to be too small and cramped, leading to frequent errors and slowing down my typing speed. Moreover, the lack of MagSafe is a major drawback, preventing me from using my MagSafe accessories. Clicks is currently available for select iPhone models and can be purchased from the Clicks website or Best Buy. While Clicks offers a unique and appealing concept, the execution falls short. The case’s size, weight, and lack of ergonomics make it uncomfortable to use for extended periods. Additionally, the lack of MagSafe is a significant drawback. While the keyboard feels nice and the customization options are helpful, the price point makes these shortcomings more prominent. I would prefer a slide-out or swivel-out design that addresses the size issue and includes MagSafe compatibility. Ultimately, Clicks is a promising idea, but it needs refinement to truly be a viable option for iPhone users.
Clicks Keyboard Review: A Cool Idea, But Not Quite There Yet
