A humorous factor occurred after I finished utilizing Clicks, the keyboard case that successfully turns an iPhone into an outsized Blackberry: The telephone by itself all of the sudden appeared punier.
I imply that by way of each dimension and mightiness. As a result of whereas Clicks’ 4 rows of bodily keys stretch an iPhone to comical size, additionally they add a bunch of highly effective shortcuts for getting issues completed. My typing hasn’t gotten any quicker with Clicks, however issues like copying, pasting, and switching between apps has develop into extra environment friendly.
The primary Clicks keyboard cases launched a yr in the past, with tech YouTuber Michael Fisher and Crackberry weblog founder Kevin Michaluk co-founding the corporate to scratch a extremely particular itch. The iPhone 16 variations, which simply launched in January, have a extra sculpted key design that’s simpler to kind on, whereas additionally including MagSafe accent help and USB-C knowledge switch.
They’re no much less area of interest, although. As earlier than, the value is $139 for regular-sized iPhones and $159 for the Professional Max and Plus fashions—not the sort of buy one makes with out being tremendous dedicated to the idea. However essentially the most I used Clicks, the extra I wanted for a model that included every thing however the keyboard.
Not quicker, however extra satisfying
I’ve been utilizing Clicks on an iPhone 16 Professional Max for the previous few weeks now. Whereas there’s a studying curve—particularly with utilizing modifier keys for punctuation—I’ve develop into fairly adept at thumb typing on Clicks’ bodily keys. Nonetheless, each time I carry out a typing take a look at, the outcomes are about the identical with or with out Clicks.
The truth is that on-screen keyboards have develop into fairly environment friendly on their very own. Between gesture typing and auto-correct, a practiced touchscreen typist can rattle off emails or textual content messages with out having to scrutinize every letter, so there’s little time gained from having bodily keys beneath the thumbs.
And whereas Clicks does release display screen area that an on-screen keyboard would usually occupy, the evolution of smartphone design performs in opposition to Clicks right here as nicely: Our telephones have gotten taller largely to accommodate the on-screen keyboard, with apps turning into more and more adept at retaining essential particulars inside view. Not often did I really feel like Clicks was liberating up important area.
At greatest, the typing upside with Clicks is vibes-based. Whereas I by no means owned a BlackBerry and don’t really feel the nostalgia of utilizing a modern-day homage, the tactile keys nonetheless really feel substantial in a ways in which software program keys don’t. On some degree, writing with Clicks feels somewhat extra like an accomplishment, even when it’s not any quicker.
Keyboard command middle
The Clicks keyboard is about extra than simply typing, although. The true utility is in its skill to execute instructions.
On essentially the most fundamental degree, Clicks helps the identical keyboard shortcuts you’d get by connecting your iPhone or iPad to a Bluetooth keyboard. As a substitute of shaking your telephone or utilizing the unreliable three-finger swipe gesture to undo, you’ll be able to simply click on Cmd+Z. As a substitute of tapping the precise level of textual content insertion and ready for the tiny “paste” button to pop up, you’ll be able to simply click on Cmd+V. You possibly can even use app-specific shortcuts, corresponding to Cmd+T and Cmd+W to open and shut new browser tabs in Safari.
Navigational shortcuts are even higher. Hitting Cmd+Area brings up Highlight, the place you’ll be able to entry apps, contacts, and Shortcuts simply by typing a letter two and hitting Enter. Not like the touchscreen model, which requires a return to the house display screen, the keyboard shortcut works from anyplace, even inside different apps. Mixed with another navigational shortcuts—Cmd+H for Dwelling, Globe+N for notifications, Globe+C for Command Heart—Clicks permits you to rapidly get round iOS with out taking fingers off the keyboard.
There’s additionally a hidden feature that goes a step additional, letting you arrange customized keyboard instructions to run automations from the iOS Shortcuts app. It requires some rooting round in Accessibility settings, however in the long run you’ll be able to have keyboard shortcuts for issues like launching a favourite app, taking a fast notice, or opening your most popular AI assistant. It’s sort of like having a bunch of iPhone 16 Motion Buttons lined up on the underside of your telephone.
Unexpected penalties
Too unhealthy these further capabilities include some vital trade-offs.
Clearly, there’s the dimensions of the factor. The iPhone 16 Professional Max with Clicks simply barely matches in my pants pockets and isn’t comfy to sit down with, so I’ve been extra inclined to simply plopping it onto the closest desk.
Different annoyances are simply inherent to utilizing a bodily keyboard as an alternative of the on-screen one:
- For those who use a third-party password supervisor like Bitwarden, there’s no persistent bar above the keyboard for accessing passwords or two-factor authentication codes. You possibly can auto-fill logins via an on-screen pop-up, however this doesn’t let you choose various logins and typically did not work correctly.
- One-handed typing takes extra effort, particularly with the telephone being extra top-heavy. Whereas Clicks has a button to deliver up the on-screen keyboard, it’s nonetheless extra cumbersome to kind on with a full row of bodily keys below your palm.
- Clicks’ backlit keys don’t gentle up till you press them, so numerous occasions I needed to guess on the first keystroke whereas making an attempt to kind at midnight. (I want the keys lit up everytime you tapped on a textual content entry subject, however I’m unsure if iOS permits for that.)
Clicks’ uncommon form can result in some awkward charging and docking situations as nicely. Clicks doesn’t match in any respect in my automobile’s wi-fi charging tray, and I’ve to flip the telephone the other way up to make use of the upright wi-fi charger on my nightstand. And whereas Clicks for iPhone 16 has MagSafe help, it’s too tall and heavy to suit on the MagSafe vent mount in my spouse’s automobile.
The case for a keyboard-less Clicks
In the long run, Clicks’ barely extra satisfying typing expertise doesn’t appear price all these trade-offs to me. However once I went again to utilizing my iPhone by itself, I missed having all of Clicks’ further shortcuts below my thumbs.
What I really need from Clicks, then, is every thing however the factor for which it’s best-known. As a substitute of a full keyboard, give me a model with only a single row of shortcut keys, permitting me to effectively manipulate textual content, navigate iOS and set off my most-used Shortcuts. Take the iPhone’s Motion Button, in different phrases, and multiply it by eight or 10 on the very backside of the telephone.
Shelling out with bodily keys for typing wouldn’t gradual me down in any respect, however it will sidestep Clicks’ largest compromises whereas preserving its biggest strengths. Would an organization based by former Blackberry addicts countenance such a factor? I don’t know, however I’d in all probability purchase one.
