Microsoft Releases Universal Foldable Keyboard

Microsoft released its Universal Foldable Keyboard, which we first saw back at Mobile World Congress earlier this year.

The keyboard connects to devices using Bluetooth technology, and as a result, it's capable of working with virtually every smartphone and tablet on the market. It can be connected to up to two devices at the same time; thus, if you have it connected to your tablet while typing an email, and you get a message on your phone, with the push of a button you can switch to your phone and type out your reply.

While open and in use, the keyboard measures 295.1 x 125.3 x 5.75 mm (L x W x H), but when folded over, the keyboard is only half as long (147.6 mm). Although it becomes twice as thick (11.5 mm), the folded size is much more travel friendly.

Foreseeing this keyboard getting a lot of abuse while being carried around, Microsoft tried to ensure the keyboard was durable enough to hold up to being used on the road. As a result, it's spill-resistant, and when folded, the keys and internals are protected by the outer fabric shell of the keyboard.

The keyboard also promises excellent battery life, with up to three months of use on a single charge.

If you are interested in trying Microsoft's Universal Foldable Keyboard, it costs $99.95 with free shipping, and you can snap one up on the Microsoft Store.

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Michael Justin Allen Sexton is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He covers hardware component news, specializing in CPUs and motherboards.
  • usertests
    Microsoft releases another overpriced keyboard.

    Make it $30 and then we'll talk.
    Reply
  • dragonjujo
    Microsoft releases another overpriced keyboard.

    Make it $30 and then we'll talk.

    Why don't you just go buy one of those $30 bluetooth keyboards that's available now and tell us how well it works?
    Reply
  • soldier44
    Now we just need Samsung to do this with the Note 5 with a micro sd card slot.
    Reply
  • thor220
    Microsoft releases another overpriced keyboard.

    Make it $30 and then we'll talk.

    Why don't you just go buy one of those $30 bluetooth keyboards that's available now and tell us how well it works?

    Can't tell if this is sarcasm or not but cheap bluetooth has been around for awhile

    http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Bluetooth-Ultra-Slim-Keyboard-Devices/dp/B0096M8VR2/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1436907643&sr=1-1&keywords=bluetooth+keyboard

    Bought one for a relative and hasn't had any issues this first year.
    Reply
  • gangrel
    What will attract people is the foldability. The Anker is 11" long, and that can be awkward to fit into a small book bag. Folded, this is smaller than my Nexus 7.

    I will grant that the price would put me off, but hey, remember, that's MSRP. You'll be able to find it for less, reasonably soon. And of course, you are paying something for the name. Comment from back in the day was, no one ever got fired for buying IBM PCs, even if they were twice as expensive as the alternatives of the day.
    Reply
  • jasonelmore
    all folding keyboards are expensive.. most start at $50 and all the $50 ones arent near as nice looking as this.
    Reply
  • turkey3_scratch
    16251731 said:
    Microsoft releases another overpriced keyboard.

    Make it $30 and then we'll talk.

    Why don't you just go buy one of those $30 bluetooth keyboards that's available now and tell us how well it works?

    Actually my $15 non-bluetooth but wireless USB keyboard is fantastic. I'd never consider spending more for buttons to push. The gap in the center of the folding one would mess me up.
    Reply
  • alidan
    16251731 said:
    Microsoft releases another overpriced keyboard.

    Make it $30 and then we'll talk.

    Why don't you just go buy one of those $30 bluetooth keyboards that's available now and tell us how well it works?

    Actually my $15 non-bluetooth but wireless USB keyboard is fantastic. I'd never consider spending more for buttons to push. The gap in the center of the folding one would mess me up.

    im willing to pay 100-130$ but only for mechanical keys.
    Reply
  • aldaia
    Microsoft releases another overpriced keyboard.

    Make it $30 and then we'll talk.

    Why don't you just go buy one of those $30 bluetooth keyboards that's available now and tell us how well it works?

    You mean like this for 29,98
    http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Foldable-Bluetooth-Keyboard-44652WH/dp/B00FEYJP0I/ref=pd_sim_147_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0YV0Q5M16645BKBAR6TF

    Or this one for 29,99
    http://www.amazon.com/Perixx-PERIBOARD-805L-Bluetooth-Folding-Keyboard/dp/B00BU4OV50/ref=pd_sim_147_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0YV0Q5M16645BKBAR6TF

    Or this one for 14,99
    http://www.amazon.com/QQ-Tech%C2%AE-Foldable-Wireless-Bluetooth-Keyboard/dp/B006XAGB1S/ref=pd_sim_147_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0YV0Q5M16645BKBAR6TF
    Reply
  • damric
    If the quality is indeed very high, I could see many professionals toting this around in a jacket pocket for $99.
    Reply