New LG mobile keyboard rolls up into a compact stick
Americans love their mobile phones, but lots of people hate typing on those tiny virtual keyboards. If your emails and texts are full of flubs, LG says it may have the answer.
The company is unveiling a new portable keyboard for mobile use that folds up into a stick small enough to tote along anywhere. The company announced its "Rolly Keyboard" ahead of the large tech show in Berlin called IFA.
The full-sized QWERTY keyboard lays flat, but has joints along the four rows of keys so it folds up on itself into a stick. The length is roughly the same as other Bluetooth keyboards, but the folded width is about one-quarter its open size so it can fit into work bags, backpacks or large purses.
Instead of a magnetic edge to attach to a tablet, the Rolly Keyboard has fold-out arms that can prop up a smartphone or a tablet with up to a 10-inch screen size. Like other portable keyboards, the Rolly is Bluetooth-enabled. It connects as soon as it is unrolled and runs on a single AAA battery, which the company says should power it for about three months.
The company says it will go on sale in the U.S. in September; the price was not announced.
This is one of several accessories LG is launching as it makes a play for a greater share of the mobile electronics market including smartphones, tablets, accessories and wearables.
There is plenty of competition for mobile keyboard customers to choose from. Our partner site CNET tests out some of the options from Microsoft, Samsung and more.