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The Typo iPhone keyboard is back again after lawsuit, but maybe not for long

typo2

Seacrest’s Typo, the BlackBerry-like physical keyboard for the iPhone, didn’t last long the first time around. BlackBerry sued, describing it as “a blatant infringement against BlackBerry’s iconic keyboard,” and succeeded in getting an injunction against the $99 accessory.

Seacrest – the company co-founded by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest – responded by redesigning the keyboard and is now taking pre-orders for the Typo 2. The new model features a backlight, battery indicator and lock key, but otherwise looks strikingly similar to the original.

Shipping is scheduled for mid-September – assuming BlackBerry doesn’t have another injunction in place by then …

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Comments

  1. andreww500 - 10 years ago

    Why is this even a thing?

  2. Bruno Fernandes (@Linkb8) - 10 years ago

    It’s clear they’ve addresses the infringing aspects of the design. This one bears no resemblance to the Blackberry keyboards except for the fact it uses letters like every other keyboard. The first revision had the same shaped keys which was a big problem as BB love their wave contour.

  3. Patrick G (@PatTheCarNut) - 10 years ago

    This is like hooking a team of horses up to the front of my car.

  4. The first one looked nice because it looked exactly like BlackBerry Q10’s keyboard.

    This one is revised and looks like a sloppy, unfinished, still-in-testing piece of hardware.

    • boarddworld - 10 years ago

      I thought so too but I looked again and noticed there’s a deliberate slant to the keys. Makes sense as you can feel your way around without worrying about looking at which key you’re pressing.

  5. Iris Rojas Davis EA - 6 years ago

    Why doesnt Apple just partner up with Blackberry and create an Iphone with the legendary keyboard..problem solved and Blackberry is saved as a company. I would stand in line 5 days to get one.

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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