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Refreshed Apple Wireless Keyboard w/ backlit keys appears on Apple’s website

Apple Wireless Keyboard backlit keys power

Update: It looks like Apple removed the images of the refreshed keyboard after we published this story.

A refreshed version of the Apple Wireless Keyboard appears to be on the way as an updated model was spotted today on Apple’s Czech Republic online store (via letemsvetemapplem.eu).

While Apple appears to have let the image of the new keyboard leak early, it hasn’t updated the accompanying description for the product to mention new features. We can, however, make out a few changes including new buttons on the F5 and F6 keys indicating the new model may feature backlit keys. Apple also switched the CD eject button, which is all but useless for most people at this point, and replaced it with a power button the same as the keyboards on its MacBooks in recent years.

There aren’t many other visible changes from the image, but it’s possible there could be features hiding that we can’t see, or perhaps a rechargeable battery and USB charging is too much to ask for. Backlit keys and a rechargeable battery are somewhat standard these days for comparable keyboards from other brands.

While the presumably leaked image is on Apple’s official website, the power key is noticeably misaligned. The keyboard maintains the same VAG Rounded font found on the current Apple Wireless Keyboard and most MacBook keyboards aside from the new 12-inch MacBook which uses the Apple Watch’s San Francisco font.

Apple made minor tweaks to the keyboard back in 2011 to add and update keys for new OS X features like Launchpad and Mission Control, but otherwise it has remained the same since being introduced and bundled alongside new iMacs in 2009.

Apple-wireless-keyboard-2015-01

It’s not clear when the new keyboard will arrive, but we’ll be keeping an eye on Apple’s online store in case the company decides to roll it out as a silent update.

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Comments

  1. Brian A Peat - 9 years ago

    I just wish they’d make a full width version of this with keypad. For some reason, the balance on the smaller keyboard isn’t right. The keys are exactly the same, but I find I type much worse on the little keyboard compared to the full size. Not sure why, but I’ve tried the little one twice and it’s just terrible for me. I ended up with a Logitec full size keyboard instead.

    • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

      They’ll never add a number pad. It’s redudant and they believe useless. For the few people that want that, they’ll have to do as you did.

      • realgadgetblogger - 9 years ago

        Apple makes a full size keyboard with number pad. $49 at the Apple Store – but it is not wireless.

    • tpetaccia - 9 years ago

      Amen!! I do not think it’s redundant .. neither do 95% of my clients.

      • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

        Well there are plenty of full sized keyboards out there luckily. I’m pretty sure Apple won’t make one though. I remember reading an anecdote about Steve Jobs taking someone’s keyboard at a dinner party and prying the number pad and other keys he believed shouldn’t have been there, off it.

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 9 years ago

      I agree they should offer a full keyboard. But they do it since there are people that simply don’t use a numeric keypad.

      I would love it for Apple to have backlit wireless keyboards and it would be great if they used keys that could withstand accidental liquid spills. I don’t know if those new keyboards they are using on the new MacBooks can do that.

      I actually like the keyboards they have on some of the Lenovo laptops.

  2. iSRS - 9 years ago

    Return key is a different shape.

    • Oliver Webb - 9 years ago

      It’s the same on the British layout. Probably you’re used to looking at the American layout.

    • florinnica - 9 years ago

      That is because of the Czech keyboard layout. A lot of countries around the world have a few slightly different keys :)

    • No, it’s the same, assuming the Czech Republic keyboard has the same layout as the Swedish (and other european) ones.

      • jonshf - 9 years ago

        The standard US keyboard also has one less key. The left shift key is extra wide on the US version. Most international keyboards have a narrower shift key to fit an extra key in the space, probably to help with larger alphabets.

  3. Vipal Desai (@vipsd87) - 9 years ago

    I wonder if they are going to use the new keyboard technology from their new 12′ MacBook on this keyboard.

    • Rio (@Crzy_rio) - 9 years ago

      It would make sense, that is probably how they made space for the backlight too

      • florinnica - 9 years ago

        I don’t think it ever had anything to do with the space. I think it had to do more with power consumption. Probably they found a more efficient way of doing it, or they found out that most people will be willing to change their batteries every other day as a trade-off for having backlit keys. Or.. you could just turn it off.

  4. Dennis Becker - 9 years ago

    How about the new butterfly keys? Would that make any sense?

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 9 years ago

      I just wish they could make a good feel, reliability and one that can withstand accidental liquid spills. I’m using those overlays that prevent damage from a liquid spill, which are OK but they do have to be replaced and cleaned every so often.

  5. jreed91 - 9 years ago

    Also looks like it’s using the san francisco font

    • charilaosmulder - 9 years ago

      Font hasn’t changed. And it certainly won’t change to San Francisco unless OS X gets it first. But that won’t happen in a long time since it’s just been changed to Helvetica Neue for various reasons.

      • Stetson - 9 years ago

        The new retina Macbook runs OSX and uses San Francisco for the keyboard.

  6. Rio (@Crzy_rio) - 9 years ago

    Is the Price the same as the previous one? Might offload the current one on Kijiji now and wait to grab the new one.

  7. Alex Chamberlain - 9 years ago

    Would also be good as well if they revise the Magic trackpad to make it like the new trackpad in the Macbook pros.Force touch trackpad I think it is?

  8. maxleopold - 9 years ago

    And when comes the Apple Bluetooth Magic Trackpad with ForceTouch?!

  9. hayesunt - 9 years ago

    The ‘Z’ and the ‘Y’ are mixed around. QWERTZ instead of QWERTY.

  10. AeronPeryton - 9 years ago

    I doubt this is going to have butterfly springs. The key caps have the same size and depth of the older models and there’s no Ive-tastic arrow keys.

    • PMZanetti - 9 years ago

      Thats what it looks like. Damn shame, what an opportunity to resell the same accessory.

  11. Guillaume Ortscheit - 9 years ago

    Logitech K811 bluetooth keyboard for Mac does the job already : backlit / 3 bluetooth settings to toggle from a device to another. designed for OS X.

    • Steven (@StevenSaidWhat) - 9 years ago

      I used the K811 for a long time, but it absolutely drove me crazy that you couldn’t leave the backlighting on. It would turn off and then come back on when it sensed your hands near the keyboard, and then only after a delay just long enough to be really, really irritating. I’ve been waiting on an illuminated Apple keyboard for a long time. I suspect they’ll get the UI just right.

  12. PMZanetti - 9 years ago

    Butterfly Keys and Backlight would make it an instant buy for me. I use the current version daily.

    Also, a Force Touch Magic Trackpad would be welcome too.

  13. Backlit keys make a lot of sense when paired with a TV.

    • RicardoTuga - 9 years ago

      Arabic too. maybe they are testing in this regions/ languages

  14. Scott Gerber - 9 years ago

    Great, now can Apple deliver the keyboard that I’ve been asking for for years?
    Bluetooth Extended Keyboard with black keys and LED backlighting

  15. Wish they would make a version with black backlit keys!!!!

    • Guillaume Ortscheit - 9 years ago

      Get the Logitech K811, it’s great : black backlit keys, designed for mac. lights up automatically as you’re about to touch it. layout identical to apple wireless keyboard, with 3 different bluetooth channels you can toggle switch from a device to another using the keyboard). a numpad is the only thing missing like on the apple one.

  16. andrewbarba - 9 years ago

    Wouldn’t black butterfly keys make sense here?

  17. macusercom - 9 years ago

    Am I the only one who came here and though Apple has released a new keyboard where every single key has is backlit? Thought I’d through my old one out…nah…

  18. zBrain (@joeregular) - 9 years ago

    now that the rumored apple wireless keyboard has a power key. does this mean, i can now power up my mac wirelessly? imagine not reaching behind the iMac, imagine keeping the notebook closed (clamshell mode) etc.

    • RicardoTuga - 9 years ago

      Power up the imac from the keyboard with out reaching is back would be nice. Would be a nice change for iMac users.
      But how do this without wasting energy (from keyboard and iMac)?

    • Jay (@BlueJayL) - 9 years ago

      Great idea! I hope this keyboard can start an iMac.
      Now I’m wondering if the Logitech K811 can start an iMac.

    • Karnashuk (@Karnashuk) - 9 years ago

      @RicardoTuga I wonder why people turn off their iMacs at all. I’ve been using an iMac since 2008, 99% of the time I just simply take it to sleep. Then just click the space bar or any other key and I’m ready to go. Power consumption is so low, it’s not worth it to turn it off. I wonder if this new ‘butterfly’ keyboards will be any better, guess I’ll have to check it out when it arrives at the Apple Store. Anyways, beside what people are saying about the new MacBook – its exacly what I’ve been waiting for – super light and slim, very portable. I don’t need the power.

      • RicardoTuga - 9 years ago

        I really don’t turn off my mac often (sometimes i need to use windows exclusive programs).
        A more useful use for a power key in keyboard wold be for power up the keyboard itself. So the place of the current round power button (in the side) could result in Touch ID button.

  19. Hanley Leung - 9 years ago

    does it use the new butterfly keys?

  20. Tww (@twwswggy) - 9 years ago

    That would be a bad design where they place the power button. User may turn it off accidently when trying to hit backspace – which is a common key.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.