Turn your iPhone into a BlackBerry

Clever case adds an old-school physical keyboard.

Author

Leander Kahney
January 05, 2024

Back in the day, people loved typing out emails on their BlackBerries so much that the early keyboard-enabled smartphone became known as the CrackBerry.

I never owned a BlackBerry, but I did have a Palm Treo 650, a similar keyboard-equipped early smartphone.

I also had a Psion Revo, a kinda mini laptop/eMate, which was a beautiful piece of hardware that never really worked right.

So I understand the appeal of a tiny keyboard — just like this brand-new keyboard case that turns your iPhone into a modern BlackBerry.

Trouble is, I ditched the Palm and the Revo in a hot second as soon as the iPhone came along with its software keyboard and intuitive multitouch interface.

But who knows: Maybe the combo of a modern iPhone with a physical keyboard is a winning combo. We’ll be reviewing the device when it starts shipping.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • I have an older version of this 3-in-1 Travel Charger from mophie and I love it. It’s just been updated to fast-charge recent Apple Watch models and is better than ever. See our updated hands-on review.

  • I haven’t seen many power banks like this: a single battery pack that can juice up iPhone, AirPods and even Apple Watch.

  • Is this winter really colder than last? Here’s how to check past weather in your iPhone or iPad’s Weather app.

  • Don’t miss the cute Stonehenge keycap in the featured tweets below.

  • Were you a CrackBerry addict? Take today’s poll.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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One more thing ...

❝

You did the impossible, because you didn’t realize it was impossible.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Were you a CrackBerry addict?

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Results from yesterday’s poll: Do you optimize your iPhone battery settings?

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