It’s always nice to see a new twist on a common product.
I’ve reviewed my share of keyboard/case combinations for tablet computers such as the Apple iPad. Most have been pretty standard - a protective shell that holds a tablet with a rechargeable keyboard underneath. Often, the iPad could be propped horizontally on or behind the keyboard, but that’s about it.
The FAVI Entertainment IBK-06 Swivel Screen Portfolio for the iPad Air has unique features that set it apart from other products. And it includes far more features than I’ve seen in other keyboard/ case combinations.
The portfolio starts with the basics - a shell that holds an iPad with the rechargeable keyboard underneath. The keyboard connects to the iPad via Bluetooth wireless, which is initiated by a button next to the power switch on the top right of the keyboard. A mini-USB port on the right side allows the keyboard to be charged using the included cord. (You’ll need a power adapter or a computer’s USB port to charge the keyboard.)
That’s essentially where the similarity ends.
The portfolio’s shell can separate completely from the keyboard by squeezing the side of the circle on its back.The circle pops out, revealing an Apple logo and allowing the iPad to be separated from the keyboard.
The circle serves another purpose. When attached, the shell can be rotated so the iPad stands up vertically, something I’ve rarely seen in other cases. This can come in handy for those rare apps that have a vertical-only orientation.
The circle connects to an arm that holds the iPad in place. The arm and circle, along with the cylinder joint that connects it to the keyboard, allows the iPad to be tilted to about any angle. The iPad even can be flipped so it faces the outside and covers the keyboard, allowing the iPad to be used as an iPad, minus the keyboard.
The joint also doubles as a stand that can be separated from the keyboard. A button on the top left of the keyboard releases the stand, which can be pulled out and set apart from the keyboard. It was a bit of a struggle to get the stand out, but easy enough to reattach. This is a very handy feature because it allows you to put the iPad on a flat, stable surface and use the keyboard wherever you like, be it on a table a few inches from the stand or in your lap a couple of feet away.
The keyboard itself is great to use. The keys are soft yet springy, making it very easy to type on them. The keys are nearly full size, and the function key allows several keys to double as audio and brightness control as well as perform other tasks. It even has keys on the top left that serve as Home buttons and on the top right to lock the iPad.
The only downside is the full keyboard and the large battery add some weight to an iPad. Although the whole product weighs about a pound on its own, it’s not so hefty that it’s difficult to carry around.
I have two issues with the keyboard case, one small and one large. The small one is the placement of the lock key on the delete key. Instead of making the delete the default setting, the lock is the default. That means every time you press the key, it blackens the iPad’s screen, locking it. Because the key is where the backspace/delete normally would be, I hit the lock key a lot. It got very annoying very quickly.
My biggest complaint about this product is the actual case that goes around the iPad. The moment I touched it, I got the impression that it was a cheap piece of plastic. It was thin and fairly flimsy - not what you want when it comes to protecting an expensive tablet computer. It was OK when the case was complete and folded together. However, it’s not a case I would use separately, even though it’s designed that way. Detached from the keyboard, the case barely covers the sides of the iPad and offers no protection for the screen.
The Swivel case isn’t perfect, particularly separated. However, the case and keyboard together make an impressive product. The design provides a stand that can adjust the iPad to just about any orientation needed, and the keyboard works well with an iPad. The multiple joints and detachable parts set this product out from the rest.
I like seeing twists on the common products.
Melissa L. Jones can be reached via email at mljones72@me.com.
Where it’s @
The FAVI Entertainment IBK-06 Swivel Screen Portfolio for iPad Air requires a USB port or power adapter for charging and an iPad Air. The product retails for $39.99. More information is available at favientertainment.com.
Business, Pages 19 on 04/21/2014