I’m sorry to tell you that I haven’t been able to do that.
The Clicks keyboard case has arrived, and it’s fun, if not practical for everyday use – at least, without weeks of practice.
The new device, which adds a keyboard with physical buttons at the bottom of the iPhone, evokes a sense of nostalgia for the BlackBerry era, but in its current form, it is not easy to use, especially with heavier and higher devices like the iPhone 15 Pro. Max.
The main problem with Klik is that iPhones are not like BlackBerry devices, which are short, squat and wide. However, the weight of the iPhone pulls the case down, so you’re always fighting the force of gravity when you’re trying to type. This causes the case to wobble slightly in the hand, making it harder to press the right button.
To be fair, Clicks admits that the case may be difficult to use at first.
On the help page, the company recommends proper holding techniques to make the Click more stable. It suggests that the user hold the phone, with the lower edge of the device resting on the pinky finger while the back is supported by the middle and ring fingers. Your index finger, meanwhile, can rest on the back or side.
If you hold the phone with both hands below the keyboard, it may feel heavy, the website warns.
However, the phone will feel very heavy, although whether you can balance the keyboard correctly will depend on several factors, including the model and weight of the iPhone, as well as the length and strength of your fingers. For example, people with shorter, stubbier fingers can have a harder time holding a device than others with longer fingers.
Clicks says it has added ballast at the bottom of the case to help it achieve the right balance, but early adopters said they are considering upgrading to a smaller iPhone model to make Clicks easier to use – and that’s what they say.
iPhone 13 mini might be good to use with Klik, but unfortunately, it is not supported.
However, the Clicks keyboard can be used with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, previously only in the Pro and Pro Max models, while it supports the full model for the iPhone 15. For comparison, the weight of the iPhone can vary between devices, starting from 6.02 ounces for the iPhone 15 to 7.09 ounces for the 15 Plus and 6.60 ounces for the 15 Pro model. The heaviest 15 Pro Max is 7.81 ounces. While this is a bit different when using an iPhone with a traditional case, even the smallest extra weight is important when using the Klik. The heavier the iPhone, the harder it is to hold, it seems.
Click try to account for difficulties in phone balance in several ways. In addition to instructing the user on proper holding technique, the case also features a vegan leather grip pad on the lower back, so your fingers can’t slip and it reminds you where it belongs.
In addition, the case has a slightly textured surface, which helps hold the iPhone upright.
Despite this accommodation, there are other problems with using Klik, and it is surprising.
If Klik appeals to you, you may be at an age to remember what it felt like dashing off instant email and text on BlackBerry, its physical keyboard keys are a significant upgrade from T9 writing. But in those years, you may have adjusted to typing on a touchscreen. Back to the button, it turns out, it’s not like riding a bike. There’s a bit of a learning curve here, especially with smartphones that are so long.
You may not immediately find Klik as easy to use as remembering the old BlackBerry, in other words. You will have to relearn how to type like this, and it will take some time to adjust. According to the Clicks website, it takes you 20 minutes to learn to Click, two hours to get comfortable, two days to master it, and two weeks to build the necessary muscle memory. indeed get comfortable with Klik. (I suspect some people may need longer. I haven’t spent many weeks with Klik, so can’t weigh in there.)
The Click keyboard makes a satisfying “clickety” sound when you press a key, hence the device’s name. But there is a reason many of us end up turning off the sound of the iPhone keyboard: In tick tick tick of keyboard clicks can get annoying after a while, and can be annoying to others, too. The Klik keyboard has a quieter natural click sound, but it will definitely make an interesting sound.
Of course, the buyer of the Klik keyboard may like attention – especially if you are whipping out a bright yellow banana or the new “Miami Panas” hot-pink case with blue buttons. These cases can make great ice breakers. I guarantee that if you pull out Click on the line, people will talk to you. (This alone may make it worth the price, for some!)
That said, the company said the company’s signature “London Sky” gray color was a more popular choice at launch, and sold out the first “Founder’s Edition” devices in two weeks. At the Consumer Electronics Show this year, the company said that if one out of every 1,000 iPhone customers is interested in Clicks, it can build a successful business. Based on the requests Klik has received so far, the company says the interest is “more than strong.”
Klik, started by MrMobile (Michael Fisher) and CrackBerry Kevin (Kevin Michaluk), won’t announce the number of sales until now, but has added pink blue and “Royal Ink” cases to its lineup. The company is currently in the process of raising a seed round to further expand the Clicks product portfolio.
For those who plan to switch back and forth between Clicks and traditional (or not small) cases, be warned: Be gentle with Clicks’ USB-C or lightning port. The case includes a sticker that advises you to be careful when inserting or removing the phone. This is an easier suggestion to follow when inserting. But if you are used to yanking off the iPhone case at any angle without much thought, be very careful; your $159 will go up in smoke like that. Warning Klik said do not bend the phone up from the port until it by disconnected and they are not kidding. Even in thin corners, you can easily damage the port. (Click said it has not seen a problem with breakage yet. I said give it more time.)
For that reason, I don’t recommend, say, a company’s IT department buy a Klik for older end users who are still mourning the loss of BlackBerry. More than likely, a small part of them will break the device or bend the port the first time they take the case. Make it a holiday gift, not a corporate handout, if you must.
As for the keyboard, the keys are well spaced and clickable, if a bit small. There are also some smart touches. There is a built-in microphone, Shift, CMD and “123” keys you can press once for numbers and symbols or twice to lock. The “%+-” key can also be pressed to show and hide the iOS keyboard, where you can also easily access emojis. (Alternatively, you can add the emoji keyboard as an option that appears when you press the globe button in Click.)
Once you’ve mastered typing on the keyboard, there are some keyboard shortcuts you can learn to make them easier to use. CMD + H will take you back to the Home Screen, for example, while CMD + space will open Search. While in the Safari or Chrome web browsers, you can also use the spacebar to scroll through web pages. Many other popular iOS keyboard shortcuts are also supported, Klik notes.
But the size of the Klik case cannot be overlooked as a deciding factor whether to buy it.
The odd shape and length make it more difficult to carry in a pocket, where it would probably protrude from the top, stretching the fabric. The Clicks case won’t fit into the small bag that your iPhone used to fit comfortably. The Clicks are also too big for the top pocket of the SwissGear backpack I use for travel, which is where I’ll often stash my phone in a hurry, like when I’m preparing my bag for TSA screening. Your phone will also be heavier with the case, weighing 62 or 65 grams, depending on your phone model.
The case also doesn’t support MagSafe accessories, so there’s no hope of using a PopSocket to keep it in place. (You will also be placed very high to help.)
Despite the challenges that come with Klik, it is difficult to overcome the sense of whimsy and cheerfulness. You definitely don’t need Klik, but at $139 to $159, you can convince yourself that you should give it a try. It’s like Chumby or Rabbit: unique, fun and designed for a niche market of enthusiasts. It’s not a product you buy for its function; it’s the kind of art you support because you love technology.
I will get another in pink.