ION Reveals iDiscover and iType Keyboard for iPhone and iPod Touch

[Michael Essany]

ION Audio is behind the launch of iTYPE, which is being called by the manufacturer a "first of its kind" desktop keyboard tailored for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Getting the big reveal at the Consumer Electronics Show, ION Audio has released photos of the device which transforms the iPhone/iPod into a portable computer offering up a standard QWERTY keyboard setup.

It's not exactly certain yet that the "convenience" of a keyboard via this mechanism will actually serve its intended purpose given the shear bulk of the product, but for those looking for a workable keyboard functionality to supplement their iPhone's native capabilities, the iTYPE could possibly resonate with a lot of iPhone users. ION is said to be prepping the iTYPE for release through ionaudio.com this spring, with the device likely retailing for about $110.

Coinciding with the iTYPE is ION's iDiscover Keyboard, a 25-note device customized with a dock for your iPhone or iPod touch that - as you can imagine - allows you to play "beautiful music." According to Music Radar:

The keys have a synth action and are velocity-sensitive, and there are also pitch/mod wheels and a selection of control buttons. The hardware works in tandem with the iDiscover Keyboard app, which contains a variety of instrument sounds that can be played and recorded.

The iDiscover app helps musicians enjoy a "virtual music studio" via their iPhone. Understandably, the iDiscover is being pitched to all musicians but with an emphasis on those on the go who may need to dictate a tune in their head before it fades away and never has an opportunity to reach the Billboard Hot 100.

ION's iDiscover Keyboard will similarly be released during the the same period as the iTYPE's release, but no pricing has yet been estimated for iDiscover.

While, on the face of it, this looks like a pretty inventive product, we're not totally convinced of its usefulness. Doesn't the beauty of making music on an iPhone or iPod touch lie in the fact that you can do it in the palm of your hand? What's more, it's not clear whether the hardware will be compatible with other apps. Still, hats off to ION for giving this a go –-the iDiscover Keyboard does also have a USB connection, so you can use it with your Mac or PC, too.

Image via ION Audio

[ecd5000]

very nice, wonder how well both of these will do considering there size

[code3-ems]

Lame, WAY overboard...!

[ai1973]

Omg

[vedavis]

I read elsewhere that the iType only works within Ion's app and you have to copy/paste into anything else (due to Apple app restrictions).

[clikzip]

I read elsewhere that the iType only works within Ion's app and you have to copy/paste into anything else (due to Apple app restrictions).

Kind of lame and useless then, seems the same as that dragon speach recognition app. Would be usefull if you needed to write an extremely long email. But useless for everything else.

[Melech518]

This will be a FLOP.

[carlos916]

Fail!!

[Unger]

I was at CES. Saw the iType (prototype?). I played with it. It sucked (Bugs). Next please

[rwin84]

F-l-o-p

[jdogkirby]

I already use a keyboard with my iPhone. In cydia there is the bluetooth keyboard app and even a bluetooth mouse app. 5 bucks and any bluetooth keyboard and you have a functional setup.

[santacruzlocal]

fail !!!!

[zozodouce]

ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous ridiculridiculous ous ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous .

[awesomeSlayer]

Did it just actually became reality? So similar to the photo I made and posted as a joke in one of the keyboard articles for the iPhone:

[rhekt]

interesting.interesting...unfortunately ive allready got a midi keyboard.

Did it just actually became reality? So similar to the photo I made and posted as a joke in one of the keyboard articles for the iPhone:

unfortunately life imitates art. did you patent this idea?

[tudtran]

That's cool. But I'm only used my iPhone email on the go. I'm using my macbook at work.

[jdonn2009]

interesting.interesting...unfortunately ive allready got a midi keyboard.



unfortunately life imitates art. did you patent this idea?

no but nokia did.....

[Shashlike]

If it works as a regular keyboard WITH the option to plug in the iPhone (sync, charge etc) then maybe. But to carry a full keyboard so I can type on a 480x320 screen....

[waroftyr]

is this seriously necessary?