Tech News on G4 Apple's Wireless Dynamic Duo Dec 16, 2011 By Greg Gazin - Apple Gazin’ - G4 Canada

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Whether you have a laptop or even a desktop, having a clutter-free place to type can help keep you productive focused and neat. For that, Apple has two nifty wireless, ergonomic and sleek devices - a dynamic duo - the Apple Wireless Keyboard and the Apple Magic Trackpad Both devices connect seamlessly to your computer or tablet via Bluetooth through a simple paring operation, so there are no wires to clutter up your desk.  Apple Wireless Keyboard First up, the keyboard. It's about ¾ the size of most other keyboards; it's made of anodized aluminum with white quick-response tactile keys. Despite its size, it still has a full compliment of function and arrow keys, but no separate numeric keypad. It runs on only 2 AA batteries, one less than its predecessor and is truly energy efficient. With its built-in power management system it knows how to conserve. Apple Wireless Keyboard powers down when not in use and wakes up and ready to go as soon as you hit a key. It doesn't need a stand; the Apple wireless keyboard is ergonomic. It sits upright on a low-profile incline just enough to be comfortable on your wrists. Apple Wireless Keyboard retails in Canada for $69 and includes 2 AA batteries. This keyboard requires a Bluetooth-enabled Mac computer running Mac OS X v10.6.8 or higher.  It will also work with iPad. Apple Magic Trackpad Now you could use a mouse, with Apple's wireless keyboard, but using Apple's Magic Trackpad with it makes for a dynamite combination. If you have used a trackpad on a MacBook before, it works exactly the same way. However, the big differences are that it's external to your computer and its size.  It's over 5.17” long by 5.12” wide, so you have a whopping 80% more room to navigate your fingers than the smaller space you may be accustomed to.  Of course, you will be able to take advantage of the all the new multi-touch gestures introduced in Mac OSX Lion. If you've never used one, you're in for a big surprise. There are no buttons, no right, no left click buttons – the entire surface is like one big button. As well, it's set on an ergonomic incline, the same way as Apple's keyboard so they match up very nicely together. And it too is energy smart. It has an on-off switch and it's intelligent enough to detect when there is a period of inactivity to save battery life. Apple Magic Trackpad retails for the same price as the keyboard - $69.00 and also includes 2 AA batteries. It requires a Bluetooth-enabled Mac computer running Mac OS X v10.6.4 or higher. Keypad Alterative Now I did mention that the Apple Wireless Keyboard doesn't have is a separate numeric keypad. If you also have a Magic Trackapd, you could check out Magic NumPad by Mobee ($29.95). Now I haven't tried it, but apparently it's a film overlay that you can use with free downloadable software to use Magic Trackpad as a numeric keypad. Apple Battery Charger To keep your dynamic duo dually charged and save money on disposable alkaline cells, Apple has designed it's own branded battery charger.  It retails for $29.00 and includes a wall socket charger and 6 high-performance rechargeable NiMH AA batteries. Apple's Dynamic Duo or Trio, if you include the charger, would make a nice holiday gift – even for yourself. Greg Gazin can be reached at  gadgetguy "at" telus "dot" net , GadgetGreg.com , or on Twitter @GadgetGreg

About G4 in Canada
G4 launched on September 7, 2001 as the ultimate television resource for technology news, information and entertainment. Co-owned by G4, Rogers Media Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc., G4 is Canada's first television channel 100% dedicated to technology, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The channel features the latest technology news, information and entertainment in an exciting and high-energy format. G4 is available on digital cable and satellite.