when you buy a Samsung smartphone and login to your Samsung account on the device you might be despatched a 30 % coupon code to buy an adjunct priced at $ fifty nine.99 or less. I used mine to buy the Galaxy S8 Plus keyboard quilt, priced at $ 59.99 ($ 42 with 30 % coupon).
After I bought my Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, see my full review, I was once thinking I might use the coupon to pick out up another wi-fi charger, but I have already got them at my place of work, dwelling, and bedside so was once making an attempt to figure out what else might be excellent to purchase. The Samsung keyboard cover has been an to be had accessory for the last few Galaxy smartphones, however I never had a chance to take a look at one out.
while this keyboard accent is no BlackBerry KEYone, see the ZDNet evaluate, it is an interesting accessory to consider. The keyboard duvet is a two piece solution; a minimal polycarbonate shell and a small snap-on keyboard. Let’s take a more in-depth look at each.
Polycarbonate shell
even if you never use the keyboard after buying this package, the polycarbonate shell case is lovely compelling in and of itself. it is extremely light-weight, stays on extra securely than other shell cases i’ve tried, and does not really remove from the swish S8 Plus design in any regard.
For the first time in any case i have yet examined, there is a small divider between the camera opening and rear fingerprint scanner so it vastly improves the ability to hit the fingerprint scanner positioned oddly on the back of the S8 Plus. along with the divider, the outlet is certainly accented so your fingertip fits completely.
There are abundant openings cut in the sides for the Bixby button, quantity button, and power button with a bottom opening for the headphone jack, USB sort-C port, speaker, and mic. there may be also a small opening on the high for the microphone.
the perimeters of the shell best come up a little in order that all the twin area display is out there without interference. taking a look from the front, it can be tricky to even inform you will have a shell case on your S8 Plus. alternatively, there’s some again glass protection and the corners all do have some polycarbonate overlaying them so it will have to lend a hand a bit of with drops. It also has a matte really feel so is straightforward to hold, extra so than the slick glass back.
Keyboard piece
there may be now not battery in the keyboard and no connections by the use of Bluetooth or WiFi are made to pair the keyboard. You merely snap it into location on the bottom into the 2 small notches on the sides of the shell case. I’ve researched on-line and have not yet found a solution to how it works, but assume it is just some kind of proximity sensor and capacitive tech in the keyboard.
The show robotically reduces in size to accommodate the keyboard cover with the bottom of the show matching perfectly to the top of the keyboard. the edge panel shortcut additionally gets decreased to about 1/2 its customary size with the keyboard in position.
There are three rows of keys with a bottom row for 2 shifts buttons, the 0 key, the logo key, and moderately huge area bar. beneath this you’re going to find the three Samsung buttons for up to date apps, dwelling, and again. obviously, you can’t swap these like you now can with the on-display buttons on the S8 Plus.
pressing and maintaining the home button launches Google Assistant so that could be a very handy shortcut. The Samsung site, and other internet sites selling this keyboard, promote different keyboard shortcuts, however i’ve tried the whole lot i can recall to mind and have but to discover some other button combinations to launch the browser, tune participant, electronic mail, or other apps. If a reader knows the trick i’d very much delight in figuring out it.
The keys aren’t backlit, however the white and light blue on black could be very seen. It has a conventional QWERTY structure with many alternate keys available on as regards to each key. urgent and holding on a letter provides the accented personality too.
Keyboard duvet day by day utilization
there is decent spacing between the keys and while i am not as quick with this keyboard as i’m with swiping on the default Samsung on-monitor keyboard, I do like using the physical keyboard from time to time. there is just right tactile feedback when you press each key and also an audible element to urgent every key.
that you could snap the keyboard on the again of the shell duvet if you don’t want to use it and for some apps you will have to do this on account that they will not even function with the keyboard hooked up. for example, Samsung Pay does now not work with the keyboard hooked up and a warning will seem for those who attempt to use such apps with the keyboard hooked up.
The keyboard duvet is an engaging accessory and thanks to the 30 percent coupon i’m happy with my buy. The shell by myself may be well worth the $ forty two I paid for the combo because it significantly improves the fingerprint scanner experience and ability to hold the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus.
related ZDNet Samsung Galaxy S8 coverage
latest topics for ZDNet in opinions
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Google+
LinkedIn
RSS