Wireless keyboard

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Visual depiction of a compact wireless keyboard Amkette-wi-key-touch.jpg
Visual depiction of a compact wireless keyboard

A wireless keyboard is a computer keyboard that allows the user to communicate with computers, tablets, or laptops with the help of radio frequency (RF), such as WiFi and Bluetooth or with infrared (IR) technology. Wireless keyboards in the current market are commonly accompanied by a wireless mouse.

Contents

Wireless keyboards based on infrared technology use light waves to transmit signals to other infrared-enabled devices. In case of radio frequency technology, a wireless keyboard communicates using signals which range from 27 MHz to up to 2.4 GHz. The majority of wireless keyboards today work on 2.4 GHz radio frequency.[ citation needed ] Bluetooth is another technology that is being widely used by wireless keyboards. These devices connect and communicate with their parent device via the Bluetooth protocol.

A wireless keyboard can be connected using RF technology with the help of two parts, a transmitter and a receiver. The radio transmitter is inside the wireless keyboard. The radio receiver plugs into a keyboard port or USB port. Once the receiver and transmitter are plugged in, the computer recognizes the keyboard and mouse as if they were connected via a cable.

Types

A wireless keyboard combo Black-diamond.jpg
A wireless keyboard combo

Bluetooth keyboard

A Bluetooth keyboard is a wireless keyboard that connects and communicates with its parent device via the Bluetooth protocol. These devices are widely used with portable devices such as smart phones and tablets, though they are also used with laptops and ultrabooks. Bluetooth keyboards became popular in 2011, coinciding with the popularity of portable devices. [6] [7]

Most Bluetooth keyboards have standard qwerty layouts, though some mini Bluetooth keyboards may have a different layout. Bluetooth keyboards are compatible with all the leading operating systems such as Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. [8] Since they are primarily used for portable devices, Bluetooth keyboards have special function keys for Android and iOS operating systems. Most Bluetooth keyboards, except a few, are not compatible across operating systems. Thus, compatibility of the keyboard needs to be checked before purchasing one. This is because of the special function keys which differ between Android [9] and iOS. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs). In the most widely used mode, transmission power is limited to 2.5 milliwatts, giving it a very short range of up to 10 metres (33 ft). It employs UHF radio waves in the ISM bands, from 2.402 GHz to 2.48 GHz. It is mainly used as an alternative to wired connections to exchange files between nearby portable devices and connect cell phones and music players with wireless headphones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal digital assistant</span> Multi-purpose mobile device

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wireless</span> Transfer of information or power that does not require the use of physical wires

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touchpad</span> Type of pointing device

A touchpad or trackpad is a type of pointing device. Its largest component is a tactile sensor: an electronic device with a flat surface, that detects the motion and position of a user's fingers, and translates them to a position on a screen, to control a pointer in a graphical user interface. Touchpads are common on laptop computers, contrasted with desktop computers, where mice are more prevalent. Trackpads are sometimes used on desktops, where desk space is scarce. Because trackpads can be made small, they can be found on personal digital assistants (PDAs) and some portable media players. Wireless touchpads are also available, as detached accessories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby monitor</span> Radio system for remotely listening to a child

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tablet computer</span> Mobile computer with integrated display, circuitry and battery

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pen computing</span> Uses a stylus and tablet/touchscreen

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wireless speaker</span> Loudspeakers that receive audio signals using radio waves

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logitech Unifying receiver</span> USB wireless receiver

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Typeeto</span> Software tool for iOS and Android devices

Typeeto is a software that allows users to use a Bluetooth-compatible Macintosh keyboard with a range of different devices, including iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, game consoles, Windows PCs, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and MacBooks. The tool allows the keyboard to connect to multiple devices simultaneously, and users can switch between them using a designated hotkey.

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References

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  6. Ferrill, Tim. "Death Match: Mobile Bluetooth Keyboards". Gizmodo.com. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  7. Ravenscraft, Erica (November 11, 2013). "How to Make Your Android Tablet Work More Like a PC". Lifehacker.
  8. "5 Best Bluetooth Keyboard". WindowAble. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  9. Monroe, Juli Monroe (January 25, 2013). "Review: Amazon Basics Bluetooth Keyboard". Teleread. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  10. "iOS: Apple Wireless Keyboard compatibility". Apple. Retrieved April 3, 2013.