Andrew Melder

In defence of the Clicks for iPhone and the physical smartphone keyboard

The Clicks iPhone keyboard. [Photograph] Clicks Technology Ltd. www.clicks.tech/press-kit

The Clicks keyboard accessory for the iPhone has attracted a bit of attention since its announcement. However, much of that attention has been trying to ask the same question: Why?

Didn’t we get rid of physical keyboards for a reason? Why would we want a permanent keyboard when virtual keyboards are there when you need it, and disappear when you don’t? Is this just nostalgia from Gen X and elder Millennials looking back at the past through rose-tinted glasses?

While there’s some validity in the above, there is a good reason why for a niche subset of us, a physical keyboard on a phone would still be beneficial.

The benefit of tactility is not about efficiency or speed

Many naysayers will argue that modern smartphone virtual keyboards, with auto correct and swipe typing gestures, are more accurate and faster than typing of physical keyboards of the past. But that’s missing the point.

I will fully admit that I can probably type faster on a smartphone now, and with greater accuracy even on my tiny iPhone 13 Mini screen, than I ever did back when I was slinging emails back and forth on my beloved Blackberry Bold.

However, what’s missing from a virtual keyboard is the tactility of a physical response to every key that makes me want to type on the phone more

Those emails I was slinging back and forth on the Blackberry all those years ago? They weren’t just quick 1-2 sentence responses, they were expansive discussions with my colleagues and clients around work matters. More often than not, I would sit in front of my work computer with a full keyboard and mail application available but I would be sitting there on the Blackberry typing out emails.

Now, that was a combination of hyper-focused software with the luxurious hardware keyboard that made that experience so addicting and genuinely enjoyable. Smartphones have the software sorted, they are just missing the hardware to bring the experience full circle.

So while I can type quicker and more accurately on a glass screen of a smartphone; outside of a few sentences, I don’t actually want to.

But it will always be a niche

Yes hardware keyboards on phones will always be a niche product for select few who value the experience.

For most, their virtual smartphone keyboards will be good enough. Just like for most users their smartphone camera is good enough; but a niche subset of users will always value the benefits of a dedicated camera. Or for many the keyboard that comes with their laptops or desktops is good enough; but a niche subset will sort after a mechanical keyboard with customised switches and key caps for their perfect feel.

Because hot takes generate attention, there’s no doubt going to be a bunch of honestly ignorant takes on the Clicks keyboard accessory as a non-starter or dismiss automatically as a failure just because it doesn’t hit some sort of mass adoption. But, and excuse my language on this, fuck them!

Niche appeal does not mean a lack of value.

I may not have pre-ordered because I currently don’t have a compatible device; however I look forward to seeing the response from people who have been wanting a device like this; and hope for nothing but success for the Clicks team.