wireless keyboard
{{Short description|Computer keyboard wirelessly connected to a computer}}
{{how-to|date=August 2023}}
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.
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|date=May 2024}} 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
- Standard size wireless keyboard: These keyboards are standard size wireless keyboard.
- Foldable - hinges allow for folding of keyboard{{cite web|website=Mashable.com|url=http://mashable.com/2012/09/18/foldable-bluetooth-keyboard/|title=Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard|date=September 18, 2012|author=Li, Anita}}
- Portable keyboard with touchpad: Keyboard comes with integrated touch pad.{{cite web
| title=Amkette-wi-key touch turns that home tv into a large screen pc
| url=http://www.techshout.com/wireless/2011/14/amkette-wi-key-touch-turns-that-home-tv-into-a-large-screen-pc/
| first=Demetrius
| last=Castro
| date=2011-01-14
| publisher=www.techshout.com
| accessdate=2014-02-22}}
- Portable with Stand - comes with tablet/smartphone stand {{cite web|website=Amkette|url=http://www.amkette.com/tabletboard/|title=Smart Bluetooth Keyboard Compatible with Android, Windows & iOS|accessdate=April 3, 2013|archive-date=June 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622212753/http://www.amkette.com/tabletboard/|url-status=dead}}
- Roll-up wireless keyboard: wireless keyboard that can be rolled up when not in use.{{cite web
| title=Scosche freeKEY roll-up wireless keyboard
| url=https://newatlas.com/scosche-freekey-roll-up-wireless-keyboard/18529/
| first=Paul
| last=Ridden
| date=2011-05-01
| publisher=www.gizmag.com
| accessdate=2018-03-18}}
- Mini Wireless Keyboard: Palm sized keyboard with an integrated touch pad; uses thumb typing
- slim keyboardFile:BTKeyboard.jpgWith touch pad - combined keyboard and touchpad{{cite web|website=webOSNation.com|url=http://www.webosnation.com/review-hp-touchpad-bluetooth-keyboard|title=Review: HP TouchPad Bluetooth Keyboard|author=Kessler, Derek |date= June 29, 2011 }}
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.{{cite web|title=Death Match: Mobile Bluetooth Keyboards|url=https://gizmodo.com/bluetooth-keyboards/|website=Gizmodo.com|accessdate= April 12, 2011|author=Ferrill, Tim}}{{cite web|website=Lifehacker|author=Ravenscraft, Erica|title=How to Make Your Android Tablet Work More Like a PC|date=November 11, 2013 |url=http://lifehacker.com/how-to-make-an-android-tablet-work-more-like-a-pc-1462061591}}
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.{{cite web|title=5 Best Bluetooth Keyboard |url=http://windowsable.com/5-best-bluetooth-keyboards-for-your-windows-pc/|website=WindowAble|accessdate= July 4, 2016}} 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{{cite news| website=Teleread|url=http://www.teleread.com/amazon/review-amazonbasics-bluetooth-keyboard/|title=Review: Amazon Basics Bluetooth Keyboard|date= January 25, 2013 |author=Monroe, Juli Monroe|accessdate= April 3, 2013}} and iOS.{{cite web|title=iOS: Apple Wireless Keyboard compatibility|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4112|website=Apple|accessdate= April 3, 2013}}