Clicks Power Keyboard Begins Shipping, Fulfills 75% of First Pre-Orders as Clicks Prepares Smartphone
Clicks Power Keyboard ships to customers: MagSafe-compatible slide-out keyboard for $99, fulfilling pre-orders as Clicks readies its Communicator smartphone.
Clicks Technology has begun shipping its MagSafe-compatible Power Keyboard after earlier delays, with the startup reporting that roughly 75% of first-batch pre-orders have now been dispatched to customers. The $99 slide-out keyboard is designed to attach to phones via MagSafe or Qi2 and aims to restore a physical typing option for users who miss the precision of compact mechanical keys. Clicks positions the Power Keyboard as both a standalone accessory and a preview of the fuller hardware experience it plans to offer with the Clicks Communicator smartphone later this year.
Physical design and compatibility
The Power Keyboard is a slide-out, tactile keyboard that can be used in portrait or landscape orientation, and Clicks says it adapts to a broad range of phone sizes from compact models to “Pro Max” devices. The accessory magnetically attaches using MagSafe or Qi2, and for devices without native magnetic power profiles the company offers an adhesive ring or a companion case that restores the magnetic connection. At 119.7 × 76.6 × 15.2 mm and weighing about 180 grams, the unit is slimmer than many snap-on battery packs but still adds measurable heft to a smartphone.
Typing feel and usability
Keys on the Power Keyboard feature a clicky, sculpted profile intended to echo the tactile feedback of older physical keyboards while minimizing the learning curve for users accustomed to on-screen typing. The keyboard locks into place on its sliders with an audible click and includes adjustable LED backlighting for low-light typing. Early hands-on impressions show that while the keyboard feels refined and responsive, larger phones can make single-handed portrait use awkward; many testers found the most comfortable experience in landscape mode or on smaller, lighter handsets.
Battery and charging features
Rather than drawing power from a host device, the Power Keyboard contains a built-in 2,150 mAh battery and supports wireless charging for MagSafe- and Qi2-compatible phones. Users can configure how the battery is allocated in the Clicks companion app, choosing to reserve power for keyboard use, enable wireless charging to the phone, or disable wireless charging entirely to conserve capacity. Those options give the accessory flexibility as both an input device and a modest power bank, though they also add complexity to everyday use for buyers who prefer a simpler accessory experience.
Connectivity, pairing and app controls
The keyboard pairs with phones over Bluetooth and supports multi-device connections, but the pairing process differs slightly from standard external keyboards; users must press a number key while powering on to add a second Bluetooth device. The companion app serves as the hub for device management, including removing remembered pairings, adjusting idle timeouts, configuring LED brightness and remapping keys. Advanced features include a “Cursor Mode” that repurposes letter keys as directional controls and a customizable Number Row for shortcuts such as Escape, media controls and page navigation.
Portability trade-offs and real-world uses
Although Clicks has optimized the accessory’s profile, the added bulk and potential for the keyboard to slide open in a pocket make the Power Keyboard a trade-off for portability. It is unlikely to fit comfortably in slim trouser pockets and may be better suited to dedicated carry or occasional use rather than constant pocketed convenience. That said, the Bluetooth support broadens the keyboard’s usefulness beyond phones; it can pair with tablets, smart TV boxes and immersive headsets, making it a handy tool for entering text on devices that otherwise rely on remote controls or gesture input.
Positioning ahead of the Clicks Communicator
Clicks frames the Power Keyboard as both a stopgap for enthusiasts and a signal of what to expect from the Clicks Communicator smartphone, which the company says will ship later this year and will integrate a built-in physical keyboard. For buyers who primarily want a full-device experience, the Communicator prototypes seen earlier by reviewers appeared easier to handle because of unified design control over weight and ergonomics. Priced at $99, the Power Keyboard aims to be an accessible entry point for users curious about physical keys while Clicks finishes development of its own handset.
Early customers and reviewers report a polished product in many respects, balanced by compromises in comfort and portability that reflect the challenges of creating an add-on keyboard for a wide array of phone models. For those who value the speed and reliability of physical keys, the Power Keyboard offers a well-realized option ahead of Clicks’ full smartphone launch.
