Brydge’s latest keyboard case for iPad Air and iPad Pro includes multi-touch trackpad

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The Brydge Air Max+ can be preordered now. Shipping starts in June.
The Brydge Air Max+ is both an iPad Air/Pro case and a clip-on keyboard and trackpad.

The new Brydge Air Max+ wraps the iPad Air 4 or 11-inch iPad Pro in a protective case, and adds a removable keyboard and trackpad.

It’s a larger version of a keyboard case Brydge recently introduced for the basic iPad. And there’s a similar model for the largest iPad Pro.

Brydge Air Max+ transforms iPad Air into a MacBook

The Air Max+ surrounds the Apple tablet in a case that offers 4-foot drop protection (MIL- STD810G). This stays on the iPad and magnetically connects to a base unit.

The Bluetooth keyboard includes backlights with three levels of brightness. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 and promises zero lag when starting up.

And there’s a trackpad. “The new Air Max+ is the only independent keyboard/case combo for iPad Air (4th generation) with a true native multi-touch trackpad,” points out Brydge. The pad is 4.0 inches by 2.4 in.

The accessory is going up against the Apple Magic Keyboard, which also has a multi-touch trackpad. But Brydge’s product uses a more protective case. And it costs much less.

Preorders for the Air Max+ began Tuesday on the Brydge website. It costs $149. 99, and is scheduled to begin shipping in June. For comparison, Apple’s keyboard for the iPad Air and 11-inch iPad Pro is $299 — twice as much.

Those with Apple’s budget iPad can look at the Brydge 10.2 Max+, while 12.90-inch iPad Pro users might consider the Brydge 12.9 Max+.

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