By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Belkin's QODE Ultimate Keyboard Case for the iPad Air offers a lightweight yet superbly well-designed typing solution for the iPad Air. A cover and case that protects the front and back of the svelte iPad Air, the QODE opens up to reveal a QWERTY keyboard that can also angle the iPad in three settings for various typing angles. The case as well as the keys are made of aluminium alloy. Typing on the QODE is similar to typing on an Apple keyboard, keys are well-spaced, provide good feedback and are responsive.
The QODE keyboard case itself is lighter than the iPad Air and is truly designed not just to protect the tablet but to really work with the new iPad's dimensions. The case is thin enough that you can fold the keyboard backwards and use the iPad in reading/tablet mode quite easily. The magnets that angle the iPad into place in typing mode are surprisingly strong and make it possible to type on the iPad in your lap. Some competing tablets have backlit keyboards, others provide some sort of wrist rest but we have to see how they measure up in the most important aspects, typing and protection. Shall we call it the Surface slayer?