Apple Wireless Keyboard
 The current[update] Apple Wireless Keyboard |
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| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Type | Wireless keyboard |
| Release date | September 16, 2003 |
| Website | Apple.com – Keyboard |
The Apple Wireless Keyboard is a wireless keyboard built for Macintosh computers and compatible with iOS devices.[1] It interacts over Bluetooth wireless technology and unlike its wired version, it has no USB connectors or ports. Both generations have low-power features when not in use.
History
On September 16, 2003, the first Apple Wireless Keyboard was introduced at the Apple Expo.[2] The device required four AA batteries, and had an On/Off switch on the bottom. It lacked wires and USB ports, but otherwise was cosmetically the same as the wired version.
On August 7, 2007, Apple released a completely redesigned model of the Apple Wireless Keyboard. Like the wired Apple Keyboard, the new model is thinner than its predecessors and has an aluminum enclosure. Another addition is the new functions added to the function keys, such as media controls and Dashboard control. Unlike the previous version, the Wireless Keyboard now has a layout similar to the MacBook. The power button has been relocated to the right side of the keyboard, and the layout does not include a numeric keypad. This model added accidental caps lock prevention: the key has to be held down for a moment for caps lock to engage. This keyboard required only three AA batteries, one fewer than its predecessor.
In October 2009, a slightly revised third model was released. New model number A1314 replaced the A1255, two years and two months after the initial release. The new model now uses only two AA batteries instead of three originally. Additionally, Mac OS X 10.5.8 is now the minimum OS over the original Mac OS X 10.4.10. This model of keyboard become standard with new generation of iMacs introduced on the same day.
In 2011, Apple updated the keyboard slightly, updating the label on the Exposé key and changing the Dashboard key to a Launchpad key.[3]
Although Apple includes support solely for Macintosh computers, it can also be used on a Microsoft Windows PC providing that a Bluetooth receiver and appropriate Bluetooth stack is installed and properly configured. Enabling use of the 'Fn' and 'Eject' keys will require customization using a generic HID driver.[4] Enabling the multimedia keys and remapping keys, such as assigning 'Del' to the 'Eject' key is also possible.
Languages and layouts
A keyboard layout with an elongated Enter key is available for US English and Japanese.
Keyboard layouts with L-shaped Enter keys are available in:
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Boot Camp: Apple Wireless Keyboard keyboard mapping in Windows
Due to the missing keys for Windows PC's (such as the PrintScreen Key), Apple has made mappings.[5]
Examples:
| Windows Keyboard | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| PrintScreen | Fn + ⇧ Shift + F11 |
| Pause/Break | Fn + ⇧ Shift + F12 |
| Editing Home | Fn + ← |
| Editing End | Fn + → |
| PageDown | Fn + ↓ |
| PageUp | Fn + ↑ |
| Forward Delete | Fn + ⌦ Delete |
| Insert | Fn + ⌤ Enter |
Note. These keyboard mappings will work on a Mac operating under Windows 7 when running Boot Camp, but may not work if you select the Boot Camp option of "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys"
References
- ^ "iOS: Apple Wireless Keyboard compatibility" – Overview of Apple wireless keyboards in the context of iOS compatibility
- ^ "Apple Introduces Wireless Keyboard & Mouse" – Apple PR Statement
- ^ "iOS: Apple Wireless Keyboard compatibility" – Overview of Apple wireless keyboards in the context of iOS compatibility
- ^ AutoHotkey – Lexikos HID sample script
- ^ Apple.com – Boot Camp: Apple Wireless Keyboard keyboard mapping in Windows
External links
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