Now that the high-level design for the Redux Model 1 is nearing completion, we should focus our attention on the optional keyboard, or set of optional keyboards should I say, for we might build two of them, as indicated in this past article.

If we are to build two optional keyboards, they should be very similar to each other in order to reuse as many components across them as possible, including the logic board. As a result, the Redux Keyboard Large will differ from the Redux Keyboard Small only for the following aspects: wider (11" vs 8.5"), standard docking port for iPod/iPhone, and additional battery (tertiary battery). If that is to be the case, here are the sets of features that these keyboards should offer:

Redux Keyboard Small

Redux Keyboard Large

From an industrial design standpoint, our biggest challenge will be to design the magnetic connector used to attach the tablet to the keyboard. This connector must keep the tablet upright at an angle when the tablet is docked on the keyboard, and help keep the tablet flat on the keyboard with the tablet’s screen protected by the keyboard when the assembly is being carried around. One of the challenges is that users will want some control over the tablet’s inclination angle when docked on the keyboard, and we would like to support this requirement without having to use any moving parts. We are currently considering a variety of design options, including one whereby a limited range of angles is supported, and another where two or three specific angles can be used when docking the tablet.

Another challenge will be to select the right material and mechanical design for the keyboard’s keys. After a couple of weeks of using Apple’s new keyboard, we managed to convince ourselves that its touch and feel were close to perfect, and that we want something very similar for ours. Two options seem to be available: one, working with the same supplier; two, using off-the-shelf Apple keyboards as sacrificial components.

Once we figure all this out, the last question will be which keyboard we build first.