If the iPad (3rd gen) has bluetooth 4.0, and I buy the apple wireles keyboard, will the iPad having bluetooth 4.0 actually make any difference?

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If the iPad (3rd gen) has bluetooth 4.0, and I buy the apple wireles keyboard, will the iPad having bluetooth 4.0 actually make any difference?

Whats the advantage of the iPad (3rd gen) having bluetooth 4.0?

Does the apple wireless keyboard have bluetooth 4.0? I know that if it doesn't then iPads bluetooth is backwards compatible so it will still work, but is it worth looking for a keyboard with bluetooth 4.0? (Bearing in mind I plan on using the keyboard with a MBP, which is due for an upgrade and i expect the new ones to have bluetooth 4.0)

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Mar 10, 2012 12:06 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 10, 2012 4:43 PM in response to joewalls123

Bluetooth 4.0 doesn't add anything relevant for keyboard use:

http://www.bluetooth.com/Pages/Bluetooth-Smart-Devices.aspx

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Answer 2

joewalls123 Author

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Mar 12, 2012 7:18 AM in response to Julian Wright

Thanks Julian, but i thought bluetooth 4.0 is meant to have a huge (positive) effect on battery life, therefore if Apple were to bring out a bluetooth 4.0 keyboard (or i find one elsewear) then would this increase the battery life on both the keyboard and the connected device (iPad or MBP)?

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Answer 3

drands

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Mar 12, 2012 9:23 AM in response to joewalls123

EXACTLY, Joewalls123.

Prompt answer from Julian - just not what we wanted to hear. I ordered the new iPad last week online, and the keyboard was one of very few suggestions for adding to order (so I did). Boo, Apple.

Guess it's going back to store un-opened.

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Answer 4

kpwww

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8 points

Mar 13, 2012 11:42 AM in response to joewalls123

Bluetooth 4.0 is supposed to have great benefits vis-a-vis battery life. I have been searching for a bluetooth 4.0 keyboard (not just one that's 2.0 that is backwards compatible), but to no avail. Adonit says that theirs will transition to bluetooth 4.0. I might just wait it out until theirs is ready for sale.

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Answer 5

drands

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4 points

Mar 13, 2012 12:14 PM in response to kpwww

Thx kpw.

I too have been looking for BT version (to no avail...). Wait is same reasoning I have, too. I haven't used a keyboard for the 2 yrs with my iPad 1 (of course, no BT), so I can wait a little longer for the convenience and efficiency of my "Bluetooth Smart Ready" new iPad and a future "Bluetooth Smart" keyboard

Have a great day!

/Dave

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Answer 6

kpwww

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Mar 13, 2012 12:27 PM in response to drands

Well, if you find one, let me know LOL 🙂

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Answer 7

joewalls123 Author

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25 points

Mar 13, 2012 1:04 PM in response to drands

drands, just because the keyboard doesn't have Bluetooth 4.0 (we think. Apple doesn't actually state what version it uses) doesn't necessarily mean you should send it back, the Apple wireless keyboard combined with the iPad will still have great batter life, if you need/want to use a keyboard with your iPad its still a great combo.

I was simply trying to figure out if BT 4.0 would improve battery life on the keyboard and my iPad/MBP, as battery life can be a huge issue to me sometimes.

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Answer 8

kpwww

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8 points

Mar 13, 2012 1:20 PM in response to joewalls123

From what I have read, having 4.0 will hugely increase battery life on both devices (the iPad and the keyboard). I called Apple today and they said that their keyboard is 2.0 and is "compatible" with 4.0. This pretty much wastes the 4.0 capability. I have a battery life issue as well, so it's important to me to have 4.0. It's one big reason I waited for the iPad 3...in hopes of 4.0. 🙂 (That and Retina Display, of course!)

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Answer 9

joewalls123 Author

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25 points

Mar 13, 2012 1:29 PM in response to kpwww

kpwww that is exactly my situation BT4.0 was a huge benefit to me getting the iPad[3] (and the retina display as you stated) but finding a good BT keyboard (with a mac layout) is hard enough as it is, so I might have to abandon my hope, bite the bullet and buy the current version, I'm not really sure I can wait much longer for Apple to update the keyboard to 4.0, which will probably come when the iMac gets 4.0.

Although the iMac is due for an update, I think Apple may wait until the summer and update it with Mountain Lion, and I can't wait until then to buy a keyboard.

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Answer 10

drands

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4 points

Mar 13, 2012 3:20 PM in response to joewalls123

Hey JoeW,

I'm sure it's a good combo, but I don't really NEED it, and I can't see spending $80 w/tax when a BT4 Smart version will surely be same or similar price - and worth a wait for me. Although I had an Apple computer before PC's existed (~ 1976 Apple II), I don't currently use a Mac - so other brand keyboards may also be an option - after a wait :-)

/D

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