Mobile keyboard maker targets BlackBerry

U.K. start up is not mincing words as it claims to have a product that will kill the BlackBerry.

Clerkenwell, London-based Keasy has introduced an on-screen physical keyboard for smartphones. The company says that this new product, which is also called Keasy, stands to make Blackberry’s position in the smartphone market ever more fragile.

Keasy went onto say the physical keyboard and built in business security tools have kept BlackBerry relevant in the market place, while manufacturers such as Samsung and Apple have jumped aboard and can now be relied on to provide built in enterprise security solutions, like Knox, Safe and third party security software like Good For Enterprise. Keasy is targeting Blackberry users and the company said these users should now feel more comfortable with the switch to Android and iOS products.

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However, you probably will not the Waterloo, Ont.-based smartphone maker shaking in their boots just yet as Keasy is still raising funds on Kickstarter.

But the company is also developing a protective smartphone case and a built in keyboard. This keyboard slides away in the back of the case when not in use, and slides into position on the front for text entry.

Oscar M, that’s right he has a single letter for a last name is the founder of Keasy and he said smartphones have changed a lot, but their touch screen keyboards just aren’t adapted to our existing typing skills. Mr. M is actually Oscar Montes De Oca, a London-based entrepreneur, according to the Kickstarter Web site.

Currently, Keasy has 10 backers on Kickstarter who have raised a little over 2,000 Pounds Sterling.

“We’re familiar with using a physical keyboard on a computer, allowing us to touch-type. But on touch-screen smartphones that facility has all but disappeared. Until now.”

The development of the Keasy keyboard case started in May 2012, with a handful of home-made prototypes which lead to a proof of concept, made primarily from Sugru. With contacts in Taiwan, M was able to secure cooperation and advice from established mobile accessory manufacturer, Wiseways. Since then they have been working together to enhance the user experience with an affordable accessory.

Keasy plans to launch the product with a case for the Samsung Galaxy SIII smartphone. “The iPhone seems like the obvious choice, but iPhone seems to always get the newest products first. I love the flexibility of Android and wanted to give the Android community first crack. It’s only fair.”