Clicks Technology Revives Physical Keyboards in Mobile Devices for Enhanced User Experience
Many remember their first BlackBerry fondly, which represented not just functionality but also a status symbol—combining a touchscreen with a miniature QWERTY keyboard. However, the advent of elongated, touchscreen-only smartphones, notably the iPhone, swiftly relegated BlackBerrys to the past. Yet, the adage "what's old is new again" holds true across various industries, including tech.
Clicks Technology, a U.K.-based company populated by former BlackBerry team members, is capitalizing on this sentiment. Initially emerging with a keyboard case, Clicks is set to launch two significant devices this year: the Clicks Power Keyboard, now shipping, and the eagerly awaited Clicks Communicator, which is slated for release in December.
Jeff Gadway, co-founder of Clicks and former marketing director at BlackBerry, encapsulated the company's mission in an interview: "Something was thrown out with the bathwater when we moved to modern smartphones." The intent is to rejuvenate the mobile market with a fresh mix of nostalgia and practicality.
Clicking Back to the Future
Clicks made its debut with its first keyboard case for iPhone back in 2024, soon branching out to compatible Android devices. The enthusiasm was palpable; Gadway described that period as "like catching lightning in a bottle." Interestingly, it wasn't just business executives with a fondness for nostalgia who were drawn in; younger digital natives, accustomed only to touchscreens, found an unexpected attraction to this retro approach, akin to the current resurgence of vinyl records and wired headphones.
The evolution of Clicks includes the newly launched Power Keyboard—a MagSafe-compatible accessory that provides the benefit of a keyboard without the constraints of a specific device shape. Instead of needing unique cases for different phone models, this accessory magnetically attaches to any MagSafe-enabled device or case and doubles as a power bank with a retractable keyboard.
A Universal Solution for Input
The Power Keyboard addresses a significant limitation experienced with the original Clicks keyboard case, removing the dependency on specially fitted cases. It serves multiple purposes: not only is it a keyboard for smartphones, but it can also be employed with tablets or as a compact Bluetooth keyboard for smart TVs. This versatility makes it appealing to students, professionals, and creatives seeking productivity beyond a traditional laptop set-up.
Clicks Communicator: Focused on Communication
Going further, the Clicks Communicator redefines the essence of a mobile phone, emphasizing real communication over mere consumption of content. Gadway pointed out the trend in modern devices prioritizing larger screens and powerful cameras, but the Communicator aims to refocus the user experience on fundamental communication functionalities.
There are two main usages for the Communicator: as a secondary device tethered to a primary phone, suitable for business users who require separation between work and private communications, and as a primary phone itself. Customers have expressed a desire for a mobile device that steers clear of the distractions inherent in typical smartphones, which often lead to endless browsing and gaming.
Equipped with Android 17, the Communicator features a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor, a 50MP main camera, and a 24MP front camera, alongside legacy features that modern phones often omit—like a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card support for storage expansion. Its design merges a touchscreen with a physical keyboard, a layout intended to keep users engaged in communication without the temptations of excessive digital distractions. It cultivates a different mindset toward mobile use—encouraging interaction rather than passive consumption.
Additional functionality includes a signal light allowing users to customize alerts for various contacts, helping filter distractions even further. Clicks is working on a tailored Android launcher in collaboration with Niagara, which aims to curate messages from favored apps prominently on the home screen. This interface would leverage the device’s unique keyboard capability to offer a more practical interaction with notifications, facilitating efficient messaging without diving into distracting apps.
A Return to Practicality
Today's smartphones perform a myriad of tasks, yet they also overlook vital aspects of mobile interaction that many users—both nostalgic and new—long for. There's a palpable joy in tactile feedback, something Gadway acknowledges as a missing ingredient in contemporary mobile design. Interestingly, approximately 40-45% of those who purchased the original Clicks keyboard case had no prior experience with BlackBerry, highlighting a desire for a more intentional connection with technology—an experience that encourages users to reclaim their attention and engage more deliberately.
“Touchscreen smartphones are amazing,” Gadway remarks. “They do so many things. And yet they lack some of that tactility and the ability to accomplish certain tasks directly from your phone rather than needing to wait for your desk.”
Clicks Technology's latest offerings illustrate that physical keyboards are not merely a nod to nostalgia. Instead, they are drawing in a broader audience, even among the younger generations who seek a more tangible and purposeful interaction with their devices. In a world where touchscreens are ubiquitous, the experience Clicks provides invites a balance between the familiar comforts of yesteryear and the demands of modern mobile life.
