LG announced its new Rolly keyboard on August 27, Thursday, a flexible accessory that rolls up into a thin stick that can fit into small bags and big pockets. The foldable input device is powered by one AAA battery, supports Bluetooth wireless Internet, and sturdy arms to hold a mobile phone or tablet.
A key benefit of the Rolly keyboard is that it substitutes smartphone touchscreens with a physical keyboard, according to The Hullaballoo. It basically recreates the laptop typing experience.
LG has not announced how long the new device is. However, based on pictures it is around 10 inches (25 cm) long, so it could fit into many bags and pockets.
The company has reported that the keys have a 17-mm pitch (compared to PCs' 18-mm) to simulate a traditional keyboard. It only has four rows, so users must press a function key to use the number keys, according to Hot Hardware.
The foldable keyboard also contains Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) plastic and impact-resistant polycarbonate. That differs from current roll-up keyboards made of silicon, according to The Hullaballoo.
LG's new input device is also equipped with Bluetooth technology. It includes a feature that toggles between two mobile devices with the press of a button.
Seo Young-jae is the vice president of Innovative Personal Devices at LG. He said that the new product is one of several high-end input devices the company will be introducing during the next months.
LG will reveal more details about the Rolly Keyboard at the IFA 2015 next month in Germany. It is also scheduled to launch in the United States in September.