Is the SP3 Type Cover a Bluetooth keyboard?

[phositadc]

How does the SP3 Type Cover actually communicate with the SP3? Is it via Bluetooth?

The pen requires Bluetooth, correct?

So even if the keyboard is not Bluetooth, people generally leave Bluetooth permanently enabled on an SP3, I assume?

 

[Liam2349]

It sends data though the magnetic connection to the Surface, it's not bluetooth.

 

[hughlle]

As above. For all intents and purposes just consider it a usb keyboard.

And as you say, bluetooth just gets left enabled by most as it's rather key in the whole pen experience. I've no idea on what implications it has on battery though. I'm the user who only turns bluetooth on when it's needed, never, so this will be a new one for me.

 

[bluegrass]

The Microsoft SP3 type cover keyboard is a wired keyboard, directly connected to the SP3 & not a Bluetooth as the new SP3 pen is. You need to pair the pen and keep the Bluetooth enabled if you plan to use the pen.

 

[GreyFox7]

The Microsoft SP3 type cover keyboard is a wired keyboard, directly connected to the SP3 & not a Bluetooth as the new SP3 pen is. You need to pair the pen and keep the Bluetooth enabled if you plan to use the pen.

I have Bluetooth disabled and my pen works.

 

[GreyFox7]

The keyboard is USB through that custom connector

 

[phositadc]

Cool, thanks for all the replies. Didn't even realize the magnet connectors could serve as a connectivity medium. Pretty cool.

 

[hughlle]

They don't Just like the power cable, the magnets simply pull the connectors into the correct place. There are still metal contacts that must meet up.

And the pen does work without bluetooth, but not the click top. Maybe not a deal breaker, but a very handy feature i'd rather not lose.

 

[GreyFox7]

Cool, thanks for all the replies. Didn't even realize the magnet connectors could serve as a connectivity medium. Pretty cool.

Those gold pins are the connection the magnets are in the black bar on either side.

Get something metal that's magnetic and drag across the black strip... there are several magnets on each side of the connector. um... don't use your credit card

 

[ZorMi]

I have Bluetooth disabled and my pen works.

As I understood, Bluetooth is needed for the top button actions, powered by cell batteries. Other pen actions work using AAA (AAAA?) battery and do not need it.

 

[phositadc]

Ah, got it. Cool setup even so.