Microsoft Possibly Working on 'Touch Cover' Smart Keyboard For iPad - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Microsoft Possibly Working on 'Touch Cover' Smart Keyboard For iPad

by

Microsoft appears to be working on a Touch Cover smart keyboard for at least one iPad model, according to battery information for products containing lithium-ion batteries shared on its website earlier this year.

surface rt

Microsoft's Surface RT with Touch Cover

The documents were published in April, but they were only discovered now by German blog WinFuture, which tipped its information to The Verge. The product is clearly listed: iPad Touch Cover (Model 1719).

Microsoft previously sold Touch Covers for its Surface tablets that doubled as pressure-sensitive keyboards and protective covers.

microsoft ipad touch cover
Those covers magnetically click into place and provide protection for the Surface's touchscreen. They have a standard keyboard layout, shortcut keys, and a two-button touchpad that supports gestures.

It's unknown if the iPad version would be similar. All that's known is that it presumably has a lithium-ion battery, suggesting it could connect over Bluetooth. It could also work with an iPad Pro's Smart Connector, but that seems less likely.

Of course, Microsoft could have scrapped plans to release an iPad keyboard between April and now, or perhaps even earlier. For now, the single document is all we have to go on. We'll provide an update if that changes.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

sracer Avatar
120 months ago
But Why? Lost the confidence of their own product?
No, not at all. It's simply a matter of extending their reach and influence. Microsoft makes MS Office available for Mac OS. It's not because they "lost confidence" in Windows, but because it helps them reach people who they otherwise wouldn't reach.

It'll be interesting to see what MS does with the TouchCover for iPad. First, because there is no support for pointing devices (does Microsoft know something that we don't? ;)) and Secondly, because there is no integrated kickstand on the iPad, the TouchCover will need a redesign to support the iPad.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
120 months ago
I've heard good things about their keyboards. Unfortunately, due to iOS's lack of mouse support, the trackpad probably won't carry over. I really wish they would've added that to iOS 11. It's very awkward to keep reaching up to the screen when using the iPad with a keyboard.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
120 months ago
It's a shame it (presumably) won't use the smart connecter there is no battery bulk. That would make sense for a touch cover.
And allowing the Apple smart keyboard using the smart connector with iPad, it doesn't require any batteries inside the keyboard, which makes the keyboard thinner and lighter.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rowspaxe Avatar
120 months ago
It'll be interesting to see what MS does with the TouchCover for iPad. First, because there is no support for pointing devices (does Microsoft know something that we don't? ;)) and Secondly, because there is no integrated kickstand on the iPad, the TouchCover will need a redesign to support the iPad.
Doesn't it seem strange no one has developed an attachable ipad kickstand cover. Even a good plastic implementation would be far better than the smartcover fabric souffle
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
120 months ago
And allowing the Apple smart keyboard using the smart connector with iPad, it doesn't require any batteries inside the keyboard, which makes the keyboard thinner and lighter.
Yeah that’s why it would make sense for the touch cover, one advantage was it’s thinness. It’s a shame because I would like to see some genuine alternatives to Apple Smart Keyboard (i.e. keyboard without battery bulk and Bluetooth connections).
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sracer Avatar
120 months ago
I haven't used Apple's iPad keyboard, but I have used a few different Surface keyboards, including the expensive versions. If they actually do work better than Apple's, then Apple should be ashamed since - the Surface keyboards seemed universally horrible.
"better" is subjective. I have owned TypeCovers, TouchCovers, and still own and use the ASK. I've had no problems at all with the keyboard portions of the Type and Touch Covers, but the trackpads were worse than useless.

I think that the TouchCover concept is nice in that it provides a similar experience as typing on the screen itself without taking up screen real estate. A TouchCover would be no thicker than a regular smart cover but offer the ability to have off-screen typing.

Before owning the 12.9 iPad Pro w/ASK, Microsoft's TypeCover was my favorite keyboard for any device. It was that good. (again, the touchpad is a different story)

But the Apple Smart Keyboard has replaced the TypeCover as my all-time favorite keyboard. It's terrific. It would be better if it didn't need additional material to form a kickstand and if it had a touchpad, but those are physical limitations of the iPad itself and iOS.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

ipad peach

Apple Code Confirms iPad 12 Specs: A19, 8GB RAM, N1, C1X Modem

Friday September 25, 2026 10:12 am PDT by
The next low-cost iPad will be equipped with an A19 chip, C1X modem, N1 networking chip, and 8GB RAM, according to details found in Apple's code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. We've heard some of these same specifications in prior rumors, so this is more of a confirmation than a new leak. The iPad 11 has an A16 chip, so the upgrade to the A19 in the 12th-generation iPad will bring a...
surface laptop ultra

Microsoft Launches $2,599 Surface Laptop Ultra to Take on MacBook Pro

Wednesday October 7, 2026 5:45 pm PDT by
Microsoft today announced launch timing and pricing for the Surface Laptop Ultra that it unveiled earlier this year. The 15-inch Surface Laptop Ultra is priced starting at $2,599, undercutting Apple's $2,999 16-inch MacBook Pro, and it targets the same creator and developer market. Microsoft says it is built for "demanding creative, software development, AI, engineering, and 3D workloads." ...
ipad 10th gen blue

iPad Could Get Significantly Thinner Bezels, Leaker Says

Monday October 5, 2026 8:39 am PDT by
The iPad is set to gain significantly narrower borders around its display, according to the leaker known as "Instant Digital" on Weibo. The post gives no model or timeline; it could refer to the entry-level iPad or to Apple's tablet lineup in general. Refreshes of the entry-level iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro are in the pipeline. The next iPad mini is already rumored to gain OLED and ...
Latest Stories
iPhone Duo Demand Reportedly Exceeds Apple's Expectations
iPhone Duo Demand Reportedly Exceeds Apple's Expectations
2 hours ago
iPhone Duo Launch Begins as First Orders Reach Customers
iPhone Duo Launch Begins as First Orders Reach Customers
8 hours ago
1Password for Agents Keeps Your Passwords Hidden From AI
1Password for Agents Keeps Your Passwords Hidden From AI
9 hours ago
iPhone Duo 24 Hours Later: Your Questions Answered
iPhone Duo 24 Hours Later: Your Questions Answered
10 hours ago
Apple's iWork Apps Get 'Intelligent Assistant' and iPhone Duo Support
Apple's iWork Apps Get 'Intelligent Assistant' and iPhone Duo Support
11 hours ago
Apple is Apparently Considering a Slightly Larger iPhone Duo
Apple is Apparently Considering a Slightly Larger iPhone Duo
11 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Displays Coming to Four Apple Stores
Giant iPhone Duo Displays Coming to Four Apple Stores
12 hours ago
Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]
Apple Pulls Keynote, Pages and Numbers From App Store [Update: Back]
13 hours ago
Apple Updates More Apps With iPhone Duo Support
Apple Updates More Apps With iPhone Duo Support
13 hours ago
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
16 hours ago
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
17 hours ago
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
17 hours ago
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
18 hours ago
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
19 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
20 hours ago
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
20 hours ago
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
1 day ago
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
1 day ago
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
1 day ago
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
1 day ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
1 day ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
1 day ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
1 day ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
1 day ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
1 day ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
1 day ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
1 day ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
2 days ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
2 days ago