Ryan Seacrest Creates Keyboard for iPhones

Ryan Seacrest Creates Keyboard for iPhones

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest got frustrated making too many typos on his iPhone so he created a keyboard for the iconic device. He unveiled the “Typo” bluetooth keyboard here at the Consumer Electronics Show a year ago, and now he has three sequels: a $99 Typo2 for the iPhone 6, and two new $179 tablet Typo models, for the iPad Mini and iPad Air. All snap over the device and allow for instant typing.

We met up with Seacrest here in a hotel ballroom at CES for a TalkingTech session on his keyboards for iPhones and iPads, his battles with Blackberry and why he’s addicted to texting.

TYPO

With his Typo2 on an iPhone 6, “I am holding my office. This is how I work. For someone who is a heavy user of a mobile device, this is essential. It improves velocity and efficiency. I can’t live without out it now.” He came out with iPad models, because “if you sit on a plane, or attend a meeting, this is what people break out. We wanted to do a full keyboard for the tablet.” The new Typo2 has larger keys — since it fits on the larger iPhone 6 and a slightly redesigned keyboard. They are available at typokeyboards.com.
Typo2 keyboard for iPhone 6

(Photo: Typo)

THE COMPANY

He and partner Laurence Hallier started Typo Innovations when Seacrest complained about all the e-mails he’d send with misspelled words. “I would send words I didn’t know were in my vocabulary. This has allowed me to do better at my writing and sending skills for what I meant to say.” Blackberry responded to the Typo by saying the small keyboard was a clone, and issued a lawsuit. Seacrest can’t comment on the suit, but says, “That is an old issue. This is a new keyboard with a new design.”

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KEEPING UP WITH THE INFO FLOW

As the host of a 4-hour morning radio show, producer of several hit TV series, (including E’s Keeping up with the Kardashians), hosting Idol and now having his own clothing line, how does Seacrest keep up with all the e-mails and texts? “There’s a lot of it. I like speed. I like to respond to people quickly. I respond during commercial breaks during the show. That’s the world we live in. People know you’re available and they expect a response from you.”

TEXTING

When Idol debuted 14 years ago, Seacrest had to explain the new concept of sending a text to vote for contestants.

“I remember the first episode when they explained to me how I would explain the texting concept. We hadn’t done it at all, and now it’s all we do.

I’m surprised at how addicted I became, knowing that I didn’t understand it when we introduced it on the show 14 years ago.” Texting is “quick and simple, you can get your message across, i still believe in dialogue, but i like the convenience of it. we’re a convenience generation.”

APPS

Seacrest’s pal Kim Kardashian had one of the most popular apps of the year. Is there a Ryan Seacrest app in his future? “Kim has done very well with her game. I’m trying to figure out what my game would be. I don’t think I could surpass what she did.”