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LG's Rolly Keyboard folds up from flat to compact

LG is building anticipation for the upcoming IFA trade show, unveiling a Bluetooth keyboard that rolls up along four rows of keys to become a super-compact stick that slides into your bag.

Claire Reilly Former Principal Video Producer
Claire Reilly was a video host, journalist and producer covering all things space, futurism, science and culture. Whether she's covering breaking news, explaining complex science topics or exploring the weirder sides of tech culture, Claire gets to the heart of why technology matters to everyone. She's been a regular commentator on broadcast news, and in her spare time, she's a cabaret enthusiast, Simpsons aficionado and closet country music lover. She originally hails from Sydney but now calls San Francisco home.
Expertise Space, Futurism, Science and Sci-Tech, Robotics, Tech Culture Credentials
  • Webby Award Winner (Best Video Host, 2021), Webby Nominee (Podcasts, 2021), Gold Telly (Documentary Series, 2021), Silver Telly (Video Writing, 2021), W3 Award (Best Host, 2020), Australian IT Journalism Awards (Best Journalist, Best News Journalist 2017)
Claire Reilly
2 min read

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The LG Rolly Keyboard rolls up into a compact stick. LG

LG is targeting tech users that are tight on space, announcing a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard for tablets and mobile devices that rolls up into a compact stick when it's not in use.

The Korean tech giant unveiled the Rolly Keyboard ahead of its appearance at Germany's biggest tech show, IFA, which kicks off in Berlin on September 4. Geared towards the growing mobile accessories market, LG is billing the Rolly as the first solid rollable wireless portable keyboard.

While LG is a well-known name in home entertainment and appliances, the company has been making a stronger play in the mobile space in recent years, expanding its line-up of tablets, smartphones and wearables in a bid to take on competitors including Korean rival Samsung.

LG has also been far from quiet in the lead-up to IFA, announcing the new G Pad II 10.1. tablet on Monday as a teaser before the trade show officially opens its doors, alongside hints of a new developments in its growing line of Android Wear wearables . With the Rolly Keyboard, the company is hoping to get even more LG-branded tech into the bags and briefcases of tech lovers the world over.

Made from "impact-resistant" polycarbonate and plastic, the Rolly unfolds along four rows of keys, with two arms that fold out from the top edge to support a smartphone or tablet. The keyboard is Bluetooth 3.0 enabled with a single AAA battery providing power for up to 3 months of use, and auto-pairing enabled as soon as it is unrolled from its compact rod shape.

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LG says the Rolly's 17mm key pitch is close to that of a normal keyboard. LG

When it comes to mobile accessories, LG says the Rolly is just the start.

"LG Rolly Keyboard is just one of the many premium input devices we'll be unveiling in the coming months as we expand our accessories offerings," said Seo Young-jae, vice president in charge of Innovative Personal Devices at LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company.

"The goal was to create a product that could add more value to LG smartphones and tablets at the same time offering a unique design proposition that hadn't been explored before."

The keyboard will be available in the United States in September followed by "key markets in Europe, Latin America and Asia" by the end of the year. Local pricing and availability is expected closer to launch.