A protective shell, often incorporating a physical typing interface, designed for portable computing devices running a specific mobile operating system. These accessories provide both physical safeguarding for the device and enhanced text input capabilities. One example is a folio-style enclosure that magnetically attaches to a slate computer and includes a detachable QWERTY keyboard.
These enclosures offer increased productivity by allowing for faster and more accurate typing compared to on-screen virtual keyboards. They improve the user experience for tasks involving substantial text creation, such as document editing or email composition. Historically, these accessories have evolved from simple protective covers to sophisticated input devices that leverage Bluetooth or direct connection for seamless integration with the operating system.