RECREATED BLUETOOTH ZX SPECTRUM

No software as promised - their whole site is down

It's just a bluetooth keyboard with odd key mappings. The original company (Elite) has pulled all the apps for it so it doesn't actually work with the iPad or Android devices as stated.The looks are very authentic and the keyboard feel is fantastic, however. Too bad it's not actually a computer.

It's just a bluetooth keyboard with odd key mappings. The original company (Elite) has pulled all the apps for it so it doesn't actually work with the iPad or Android devices as stated.The looks are very authentic and the keyboard feel is fantastic, however. Too bad it's not actually a computer.

Well this is a strange thing, firstly it looks amazing, they have rebuilt the old 48k rubber keys speccy perfectly. And for what I bought it for I am very happy, but to be warned, if you don't know what you are getting this is basically just a bluetooth keyboard in a lovely spectrum shell. And because of the spectrum keys you won't want to be using this as your main keyboard, especially as there will be missing keys compared to your usual one.However I bought this to take apart and pop in a raspberry pi running a spectrum emulator, there is a huge amount of unused space in the body. You can plug the keyboard straight in, drill a hole for the HMDI out, and if you want, put in a rechargeable battery to power the pi and keyboard and use it as a portable. For this it is amazing and you end up with a lovely, powerful, emulated spectrum.

As a Spectrum lover (still owning 2) I was excited at the idea of a resurrection but I never quite understood why they didn't make a real Spectrum with all the modern pros (hdmi, usb, microsd, wireless) without the original cons (analog tapes, loading times, blurry video, wires).As a bluetooth keyboard first I could not even insert Duracell rechargable batteries purchased on purpose (that couldn't fit!) and was forced to use normal ones and once used with official app some games worked and some not. Using with emulators (UPS on Android and Spectaculator on Windows) I could use it almost as a real Spectrum but even here not everything worked. Keys seem to react worse than an original Speccy and as a normal bluetooth keyboard it is a real pain. I think I would purchase it again because of the uncanny similar look to the real thing and because it's what most resembles a 'modern' Spectrum (I guess that's what really sold this keyboard) but for retro nostalgia and due to the expensive price I think it's better a real spectrum that performs surely better or an emulator with fully responsive modern keyboard.Nobody would buy this as a normal bluetooth keyboard it was a nonsense making this also for this purpose, they had to make a REAL Spectrum instead, they had sold more with more satisfaction from Speccy lovers even with a more expensive tag price.This way it's not a real Spectrum, it's not a bluetooth keyboard, all in all it's more a missed opportunity.

Thankfully my keyboard was supplied UNLOCKED on 19th August 2016.I had issues getting batteries in and out due to moulding issues on my unit.PROSLooks like a ZX SpectrumFeels like the original keyboardWorks as a Bluetooth keyboard for basic typingCONSDoes not work in emulatorsCannot press CAPS SHIFT and SYMBOL SHIFT to get Extended Mode as those two keys are now reserved for switching keyboard styles (PC/iOS/Android)If you install the original software it doesn't work eitherCONCLUSIONSBuy this because it looks good, don't buy it to use it as a keyboard, your wasting your time. Real missed opportunity. Hardware is good but software lets it down badly, software as in firmware in keyboard, apps and emulator compatibility.LOCKED?If your keyboard is locked, all is not lost!You can unlock them but you will need to side load the apk file on Android, android only I'm afraid. You need to search for com.elite.zxec_11.apkInstall that, be careful, fully virus check it before running it.It's not easy, but it is possible.Alternatively, speak very nicely to the people at Accuratus who manufactured them for Elite, they can, at their option, replace it with an unlocked one. Google them. Very nice people, thankfully I didn't need that option.

URGENT - Just brought and all apps are currently withdrawn - disgraceful!

Been sold a 'Brick' the apps dont exist!!!!