Key Facts
- ✓ Clicks announced the Power Keyboard and the Communicator phone at CES 2026.
- ✓ The Power Keyboard is priced at $79 and features a sliding mechanism and battery bank capabilities.
- ✓ The Clicks Communicator is a $399 Android phone with a physical keyboard and a 4-inch touchscreen.
- ✓ Co-founder Jeff Gadway identified corporate users, small business owners, travelers, and digital minimalists as target demographics.
Quick Summary
At CES 2026, Clicks announced two new hardware products, expanding beyond their original keyboard cases. The first is the Power Keyboard, a $79 magnetic accessory that attaches to phones via Qi2. It features a sliding mechanism to reveal a keyboard and doubles as a battery bank with smart power management.
The second device is the Clicks Communicator, a $399 small Android phone with a physical keyboard. Co-founder Jeff Gadway explained that the Communicator targets specific user groups rather than general consumers. These groups include corporate users, small business owners, travelers, and digital minimalists. The device runs a custom implementation of the Niagara Android launcher, optimized for messaging and quick triaging of information.
The Magnetic Power Keyboard
Clicks introduced the Power Keyboard as a significant upgrade to their original keyboard case. Priced at $79, the device magnetically attaches to any phone supporting Qi2 and connects via Bluetooth. It features a dedicated number row, an improvement over previous models.
The standout feature is its old-school slider form factor. When closed, the device sits on the back of a phone like a thick battery pack. It slides up to reveal the keyboard, reminiscent of older smartphones like the Palm Pre or BlackBerry Torch.
The Power Keyboard also functions as a battery bank. While the battery isn't large enough to fully recharge a modern smartphone, it provides power in a pinch. Users can configure power usage in three ways:
- Charge the phone until the battery is depleted.
- Reserve all battery for the keyboard, allowing it to last weeks without a charge.
- Set a threshold (e.g., 20%) where the device stops charging the phone to save power for the keyboard.
Regarding the typing experience, the keyboard is small and requires a learning curve. However, it allows for an unobstructed screen view while typing.
"You've got people who are mandated to carry a second device for corporate deploy. Then you've got people who are small business owners and want to have a separate phone for their small business. In markets like Europe, there's a requirement for employers to give people the option to have a separate device and create more separation. You've got travelers who want a second SIM, and then you've got this growing cohort of digital detox, digital minimalism, digital well-being people."
— Jeff Gadway, Clicks Co-founder
Targeting the Multi-Device User 📱
The Clicks Communicator is a small, squat mobile phone with a keyboard. Without a working prototype available, Jeff Gadway outlined the specific demographic the company is targeting. The company conducted research to identify a market for a secondary device.
Gadway identified several key segments for the Communicator:
- Employees mandated to carry a second device for corporate deployment.
- Small business owners wanting a separate phone for their business.
- Users in markets like Europe where employers must offer device separation options.
- Travelers requiring a second SIM card.
- Individuals focused on digital detox, minimalism, and well-being.
Gadway noted that while none of these segments are huge individually, their combination creates a "decent opportunity" for the product.
Hardware and Software Strategy
Clicks aims to make the Communicator distinct from standard smartphones like the iPhone or Pixel. Rather than duplicating a primary device, the goal is to create a complementary device that is better at specific tasks.
The hardware features a squarish 4-inch touchscreen and a physical keyboard. The keyboard itself is touch-sensitive and can be swiped to navigate the interface. The device runs a custom version of the Niagara Android launcher, which uses a list-based UI instead of a grid of apps. This implementation focuses on messaging apps and quickly triaging notifications.
Despite the custom interface, the Communicator is a full Android phone. Users can install any apps they choose, though the form factor is optimized for communication rather than media consumption. Gadway stated, "You can download whatever apps you want, but we've optimized it to be better at specific things."
Availability and Market Position
The Clicks Communicator is currently available for pre-order at $399. This price point places it in the same territory as devices like the Pixel 9a. The device is scheduled to launch in the second half of the year.
As a smaller hardware manufacturer, Clicks does not need to sell millions of units to be successful. The company focuses on offering alternatives for niche audiences, similar to their approach with keyboard accessories. The success of the Communicator will depend on whether the identified market segments find enough value in a dedicated secondary device.
"Our thought process was that complementary devices in tech are on the rise. You wear an Oura Ring and you wear a smart watch; you carry an e-reader for reading and a tablet for content consumption. So why shouldn't your second phone be better at certain things than your first phone instead of just being a straight duplicate?"
— Jeff Gadway, Clicks Co-founder
"You can download whatever apps you want, but we've optimized it to be better at specific things. So, you know, do you want to watch letterboxed TikTok videos on this? Probably not. You could, but it's not the thing you're going to reach for to do that. But we're not going to give you a product that restricts what you can do."
— Jeff Gadway, Clicks Co-founder
