For years my wife rebuffed my iPhone advances with the insurmountable “I like a physical keyboard” response. Only recently when her HTC EVO Shift stopped functioning did she face the truth that the only physical keyboard being produced was on Blackberry devices, and she had left those years before for Android. She has since settled on a HTC EVO 4G LTE and is (slowly) accepting the virtual keyboard.

She must not be alone in her frustration. Earlier this month an innovative solution was announced for anyone who yearns for a physical keyboard. SoloMatrix debuted the Spike1 and Spike2; both incorporate a simple idea that provides iPhone 4 and 4S users with the tactile feedback and precision input that is missing from the virtual keyboard on glass screens. Moving far past other remote keyboards, both versions require no plugging-in, Bluetooth or external power source. These keyboards are “power-neutral”. Utilizing a patented concept to transfer the keystrokes on the physical keyboard to the virtual keyboard on the iPhone screen, the Spike cases make a great answer to a long-standing question.

A real keyboard has been on the wish list of many users ever since the iPhone was announced. Unlike anything available until now, we wanted to design a suite of products that complement the iPhone’s impeccable quality and elegant form factor, provide full-screen operation when not being used, and above all, offer the user easier, error-free typing under virtually all conditions – even when wearing gloves. Cody Solomon, founder of SoloMatrix 

The only difference between the Spike1 and Spike2 models is the method of moving the physical keyboard away from the iPhone screen. The bottom portion of the Spike1 case (the part with the keyboard) is meant to be manually turned around to allow full-screen use. The keyboard is hinged to give quick access to the entire screen when typing, but it is not a full-time solution. Spike2 is a premium model that uses an asymmetrical 360° hinge that allows the physical keyboard to be quickly flipped to the back and stowed for full access to the iPhone.

Both Spike1 and Spike2 are scheduled to start their attack on the virtual keyboard in fall of 2012 and are expected to cost $35 and $55 respectively. The KickStarter campaign for the Spike series will end on August 11, 2012 and comes with all the expected opportunities for pre-production pricing. A Spike1 in black could be yours for a pledge of only $20. A direct link to the campaign is here.

For the true devotee of the physical keyboard, there is a limited edition Spike3 unit for KickStarter backers who pledge $150. It’s similar in design to Spike2, but milled on a CNC machine from aerospace grade aluminum and anodized in at least two great colors, Neutron Gray and KickStarter Green (with other colors anticipated). The guys at SoloMatrix will even custom engrave up to 30 letters on the back of each limited edition Spike3.

Of course, we asked about the expected change in form-factor for Apple’s iPhone 5. We were told that we could expect a next-generation, iPhone 5 ready Spike to take approximately 4 months to manufacture. Backers of the KickStarter campaign will be able to purchase an equivalent iPhone 5 version of Spike1 and Spike2 for today’s KickStarter prices at the time they become available. Since that conversation, two “future proof” reward options have been added that give you both the iPhone 4 and 5 versions of the Spike keyboards when they are released.

Need one? Want to know more? You can visit the SoloMatrix website at www.solomatrixinc.com.

And my wife? She wants to wait and see, but I think she is starting to like her virtual keyboard.