It so often happens when you’re on the go that you want to type out a long message, or jot down an idea, or even wax poetical, but you can’t be bothered tapping it out on your phone. It looks like Microsoft has just come up with a pretty decent solution for such an everyday problem: The Universal Foldable Keyboard.

The lightweight (7.1ounces) keyboard measures close to 12 by 5 inches when open, and 6 by 5 inches – almost one centimeter in thickness – when closed. That’s only a little bigger than a passport, or a very stiff handkerchief! It will work on just about any device with Bluetooth, and can also be paired with more than one device making it easy to switch between, say, your iPad and Windows Phone. When it’s in your bag you can rely on it not opening as the two parts are secured by a magnet. It’s also built to last, so if you’re taking it out on a night on town the spill-resistant design might save you regretting you paid the $99.95 for its purchase.

The keyboard doesn’t have all of the usual function keys, just like the Microsoft universal non-foldable keyboard  released last year. It’s reported that the battery will last three months on one charge (it’s chargeable via USB).  but as reviewers have already said across much of the media after testing the keyboard at Mobile World Congress on Sunday, we might be looking at a very useable gadget that just about anyone could appreciate.

This is another step in the right direction from the company promising to make its products ubiquitous. Microsoft has said the keyboard will be available in July this year.

Photo credit: Microsoft