This edition of the AgNerd Giveaway is a BrydgeAir keyboard and case for the iPad Air. I took it on the road to the National Biodiesel Conference to try it out. I used it in the airport, on the plane and as seen here, in my lap during the conference sessions. I left my Macbook Pro in the media room and only had to carry my iPad to the session to use for tweeting, etc.

Before we get into more on this giveaway product let me announce that Chris was the winner of our last AgNerd Giveaway, a QiPack wireless gadget charger. Way to go Chris!

Okay. Back to keyboards. The Brydge keyboard for iPad is a really solid piece of hardware (single piece of aluminum). By having built in clips to hold the device it allows you to open, close and adjust the screen angle so you feel much more like you’re using a small laptop than with other keyboards I’ve tried. The keyboard felt great. Other keyboards I’ve used work okay but either the keyboards are too small for my fingers or it just feels frail. Not this one. And the keys are backlit! That’s a “have to have” in a dark room.

It took me a minute or two to realize that it has built in speakers that have their own bluetooth connection to my iPad. Other than that it’s simple to set up and operate. I’m not sure how long the battery in it will last since I’ve only charged it once and the keyboard hasn’t need re-charging yet! Their website says up to 3 months. The speakers are louder than your iPad but the quality doesn’t quite match.

I think this device with the handy leather zip sleeve gives someone who only wants to travel with their iPad a great option. I will take a keyboard if I know I’m only going to use my iPad or need to use it when I don’t want to get my Macbook Pro out. Otherwise I like to use my iPad more for reading so I am often switching cases. This is simple so it doesn’t bother me.

So, I’m giving away this great device. Just let me know in comments here or on Twitter or Facebook if you’re interested and we’ll pick a winner by end of day this Friday. I can only ship free in the U.S. btw.