Touchscreens, you can love them and hate them at the same time. Over the years they have gotten a little better, a little more accurate, but there is always a space in this old traditionalist’s heart for a real keyboard. There is no shortage of portable keyboards on the market and they all do what they are designed to do: transform your keystrokes into text on the screen. Most of them look ugly, but they get the job done.

Meet the Levitatr, it’s good looking and functional:

Measuring in at only 9.8mm thick, Levitatr™ is an aluminum Bluetooth keyboard accessory for iPads, iPhones, iPods and other devices. When ready to be used, the keys elevate out of the face of the keyboard and backlighting turns on to illuminate the key lettering. When not in use, the keys can be lowered back into the face of the keyboard and backlighting turns off, making the key lettering disappear. Built into Levitatr is an aluminum precision-machined kickstand (aka ALUMNM™) that folds out and holds virtually every mobile device between a 20 and 30° angle (depending on device thickness).

The levitating keys are there for more than just looks. They cut down on accidental keystrokes and keep dust from getting between the keys.

If you want one, head over to Kickstarter and make a pledge. This is an ambitious project with some pretty big overheads but, at the time of writing, designer James Stumpf has already pulled in nearly $47,000 of the $60,000 target and there are 27 days to go… so it looks like it will happen.

Compatibility:

Apple iPad
• Apple iPad 2
• Apple iPhone 3GS
• Apple iPhone 4
• Apple iPod Touch
• Apple Mac Mini
• HP TouchPad
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1″
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 7″
• Other devices will be confirmed as real world testing is performed.

Price: $79 gets you a keyboard, a bigger pledge will get you a special edition.