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How do you type on your iPad?

M

mrochester

macrumors 603
Original poster
Feb 8, 2009
5,071
3,022
Hi all

In portrait mode my thumbs just about reach across the keyboard to allow me to type while holding the iPad In 2 hands. However, in landscape mode, this is naturally impossible. So how are you all typing in landscape mode? I'm finding I'm having to hold the device with my left hand and use the index finger on my right hand to hunt and peck each key. Has anyone got an easier and faster method?

Michael
 
I use both portrait and landscape, sometimes with one hand, sometimes with both hands, depending on the preference and need of the moment. Typing on the iPad is very flexible and very fast.
 
I usually don't even try to type one handed in landscape. I set the iPad down, or, even better - use the Apple iPad case to set it up at an angle. Then, I pretty much use my standard touch typing method, except I have to obviously keep all my fingers off the keys. It takes a little getting used to, but I'm getting there (on a physical keyboard, like most, I rest my fingers on the home keys).

If I'm holding the iPad in mid-air, I grasp it with both hands and just use my thumbs - like I would on the iPhone, only it's much easier with the larger keys. I have fairly large hands, so it's not too much of a stretch to reach all the keys with my thumbs.
 
gr8tfly said:
I usually don't even try to type one handed in landscape. I set the iPad down, or, even better - use the Apple iPad case to set it up at an angle. Then, I pretty much use my standard touch typing method, except I have to obviously keep all my fingers off the keys. It takes a little getting used to, but I'm getting there (on a physical keyboard, like most, I rest my fingers on the home keys).

If I'm holding the iPad in mid-air, I grasp it with both hands and just use my thumbs - like I would on the iPhone, only it's much easier with the larger keys. I have fairly large hands, so it's not too much of a stretch to reach all the keys with my thumbs.
Click to expand...

I use the iPad on the settee with my legs tucked under/over/wherever, so if I let go of the iPad to type with 2 hands it just slides down my legs into a totally unusable position.
 
Fyi i saw a typing application that splits the keyboard in half so your thumbs can reach the keys. I found it either in the applications forum or Appshopper website. Cant remember the name though. Hope this helps
 
Fingers, just like on a real keyboard. I think trying to type with your thumbs like it's a cell phone is silly.
 
M87 said:
Fingers, just like on a real keyboard. I think trying to type with your thumbs like it's a cell phone is silly.
Click to expand...

The problem I'm finding is you need to put the iPad on a flat surface to be able to do that, so when you're lounging around in anything other than normal sitting position, there is no flat surface available for this.
 
Poorly, just like in real life. The iPad is neither holding me back nor making me a better typist.
 
Two-thumbs in portrait, where I'm very proficient, and two-handed touch typing(like I do on my laptop), when in landscape.
 
I'm on the train with a beer in my left hand, and I'm typing with my right hand.
 
mrochester said:
Hi all

In portrait mode my thumbs just about reach across the keyboard to allow me to type while holding the iPad In 2 hands. However, in landscape mode, this is naturally impossible. So how are you all typing in landscape mode? I'm finding I'm having to hold the device with my left hand and use the index finger on my right hand to hunt and peck each key. Has anyone got an easier and faster method?

Michael
Click to expand...

Um. Type on it with two hands just like a keyboard?

I can type faster on my iPad than I can on my MacBook.
 
i prop it up with a small pc of foam, it holds it at the perfect angle for typing.

landscape all the way baby. can't type in portrait mode.
 
For portrait mode I peck at the keyboard with my right hand while holding it with the left....normally autocorrect is good enough to know what I want to type!

For landscape, I just type like a normal keyboard...it's fairly natural.
 
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