I just thought it might be interesting to see how everyone has been enjoying the keyboard so far for the iPad? I really enjoy typing on it (in landscape mode). I have actually made most of my posts on here from my iPad!
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How is the typing going for you?
- Thread starter BobRichards
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If I had to pick a gripe it's not so much the typing.
Maybe a little. If you notice , being able to rest your fingers on a hard keyboard actually makes typing a bit more comfortable. Can't do that on the iPad.
My gripe would be that when that landscape keyboard pops up, I lose half the screen. amirite?
Maybe a little. If you notice , being able to rest your fingers on a hard keyboard actually makes typing a bit more comfortable. Can't do that on the iPad.
My gripe would be that when that landscape keyboard pops up, I lose half the screen. amirite?
I'm surprised at how well I can type on it (in landscape). I didn't think it would work that well but it's not bad at all. That said, I wouldn't want to do a lot of writing on it. I also think Apple's typing correction engine, while very helpful, could be a lot smarter. It doesn't always get things right, in fact it fairly often gets things really, horribly wrong. I recently found out you can get an apostrophe on the home keyboard screen by a quick flick/swipe upwards on the '!' key, that eliminated one point of contention for me.
I'm actuallt posting form my ipad right not. And I love typing on it. I also love how auto-corectionbfixes all my midtakes. Its marvrlous.
I still have yet to get my case (I'm leaning mine on a pillow), but when I do I'm sure it will make the experience all the more enjoyable.
The problem I have is that the darn thing is so slippery and sort of hard to hold. Once I get a suitable case or possibly even a BodyGuardz to add a little grip to the iPad, I think typing on it would not be any problem. Also, I just bought a keyboard dock which made using the iPad in class exponentially better...the viewing angle and physical keyboard made the experience so much better for me!
I returned from vacation yesterday with my new iPad. Spent a lot of the day at work showing people the iPad and have probably sold at least 2 on apples behalf when they are finally available internationally.
Anyway, the thing that people seem to be impressed with the most is how easy it is to type on the thing in landscape mode.
Anyway, the thing that people seem to be impressed with the most is how easy it is to type on the thing in landscape mode.
Is not it amazing how such a trivial activity as typing (which we have been able to do quite comfortably even before computers were invented) becomes a revelation for some So, as I understand, typing on iPad is doable. I guess, the question then is what does it tell us about iPad? Clearly this does not constitute a revolutionary device (Remington probably should get this crown). But it looks like Apple is making some progress with input devices. Compare this to Magic Mouse where everybody agrees that it takes people a few days to get accustomed to one (unique feature for computer mice).
Just wanted to add some perspective
So, as I understand, typing on iPad is doable. I guess, the question then is what does it tell us about iPad? Clearly this does not constitute a revolutionary device (Remington probably should get this crown). But it looks like Apple is making some progress with input devices. Compare this to Magic Mouse where everybody agrees that it takes people a few days to get accustomed to one (unique feature for computer mice). Just wanted to add some perspective
Personally, I love typing on it. I would prefer a keyboard for really long documents, but it is great for email and such. I love it in landscape with the case.
I love my iPad, but let's not kid ourselves, typing on this device will never be much more than "adequate."
So, I bought the bluetooth keyboard for use when I want to do long form typing, and I love using it. I spent three hours on Sunday working on my book while sitting at a cafe, and it was wonderful.
So, I bought the bluetooth keyboard for use when I want to do long form typing, and I love using it. I spent three hours on Sunday working on my book while sitting at a cafe, and it was wonderful.
I think critics of typing on the iPad (not so much on here, just generally acros the Internet right now) forget that they also had to learn to type well on a 'proper' keyboard. Using Shift etc. didn't just happen naturally for them.
Typing on iPad is adequate for me at the moment, but I know I will get better as I use it more. As with anything new, it's the getting used to it that matters.
I'm afraid there are a few 'things to say' about the iPad that are gathering momentum. Some people are determined that the device will be Apple's PSP. "It's just a big iPod Touch" we all know this one, of course. "The iPad has no apps!" is another one that's showing signs of coming to life. "You can't type on the iPad" needs spiking right now.
You've just got to get used to it. It's perfectly fine and impressive speeds are possible. There are all manner of useful shortcuts programmed into the keyboard and more will come in the future. Cursor keys are needed as a matter of urgency. I can get used to the other methods of moving the cursor around, but for going back or forwards a few letters the cursor keys are king. Even just left/right keys would be great.
Typing on iPad is adequate for me at the moment, but I know I will get better as I use it more. As with anything new, it's the getting used to it that matters.
I'm afraid there are a few 'things to say' about the iPad that are gathering momentum. Some people are determined that the device will be Apple's PSP. "It's just a big iPod Touch" we all know this one, of course. "The iPad has no apps!" is another one that's showing signs of coming to life. "You can't type on the iPad" needs spiking right now.
You've just got to get used to it. It's perfectly fine and impressive speeds are possible. There are all manner of useful shortcuts programmed into the keyboard and more will come in the future. Cursor keys are needed as a matter of urgency. I can get used to the other methods of moving the cursor around, but for going back or forwards a few letters the cursor keys are king. Even just left/right keys would be great.
If you hear that one, you automatically know you're dealing with a dyed-in-the-wool hater. First off, there are thousands of iPhone apps that can run on the iPad. And as far as native apps for the device, it's only been out a little over TWO WEEKS, and the vast majority of developers didn't have access to the actual device before it was publicly available. By this holiday season, there will be tons of iPad apps (and websites designed specifically for it), OS 4.0 will be available, and this puppy will be a must-have gift...bank on it.
I don't have one yetbut I really want a 1-handed keyboard layout for portrait mode.
Here's my reasoning: I can type reasonably well one-handed on an iPhone with two fingers. The problem is that I find my fingers crossing because the QWERTY layout was not meant for one-handed typing. On a full-sized QWERTY, I type about 60-70 with only the index, middle, and ring fingers doing most of the typing (pinkies stay on the shift keys). If I were to learn one-handed Dvorak, I'm sure I could get 40wpm in portrait with practice.
Here's my reasoning: I can type reasonably well one-handed on an iPhone with two fingers. The problem is that I find my fingers crossing because the QWERTY layout was not meant for one-handed typing. On a full-sized QWERTY, I type about 60-70 with only the index, middle, and ring fingers doing most of the typing (pinkies stay on the shift keys). If I were to learn one-handed Dvorak, I'm sure I could get 40wpm in portrait with practice.
I'm not going to write any essays with it, but have to say the on-screen keyboard is much nicer to use than I expected.
I was really surprised how easy it was to type. I was not planning on the keyboard being very useful as I hated the iPhone but the iPad's larger screen makes it VERY useful
I have learned to use a slightly modified version of regular typing technique and I don't have to look at the keyboard anymore. The only thing that really gets me still is the apostrophe, I'm so used to regular keyboards that I end up hitting return every time I need a apostrophe. I don't think it would work for work where 70 emails in a day is not uncommon but for surfing around on Al Gore's Internet it is more than adequate.