iPad Pro The Everything Magic Keyboard Thread

[m5hit]

This has been a issue for the longest time. There is still no way to do this without the cumbersome method you have suggested. I have no idea why there isn’t a keyboard shortcut for this- it really is a big oversight.

Thanks for confirming, in that case I'll stick with the onscreen keyboard - at least I'm not £300 poorer!

I really don't understand why this hasn't been addressed before - I use dictation extensively on my Mac and while iOS dictation is almost as good it makes no sense why Apple would create a keyboard for text entry and overlook dictation!

 

[Confuse123]

Has anyone had any issues using the trackpad to click on buttons on the screen. More specifically, non-apple apps. I'm having a hard time using youtube to one click on a video link or skipping around a video with the little red cursor on the app. Or when using OneDrive, clicking on the file icon doesn't open the document, but clicking on the name at the bottom, does so (used in preview mode not list mode).

I take it this will require third parties to resolve these issues? Or is it something that needs to be fixed from iOS itself by Apple?

So far, I'm liking the keyboard/trackpad experience though.

 

[dotnet]

it makes no sense why Apple would create a keyboard for text entry and overlook dictation!

Yeah, that’s like designing a microphone without keys...

 

[Nikhil72]

Has anyone had any issues using the trackpad to click on buttons on the screen. More specifically, non-apple apps. I'm having a hard time using youtube to one click on a video link or skipping around a video with the little red cursor on the app. Or when using OneDrive, clicking on the file icon doesn't open the document, but clicking on the name at the bottom, does so (used in preview mode not list mode).

I take it this will require third parties to resolve these issues? Or is it something that needs to be fixed from iOS itself by Apple?

So far, I'm liking the keyboard/trackpad experience though.

depends on third party apps to update if they used non standard UI elements.

 

[johnnylarue]

Just been using this setup for the last hour and surprised by how stable and usable it is... started a thread on it. Lovely to have the hotkeys too!!

View attachment 908791

What the actual hell... is it April 1st again?

 

[m5hit]

Yeah, that’s like designing a microphone without keys...

There’s a keyboard shortcut to trigger dictation on the iOS virtual keyboard and every other physical keyboard Apple produce so why not on the iPad Magic keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio?

The iPad Pro is marketed as “the ultimate mobile workstation”, but unfortunately that’s not the case if you rely on dictation.

I suppose a workaround is to turn on Voice Control in Accessibility but I just find that too slow so I’ll keep using a MacBook for real work and iPad for everything else.

 

[zhenya]

There’s a keyboard shortcut to trigger dictation on the iOS virtual keyboard and every other physical keyboard Apple produce so why not on the iPad Magic keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio?

The iPad Pro is marketed as “the ultimate mobile workstation”, but unfortunately that’s not the case if you rely on dictation.

I suppose a workaround is to turn on Voice Control in Accessibility but I just find that too slow so I’ll keep using a MacBook for real work and iPad for everything else.

Because it's an incredibly niche use case to dedicate an entire key to on a keyboard where space is at a premium.

What really needs to happen is for them to expand the capabilities of key remapping. The globe key should work universally to bring up a context sensitive bar of user-configurable commands - in essence becoming an on-screen, on-demand version of the Touch Bar from the MacBook line.

 

[CaTOAGU]

My iPad seems to have shorter battery life attached to the Magic Keyboard. The processor spikes to 30% when I’m using the trackpad and it’s definitely warm to the touch after what would ordinarily be normal use. Anyone else seeing this?

 

[macfan406]

Because it's an incredibly niche use case to dedicate an entire key to on a keyboard where space is at a premium.

What really needs to happen is for them to expand the capabilities of key remapping. The globe key should work universally to bring up a context sensitive bar of user-configurable commands - in essence becoming an on-screen, on-demand version of the Touch Bar from the MacBook line.

THIS. I would have loved to see some kind of Touch Bar-esque thing on the Magic Keyboard. Having the globe able to pull up a Touch Bar would be amazing for volume, brightness, key backlight, etc...

 

[The Game 161]

My iPad seems to have shorter battery life attached to the Magic Keyboard. The processor spikes to 30% when I’m using the trackpad and it’s definitely warm to the touch after what would ordinarily be normal use. Anyone else seeing this?

Not noticed much difference...maybe 2% difference per hour?

not sure if it’s much difference when the Apple Pencil was attached before to being off.

 

[m5hit]

Because it's an incredibly niche use case to dedicate an entire key to on a keyboard where space is at a premium.

What really needs to happen is for them to expand the capabilities of key remapping. The globe key should work universally to bring up a context sensitive bar of user-configurable commands - in essence becoming an on-screen, on-demand version of the Touch Bar from the MacBook line.

I'm not suggesting a dedicated key and a user configurable keyboard shortcut would be perfect!

On the Mac it's 2 quick taps of fn and 2 taps of the globe key or any another use configurable combination would work extremely well.

 

[jvlfilms]

I just got my keyboard last night for my 11" iPad Pro 2018 so I definitely need more time to play around... but so far I love it!!

The keys are wonderful to use and the trackpad is very responsive and intuitive as I'd expect. Certainly no where as big as the trackpad on my MBP but the keyboard is WAY WAY BETTER (I have the last MBP 15 so....)

I know some people were disappointed with the weight but for all this keyboard does with the footprint and easy connect/disconnect, I really believe it's the only way it could work. The charging port alone is amazing enough for my uses but I could see how people would not be impressed. The keys are night and day from the SKB which I have since gotten used to but don't think I could ever go back to.

I'm excited to see a refined rev2 for future models and where they'd take this magnetic design. But I did a quick test in bed with the MK on my stomach and was able to stand without falling and hitting me in the face like it does on the SKB 😂

Slightly off topic but related to trackpad support: the trackpad on this works extremely well and you can swipe home, toggle control center and look at notifications without touching the screen.... why couldn't they do this for the Pencil?! It seems so bizarre now but for someone who used the pencil as a stylus mainly and not for notes/drawing, it DID make browsing and tapping much better. But now it seems completely useless in retrospect with the addition of the trackpad that can access the UI without touching the screen. I wonder if they'll add this to the new version of iPadOS.

 

[Rory76]

Received my MK last night. Absolutely love it! Just wish Apple would have used some other type of material for the exterior of the MK as the top of the case is already showing oil smudges from my (clean) hands. They’re mainly in the area that I grab to adjust the screen angle. Anyone have any tips as to how best to clean remove these/clean the magic keyboard?

 

[mous94410]

I’m about to buy the new 11 inch space grey iPad Pro 2020 with the magic keyboard.

In France, it wouldn’t be delivered before may 22th due to the quarantine... 😔

Can someone tells me what the globe key do please ? Does this brings up the virtual keyboard ?

 

[el beisbol]

I’m about to buy the new 11 inch space grey iPad Pro 2020 with the magic keyboard.

In France, it wouldn’t be delivered before may 22th due to the quarantine... 😔

Can someone tells me what the globe key do please ? Does this brings up the virtual keyboard ?

By default it brings up emojis.
[automerge]1587752579[/automerge]
Just got my 11 inch keyboard.

I love the build quality. The track pad, keys, travel are great. Definitely sturdy as well.

It is a tight fit, though — I’m pretty big and worried it might be too cramped for me.

 

[cargobrian]

Think I might just stick with my Logitech Slim Folio which I modified for the 2020 iPad Pro 12.9. I loved this keyboard and think that I might stay with it, as my magic keyboard that I bought from BestBuy has been delayed by ups again. The Logitech doesn’t have the track pad, but I am fine with that for now.

 

[jvlfilms]

Couple of questions for y'all:

1) is there any way to change it so cmd Tilda is escape instead of cmd period?
2) what's the best way of opening the iPad and case combo?

 

[johnnylarue]

THIS. I would have loved to see some kind of Touch Bar-esque thing on the Magic Keyboard. Having the globe able to pull up a Touch Bar would be amazing for volume, brightness, key backlight, etc...

I think you’re on to something, though I’ve always found the Touch Bar too small to be genuinely useful. But imagine how awesome it would be if there was a way to make the entire iPad screen touch sensitive? You could set up all kinds of cool gestural shortcuts, like, say, swipe down from the top right corner to pull up a sort of “control panel” with immediate access to stuff like volume, screen brightness, etc.?

I know that sounds impossible but hey, dream big amirite!
[automerge]1587756604[/automerge]

My iPad seems to have shorter battery life attached to the Magic Keyboard. The processor spikes to 30% when I’m using the trackpad and it’s definitely warm to the touch after what would ordinarily be normal use. Anyone else seeing this?

Yeah that doesn’t seem right. Hard reboot?

 

[yegon]

2) what's the best way of opening the iPad and case combo?

I’d been doing it this way for a day or so, and then I saw someone made a gif of it! (Credit to some thread, maybe this one, on this forum who linked it originally)

Das Magic Keyboard mit nur einer Hand aufklappen

via @jj_hh (Danke, Rolf!)

www.iphoneblog.de

Unrelated, but this shortcut linked 3/4 through a Macstories article is useful, widget to take you directly to keyboard brightness settings. Useful for quickly changing brightness. Likely already been posted here and there, but useful if you missed it;

Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro: A New Breed of Laptop

Following the surprise early release of the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, I’ve been waiting to get my hands on Apple’s highly anticipated accessory and evaluate it from the perspective of someone who uses the iPad Pro as a tablet, laptop, and desktop workstation. I received the Magic Keyboard for...

www.macstories.net

 

[metalsiren]

Yea I have been doing the one handed opening as well, its easier otherwise you have to really get your finger in there to open it.

 

[zhenya]

I think you’re on to something, though I’ve always found the Touch Bar too small to be genuinely useful. But imagine how awesome it would be if there was a way to make the entire iPad screen touch sensitive? You could set up all kinds of cool gestural shortcuts, like, say, swipe down from the top right corner to pull up a sort of “control panel” with immediate access to stuff like volume, screen brightness, etc.?

I know that sounds impossible but hey, dream big amirite!

The point is to allow a user-configurable set of shortcuts to be accessible from the bottom edge of the screen without having to move their fingers from the home keys. On the 11" keyboard, I can quite easily reach the bottom of the iPad screen with my fingers in the normal typing position. A tap of the globe key to open my list of contextual function keys in this area would be a natural way of creating a virtual set of function keys that are entirely user-configurable.

 

[macfan406]

The point is to allow a user-configurable set of shortcuts to be accessible from the bottom edge of the screen without having to move their fingers from the home keys. On the 11" keyboard, I can quite easily reach the bottom of the iPad screen with my fingers in the normal typing position. A tap of the globe key to open my list of contextual function keys in this area would be a natural way of creating a virtual set of function keys that are entirely user-configurable.

The general sarcasm in these threads is really kind of annoying. When I’m using the Magic Keyboard on my iPad I don’t want to reach all the way at the top to get to Control Center (where there isn’t even a setting for Keyboard brightness)

I want to have a hot key I can quickly hit and have instant shortcuts pop up that I can reach from the bottom of my screen. I am used to two taps to do most things on my MacBook Pro, so it’s not any extra actions I’m not already doing. This is going to try to replace a lot of laptops (mine included) and I want it to work right.

 

[Pipper99]

Just opened mine today.

I find the weight to be comfortable and a non issue. The typing experience is fantastic. I LOVE the trackpad. I was using a Magic Trackpad 2 when iOS 13 added the integrated support: it’s great but not the best for mobility (didn’t like carrying the trackpad around). The built in trackpad is smooth, and it functions flawlessly. I wish it were larger, but the form factor has its limits. I love how easy it is to pop the iPad on and off. I’d love function keys, but overall, I’m very happy with this product.

 

[johnnylarue]

The general sarcasm in these threads is really kind of annoying. When I’m using the Magic Keyboard on my iPad I don’t want to reach all the way at the top to get to Control Center (where there isn’t even a setting for Keyboard brightness)

I want to have a hot key I can quickly hit and have instant shortcuts pop up that I can reach from the bottom of my screen. I am used to two taps to do most things on my MacBook Pro, so it’s not any extra actions I’m not already doing. This is going to try to replace a lot of laptops (mine included) and I want it to work right.

I admit my posts have been of the sardonic douchey variety at times, but my mind is easily boggled by the types of features being requested at times. The ergonomics of the MK are such that a person‘s fingers could not be physically closer to the screen (a touch screen which, incidentally, many seem intent on never actually touching.) And yet somehow having to raise one‘s hand 8 inches to access the control panel is still considered too much work...

I get it, I do. But... I also don’t. 🤷‍♂️

 

[yegon]

Just opened mine today.

I find the weight to be comfortable and a non issue. The typing experience is fantastic. I LOVE the trackpad. I was using a Magic Trackpad 2 when iOS 13 added the integrated support: it’s great but not the best for mobility (didn’t like carrying the trackpad around). The built in trackpad is smooth, and it functions flawlessly. I wish it were larger, but the form factor has its limits. I love how easy it is to pop the iPad on and off. I’d love function keys, but overall, I’m very happy with this product.

Yep, I echo every one of your sentiments. Only the lack of a function row really irks me, otherwise it’s utterly brilliant.