The F and J keys ...

[Kahnyl]

Why do these keys have lines underneath the letters? I've always wondered why those were there on hardware keyboards but just figured they were to do with manufacturing. I can't even guess why they'd be present on a soft keyboard.

 

[bruinsrme]

Why do these keys have lines underneath the letters? I've always wondered why those were there on hardware keyboards but just figured they were to do with manufacturing. I can't even guess why they'd be present on a soft keyboard.

to help the fore finger identify on the home row

 

[mickbab]

I believe on hard keyboards they are there to assist the visually impaired.
From what you are saying, they are on the iPad keyboard? I can't imagine why they would be on there. No use to blind people as it is a flat surface.

Edit: Now that I look at the Apple pictures, definitely looks like they are there. Perhaps to just try and make it more visually real? Like the page turning in iBooks, lined yellow paper in notes etc.

 

[drjsway]

The F and J keys have lines under them in physical keyboards so blind people can know where the letters are. It's on the iPad purely for aesthetic reasons. Apple is trying to replicate a real keyboard as much as possible. That's why iBook has a page turning feature when it's also unnecessary.

 

[Osarkon]

I believe on hard keyboards they are there to assist the visually impaired.
From what you are saying, they are on the iPad keyboard? I can't imagine why they would be on there. No use to blind people as it is a flat surface.

I agree that it's for the visually impaired. It's been a standard for years.

Though it does help with touch typing I guess as you can always figure out where you are on the keyboard.

 

[GamecockMac]

I believe on hard keyboards they are there to assist the visually impaired.

They are placed on physical keyboards to help touch typists find the home row without looking down at their hands.

 

[Gav2k]

They are placed on physical keyboards to help touch typists find the home row without looking down at their hands.

As above. Blind people never came into it.

 

[oftheheavens]

They are placed on physical keyboards to help touch typists find the home row without looking down at their hands.

This is why, has nothing to do with blind people.