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iPad Pro What would you want in the next version of the Smart Keyboard?

Mathias Denichi

Mathias Denichi

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 21, 2013
454
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The Smart Keyboard is nice, but could use some major improvements. Here is what I would like:

  • Thinner profile when closed, not a big fan of the keyboard lump on one side.
  • More angles for the iPad when typing.
  • Better magnetic sticking when in tablet mode, similar to the Smart Cover snapping to the back.
  • Better shortcut keys, Logitech has done these as well as an esc key.
  • More colors. The gray has been pretty boring.
What would you like in the next iteration, and do you see it coming for the next iPad Pro 2?
 
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  • Row of function keys (brightness, home, volume - similar to what they have on mac keyboards)
  • Backlighting
  • New Colours
  • Cheaper price (not holding my breath on this one but it is what I would like to see)
 
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denichidesigns said:
The Smart Keyboard is nice, but could use some major improvements. Here is what I would like:

  • Thinner profile when closed, not a big fan of the keyboard lump on one side.
  • More angles for the iPad when typing.
  • Better magnetic sticking when in tablet mode, similar to the Smart Cover snapping to the back.
  • Better shortcut keys, Logitech has done these as well as an esc key.
  • More colors. The gray has been pretty boring.
What would you like in the next iteration, and do you see it coming for the next iPad Pro 2?
Click to expand...
All reasonable requests. But I think it will be physically difficult if not impossible to do those things. The iPad Pro itself doesn't have an integrated kickstand so that keyboard cover has to provide that capability which severely limits what can be done. But if it is possible, those would be great modifications.

I'd like to see an additional smart connector on the iPad Pro to support orienting the iPad in portrait mode.

Re: magnets in tablet mode, I usually detach the keyboard cover, flip it over and reattach it so that the microfiber side is facing the back of the iPad and the cover is facing outward.
 
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Smart cover fabric souffle is a testament to how great the surface kickstand approach is. The smart cover is passable at 9.7" but is awful at 12.9".
 
sracer said:
All reasonable requests. But I think it will be physically difficult if not impossible to do those things. The iPad Pro itself doesn't have an integrated kickstand so that keyboard cover has to provide that capability which severely limits what can be done. But if it is possible, those would be great modifications.

I'd like to see an additional smart connector on the iPad Pro to support orienting the iPad in portrait mode.

Re: magnets in tablet mode, I usually detach the keyboard cover, flip it over and reattach it so that the microfiber side is facing the back of the iPad and the cover is facing outward.
Click to expand...
It would require either a kick stand in the iPad, which won't happen, or a kickstand in a case covering the back. Apple could have the Smart Keyboard and back cover with adjustable kick stand all together, to which would actually lower the thickness profile rather than have a bump.

mdridwan47 said:
Trackpad
Click to expand...
The only way this is happening, is if they make the Smart Keyboard just a touch screen keyboard. Then it would use the two finger selector shortcut, not a cursor.
 
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denichidesigns said:
It would require either a kick stand in the iPad, which won't happen, or a kickstand in a case covering the back. Apple could have the Smart Keyboard and back cover with adjustable kick stand all together, to which would actually lower the thickness profile rather than have a bump.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you are advocating for an ultra-slim version of Logitech's Logi Blok case+keyboard. That's what I'd prefer.
 
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I want hard keys like the keyboard for the Microsoft Surface. I went through 2 ASKs in less than 6 months, both times the lettering on some of the keys began to wear off. Other than that, I think a row of function keys would be nice.
 
No matter what anyone states .....trackpad is necessary.........
[doublepost=1492628923][/doublepost]
mdridwan47 said:
Trackpad
Click to expand...

I replaced my large ipad pro with the samsung chromebook plus simply because i can do more, enjoy android apps, and have full trackpad support with a full os in a nice compact design.
 
Bring back the Keyboard dock? It was really nice typing papers out on my 3 with the entire page fullscreen on a portrait-size screen.
 
No trackpad.

If I wanted a trackpad I would use a 12" MacBook.
[doublepost=1492703967][/doublepost]I think backlighting and an ESC key are things I would like in the keyboard. The backlighting should not come at the cost of reduced battery life however. Additional angles would also be nice, but not at the cost of compactness and weight.

Frankly the Smart keyboard is pretty excellent as it is. The very fact that it has no trackpad syncs very well with the touch-based nature of iOS. The reduced distance to the screen means that the "gorilla arm" effect becomes much less of an issue. However, the key spacing reduction compared to a full-sized keyboard means that backlighting would help a lot in the dark, since it's hard to figure out (as a touch-typist) where exactly the keys are without an initial reference point.

However, I would not object to mouse or external trackpad support. Key word is external, the smart keyboard should not get any wider (face to screen) than it already is.
 
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a better design so that when the keyboard is deployed, the fabric side isnt on the bttom collecting all the dirt below it
 
jamesrick80 said:
No matter what anyone states .....trackpad is necessary.........
[doublepost=1492628923][/doublepost]

I replaced my large ipad pro with the samsung chromebook plus simply because i can do more, enjoy android apps, and have full trackpad support with a full os in a nice compact design.
Click to expand...
This. I have done exactly the same.
 
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