Apple Working on iPadOS Shortcuts for Changing iPad Keyboard Brightness

[fbr$]

After 30 seconds of total inactivity (not touching/using the screen, keyboard and trackpad), the keyboard's backlightning automatically turns off so it doesn't spoil watching videos/films in a dark room (no need to dig into Settings to manually turn off the backlightning).

On the Apple TV app, Netflix app and nPlayer app (unfortunately not on the YouTube app, I don't know why, hope they fix it soon) as I tested you can use these shortcut keys:

- Space to play/pause
- Left Arrow to skip back 10/15 seconds
- Right Arrow to skip ahead 10/15 seconds

So no need of additional function buttons to control videos/films playback on those three apps, need to test on other apps to see if it works.

When long pressing the Command key when playing a video/film on the Apple TV app, this pop-up window shows up:

 

[GuruZac]

After 30 seconds of total inactivity (not touching/using the screen, keyboard and trackpad), the keyboard's backlightning automatically turns off so it doesn't spoil watching videos/films in a dark room (no need to dig into Settings to manually turn off the backlightning).

On the Apple TV app, Netflix app and nPlayer app (unfortunately not on the YouTube app, I don't know why, hope they fix it soon) as I tested you can use these shortcut keys:

- Space to play/pause
- Left Arrow to skip back 10/15 seconds
- Right Arrow to skip ahead 10/15 seconds

So no need of additional function buttons to control videos/films playback on those three apps, need to test on other apps to see if it works.

When long pressing the Command key when playing a video/film on the Apple TV app, this pop-up window shows up:

View attachment 921638

Yeah I’ve noticed the YouTube app doesn’t work well with the Magic Keyboard. Even setting up the ESC key shortcut doesn’t seem to work with the YouTube app, but it does work with the YouTube website.

 

[moonwalk]

I use My iPad Pro while set on the Magic Keyboard, while also using an external Apple keyboard and a Magic Trackpad 2. The function keys on the external keyboard (volume and brightness) both work in the iPad.

 

[Ipadlover29]

I hope they add more shortcuts in general, not just keyboard brightness. I would like to see play/pause, next track, previous track, volume up, volume down, mute.

 

[roncron]

I use My iPad Pro while set on the Magic Keyboard, while also using an external Apple keyboard and a Magic Trackpad 2. The function keys on the external keyboard (volume and brightness) both work in the iPad.

An elegant solution

 

[Shirasaki]

An example of Apple crippling MacOS to make it resemble iOS:
In previous versions of MacOS Finder, you could unselect everything in a window simply by pressing the Escape key. But after one update, the Escape key no longer worked to unselect all. Now you have to hold down the stupid Option key to make yet another stupid hidden item appear in the menu commands. Apple's reason for doing this? To make it the same as iOS. Even though they could have simply kept both keyboard commands in MacOS.

This is why I think Apple eliminating MacBook lineup in the next 5 years and remove macOS from their operating system lineup, on top of tightening control, porting iPadOS apps etc.
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I can’t afford this magic keyboard right now, but based on reviews and forum posts, I hope if they can add a dedicated function key row, even if that row is tiny, like on MacBook Pro/Air without touch bar.
Option key with number can also work, though key conflict may need to be solved Depending on the app.

 

[symphony]

They should’ve added a function row, even if the bottom edge of the iPad is in the way when the iPad is fully tilted back.

you don’t use the function keys as often like you would when typing. I’d rather scoop my fingers under to control my playback or volume than to raise my arm for the volume buttons or have to dig into Control Center just to do it. And I can’t even use the escape key to back out of Siri or other services, oh wait, the escape key is half baked and doesn’t even function as it should.

people saying that accessing the Control Center is acceptable enough, no it’s not. Mac users don’t go reaching menu bar icons to control the volume as conveniently as using the function keys. Menu bar and Control Center are basically the same now, same placement too, but Control Center is slower and blocks your entire screen.

just add the function keys next time Apple, it’s just better to have them than not at all.

I don’t see myself striking the mute key as frequently as using keyboard shortcuts or typing.

 

[moonwalk]

An elegant solution

That’s pretty much how I’ve always used my MacBook Pro - with and external keyboard and mouse. And an external display. I’ll probably get around to trying the iPad with a external display before long. Now if we can only have a real finder on the iPad, and a real file system, we’ll have something. And while we’re at it - let us arrange our documents and work any way we want on the home screen, and put those commercially branded apps where they belong — in an applications folder on the home screen / finder.

 

[RedZephon]

Just put the Touch Bar UI at the bottom of the screen when the keyboard is up and allow you to customize the shortcuts you want. Easy. Done.

They already have the Touch Bar UI on the iPad for sidecar, would be easy to port over for other functions.

 

[Bearygoodfries1]

Man, I want the keyboard but I don’t need it!

First World Problems!

 

[the_color_orange]

They are probably holding off all those features till iPadOS 14. I think the Magic Keyboard is pushed out ahead for developers to modify their apps for mouse/trackpad support. Being a bit optimistic here too. 😬😬

 

[fokmik]

It is a nice idea, but still....Apple wants this to be more like a macbook...a lot of money goes to the ipad to make it a copy of the mac.....i hope Apple after they reach the macbook clone, will not start to make the iphone also a clone..
ipad+magic keyboard= mac laptop, with limited OS, while the mac still run mac apps, windows apps and linux apps..so i dont know why apple still wants to make another mac clone like many others tried for a decade since the macbook air release ...
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Hope in 3-4 years will not start to see magic keyboards and magic pencils for the iphone also....lack of originality and lack of respect for the mac that was and still is a more complex category

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I bought it and returned it because I didn't like it.
Nice try though.
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Whole point of a keyboard and cursor is to be able to do work. An iPad with Magic Keyboard isn't better than carrying my MacBook 12" at anything except maybe battery life.

One person bought it, and didn’t like it. That means Apple? discontinue it. Product is pointless because one person didn’t like it. It doesn’t matter that it’s getting great reviews, and thousands of people are buying it, and the reception is fantastic, this one person doesn’t like it, so it’s a mistake, and it’s pointless.
Worst product ever because this one person doesn’t like it. Just horrible... Steve Jobs would never... Apple’s doomed... etc etc etc

 

[nStyle]

MK is pathetically half-baked. Needs function row keys containing at minimum volume controls and display/keyboard brightness controls. It also just looks awkward and is heavy and ridiculously expensive. Just buy a MacBook FFS.

While we’re at it, let’s go back to physical MBP function keys as well instead of the DOA touch bar.

The best new product from Apple in the past ten years has been the AirPods hands down.

 

[KoolAid-Drink]

An example of Apple crippling MacOS to make it resemble iOS:
In previous versions of MacOS Finder, you could unselect everything in a window simply by pressing the Escape key. But after one update, the Escape key no longer worked to unselect all. Now you have to hold down the stupid Option key to make yet another stupid hidden item appear in the menu commands. Apple's reason for doing this? To make it the same as iOS. Even though they could have simply kept both keyboard commands in MacOS.

I've used Mac OS X/macOS for about 10 years now and I don't remember pressing Escape to deselect items selected already. AFAIK, nothing has changed at all.

 

[farewelwilliams]

One person bought it, and didn’t like it. That means Apple? discontinue it. Product is pointless because one person didn’t like it. It doesn’t matter that it’s getting great reviews, and thousands of people are buying it, and the reception is fantastic, this one person doesn’t like it, so it’s a mistake, and it’s pointless.
Worst product ever because this one person doesn’t like it. Just horrible... Steve Jobs would never... Apple’s doomed... etc etc etc

So if everyone liked it, I should like it? I mean, if people called me an "Apple Sheep" before...what do you call that?

It's okay to dislike things. You should try and be objective once in a while and not just follow the crowd.

 

[zeroID]

magic keyboard was a mistake

It was not. The big mistake are the missing Fn and Esc keys!

 

[ThatGuyInLa]

Yes I and many said shortcuts for missing keys is very easy to do. Two key or less desirable three key hotkeys would solve this. Should’ve been there at launch.

 

[oldmacs]

It CONSTANTLY frustrates me that my Apple 'Smart' keyboard is dumb enough not to have brightness/music/volume keys.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Whole point of a keyboard and cursor is to be able to do work. An iPad with Magic Keyboard isn't better than carrying my MacBook 12" at anything except maybe battery life.

Better battery life for a portable machine? I’d say that a pretty major plus.
Also, I reckon you would scratch the MacBook screen with the pencil. So there’s that.
Good luck with editing 4K video or panning massive RAWs without glitching on that MacBook.
Don’t forget promotion.
I would say that an iPad Pro betters that macbook you speak of in every respect.

 

[Jar Jar Abrams]

How about keys B D brightness down and B U brightness up, the Magic keyboard by the way is fantastic...not that it matters but I’ve found the quaality control on the two we bought wasn’t so great, little dot indentations over both we bought, not that it really matters.. then again they’re not cheap ...

 

[zeroID]

How about keys B D brightness down and B U brightness up, the Magic keyboard by the way is fantastic...not that it matters but I’ve found the quaality control on the two we bought wasn’t so great, little dot indentations over both we bought, not that it really matters.. then again they’re not cheap ...

If Apple designs a product with a very proud price, why it is incomplete and the users need to use some shortcuts to make it work?
I forgot to mention the missing touch ID key....

 

[mimeArtist]

I’ve never felt the need to change the brightness, i just crank it up full... if.I’m watching a movie for example he soon dims anyway.

Someone saying the keyboard was a mistake - Have to disagree, it’s one of the best accessories I’ve ever bought. It totally transforms my iPad.

 

[Brain Damage]

magic keyboard was a mistake

For you or in general? I love it.

 

[cupcakes2000]

If Apple designs a product with a very proud price, why it is incomplete and the users need to use some shortcuts to make it work?
I forgot to mention the missing touch ID key....

Why on earth would an iPad equipped with Face ID need Touch ID? Also- I have to assume it’s not that simple, or else we would have a standalone Mac keyboard with this implemented by now.

Btw regarding keyboard shortcuts- They have existed since keyboards have. Those function keys everyone bangs on about? Shortcut keys. Command c? Shortcut.
To complain that the keyboard is missing function keys, then complain these shortcut keys will be replaced with other shortcut key combos is ludicrous even for this forum.