Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How are you getting on with the split keyboard?
- Thread starter blackNBUK
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
The difference is that the iPhone keys are highlighted (pop out) whereas the iPad keys stay the same size. This makes spelling mistakes more common.
This was one of the features I was looking foward to but unfortunately the keys are too small. I find myself looking down more at the split keyboard than I do with the regular size, non-split keyboard.
This was one of the features I was looking foward to but unfortunately the keys are too small. I find myself looking down more at the split keyboard than I do with the regular size, non-split keyboard.
+1 again. I love the idea of the split keyboard, but to make the key size unchangable makes it no good for me.
Along with the silly iPhone 3.5" screen excuse of "if you make it bigger people cant reach the other end of the screen" then it seems Apple is catering to a market with very very small hands.
Well sure but due to the smaller keys I find that I have to look an extra split second longer which adds up when typing an email.
I'm still really annoyed Apple won't put a row, even just a narrow row of numbers along the top edge of the iPAd keyboard.
They cannot use the "it would be too small" argument as the split keyboard is tiny, so they have no trouble with the idea of smaller keys.
To be the only reason, and it's a really stupid reason, is that they want to keep the iPad keyboard as similar to the iPhone keyboard as possible to give users the same "experience" on both devices.
Sorry but to me that would be a stupid reason given the iPhone 3.5" screen and the iPad 9.7" screen size.
After a year and a half, I'm so fed up with having to change keyboards just to get to the numbers
And the annoying thing is it would be so incredibly simple to either offer as standard or as an optional layout.
This is the type of thing which annoys me about Apple.
They cannot use the "it would be too small" argument as the split keyboard is tiny, so they have no trouble with the idea of smaller keys.
To be the only reason, and it's a really stupid reason, is that they want to keep the iPad keyboard as similar to the iPhone keyboard as possible to give users the same "experience" on both devices.
Sorry but to me that would be a stupid reason given the iPhone 3.5" screen and the iPad 9.7" screen size.
After a year and a half, I'm so fed up with having to change keyboards just to get to the numbers
And the annoying thing is it would be so incredibly simple to either offer as standard or as an optional layout.
This is the type of thing which annoys me about Apple.
I'm still really annoyed Apple won't put a row, even just a narrow row of numbers along the top edge of the iPAd keyboard.
They cannot use the "it would be too small" argument as the split keyboard is tiny, so they have no trouble with the idea of smaller keys.
To be the only reason, and it's a really stupid reason, is that they want to keep the iPad keyboard as similar to the iPhone keyboard as possible to give users the same "experience" on both devices.
Sorry but to me that would be a stupid reason given the iPhone 3.5" screen and the iPad 9.7" screen size.
After a year and a half, I'm so fed up with having to change keyboards just to get to the numbers
And the annoying thing is it would be so incredibly simple to either offer as standard or as an optional layout.
This is the type of thing which annoys me about Apple.
Yeah, I do wish they would somehow incorporate the number keys without having to change keyboards.
I also find the split keyboard little too small, but keyboard correction is pretty good so I just type away. I think I just need to get used to it.
I think that there is a bug in the split keyboard repositioning... Like when I have a long convo in iMessage, and then I split the keyboard, the last bit of the message is covered up beneath the keyboard overlay and I can't scroll up to view it without docking the keyboard again... Anyone know a way to fix this?
I've only started using the split keyboard tonight and find it a challenge. I'd find it easier to use if the keys became highlighted like they do on the iPhone. I'm sure if I keep using it I'll become more used to it. Of course I keep fat fingering the keys as well
You can try to move the split keyboard up or down. Hold down the "split" key and move it up or down to re-position the keyboard.
Having the keys highlight like they do on the iPhone would be a good refinement but so far I'm getting on fine without. I think that the fact that I use a split MS Natural Keyboard definately helps because it means that I'm already used to typing letters with the 'right' hands.
Adding number keys to the split keyboard seems like it would work. I'm not sure what they would do about the numbers/symbols sheets though as I'd think they would want to keep the layout consistent. Adding number keys to the un-split landscape keyboard would be much more difficult as you have to sacrifice either the laptop sized keys or another significant chunk of screen space.
I doubt Apple will ever allow complete customisation of the keyboard. With iOS they seem to have chosen to remove customisation options to ensure that complete beginners can't screw things up for themselves.
Adding number keys to the split keyboard seems like it would work. I'm not sure what they would do about the numbers/symbols sheets though as I'd think they would want to keep the layout consistent. Adding number keys to the un-split landscape keyboard would be much more difficult as you have to sacrifice either the laptop sized keys or another significant chunk of screen space.
I doubt Apple will ever allow complete customisation of the keyboard. With iOS they seem to have chosen to remove customisation options to ensure that complete beginners can't screw things up for themselves.
One thing I like about one of my android keyboard is that some of the keys can be used for both letter and number if I long-press the keys.
To be honest, I'd rather have the touchpad keyboard:
http://www.unitedgadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/HP-TouchPad-Virtual-Keyboard-Demo-Photo.jpg
I'm 100% certain if the iPad had a layout something like this from day one, everyone here would say it would be stupid not to have numbers.
I fear, due to the way Apple is in trying to keep the iPad as much like the iPhone as they can (god knows why they cripple one device for the sake of the other) we will never get a keyboard something like the one in the photo I linked to above.
I'd loved to be proved wrong. However, after a few OS updates, and the recent MASSIVE iOS 5 update, if they didn't do it then, I can't see them every doing it, so we are stuck
http://www.unitedgadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/HP-TouchPad-Virtual-Keyboard-Demo-Photo.jpg
I'm 100% certain if the iPad had a layout something like this from day one, everyone here would say it would be stupid not to have numbers.
I fear, due to the way Apple is in trying to keep the iPad as much like the iPhone as they can (god knows why they cripple one device for the sake of the other) we will never get a keyboard something like the one in the photo I linked to above.
I'd loved to be proved wrong. However, after a few OS updates, and the recent MASSIVE iOS 5 update, if they didn't do it then, I can't see them every doing it, so we are stuck
I agree, it should have numbers. Only reason it doesn't bother me is that I do very, very little typing on my iPad beyond the odd short email and site logins.
I love my iPad, but when I hear about people using it as their one and only, I shudder at the thought.
To be honest, I'd rather have the touchpad keyboard:
http://www.unitedgadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/HP-TouchPad-Virtual-Keyboard-Demo-Photo.jpg
I'm 100% certain if the iPad had a layout something like this from day one, everyone here would say it would be stupid not to have numbers.
As someone who has a Touchpad, I can tell you that the keyboard is infinitely better than the iPad... That said, I hate my TP and never use it.. I only bought it because of the recent HP 'sale'... But the keyboard is something I keep banging on about to my colleagues.
I just can't understand why Apples keyboard is so limited.. Surely there are people who work for Apple, who use the iPad every day and find the keyboard so limited... As stated above, you only have to look at the TP keyboard to realise how to do it properly.
There are other things that Apple could do.. For example, copy the "long press of a button to get a capital letter" like the Blackberry..
To me this stinks of "patent infringement".. I just wonder whether all of the other companies have patented their keyboard features and apple are left with what they have..
Jon
----------
Any have any idea why you can't "drag" the keyboard when you split it?
Everything about Apple is "intuitive", but not the split keyboard.. In order to get a split keyboard in the middle of the screen, you have to split it with your thumbs.. Then press/hold/drag the button on the bottom corner to move it... And because you have to do this last step using the button, there is no point in splitting it in the first place, you might as well use the 'button' for everything.
I love the fact that you can split the keyboard with your thumbs, but why oh why, can't you drag it up and down whilst its in the middle of the animation?
It just makes no sense.. When you are typing and want a split keyboard in the middle of the screen, you should be able to do this with one continuous operation..
What were they thinking when they designed this?
Jon
Not a bad idea, I still like the old keyboard better for speed though, but the split one is great if I'm standing up in the subway or something. One thing I don't understand is why even though it's split it still has an empty middle section blocking whatever is underneath it, shouldn't they have completely split it?
Right, I do this but the text still falls behind the actual keyboard so I get into the process of hiding the keyboard, reading the message and then bringing the keyboard back up. It'd be easier if you could just split the keyboard and the text would reposition itself to the top of it.
I don't use a Natural Keyboard and I very much miss having the b on the left, it is definitely the had that I use for "B's" I would like to see it on both sides personally. Other than that I love having it as an option for thumb typing.
One of the undocumented but really useful features of the split keyboard is the 'hidden' keys. On the left split you can still hit Y, H and B; on the right split you can still hit T, G, V. Really impressive.
Whoa, thank you so much for the tip. I wasn't aware of this feature!
I submitted a request on apple.com/feedback regarding the location of B on the split keyboard - I'm also accustomed to the Natural Keyboard, and always thought that it was the 'right' way. Regardless, I hope Apple provides us with an option to move the B in settings if at all possible. However for the time being, Zcott's tip will do. I'm glad that I searched for this topic!
It's good to have it and I find myself splitting between the split and normal keyboard depending on the situation.