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iPad Bluetooth keyboard + iMessage... How to send?

M

MBPnoob

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 19, 2010
110
31
So, Santa left me an iPad and a bluetooth keyboard under the tree this year. Does anyone know a setting or shortcut to "SEND" a text message from the bluetooth keyboard?? I thought for sure I could just hit "Enter", but that seems to be a line break! At work, my iPad sits about 3-4 feet away... having to reach over to hit "SEND" everytime will defeat the purpose of the keyboard...

Thanks for any help!

-iPad 2, wifi only
-AmazonBasics "iPad/iPhone" bluetooth keyboard
 
AFAIK, no.

The iPad was designed with the specific purpose of freeing the user from peripherals. However, some don't like typing on the touchscreen keyboard, so you have the option of a Bluetooth keyboard. However, you still have to navigate on the screen with a finger. Think of what you are trying to do as using a desktop with a keyboard but no mouse/trackpad.
 
eawmp1 said:
AFAIK, no.

The iPad was designed with the specific purpose of freeing the user from peripherals. However, some don't like typing on the touchscreen keyboard, so you have the option of a Bluetooth keyboard. However, you still have to navigate on the screen with a finger. Think of what you are trying to do as using a desktop with a keyboard but no mouse/trackpad.
Click to expand...

Wow, that stinks... a real deal breaker. I can type, at least, 100x faster on a keyboard vs the screen, but having to reach over and smack the SEND button every 10 seconds is disappointing.

Well, thanks for the help! :eek:
 
As you note, it is disappointing. The same problem, exists in the use of arrow keys. I suspect that given the relatively small size of the iPad screen, Apple assumed that anyone using a bluetooth keyboard would not be using it "3-4 ft" away from the screen and therefore didn't provide this functionality in their keyboard.

If there is a solution to your problem, I suspect it lies in finding a messaging (or email) app that maps a particular key combination to the "send" function of the app rather than hoping the bluetooth keyboard driver could be modified to include this functionality.

I, too, find the onscreen keyboard almost unusable compared to a "real" keyboard. I use the former only occasionally and for short text entry. Otherwise, I combine the AWK with the Incase Origami Workstation that serves as a home for the keyboard and a stand for the iPad. Together they take up less space than a small netbook I used previously. You may find that you can reconfigure your workspace to accommodate the manner in which the functionality is provided.
 
jsh1120 said:
As you note, it is disappointing. The same problem, exists in the use of arrow keys. I suspect that given the relatively small size of the iPad screen, Apple assumed that anyone using a bluetooth keyboard would not be using it "3-4 ft" away from the screen and therefore didn't provide this functionality in their keyboard.

If there is a solution to your problem, I suspect it lies in finding a messaging (or email) app that maps a particular key combination to the "send" function of the app rather than hoping the bluetooth keyboard driver could be modified to include this functionality.

I, too, find the onscreen keyboard almost unusable compared to a "real" keyboard. I use the former only occasionally and for short text entry. Otherwise, I combine the AWK with the Incase Origami Workstation that serves as a home for the keyboard and a stand for the iPad. Together they take up less space than a small netbook I used previously. You may find that you can reconfigure your workspace to accommodate the manner in which the functionality is provided.
Click to expand...

Good idea... I'm looking around my office now trying to figure out the best way to get the ipad closer. :eek:

Maybe Mr. Cook will expand the keyboard driver to include arrow keys/send shortcut/etc. We shall see.
 
I haven't used my keyboard in a while, but when did the arrow keys get disabled? My Apple bluetooth keyboard allowed the arrow keys in the past with my iPad... Or is it only certain apps? :confused:
 
Hammie said:
I haven't used my keyboard in a while, but when did the arrow keys get disabled? My Apple bluetooth keyboard allowed the arrow keys in the past with my iPad... Or is it only certain apps? :confused:
Click to expand...

I can use the arrow keys in iMessage to scroll through the typed text before sending... I assume it works for email and Pages as well... I can't get them to work on the home screen or any games/pandora/espn/etc
 
MBPnoob said:
I can use the arrow keys in iMessage to scroll through the typed text before sending... I assume it works for email and Pages as well... I can't get them to work on the home screen or any games/pandora/espn/etc
Click to expand...

Sorry, folks. I should have been more specific. My point was lost in my garbled comment. The fact that the arrow keys work in some apps and not in others was meant to illustrate the point I made about the fact that an app can be designed to respond appropriately to the signal from the keyboard. If an app developer wants to enable "send" with a particular key (or combination) I suspect they can do so.
 
MBPnoob said:
I can use the arrow keys in iMessage to scroll through the typed text before sending... I assume it works for email and Pages as well... I can't get them to work on the home screen or any games/pandora/espn/etc
Click to expand...

jsh1120 said:
Sorry, folks. I should have been more specific. My point was lost in my garbled comment. The fact that the arrow keys work in some apps and not in others was meant to illustrate the point I made about the fact that an app can be designed to respond appropriately to the signal from the keyboard. If an app developer wants to enable "send" with a particular key (or combination) I suspect they can do so.
Click to expand...

Understood and agree.

I think the "send" command could/should be implemented with a double <return> or even some key combination in conjunction with the <return> key (<CTRL>+<RETURN>).
 
Hammie said:
Understood and agree.

I think the "send" command could/should be implemented with a double <return> or even some key combination in conjunction with the <return> key (<CTRL>+<RETURN>).
Click to expand...
It's too bad they still don't have this figured out. I find the iPad on screen keyboard incredibly awkward because of the size & weight of the device so I much prefer using an external keyboard whenever possible. You would really think that they would have realized that this is an issue they should fix by now - a quick google search shows that a lot of people would like this feature.
 
This starts to feel like a lot of the people in this thread should not have purchased an iPad to begin with. Nobody buys other products and then complains about things like this. If you want to be on the leading edge of technology then you MUST adapt and change the way you do things, and often at that.
 
ru4real said:
It's too bad they still don't have this figured out. I find the iPad on screen keyboard incredibly awkward because of the size & weight of the device so I much prefer using an external keyboard whenever possible. You would really think that they would have realized that this is an issue they should fix by now - a quick google search shows that a lot of people would like this feature.
Click to expand...

I think iPad is primarily meant to be used with the onscreen keyboard, so they don't do much usability testing with Bluetooth keyboard. Half of me is inclined to give them a pass, because multi-touch tablets are still a developing technology, so there are bound to be oversights like this. But it would be disappointing if they don't correct it in the next major OS update. Although instead of waiting for them to notice people complaining in random corners of the Internet, maybe we could leave them direct feedback -- that might convince them to do something.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/
 
Night Spring said:
I think iPad is primarily meant to be used with the onscreen keyboard, so they don't do much usability testing with Bluetooth keyboard. Half of me is inclined to give them a pass, because multi-touch tablets are still a developing technology, so there are bound to be oversights like this. But it would be disappointing if they don't correct it in the next major OS update. Although instead of waiting for them to notice people complaining in random corners of the Internet, maybe we could leave them direct feedback -- that might convince them to do something.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/
Click to expand...

Oh trust me, my submission has been made and there are many many discussions on this topic on apple's own boards. Discussions dating back a few years now too, it's not a new complaint.
 
bluetooth keyboard helper

For anyone that has a jailbroken iPad -- there is a tweak in Cydia called "Bluetooth Keyboard Helper" that changes the programming in the iOS so that command+enter sends messages! Just tried it, works!:cool:

UPDATE: I have a logitech keyboard fyi
 
Kenshin0120 said:
For anyone that has a jailbroken iPad -- there is a tweak in Cydia called "Bluetooth Keyboard Helper" that changes the programming in the iOS so that command+enter sends messages! Just tried it, works!:cool:

UPDATE: I have a logitech keyboard fyi
Click to expand...

Just found this 10 months later - wanted to thank you for the heads up as well as confirm for anyone else that this tweak is still available and working. Just installed it on my jailbroken 6.1.2 iPad Mini and it works perfectly. Thanks!
 
Solution (no JB): Use VoiceOver, then keyboard navigation and Enter works as expected. Send a message by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Space.
 
Tensea Sawrem said:
Solution (no JB): Use VoiceOver, then keyboard navigation and Enter works as expected. Send a message by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Space.
Click to expand...

Sorry to nit-pick but this is a 'work around', not a 'solution'. I use voiceover all the time because I develop and test accessible software. It's ironic that VO has some features that non-VO users don't have. It's kind of reverse inaccessible.

However, I don't think I want to type a message, toggle VO on, right-arrow to the SEND button, activate the button, the toggle VO off.
 
MBPnoob said:
Wow, that stinks... a real deal breaker. I can type, at least, 100x faster on a keyboard vs the screen, but having to reach over and smack the SEND button every 10 seconds is disappointing.

Well, thanks for the help! :eek:
Click to expand...

It would be a setting in the imessages app itself. I use LINE and there's an option to set what enter does. Send message or enter a new line. And as you can see it says it affects external keyboards.


 
Last edited:
Tulani said:
Would you know if other apps does have these setting too?
Click to expand...

I remember on the Mac, I think I pressed Alt or Command+Enter to go to the next line. Enter would send the message. But the iOS App doesn't work like that.

it seems you're a good candidate for a Macbook Air 11".
 
Still looking for link: how to send through sms

Still with you folks, and yep, the crew stating you should buy an Mac, you're right.

Except this company was built on innovation, not the answer "you can't" rather "how can we?". It's why you wait in line, why you crowdsource through forums, like this one. The shortcut for this is an if-then statement that can be written, if suggested long enough.

and it's a free country; your comments are just as valid as mine; realize that you can be a thermometer, or a thermostat. One turns the heat up, the other tells you like it is.

Does anyone know code enough for what combination enables the send button and we can reverse engineer from there?
 
Kik also supports the setting for the return key acting as the send button, works like a charm with my Bluetooth keyboard.

Reaching up to the screen, even if the keyboard is right up against the base of the iPad is always a pain. I can't imagine how it is when it's 3-4 feet away. I would try sending feedback to Apple. https://www.apple.com/feedback/
 
XTheLancerX said:
Kik also supports the setting for the return key acting as the send button, works like a charm with my Bluetooth keyboard.



Reaching up to the screen, even if the keyboard is right up against the base of the iPad is always a pain. I can't imagine how it is when it's 3-4 feet away. I would try sending feedback to Apple. https://www.apple.com/feedback/
Click to expand...


What's Kik. How does it work??
 
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