On the Virtual Keyboard

[jclardy]

Okay, so obviously people aren't a fan of the virtual keyboard already in actual usage, but I have one main question - why go with an "iPhone" style keyboard? if you have to type a number, you have to hit the numbers & symbols button?? You have an infinite canvas, and we can't "expand" the keyboard into something akin to a laptop keyboard, with basic punctuation and numbers included? If I'm typing in, say, a password, I now have to type nearly twice as many keypresses because my passwords contain multiple symbols and numbers. When typing in slack for work, I often need numbers. And always need punctuation. I'll pretty much always be using a bluetooth keyboard, but it would be nice to support this in a pinch, say if I'm making coffee with the headset on away from my keyboard.

I'm sure this will improve over time and eventually get more options (And I'm hoping a new form of text input entirely at some point) but it seems like a simple thing to just add more keys to the default layout. It really just feels like laziness - if they added a full laptop keyboard setup, then they would have to redesign the extended symbols page. This way they don't have to touch anything. Although I'm pretty sure the 12.9" iPad has a layout with numbers included...so just base it on that...

I do wonder if VisionOS will eventually allow custom keyboards like iOS - I'd have to guess yes, there are so many possibilities for text input that it would be a shame if Apple were to lock it down and not allow any exploration in this area. In the meantime - anyone have any small thumb-type style blackberry bluetooth keyboards they like to just keep in your pocket/travel case?

 

[4sallypat]

If I need to type a lot, I will be using my Apple A1644 bluetooth keyboard with real keys and tactile feedback ( the way I prefer to type).

If it's just a simple couple of presses, then I'll use the included virtual keyboard.

 

[LiemTa]

People have been asking for a number row for over a decade. Apple has not complied. To add one now is to admit they were wrong, and Apple in their infantile ways will not reveal a chink in their armor by bending now.

 

[casperes1996]

People have been asking for a number row for over a decade. Apple has not complied. To add one now is to admit they were wrong, and Apple in their infantile ways will not reveal a chink in their armor by bending now.

I don’t think that’s how it works. Went back on the Touch Bar. Went back on the butterfly keyboards. Went back numerous things. But stick to their guns when there is conviction that it’s right. iPad Pro 12.9 has a number row. iPhone is too small. No argument for vision here though

 

[tomtad]

Okay, so obviously people aren't a fan of the virtual keyboard already in actual usage, but I have one main question - why go with an "iPhone" style keyboard? if you have to type a number, you have to hit the numbers & symbols button?? You have an infinite canvas, and we can't "expand" the keyboard into something akin to a laptop keyboard, with basic punctuation and numbers included? If I'm typing in, say, a password, I now have to type nearly twice as many keypresses because my passwords contain multiple symbols and numbers. When typing in slack for work, I often need numbers. And always need punctuation. I'll pretty much always be using a bluetooth keyboard, but it would be nice to support this in a pinch, say if I'm making coffee with the headset on away from my keyboard.

I'm sure this will improve over time and eventually get more options (And I'm hoping a new form of text input entirely at some point) but it seems like a simple thing to just add more keys to the default layout. It really just feels like laziness - if they added a full laptop keyboard setup, then they would have to redesign the extended symbols page. This way they don't have to touch anything. Although I'm pretty sure the 12.9" iPad has a layout with numbers included...so just base it on that...

I do wonder if VisionOS will eventually allow custom keyboards like iOS - I'd have to guess yes, there are so many possibilities for text input that it would be a shame if Apple were to lock it down and not allow any exploration in this area. In the meantime - anyone have any small thumb-type style blackberry bluetooth keyboards they like to just keep in your pocket/travel case?

I spotted this as well and it seems a mad decision. They should also be on the iPhone keyboard

 

[dannyyankou]

I'll be shocked if they don't add a feature that allows you to write in mid-air to type. The Vision Pro already tracks your fingers.