Tim Cook: I've Given Up Physical Keyboards, Use iPad "80% of the Time"

[pake]

I use a physical keyboard for drawing, audio editing and working at the computer, I, like most people, can type or press the right commands without looking at the keyboard. But do have in mind that you're looking at the screen and seeing the result live, while doing this.

In contrast, I can type email or messages on my iPhone without looking at the screen, too; but in this case, I'm not looking at the results either. Just as with the physical keyboard, I know where the characters are, so I just tap them while looking at something else (usually the need arises when looking at someone else). It's no big deal, the autocorrect works it's magic, so the need to be looking at the results diminishes. At the end I just quickly check before hitting send.

What I want to say is that both keyboards can be just as good (fast). They just have different applications.

 

[Quu]

Whats Tims email?

cookie.monster@apple.com

 

[throAU]

This makes more sense.

What's 100wpm between friends?

We're both considered freaks at that rate by most, but its certainly not anywhere near the limit.

Standards for being signed off as competent at data entry are slipping. I know when i was at university, the acceptable pass mark for the typing course was 40wpm, which i did on the first day and thus skipped the class for the semester

 

[charlituna]

. The documents he'll be using on a daily basis would previously have been viewed on paper, in a room with other people--not on a desktop computer.

If they are legal documents perhaps. The rest would be on the computer, iPad etc. Even in that room, they can just Apple TV it up to a big screen

 

[AppleScruff1]

What's 100wpm between friends?

We're both considered freaks at that rate by most, but its certainly not anywhere near the limit.

Standards for being signed off as competent at data entry are slipping. I know when i was at university, the acceptable pass mark for the typing course was 40wpm, which i did on the first day and thus skipped the class for the semester

100+ wpm is outstanding, good job. I've read claims here in the past of people doing that on the iPad which I don't believe.

 

[charlituna]

The interview is tonight at NBC

and? Is not a live interview. There were photos posted of them two of them in the store several days ago, cameras etc present. Which was the point of the comment you were replying to

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Unless that work is surfing the net, fingerpainting or watching movies, it's also a pain in the ass so why bother

Says you. But my work is none of those things and I find using an iPad to be several times less a pain in the ass than a laptop ever was.

 

[Mystic386]

www.Autocorrectfail.org would suggest autocorrect doesn't work as well as Tim thinks it does.

I love autocorrect for the funny lines it creates. I always read my messages before sending to business or clients. Best to avoid serious fails in those circumstances.

 

[vikpt]

How can you email Tim Cook? What's his email address?

 

[KPOM]

Absolutely not! While I know its fun to poke fun of the US's education system, its not pitiful, or at least where I live. I live outside of Hartford, CT (the suburbs) and the schools are top-notch. All class rooms are outfitted with smart boards, the computers are being migrated to Windows 7, and we are actively rolling out iPads. It is not uncommon for students to be taking at least one honors or AP level class, and even only one is looked at as being not trying excessively hard. We have after school clubs and sports for just about anything you can point a finger at. I have 3-4 hours of homework a day and I maintain a A average. While I am positive that there are certainly areas and places that need to be brought up to snuff, don't automatically discount our system.

The key word is suburb. Hartford itself is a disaster. Our schools are mediocre in this country, particularly in inner cities.

As for Tim Cook it doesn't surprise me that he spends more time on the iPad than the Mac. He probably mostly reads and replies to email, which is well suited to the iPad. It isn't as if he is writing code or designing hardware. My guess is that Steve Jobs' device of choice was the MacBook Air, primarily since the iPad wasn't released until 2010.

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How can you email Tim Cook? What's his email address?

tcook@apple.com. I'm sure it is per screened though. He probably has a "real" email address for his direct reports.

 

[charlituna]

Reminds of when Steve said nobody wants a stylus because God gave us 10 of them... even though he never painted or drew anything

So you were reminded of something Steve never said.

His comment was that folks shouldn't NEED some plastic, easy to lose, without which their phone would be hobbled, stylus because we have 10 perfectly good ones.

 

[Beeplance]

Its all about learning to trust auto-correct. It fixes things most of the time. Just have to keep typing and let it do it's thing. It's MUCH slower to go back and correct your mistakes. Even if it doesn't correct them, it's still quicker to tap the word when you're done and choose the correct spelling than going back and fixing it at the time. People are always amazed when I bang out +70 words a minute on my iPhone or iPad. Once you get use to it, it's just as fast as on a physical keyboard.

Have to agree with this. Auto-correct helps me and gets it right 80% of the time, so I think I'm good with it as well.

 

[mrsir2009]

There's no way I'm giving up my physical keyboard anytime soon - For serious typing there's just no competition.

 

[throAU]

100+ wpm is outstanding, good job. I've read claims here in the past of people doing that on the iPad which I don't believe.

Yeah a bit dubious.

If i have it on a table i reckon (guess - i've done it but not measured the speed) i can get 70-75% of my speed on the ipad 4 (just got given one last night). But if i'm sitting at a bench/table/desk i could just as easily be using my laptop.

You can gain some wpm back from the autocompletion, if it manages to guess the word you're typing (just hit space and it will fill it in, even if you're halfway through the word).

But bulk data entry isn't what it's for, and I suspect as siri matures it will take over at least some of the keyboard-based data entry anyway - especially for many users who can't type at 40-50wpm plus.

In my mind the ipad is for typing on when you're in a situation where a laptop or desktop is not possible or convenient (e.g., my 15" pro is in my backpack in overhead storage on an aircraft).

It's not going to take over from physical keyboards, if you're in an environment where using a physical keyboard is possible. They don't sell keyboards for the ipad for nothing.

 

[Renzatic]

His comment was that folks shouldn't NEED some plastic, easy to lose, without which their phone would be hobbled, stylus because we have 10 perfectly good ones.

Wow, someone just about gets it. I don't think ole Steve was rallying against the stylus in general, though some people assume as much and start the scoffing fits whenever someone brings up added support for one in newer iPads.

Styluses are great at doing some things your fingers aren't. Like handwritten notes, drawing, painting, any type of high detailed work that requires a certain amount of fine control. It's just that you shouldn't be required to use one for basic OS navigation. On that, I agree with Jobs. I don't mind breaking out a stylus when I need it, but I wouldn't want to have to use it for every single thing I do on my tablet or phone.

 

[nfl46]

I wish I could say the same. A physical keyboard is a must for large documents.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Yeah a bit dubious.

If i have it on a table i reckon (guess) i can get 70-75% of my speed on the ipad 4 (just got given one last night). But if i'm sitting at a bench/table/desk i could just as easily be using my laptop.

You can gain some wpm back from the autocompletion, if it manages to guess the word you're typing (just hit space and it will fill it in, even if you're halfway through the word).

But bulk data entry isn't what it's for, and I suspect as siri matures it will take over at least some of the keyboard-based data entry anyway - especially for many users who can't type at 40-50wpm plus.

In my mind the ipad is for typing on when you're in a situation where a laptop or desktop is not possible or convenient (e.g., my 15" pro is in my backpack in overhead storage on an aircraft).

It's not going to take over from physical keyboards, if you're in an environment where using a physical keyboard is possible. They don't sell keyboards for the ipad for nothing.

I think that 50wpm on the iPad would be great. What do you think of the iPad covers with the Bluetooth keyboards?

 

[throAU]

I think that 50wpm on the iPad would be great. What do you think of the iPad covers with the Bluetooth keyboards?

Haven't used one - and don't really plan on doing bulk data entry on my ipad anyway

For me, using a keyboard means using a desk/bench instead of a couch, or whilst standing, etc. If i'm using a desk - i'll just use my laptop

In those situations (couch, standing, etc) i'd be down near 30wpm if that at a guess (typing with 1 hand - one hand needed to hold/support the device - or simply using thumbs only holding with both hands).

And that is probably close to the speed where siri could do it (assuming siri is accurate, haven't tested it for that, but a few queries last night seemed to be interpreted 100% so far - certainly better than when i first played with it on my 4s).

 

[Mr. Gates]

Waiting for a new iOS.

Right now it's an expanded iPhone OS on a screen too big.

Space is wasted.

There is a better way I guarantee.

As far as the typing goes, better predictive text and less annoying auto correct it greatly needed.

 

[theanimaster]

I just got an iPhone 5 and I'm making more mistakes on the keyboard than I did on my old 3Gs. What gives? Even when I restored by 3Gs to factory settings -- with no backup sync... I didn't get as many of the mistakes I'm now getting on my iPhone 5.


...and speaking of the iPhone 5. Why isn't Tim using one here? What's he waiting for... the 5 - s ?????

 

[AppleScruff1]

Haven't used one - and don't really plan on doing bulk data entry on my ipad anyway

For me, using a keyboard means using a desk/bench instead of a couch, or whilst standing, etc. If i'm using a desk - i'll just use my laptop

In those situations (couch, standing, etc) i'd be down near 30wpm if that at a guess (typing with 1 hand - one hand needed to hold/support the device).

And that is probably close to the speed where siri could do it (assuming siri is accurate, haven't tested it for that, but a few queries last night seemed to be interpreted 100% so far - certainly better than when i first played with it on my 4s).

Good points. I was just curious if it would see more use if a keyboard was easily available, but then I guess carrying the keyboard around kind of defeats the purpose of the iPad anyway. May as well use a laptop.

 

[theanimaster]

Wow, someone just about gets it. I don't think ole Steve was rallying against the stylus in general, though some people assume as much and start the scoffing fits whenever someone brings up added support for one in newer iPads.

Styluses are great at doing some things your fingers aren't. Like handwritten notes, drawing, painting, any type of high detailed work that requires a certain amount of fine control. It's just that you shouldn't be required to use one for basic OS navigation. On that, I agree with Jobs. I don't mind breaking out a stylus when I need it, but I wouldn't want to have to use it for every single thing I do on my tablet or phone.

... or using the phone at all when temperatures are below or near zero and you've got gloves on to keep your fingers from freezing off.

 

[Lancer]

I can see it now, the future iMac will be a bar that sits on your desk, the holo screen projects out the top the keyboard is projected onto the desktop and it's all powered wirelessly to stop desk clutter!

 

[Scrivener]

Keyboard

The one darn thing Apple needs to work on and Tim has no interest in it.

I keep filling out 'froms'. So much for Auto correct.

I am a writer by trade and I need an Apple lit-from-behind (illuminated) keyboard with the layout of the Logitech DiNovo Edge (no number keypad) with a USB chord and using the silent form of the ALPs Matius Tactile Pro keystrokes so it doesn't keep the whole family awake when I work at night.

There you go Tim. Every writer in the world would thank for that keyboard.

 

[tbrinkma]

anyone have input on autocorrect on an android phone?

there is a reason why there are fan pages on apple's infamous autocorrect lol

even brian williams called bull t.

You do realize that the vast majority of those 'infamous autocorrect' examples are intentional, and have absolutely nothing to do with the autocorrect feature (except that someone had to cancel it's changes, or go back and re-add the 'error' afterwards).

It's a forced meme that skipped the 'actually funny or insightful' stage and went straight to 'lame and stale'.

 

[Lek]

85 words per minute on a nice clicky physical keyboard drops to about.... well actually I can't stand typing on an ipad so I don't use one. I HATE "punching a flat piece of glass" with my fingers. My iphone I similarly don't like texting very much. And yes, I type 85 wpm without looking at the damn keys. I also memorize and use lots of key commands. Texting on phones and typing on ipads just SUCKS.