Q: Arrow keys anyone???

Those are arrow keys on the iOS default keyboard for the iPhone 6 Plus and iOS 8. I don't have an iPad anymore but I'm sure it has the same.

Lots of interesting back-and-forth on this topic. Seems like a lot of people came on here just to say (unhelpfully) that adding some arrow keys on the keyboard isn't necessary. Someone kept mentioning an 8-directional set of keys??? I would have settled for just forward and backward, really. Poor typists like myself use the arrow keys all the time as a crutch to edit text. My original question was, why isn't it just on there? I mean, how hard would it be to add arrow keys? I guess someone high up was convinced it was unnecessary. I think that's the problem with developing products solely for your 100%-devoted fan base: in order to expand your market share, you need to appeal to outsiders, also. I've had an iPad for awhile, and I certainly hadn't heard anything about the bubble cursor move thing. It seems like it might be hard to manage on my iPhone's smaller screen... but I'll try it. I think a lot of people resist reading the manual when operating a device as simple as the iPad, including myself, and I'm the original 'read-the-manual' guy. The development of a default keyboard containing these keys on the latest iPhone (6, 6-plus) suggests that people did want it, despite the claims of many of the posters on this thread. I know I've been wanting one for years. Too bad I have to spend more money to get the feature... Thanks for all the tips! Hopefully my fat, uncoordinated fingers will be able to execute this while driving and applying makeup.

bucknerwh wrote:

 

My original question was, why isn't it just on there?

Which is still a question no one here, none of your fellow users could answer.

Jarome Ellsworth's response of 9-20-2014  *does* answer the original question -- at least, for the iPhone 6 Plus.

on that device, in iOS 8.1, the horizontal keyboard does include arrow keys (as well as other helpful items, such as cut/copy/paste, and one-keys for additional punctuation, etc.).

This inclusion, while less-than-helpful for users of other/older devices, at least shows that someone in Apple Dev realises these are needed/useful.

So -- there's hope for the future?

I'm amazed that so many people claim that arrow keys are not necessary on a touch device...every time I use my iPhone or iPad I wish for arrow keys when typing/editing in a small text field in which the text runs out of the text box (e.g., the URL text box on Safari for iOS). Don't tell me "just tap with your fingers" when the text isn't even on the screen to tap!

The omission of arrow keys on iDevices is a serious oversight.

Three years on? Why try reviving a long dead thread?

Start your own, or better still, give feedback to Apple.

Pete

I'Ve never needed them and wouln't want the clutter. When the text runs out of the URL field place your finger on the  left or right sides of the field to move the text back and forth.

hernlund wrote:

 

I'm amazed that so many people claim that arrow keys are not necessary on a touch device...every time I use my iPhone or iPad I wish for arrow keys when typing/editing in a small text field in which the text runs out of the text box (e.g., the URL text box on Safari for iOS). Don't tell me "just tap with your fingers" when the text isn't even on the screen to tap!

 

The omission of arrow keys on iDevices is a serious oversight.

It's  not an "oversight" if it's intentiona. Download one of the many keyboards with arrows now available.

You type oh made a mistake. Tap where you want to fix. Tap got you close, but now just use the arrow key to get you closer.

FOrmpeople who who reread what they type and need to make adjustments it is  convenient. If you don't want their keys you don't need to have them just give us an app for people who want them

LynnGON wrote:

 

You type oh made a mistake. Tap where you want to fix. Tap got you close, but now just use the arrow key to get you closer.

FOrmpeople who who reread what they type and need to make adjustments it is  convenient. If you don't want their keys you don't need to have them just give us an app for people who want them

iOS 8 allows you to load third-party keyboards. I'm sure some of them have arrows.

An intresting keyboard to try is the Brightkey Keyboard. If you move your finger on the spacebar it moves the cursor.

Brightkey Keyboard - Designer Themes + PANTONE by Brightkey Limited

https://appsto.re/us/zHfx2.i

The iPhone 6 plus has a left and right curser feature and it is great! Never knew I missed it with the iPad. I wish they would add it to the iPad Air 2, keyboard, such a simple thing to do but Apple has not added it.

Suggest it to them

Feedback

Pete

I'm curious. People have suggested the forward delete key before but I don't ubderstand it's purpose. It seems you would have to move the cursor from the end of the word to it's beginning then delete to use it.. Any light you could shed on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

IM not taking about a delete key, I was commenting on a curser left and right function keys lIke the iPhone 6 plus has. It is a great function that the iPad needs. I equate it as a surgical scalpel insteal of an axe. I was disappointed Apple did not include it on the iPad. Air 2.