Smart Keyboard?

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Level 1

9 points

Smart Keyboard?

Not so much a question but a formal request amid an expression of frustration.

I upgraded from a Fouth Generation iPad with a Belkin Bluetooth Keybaord to a 9.7 iPad Pro with a Smart Keyboard.

I asked at the Apple Store about a more full featured keyboard for the 9.7 iPad Pro and the salesman said no. He mentioned the clever connection and the need for the correct opening and protection of camera lens.

So, I now have a love hate relationship with this "Smart Keyboard." I've been able accept and even embrace its size and weight, but I expect far more "intelligence" in a Smart Keyboard, particularly one from Apple. My first reaction was "What? No Home Key? No Escape Key? No Function Key? Where's the intelligence hidden?

I experimented but due to the 2 second delay I didn't find any of few built-in key combos much less the list of combos built into certain Apps like Safari.

There should have been a nicely done sheet / booklet just shy of the size of the 9.7 iPad Pro Smart Keyboard covering the CMD Key Combos built in for the Home Screen and for each Apple App. So I am formally requesting that and for current owners an official Apple PDF listing of all the built in shortcuts Since there's no way of printing them out.

In the meantime I'll share a link which presents a nice collection put together on 9to5mac.com.

http://9to5mac.com/2015/11/20/ipad-keyboard-shortcuts-cheat-sheet/

Finally, for the newcomers there should be a specific reference to creating shortcuts in Settings.

iPad Pro 9.7-inch WiFi, iOS 9.3.1, Smart Keyboard

Posted on May 5, 2016 8:36 PM

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Answer 1

Rysz

Level 8

44,391 points

May 5, 2016 8:45 PM in response to Zinn123

Not so much a question but a formal request amid an expression of frustration.

Tthis is a user to user help forum, but you can submit your observations and suggestions directly to Apple via this link:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Finally, for the newcomers there should be a specific reference to creating shortcuts in Settings.

You can download a user guide. It's free, from Apple and you can access in iBooks on the device itself.

https://itun.es/us/U4OT9.l

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Answer 2

DTM82

Level 1

13 points

Oct 26, 2016 1:42 AM in response to Zinn123

Agreed about the lack of escape and function key. These have hindered my work flow quite a lot coming from over ten years use of Mac. But you can use ⌘+H for Home.

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Answer 3

MichelPM

Level 10

80,968 points

Oct 26, 2016 2:30 AM in response to Zinn123

I have a large iPad Pro and foresaken the iPad Pro's "smart keyboard" for the lighter slimmer silcone back case and cover.

I use an external Logitech multifunction full featured Bluetooth keyboard that works simultaneously, with a touch of a button, between Macs and iDevice.

This keyboard has all the keys needed to use with both Macs and iDevices.

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/multi-device-keyboard-k480?crid=27

Allows my large iPad Pro to have lightweight protection and still have the option of a separate BT keyboard to use, if I choose (I am pretty good on typing on the onboard iOS keyboard, though).

My typing skills aren't all that great and lately, I have switched to using handwriting recognition input from the iOS onboard keybaord area trying out using either of these apps.

MyScript Stack - Handwriting Keyboard by MyScript

https://appsto.re/us/8qQE2.i

MyScript Stylus - Handwriting Keyboard by MyScript

https://appsto.re/us/yl_G3.i

These two apps REALLY WORK wonderfully and are really accurate for real time handwriting/hand script to text using either finger or stylii!

Using this handwriting method has speeded up my text input speed noticeably.

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