PC World – December 2015

3. Best software keyboard ever
At first I was salty that the Smart Keyboard I ordered with my iPad Pro
wouldn’t ship for another week. (Apple is sending us a loaner unit
tomorrow, so I won’t actually have to wait that long, and yes, I know
what a privilege that is.) But this software keyboard is the best I’ve ever
used, so I’ll be able to struggle through without much struggle at all.
Like a good digital citizen, I use complex passwords full of letters,
numbers, and symbols, even though that kind of password is harder
to enter on my iPhone, requiring me to jump between the
keyboards for letters, numbers, and symbols in a way I just don’t
have to on my Mac. The iPad Pro’s software keyboard has a row of
numbers and common symbols along the top of the letter layout,
just like the Mac. Shortcuts even pop up per application—in Mail,
the options to insert a photo or attach a file are handy to have right
onscreen without any tap-and-hold tricks required to find them.
But speaking of tricks, the two-finger trick in iOS 9, turning the
keyboard into a trackpad for easier letter insertion, is easier here
than on the iPad Air, since the cursor is bigger and easier to see. I
also like tapping-and-holding on the keyboard-switching Globe icon
to find the toggles for the emoji keyboard and predictive text
option. (This menu will also show you all the third-party keyboards
you have installed.)
I love how the
keyboard has
enough space
to pack in extra
functionality
without having
to switch views
so often.
54