The Keyboardless iPad

Reading Time: 3 minutes.

A long time ago, I got an iPad. It was the third generation iPad, and I loved it. I wrote many articles for Leaf and Core on that iPad. Eventually I got a Bluetooth keyboard, and started using my iPad like a MacBook, with physical keys. It opened up the screen, put it at a better angle, gave me a physical object to type on, and reduced my typos. It was a Bluetooth keyboard, which came with its own shortcomings, like connection issues and battery life, but it was mostly reliable.

Then Apple released the first iPad Pro. It came with a Smart Connector that allowed users to attach a hardware keyboard to their device. It also introduced the Apple Pencil, but we’re not talking about that right now. The Smart Keyboard used that Smart Connector. It was the most seamless hardware keyboard experience for the iPad. I loved it. It barely lasted a few months, so I got a new one. About two years ago, it started working intermittently. About a year ago, it stopped working altogether. I tried cleaning it, I tried using alcohol, nothing got it working again. It was broken. Sometimes it’ll connect, but it always disconnects. The Bluetooth connection was more reliable, and I don’t recommend users get the Smart Keyboard for the existing iPad 7. It’s this same unreliable design.

I was looking at the new iPad Pro, which has two different Smart Keyboards. There’s the $299 Magic Keyboard ($329 on the 12.9” iPad Pro), and the $179 Smart Folio keyboard. The latter only has a keyboard, the first has a trackpad, pass through charging, and a floating design. However, both are a bit clunky. Neither is perfect. The Magic Keyboard weighs more than the iPad itself, and the Smart Folio can’t prop up the device like the old Smart Keyboard. Both are exceedingly expensive.

So I got to thinking… what if I didn’t get either?

Surprisingly Thumb Friendly

It’s a bit of a stretch, but I can use the full keyboard in portrait mode with just my abnormally long thumbs. If there was one more joint in each thumb, I’d think they were fingers. Long fingers. I can also split the keyboard, or even use just one finger with the swipe to type mode in iPad OS 14.

It’s definitely better than I expected, not not optimal. Typing with your thumbs just isn’t perfect. It’s about six fewer fingers than using a keyboard like a full, normal keyboard, give or take a few weirdly long thumbs.

Full-ish Keyboard!

But using the iPad in landscape mode? That’s almost like using a full keyboard! Sure, on smaller iPads, this is just a small amount smaller than a standard iPad keyboard, but if you type without your pinkies, you might not even notice the difference! I do though. I certainly make more typos. My fingers get fatigued poking a glass screen instead of something with a little more give. Still, I tend to get used to it. I begin using a lighter touch. I’lm slower and more deliberate, but accurate and fast enough to get by.

This isn’t the best way to type on the iPad, but it’s the only free way. Though you can augment it with a Smart Folio or cover, which can angle your screen to make it easier to read and type on.

So… What About Just the Cover?

The iPad Smart Cover is $79. $79. For a cover. It doesn’t even come in many cool colors. I just want a red cover! Or maybe deep purple. Or just… something fun. The point being, a simple cover is already outrageously expensive, just because Apple put their name on it. It’s little more than silicone and magnets. Of course the rest of Apple’s gear is obscenely expensive too. Perhaps third party is the way to go?

Though no one would describe the iPad as cheap, I can’t help but wonder if they’re trying to make up for smaller than expected margins by jacking up the prices on accessories. Everything Apple offers for the iPad costs almost as much as an iPad Pro!

At least the Apple Pencil is only… what?! $129? For a stylus?! I give up.