Keyboard

Fleksy Keyboard gains 3D Touch cursor control and other perks in latest update

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 23, 2015

Fleksy, the popular software keyboard for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, was updated earlier this week with a bunch of refinements and new features, including 3D Touch-based cursor control and Home screen shortcuts on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

Other goodies in Fleksy 7.5 include the all-new (and free) festive pack to dress up your keyboard in holiday-themed skins, the ability to search for emoji with the Highlights extension, a new GIF & Stickers tab for browsing animated GIFs and more.

The best keyboard cases for iPad Air 2

Lory Gil ∙ Updated June 11, 2018

Since early 2015, we've been on the hunt to find great accessories for your iOS devices. We want to provide you with a variety of different types of products, so you can see for yourself, which one is the best for your needs.

This time, we are presenting an accessory roundup for the iPad Air 2. We've sought out a half-dozen keyboards for your review and came up with what we believe to be the best keyboard cases for iPad Air 2. If you don't see your favorite on this list, feel free to add it to the comments section.

TextFaces review: add Unicode faces to your keyboard

Lory Gil ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

In early November, we told you about a fun little jailbreak tweak that makes it possible for you to add Unicode faces to your keyboard so you don't have to be like everyone else with those silly yellow smiley faces.

The tweak's developer, Neo Ighodaro told us that, thanks to our coverage of Unicode Faces, he figured that it would be a good idea to turn it into an official App Store app rebranded as TextFaces. We took it for a test spin on a non-jailbroken device and have a review of TextFaces for you today.

Slash Keyboard review: /find things to share right on your keyboard

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Sometimes, there is a song or a cat video, or an iDB article that you just have to share with someone. Oh, but you forgot to grab the link before you got into a chat with your buddy in Hangouts.

That's OK. Slash Keyboard makes it possible for you to find and share all manner of content right from your iOS keyboard without having to leave your chat. We took it for a spin and have a review of Slash Keyboard for you right now.

How to enable third-party keyboards in Google Chrome [jailbreak]

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Have you ever wanted to use a third-party keyboard with Google Chrome on iOS? On a stock iOS device, you can't use alternate keyboards like Swype with Chrome, but with a jailbroken iPhone, it's possible.

ChromeKeyboardEnabler is a newly released jailbreak tweak by developer snakeninny, and it enables third-party keyboards within Google Chrome. Just install it, and you're ready to go.

How to enable the iPhone 6s’ keyboard trackpad mode on older jailbroken iPhones

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

If you have an older jailbroken iPhone like the iPhone 6 or iPhone 5s, then you're missing out on one of the best features made possible by 3D Touch featured on the iPhone 6s. Thanks to 3D Touch, the iPhone 6s' keyboard trackpad mode allows users to swipe on the keyboard to position the cursor accurately when typing or editing text.

The good news is that a newly release jailbreak tweak, found on up-and-coming developer collective Creatix's beta repo, brings some of the keyboard trackpad features to older devices.

Chrome for iOS gains 3D Touch shortcuts and support for more Bluetooth keyboard shortcuts

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 1, 2015

Google today updated its Chrome browser for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad in the App Store with two new feature additions: 3D Touch shortcuts on the Home screen via the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus and expanded support for shortcuts when the app is used with a Bluetooth keyboard.

Pressing firmly on Chrome's Home screen icon on your iPhone 6s will now bring up a 3D Touch menu with Voice Search, New Incognito Tab and New Tab options.

SwiftKey gains new dynamic theme, overhauls settings interface

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 24, 2015

SwiftKey, the popular software keyboard for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices with iOS 8 or later, has received a refresh this morning in the App Store featuring two enhancements: a brand new Bubble Gum dynamic keyboard theme and a redesigned settings menu in the app.

iFixit gives Apple’s Smart Keyboard the lowest repairability score possible

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 24, 2015

Repair experts over at iFixit today pried open Apple's new $169 Smart Keyboard case for the iPad Pro.

As you know, the Smart Keyboard is covered in Apple's mysterious conductive fabric that actually connects the keyboard to the iPad Pro's Smart Connector and allows for a “two‑way flow of power and data.”

But more important than that, the accessory is completely glued together, which makes servicing next to impossible. In fact, the Smart Keyboard files as one of the least repairable devices iFixit has ever analyzed so small wonder they gave it a repairability score of zero out of ten, ten being the easiest to repair.

This iPhone 6s leather case features a Bluetooth keyboard

Lory Gil ∙ November 24, 2015

The 4.7 and 5.5-inch screens of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have made it possible for us to do more than ever on a smartphone. One of the benefits is the ability to be more productive with our digital lives. You can send email, edit PDFs, and write novels much easier with the larger screen space.

Top makes a hefty detachable keyboard with a leather folio cover that increases your smartphone productivity even more. Just flip open the cover and start typing.

Logitech Create Backlit Keyboard Case Review: a great keyboard solution for iPad Pro owners

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

The Logitech Create Backlit Keyboard Case for iPad Pro is a great solution for those of you who are heavy typers.

Because this keyboard case, unlike Apple's Smart Keyboard, fully surrounds the iPad Pro when closed, it actually saves you money to go with Logitech's offering over Apple's Smart Keyboard + Silicone Case combo.

Of course, the protection elements offered by the Logitech Create are mere side points to the main questions: How does this keyboard perform for typers? Can I use the Logitech Create to type long-form content, or is it primarily suited for quick text outbursts? How does it fair when attempting to lap type? These are concerns that anyone who's interested in doing real work with the iPad Pro will have.

The Logitech Create Backlit Keyboard Case isn't without a few downsides, but for those of you primarily concerned with having a serviceable keyboard available at all times, it's a very good option that's worthy of your consideration.

Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard deliveries slip to 4-5 weeks, Apple promises ‘regular shipments’

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 13, 2015

If you're in the market for an iPad Pro and are considering purchasing Apple's $99 Pencil or the $169 Smart Keyboard to take full advantage of the tablet's new features for creatives and mobile workers, you're in for some serious waiting as shipping times for these accessories have slipped to 4-5 weeks on the Apple Online Store.

In a statement to Mashable, the company did acknowledge limited supply of the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard in its own retail stores and promised “regular shipments”.