Bluetooth keyboard for iPad

DoubleCheese · 7 Aug 2012 at 00:16

Can anyone recommend a reasonable quality Bluetooth keyboard for an iPad? Ideally one that is slim enugu to travel with easily.

Also, with it connected,does the iPad disable the onscreen keyboard so you can a
See the whole creen while typing?

topdog@OC · 7 Aug 2012 at 14:34

Haven't used a bluetooth keyboard, but with a USB one plugged in, the on-screen keyboard doesn't show (which is nice).

lamboman · 7 Aug 2012 at 15:39

The onscreen keyboard won't show.

Have you considered the Apple Wireless Keyboard? Bit pricey, but definitely is compact enough to travel with.

DoubleCheese · 7 Aug 2012 at 16:57

I've looked at the Apple BT keyboard but yes it is pricey!
I didn't realise you could wire in a USB one either. I assume there's a cable for this?

I'll keep looking...

Deleted member 77746 · 7 Aug 2012 at 17:13

I don't think you can use a USB one on an iPad as it has no USB slot. Confused at that comment much.

You can pick up an Apple BT keyboard for cheap as chips second hand, check ebay or MM.

the1gooner · 7 Aug 2012 at 22:16

mrbell1984 said:
I don't think you can use a USB one on an iPad as it has no USB slot. Confused at that comment much.

You can pick up an Apple BT keyboard for cheap as chips second hand, check ebay or MM.

I imagine it means jailbraking and using the camera connection kit which has a USB interface.

The apple bt keyboard is good.

topdog@OC · 8 Aug 2012 at 14:56

Apple camera connection kit, no jailbreak.

Decided to test it with all and sundry USB gadgets I had when it arrived to see what would work - who wouldn't

Midi adapter hooked in from a Roland GR-55.. check
Keyboard.. check
Hub.. check
Camera (well, this was the intended purpose after all).. check
Rockband 3 microphone (PS3).. check
Yamaha E423 PSR (budget keyboard).. check
Rocksmith 'realtone' guitar cable (PS3 but had previously tested on PC too).. check

Started getting some input lag when I had ALL of the above hooked in at once through the (non-powered!) hub - no surprise there - but as individual components they worked fine!

xxalxx · 8 Aug 2012 at 15:31

I have a Logitech Ultra Thin keyboard, really good as well

the1gooner · 8 Aug 2012 at 21:25

topdog@OC said:
Apple camera connection kit, no jailbreak.

Decided to test it with all and sundry USB gadgets I had when it arrived to see what would work - who wouldn't

Midi adapter hooked in from a Roland GR-55.. check
Keyboard.. check
Hub.. check
Camera (well, this was the intended purpose after all).. check
Rockband 3 microphone (PS3).. check
Yamaha E423 PSR (budget keyboard).. check
Rocksmith 'realtone' guitar cable (PS3 but had previously tested on PC too).. check

Well I wouldn't have expected all that to work, you learn something new everyday

Deleted member 77746 · 9 Aug 2012 at 17:41

ah interesting. Never knew USB keyboards would work.

topdog@OC · 10 Aug 2012 at 14:29

It does say the device isn't supported when you plug the keyboard in (have to click OK to get rid of the message window one time), but after that it just works as it ought to anyway.

BT keyboards won't get that popup of course, but I suspect(ed) that will be the only apparent difference between the two as far as iOS apps are concerned.