alternative keyboard

[baxlobs]

Hi,

This is probably a silly question from a complete iPad newbie.

My wife has bought an iPad as she has never got on with normal computers and very much likes the touchscreen etc.
However as a total keyboard novice she hates the QWERTY layout.

Is it possible to get an app that offers a different alphabetical keyboard layout?

 

[Darryn]

There are a few apps in the app store but they won't replace the soft keyboard.
The only way around it is to use a Bluetooth keyboard .....you can set various bluetooth keyboards in settings. I type using Dvorak so have researched this extensively.

 

[baxlobs]

Thanks Darryn,

I will investigate that option.

 

[Mickey330]

As Darryn pointed out, you only get the stock keyboard by default. Yes, you could get a keyboard in the App Store, but you can only use it within the app itself; the default keyboard is the one that will come up everywhere.

So, there's the option of getting an external, physical keyboard (again, as Darryn mentioned). There are software settings to make a keyboard like that work with the iPad.

Or, take a look at the iPad keyboard settings. Go to your Settings app > General > Keyboard > International > English. There you will see the English keyboard has three layouts available for the virtual keyboard: QWERTY, AZERTY and QWERTZ. Maybe one of those will do and you won't need an external keyboard.

But, if you do, that's where you'd go in Settings to change the software to make it work othe second half is to make the iPad compatible with an different external keyboard, such as the Dvorak one.

Hope this helps, some.

Marilyn

 

[baxlobs]

Marilyn,

That is helpful. We had a look at the AZERTY & QWERTZ ones but not really any better. She realises she will just have to get used to the lunatic QWERTY keyboard.

 

[baxlobs]

Problem has been solved. She accidentally discovered the "Dictation" ability, this works very well so she is a happy bunny.

Are there any possible snags with using this feature?