A few questions about the magic keyboard case for the 11-inch iPad pro

By KE8UPE, 19 June, 2021

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Hello,
I've been having serious issues with braille screen input crashing, on both my iphone 12 pro Max, and 11-inch iPad Pro.
To solve this, I purchased a keyboard case for my iPad yesterday.

I got the Magic Keyboard.

I have a few questions about it.

1. Since there's no "escape" key, how do you excicute this command from the keyboard?
2. VO+d to go to the dock doesn't always work, along with some others listed in the "commands" section of voiceover settings, under "keyboard.

Can anyone help?

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Comments

By Maldalain on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

For the VO+D command, make sure you press VO keys not simultaneously with the D key, so press VO then D to register your command.
For the Escape key, I modified my keyboard commands and mapped VO+E to dismiss menus and to escape and go back.

By Andy Lane on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

Hey I have the Brydge instead of the magic keyboard but the same applies. If you go to settings, General, Keyboards then under hardware keyboard you have the option to remap a few keys like option, command and Caps. Obviously using VO it wouldn’t be a good idea to change CTRL, OPTION or Command but Caps worked perfectly as an escape key. I hardly ever use CAPS but escape is something I use all the time and having it right there next to A is very handy.

By Joe on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

By default escape is VO grave accent.

Hey, I would rather have a back/escape button that I can use a hundred times a day rather than an all caps button I use a few times a year. If you use caps often then that won’t work for you but TBH its more a hassle than its worth for me. I’ve accidentally pressed it, not realised and shouted at people by accident more times than I’ve needed to use the CAPS function so it kind of serves 2 purposes for me, Stopping me shouting at people by accident and a really easy to reach back/escape key. Aren’t you keen on losing CAPS?

By KE8UPE on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

Hi,

Prior to purchasing my Magic Keyboard, I asked an Apple advisor if the trackpad would work with voiceover . I was told, “yes. “

However, upon doing my own research, by purchasing one of these keyboards, and speaking to a different advisor, I was told that I was given false information.

Therefore, the trackpad portion of the keyboard does not work with voiceover.
To that end, what do you guys think I should do? Keep the keyboard, and not use it with the trackpad, or return it, and get a refund?

By Holger Fiallo on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

Are you using the keyboard without it? If you are able to use it and you are happy with the rest keep it. However if you got it for that particular reason send it back.

By KE8UPE on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

I like it, but there are a bunch of keys listed under settings, that won’t work, because I do not have a function key row.

If you go under settings/Accessibility/voiceover /commands/keyboard shortcuts , you can see an enormous list of shortcuts that can be used with keyboards.
However, some of these commands require function keys, which I do not have.

I also feel that it is unacceptable, that I was given false information.

Note: a / means you have to go 1 level deeper.

By KE8UPE on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

Hi,

It is a trackpad.
There’s a section in settings, under general/keyboard.
Since I can’t use the trackpad with voiceover, what should I do regarding my issue with Braille screen input?
What’s the best keyboard for the 11-inch iPad Pro?

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

In reply to by KE8UPE

As for me, let it be a track pad.
As I know, the track pad is accessible on mac.
If I'm wrong, let somebody correct me.
As for the braille screen input, I use this feature very often.
English, French, Turkish, Arabic and Russian are okay.
iPhone se2020 and iPad 5.
You have purchased this device, it means, you know what you've got.
I have logitech k380 and microsoft foldable universal keyboard.
I agree, Apple's keyboard is nice and cool.
But using this device in a half way it is not my feature.
I wish you only the best!
Let your device help you in your activity and productivity.

Cheers!

By Andy Lane on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

In reply to by KE8UPE

hey, I have the Brydge pro and love it, Its basically exactly the same dimensions as the ipad which clips into two clamps at the hinge which allows it to open exactly like a MacBook. It kind of feels exactly like a MacBook Pro with a thicker screen because the iPad is thicker than a MacBook screen. It’s probably not as easy to remove the iPad quickly and replace it but TBH I’ve only removed the iPad once since I bought the keyboard. I use it like a laptop and its the best laptop I’ve ever owned even though it isn’t one. Its not perfect but it has a few advantages over the Magic Keyboard which BTW I haven’t seen but think I’ve got a good idea of from all the YouTube videos I’ve watched trying to decide which to get. The advantages for me are function key row with brightness, on screen keyboard show/hide, playback keys and volume, Oh and home key at the very left. Its nice to type on but may not be as nice as the magic keyboard. If you give one a go, i’d get the Pro rather than the Pro plus as the plus has a trackpad or touchpad or whatever but its way more expensive for something thats just in my way. The Pro goes for £59 in the UK because everyone wants the trackpad version but I’ll take the better price for something I would rather not have. Good luck. Oh and the spelling is odd, its B R Y D G E pro.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Monday, June 21, 2021 - 22:27

In reply to by Andy Lane

I think Skippy has purchased this device.
And he likes that one.
Let's wish him the best of using the keyboard.
And I hope he'll describe its advantage and disadvantage of this device in view of the blind user.
The community is awaiting the information.
Cheers!