What is the best keyboard for iphone 4 using Voiceover

By keziah907, 5 June, 2012

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Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories
Hello, I have been looking in to getting a keyboard for my iphone for a while now because i am really struggeling with the touch screen keyboard for texting etc. It needs to be compatible with Voiceover. Many thanks in advance for your help and advice.

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There are also a large number of different types of bluetooth keyboards available which will work fine with the iPhone and with VoiceOver. Some are full-size, some are folding, some are small, and some have more keys and buttons than others. So you have to think carefully about what you want, not just about the price, but whether you want one you can travel with, or whether you want a full-size bluetooth keyboard which you might find easier to type on than a smaller one. Choosing a bluetooth keyboard might not be easy, since there are such a large number of them available, but you should choose what you feel will suit you, even though you can ask for recommendations if you think that will help you.
thank you for your help. i think that idealy i would want something that would travel well in my bag.but i wouldnt want something so small that i wouldnt be able to touch type. Do you have any suggestions please? many thanks

By MarkSarch on Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 17:48

In reply to by keziah907

hi first thing should you try add shortcuts at your iPhone it is very easy how can you do it? in this way you can respond texts so fast without using a bluetooth keyboard is fast just go to settings/ general/ keyboard/ add new shortcut/ write the frase for example just kidding and the shortcut JK and save the changes automaticly the iPhone will help you. or for example, hi how are you? hhry. about the bluetooth keyboard, I use one around 10 inches very similar at iPad size and I can type fast with both hands and it is completly wireless just need 2 batteries AAA and works around 30 feet and the price is around $40 US and you can turn on or off with the power button. or many people recommend the apple bluetooth wireless keyboard the size is 18 inches and very sensitive. the price is $69 US. holpe helps.

By Signaltonoise on Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 17:48

I have the Apple wireless keyboard myself. I use it with my iPad and sometimes my iPhone. I find this keyboard to be very travel friendly and lightweight at the same time. I have big hands so the keyboard allows amble room for my large hands. It takes two double A batteries which can be rechargeable or standard. I picked up rechargeable batteries from apple. Thanks Eagle Scout Aaron L Hope this helps

By Chelsea on Saturday, June 23, 2012 - 17:48

Hi. Just wanted to pop in aand say not all kryboards are created equal. My mom bought a cheapy one and it does not like multiple key presses at once, which you have to do a lot with VO. Just my experience not generalizing. My mom likes it as a sighted user for her iPad. Note on software shortcuts. I use a lot of the ones for grade 2 Braille. T d for today and a f n for afternoon. Works for me.

By Weary Mouse on Friday, November 23, 2012 - 17:48

First of all, you should check out the Fleksy app for much easier typing when not using a separate keyboard. There is lots of info about it if you search this site. Then, when it comes to bluetooth keyboards, I bought the apple keyboard. I found it easy to type on and the keys have a nice feel. It's certainly light, even if it isn't small. But what I found really annoying is that it isn't easy to turn off. Their is no switch on the keyboard and you have to go into bluetooth settings on your phone each time to turn it off. Not very convenient to just whip out and use. I would go for one that has it's own on /off switch. I recently pulled out a keyboard I'd gotten to use with an older phone, which had Previously not Worked with the iPhone, the Think Outside stowaway bluetooth keyboard. I had read somewhere that it is now supported by the iPhone. It works great, and is shut off by closing it, so much easier. It is a small keyboard, but the keys are a nice size and have a nice feel. Numbers need to be typed using a function key, but I find this to be only a minor inconvenience. When closed, it is only a little bigger than the phone. It is no longer made, but you can still find used ones out there

By Chelsea on Friday, November 23, 2012 - 17:48

In reply to by Katie

No way. It's much faster and awesome. I also find it helps me send text faster, because I think in braille anyways.

By Bawtawman on Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 17:48

Hi. I have the apple bluetooth keyboard my self, and like it very much. It's not correct that it doesn't have a power switch. On the right side, there's a round button. Press and hold it for some secunds, and the keyboard is turned off. You will not get any indication, unless you have a bit of sight. The way I check if it's really turned off, is to press some keys. If nothing happens, well, it's off. Use the same button to turn it on again.

By Tree on Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 17:48

I too have an Apple bluetooth keyboard and think it is a very good choice as far as bluetooth keyboards. Another option you might consider is a bluetooth keyboard case. I had one for my old Iphone 4 and I liked it for a while but it eventually stopped working. I think it was called the boxwave keyboard buddy case but their are several choices out there. I hate typing on the normal onscreen keyboard as well even though I have been using ios since the beginning but now I get all of my text input done with dictation, siri and mbraille. if you know braille input or you don't mind learning it I would very highly recommend mbraille. Even though it can't beat a full sized qwerty keyboard I can type almost as fast with mbraille and the developer is amazing. You can find out all you want to know about the app on this sight.
The Anker® Ultra Slim Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard has worked great for me. I found it on Amazon.com and it got very good reviews. Some additional comments... 1. Lightweight and could easily be thrown into a backpack or a pocket in your laptop case and carried around with you. 2. Comfortable feel and easy to type on. 3. Has on/off switch 4. Long battery life. 5. Easy setup, no issues pairing up with my iPhone 4.