Using iPad to communicate

[grommet]

I do not speak I use iPads and my MacBook to communicate. I type and show people what I typed. But it is a problem because I type, then turn it so they can see the screen. I found out there is a bluetooth wireless keyboard. I could let the person hold the iPad and they would see what I type. This seems like a good idea. What do you think?

 

[TBRS1]

That seems like it would work.

Could you use a messaging app on a phone, though? Less bulk to carry.

 

[Judge]

Is this device sufficiently portable enough for you?

Dimensions

• Height: 9.84 in (250 mm)
• Width: 4.13 in (105 mm)
• Depth: 0.17 - 0.35 in (4.35-8.97 mm)
• Weight: 7.84 oz (222 g)

Keys-To-Go 2 Tablet Keyboard | Logitech

 

[grommet]

That seems like it would work.

Could you use a messaging app on a phone, though? Less bulk to carry.

I cannot. My eyesight is not good enough to type well on an iPhone. Also, I need to type at conversational speed. I can do that on a full sized keyboard.

 

[grommet]

Is this device sufficiently portable enough for you?

Dimensions

• Height: 9.84 in (250 mm)
• Width: 4.13 in (105 mm)
• Depth: 0.17 - 0.35 in (4.35-8.97 mm)
• Weight: 7.84 oz (222 g)

Keys-To-Go 2 Tablet Keyboard | Logitech

I have not used this keyboard, so I do not know if I could use it well. There is a small keyboard that works with an older iPad Pro I have and I cannot use it. The keys are too close together. If this is like that, I would have to buy it and return it to Amazon.

My problem is it takes too much time and is awkward typing on my screen, then turning it each time to show the person. If they could keep the screen in front of them, they could see as I type. I thought it might be a solution.

 

[grommet]

Is this device sufficiently portable enough for you?

Dimensions

• Height: 9.84 in (250 mm)
• Width: 4.13 in (105 mm)
• Depth: 0.17 - 0.35 in (4.35-8.97 mm)
• Weight: 7.84 oz (222 g)

Keys-To-Go 2 Tablet Keyboard | Logitech

I need to use it while typing on my lap. I think this may be too narrow. Not sure what to do.

 

[grommet]

I think I have to use this one. A shorter one would probably not stay well on my lap.

It is so expensive though I do not know when I could buy it. Also it does not have a cover so I wonder if I would break it in my backpack.

 

[grommet]

I found out a full sized keyboard with a num pad I have will work. I have to use a dongle but it works with the iPad. The num pad makes it wider so it is heavy and hard to fit in my backpack but for appointments it could be a good solution if I brought any iPad and not my laptop. I put lithium batteries in it so it will work longer. I am worried because it does not have a cover the keys will be pressed accidentally in my bag and drain the batteries. The battery compartment cover is very difficult to remove so I do not think I could take them out each time.

 

[Judge]

Not sure if this would work for you, but I've been using the Arteck brand for mini-sized keyboards for PC/Mac. Though they are rechargeable using a USB connection. (A full charge usually lasts around four months.) They also have models that work with an iPad and are about 11.2 inches wide.

The catch? Yes, the keys are closer together. It takes getting used to. That much I know for sure. And their keyboards carry some weight. However they also cost a fraction of what Logitech or Apple wants for their keyboards for $18.99:

https://www.amazon.com/Arteck-Ultra-Slim-Bluetooth-Compatible-Including/dp/B07PFCRWG9?crid=2PVECQ055RPWM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L6n00NzY4tvzSy7Weku_LLGSjODhy54a1TgYvknQo3fyUcb6utfpXDwMJMiZrGGYKiza5E6jBCrt3fZZyWsH3rsivyrx2r8JL-ogZ9q6z-XTaNlIQJ2b3lquJEaX23r0ZQLo6WCAcclPp4OKjBtl29j2ROJ1HWYb7OWQHfxFfrdFmsd_CVbqoXv2jl66BlxvhLHxmTMlasBti7aHYkY9GQ8WbrOLzAiG2pQiZuau5RG-WCaeN8AdNm5ORJezwLkJh7glRxDZwEfRjO6EI2auvHDmA0IlEGat4aJFIrVj0aI._rnn5wykgsmVhafY7GIla26jzgEyjJdTpfRxcDQADCQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Arteck+mini+keyboards+for+mac&qid=1745702769&s=electronics&sprefix=arteck+mini+keyboards+for+mac,electronics,137&sr=1-4&th=1

 

[grommet]

Not sure if this would work for you, but I've been using the Arteck brand for mini-sized keyboards for PC/Mac. Though they are rechargeable using a USB connection. (A full charge usually lasts around four months.) They also have models that work with an iPad and are about 11.2 inches wide.

The catch? Yes, the keys are closer together. It takes getting used to. That much I know for sure. And their keyboards carry some weight. However they also cost a fraction of what Logitech or Apple wants for their keyboards for $18.99:

https://www.amazon.com/Arteck-Ultra-Slim-Bluetooth-Compatible-Including/dp/B07PFCRWG9?crid=2PVECQ055RPWM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L6n00NzY4tvzSy7Weku_LLGSjODhy54a1TgYvknQo3fyUcb6utfpXDwMJMiZrGGYKiza5E6jBCrt3fZZyWsH3rsivyrx2r8JL-ogZ9q6z-XTaNlIQJ2b3lquJEaX23r0ZQLo6WCAcclPp4OKjBtl29j2ROJ1HWYb7OWQHfxFfrdFmsd_CVbqoXv2jl66BlxvhLHxmTMlasBti7aHYkY9GQ8WbrOLzAiG2pQiZuau5RG-WCaeN8AdNm5ORJezwLkJh7glRxDZwEfRjO6EI2auvHDmA0IlEGat4aJFIrVj0aI._rnn5wykgsmVhafY7GIla26jzgEyjJdTpfRxcDQADCQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Arteck+mini+keyboards+for+mac&qid=1745702769&s=electronics&sprefix=arteck+mini+keyboards+for+mac,electronics,137&sr=1-4&th=1

This seems like too good a deal. Have you been using it for four months or longer? I am asking because I am wondering if it keeps working.

The worst thing happened two days ago. I had a FaceTime doctor's appointment and Live Speech crashed while I was typing. He did not know what I was doing, he asked if I was typing to him. The spinning "beach ball" would not stop. It was awful. No way to tell him what was happening. I had to type on an iPad and show it to the camera on my laptop. The next time I use it and FaceTime I will close every app and restart the laptop before the call.

Getting stuck suddenly is the worst when you cannot speak. In person, paper and pen do not work, it is a mess. They cannot read the writing, I cannot write fast enough and if I can, the page fills up and I start writing somewhere else on it until little messages are everywhere. The iPad is very clear to read. I can make the letters large and easy.

If I can use this small keyboard it would be great. Small so I can carry it in my backpack. The price is excellent. I can afford that.

Please tell me how it has lasted for you. Has it kept working for a while? Is it bluetooth so I can just pair it? I found out the Windows + A will let me highlight all the text. I do that a lot and fast. I write, they read then I select all, delete and the page is empty again. I cannot do that with paper.

Thank you for helping.

Edit:

I read a lot of the reviews. They like it but say it is light and feels like they could break it though no one said they had. One person said a key came off when they took it out of the box and they could not get the key back on. That worries me. I like the price but I think I have to get the expensive Apple Magic Keyboard. I will try to wait for it to go on sale. I do not have much money but it is so bad to have equipment fail when I am trying to talk, I do not know if I should risk something inexpensive. (I am drawing the conclusion that lower price means lower quality which is not always true).

 

[Judge]

This seems like too good a deal. Have you been using it for four months or longer? I am asking because I am wondering if it keeps working.

The first one I got has been working flawlessly for more than two years. So some months back I bought a second one for my other computer.

Unlike on my Logitech keyboards, the lettering on the keys has never begun to wear off.

Recharging consistency lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours.

(My original decision to purchase this particular keyboard was based on Linux-capability.)

 

[grommet]

The first one I got has been working flawlessly for more than two years. So some months back I bought a second one for my other computer.

Unlike on my Logitech keyboards, the lettering on the keys has never begun to wear off.

Recharging consistency lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours.

I found a solution. It is exciting to me. Apple has Handoff and Universal Control. I can move the cursor off my MacBook, on to the iPad and type. So I can use the keyboard on my MacBook and the other person could hold the iPad and see what I am saying. I can even select all text and delete quickly to clear the page, change the font size. It is amazing.

I hope no one steals my iPad. I only plan to use it this way with people I could trust like a doctor or physical therapist. The would not take it but could I use it with a stranger? I would have to be careful with that.

 

[Judge]

I hope no one steals my iPad. I only plan to use it this way with people I could trust like a doctor or physical therapist. The would not take it but could I use it with a stranger? I would have to be careful with that.

Sadly that's the ultimate question. That if you momentarily hand off your iPad to someone- anyone, whether or not they will kindly respond and return it, or simply run off with it.

With my own sense of cynicism, at best I can only estimate such odds at 50-50.

 

[grommet]

Sadly that's the ultimate question. That if you momentarily hand off your iPad to someone- anyone, whether or not they will kindly respond and return it, or simply run off with it.

With my own sense of cynicism, at best I can only estimate such odds at 50-50.

Thank you for helping. I cannot always tell an honest person from a dishonest one. I may only be able to do this with doctors or medical staff.

Co-pilot has shown me an amazing solution. What I am doing now with my MacBook Pro and the iPad works perfectly. Using my finger I slide the cursor on my MacBook hard to the right and it appears on my iPad. Then I can type on the MacBook and it appears on the iPad. It is great. But Co-pilot taught me about Google Docs. I installed it on both iPads and it worked. If they are both connected to the internet, asI type on one it appears almost instantly on the other.

What I really want to do is hand an iPads to the other person so they can read what I am saying. They can speak to me, I will type back. But I will not have to show them my screen. Now I have two options.

If I get a wireless keyboard I could type well but not know if I mistyped or autocorrect said something I did not. It once told a woman I knew I wanted to bathe her foot. It was awful. She understood though and did not get mad.

Do you have any ideas on things I could do to make my things safer, less easy for someone to grab and run away with? I use a wheelchair and have either the MacBook or an iPad on my lap. I try to keep looking around just in case. I hope it never happens. I also do not want them to be able to access my life if they do take it. I would like advice if you have it on what I can do to make it harder for them if they do run off with it.

 

[grommet]

I found another solution that could be better. I can use mirroring so the iPad shows what I type on my MacBook. It only needs bluetooth. It works perfectly but I must use the MacBook to do it. iPads cannot mirror each other.

I need to see what I am typing in case of mistakes or autocorrect changes. iPad would be easier to carry but this is still a good solution and means I do not have to buy anything, which helps me.

I do not know if this thread could be interesting to other people so I will stop adding to it unless I am asked a question.

Thank you.

 

[Judge]

Do you have any ideas on things I could do to make my things safer, less easy for someone to grab and run away with? I use a wheelchair and have either the MacBook or an iPad on my lap. I try to keep looking around just in case. I hope it never happens. I also do not want them to be able to access my life if they do take it. I would like advice if you have it on what I can do to make it harder for them if they do run off with it.

That's probably the toughest consideration I can think of. Though I can't help but wonder what you might find using a rather broad search of "Augmentative & Alternative Communications Devices for non-verbal persons".

That seems to be the official terminology for these kind of things. Though such a broad search could reflect all sorts of price ranges, great and small, apart from possibly answering some of the more deep questions such as those you have already posed.