Comments on: Why is there no iPhone Bluetooth keyboard?

An external keyboard seems like a simple and logical accessory for those looking to do some heavy text inputting on their iPhones. But Apple's been mum on when--or if--it will support external keyboards.

[bigpetis]

I don't Apple ever making a separate iPhone keyboard. They already have an wireless bluetooth keyboard that is crazy thin and really portable already. If Apple would open up the API, then I could see a lot of people buying it. However, at this point in the iPhones life cycle, if you have an iPhone you probably have gotten used to the keyboard AND Apple just added the wide screen keyboard in response to everyone that "can't use" the smaller keyboard. I could def see a third party company releasing a keyboard, but Apple won't make a special one when they have a bluetooth keyboard already.

[SpiroEx]

I can get used to the keyboard but you're missing the point.

For those of us who touch-type there is no way the soft keyboard is ever going to be as fast as a bluetooth keyboard.

I did a test. I've got used to my iphone onscreen keyboard and can type quite fast on it. I timed myself with a test sentence. 20 words per minute with 2 errors.

That's quite impressive for an onscreen keyboard but I can do 50wpm with no errors MINIMUM on a standard keyboard. I find most people who say there's no need for a bluetooth keyboard are those who never learned to touchtype. A friend of mine types at 150wpm (her fingers are just a blur!). I bet there's no way she'd get anywhere near that speed on an iphone keyboard.

Also having a bluetooth keyboard linked when it's docked would mean being able to answer texts easily without undocking it.

[Sam_BG]

Apple being silly and vane? HEAVENS FORFEND! Say it isn't so! I hate that when I want to type a "." I have to switch screens twice - once to get to the character "page" of the keyboard, and then back to get back to the alpha page. In fact, I hate Apple. If my Windows Mobile phone had the graphics capabilities of the iTouch, I wouldn't have had to do business with a silly, vane and proprietorially greedy company like Apple. This is yet another example of Apple cutting off their nose to spite their face.

[jbcahill]

Then I would suggest that you immediately sell all the Apple products yous own and never buy another Apple product again ever.

[terraformer202]

Or you could just go to settings and make it so you just have to double tap the spacebar to insert a "." and a new space after...

[filipiak]

"... I have to switch screens twice ...".

No, you don't.

Just tap the space bar twice.

Inserts a period and a space.

[SunnyGuy53]

No, you don't have to switch "screens" at all. Just touch the .?123 selector key, and then slide your finger
to the key (period, apostrophe, etc.) that you want, and release. The special character will be inserted, but
you will be auto-magically back in the default (alphabetic) keyboard.

Or, as others have suggested, you could use double spaces, to insert periods.

Apple is not "silly and vane [sic]". They charge a fair price for great products.

There are those who think "All computers are the same -- so buy the cheapest one."
But I notice those same people don't act that way for their cars or TVs. Funny that.

All depends on ones perspective, I suppose. ...

Sunny Guy

[rafusee2]

@SunnyGuy53
ok, apple is definitely a little vain. I don't think there's much argument there. they do make great products I agree with you there.
and yeah there's a simple fix to the period problem. but come on. wouldn't it just be easier to let developers make bluetooth keyboards and keep everybody happy? couldn't hurt, right?

[cmbPDX]

I have been waiting for a keyboard since 2.0. I travel on business, and there are times I have to bring a laptop purely because I may have to do more than light typing on the road. I'd be happy to put a keyboard in my carry on and ditch the laptop for those overnights.

I cannot think of a good business reason not to have the BT drivers. The only reason that seems remotely plausible is that the perception that the keyboard would cast negative light on on the touch screen keyboard.

I'd love to hear if others have more P&L related reasons they can think of.

[egow219]

Why worry about the Bluetooth keyboard or other stuff for the iPhone. The biggest worry is the battery on the iPhone 3G s (16 & 32 GB). Is Apple going to do a recall of the iPhone or are they going to make a battery that does not get real hot because you can even hold the iPhone for 5 to 10 minutes because it's very hot to handle. I'm not the only one concern about this issue. Apple get to it and do something about it.

[goatsrkids2]

You my friend, clearly do not own an iPhone.

[lil-yankee]

i second that

[MartyrIcebear]

One possible reason would be that it would cannibalize the sales of their upcoming tablet-style netbook device as well as their smallest macbook. For all you that say you wish you had a bluetooth keyboard, do you have a notebook with you as well? And if you do, would you carry it around if you had a fold up bluetooth keyboard that would work with your iPhone?

[rafusee2]

good call

[jaguar717]

How in the world is that an answer? "They want you to buy their notebooks and carry those around so they'll keep the phone from being as useful as it could easily be"?

I can only imagine what you'd have to say if the situation were changed and Microsoft was the company doing it. Evil, terrible Micro$oft, being greedy and shafting its customers by crippling a phone, "forcing" you to buy their notebooks, etc ad nauseam.

A nifty little folding keyboard like Palm used to make (or maybe still does?) that also holds the phone up in view and collapses to the same footprint is a great idea as smart phones become more powerful. That's true for the iPhone, and it's even more true for more business-oriented phones like the Blackberry models. Actually, Palm making one for the Pre would be another great selling point...

[lil-yankee]

seemed far fetched, but lets see.
I def. think the next big move is going to be an iphone like tabled, that would seemlesly fit between iphone and macbook, just a tad under the macbook air. I think though that it would not have a keyboard since that will cannibalize the air itselft, maybe a bigger screen than an iphone with os x in it. Thats what my magic balls show

[JerryJDavis]

Martyricebear probably just hit the nail on the head. Apple doesn't want to eat into their own portable computer sales.

I would love a folding Palmesq keyboard for my iPhone. It would eliminate the need for a laptop. I could easily write on it just like I did with my Palm III, Clie, and iPaq. The fact that you couldn't get a keyboard was almost a deal breaker for me -- if the iPhone wasn't just so darn sexy! Dammit, techno-lust got me again.

[sivartis]

I used to love my Palm keyboard, and would frequently write documents with docs-to-go. This is 5-7 years ago, mind you. I just switched to the iPhone last week, and had no idea that it didn't support an external keyboard, either BT or connected. Ridiculous. Especially with such a powerful piece of hardware, that would be incredibly useful, and I'd certainly buy one (was planning on it until now) if it ever comes to light.
~Trav

[WeirdosTV]

My take on this and all the things that Apple mysteriously delays releasing, is that they have not yet made it work in a way that meets their standards for interaction with interfaces. The copy and paste for instance, should certainly have been in the very first revision of the iPhone OS. Why wasn't it? I have no clue, but it works extremely well, way better than copy and paste on the Palm IMHO, and even better than the clipboard function on the old Newton, which I loved.

[bigmc6000]

With the 3.0 Software supporting external devices is there still no way to use an external keyboard? I think that'd be pretty sweet as I'd probably take it on trips with me since I rarely take my laptop on anything less than 4-5 days anymore.

[TruthWillSetYouFree]

I would buy an iPhone tomorrow if there was an optional, small, portable keyboard for it. Great for business trips and on weekend.

There is only one reason I can think of why Apple doesn't want one. An external keyboard + an iPhone equals cannibalize Macbook sales. Especially if you add in the ability to connect to an external monitor.

[chriscooksey]

Back in the days when pocket pc's were all the rage (ok the weren't really, but it was all we knew) I had one of those IR keyboards for it. I personally didn't really use it a whole lot though. I am surprised one of these isnt offered, but I dont think that it really matters, who actually does legitimate business on their iPhone anyway?

[SapnaDz]

There are already companies that make external iPhone keyboards that work based on a wire connection to the connector. It's a very small company, basically more like a garage startup but the keyboard works great, the only contact info i have is [e-mail]. The text appears in a separate program that let's you save and from where you can copy/paste the text to other locations.

[Vanz76]

I just bought my first apple iphone with the release of the 3gs. I love so much of the functionality but I am absolutally flabbergasted that they don't have an external keyboard option. So much for the vaunted apple creative team. They can get the moon but forgot to build a door...

[netstepinc]

I cannot agree more. I was shopping for more then an hour when I found this thread. It makes no f-ing sense. I have a fantastic Thinkoutside Stowaway Sierra keyboard for my old smart phone. It is AMAZING and handy.

Apple had one ready in 2007, but they discovered there's not enough room on the iPhone for the AT&T lawyers' required RSI warning.

[docparkny]

I have an Apple bluetooth keyboard that I use with the Nokia N810 and it's crazy good -just wish I could use it with iPhone. Apple intends for you to do all the heavy key input in a Macbook or Macbook Pro instead of an iPhone with bluetooth keyboard. It is the same reason why they won't put out a Mac netbook.

http://golfism.org/2009/03/18/review-of-nokia-n810-an-iphone-users-view/

[WulfetteNoire]

It sucks! I don't wanna carry the huge Macbook Pro everywhere. Even the Macbook Air is huge despite its thin body.

[hblatt45]

I hope Apple hears this... Great reason to go buy a Nokia N810 instead of an iPhone! Give us Bluetooth keyboard support or loose sales to Nokia!

[WulfetteNoire]

I need an external bluetooth or cable keyboard. And I totally agree that Apple could have sell more iPhone if there was an external, or at least a hand-writing recognition program. I write novels and articles on the go, so I have been buying symbian and (sigh) windows mobile phones. I love everything else about iPhone, but the only thing that's been keeping me from buying it is the lack of means to write fast and a lot on it.

[wolfangels2001]

It makes sense that Apple would be afraid to add wireless keyboards to the iPhone if they thought it would detract from their laptop sales, however this is to ignore two important aspects: 1) the iPhone and many of its available applications are best paired with a laptop, and 2) there are many individuals who must do a great deal of writing in high-risk environments where it is impossible to take an expensive Apple laptop, but where it would be invaluable to have a bluetooth keyboard because the iPhone is easily hidden when in such environments. I would imagine that journalists could get their iPhones and small folding keyboards into places that they might not be able to squeeze even a macbook air, or perhaps they are in a place where there is an absolute certainty of the laptop being stolen whereas the iphone can be secured to one's person very easily. I have heard it mentioned that Apple's wireless keyboard for its desktop computer is compatible with the iPhone but I have seen nothing to support that argument. Apple needs to understand that there are professionals who must type very lengthy documents which is not going to happen with their touch-screen keyboard, and while we prefer their laptops, there are times when we cannot bring a laptop because it will demolished by the end of the day or stolen. A small bluetooth keyboard for the iPhone or iPod Touch would fill this very difficult gap for those of us who wish to stick with Apple, but need this functionality.

[jkpcguru11]

I've been trying to decide which smartphone to by for a couple months now. I had the iPhone on the list until I started reading all the complaints people have with them crushing innovation.

I'm leaning more towards a T-Mobile G2 or a Blackberry Storm now.

I think all the hype about the iPhone is just nonsense. Apple doesn't care about what the customer wants.

I'm glad i learned this before I signed up for AT&T and got stuck with a retard-phone.

[netstepinc]

I just got a iphone 16 3GS. It is a pretty amazing device. If I had an external keyboard and/or speech-recognition to dictate text into emails, I'd be euphoric. So far I'm very glad I purchased this phone.

[Digital Doc G]

Since the release of the iPhone I have been waiting for a way to pair the Apple Bluetooth keyboard and the iPhone. This would be invaluable for student's in class, at business meetings, lectures, on airplanes, etc. How would this detract from Mac sales? I am convinced there is no logical answer to this question. Come on Apple, you have lost your focus on Customer is Job 1. Stop pulling useful apps, provide useful peripherals, and start listening to your loyal customers again.

A sincere Mac Evangelist that is starting to worry about the policies of our beloved Apple.

[hblatt45]

This issue really makes me crazy mad. I can't see ANY reason for the iPhone's lack of support for external keyboard support. Give us USB keyboard support. Give us Bluetooth keyboard support. I don't care which. JUST GIVE US KEYBOARD DRIVERS!

I would encourage everyone reading this article to go to: www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html and submit a request for bluetooth keyboard support. There is no rational reason for the input to be limited to the touchscreen.

[netstepinc]

I just left feedback @ www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html
Please everyone do the same.
We need to get the word out.

[miranda974]

I already am getting carpel tunnel in my finger. Please apple, enough already.