So as many people will know, there are three typing methods, known as Typing Styles in settings, when using VoiceOver and the standard Apple keyboard on iOS.
Standard = move around the keyboard until you focus on the letter or character you want, then double tap, just like how you navigate normally with VoiceOver.
Touch typing = move your finger around the keyboard until you find the letter or character you want, then lift to type it. This is the most popular method, as it is quicker than standard, but still offers the ability to be accurate.
Direct touch typing = this is effectively the same as how sighted people type. You simply tap the letter or character, or where you think it is, and it is typed. There is no finding and confirming it first. VoiceOver does of course speak as you type though.
While direct touch typing has been around for several years, I had never really given it a try before, I just didnāt think it sounded realistic. Recently though I decided to give it a try, as I really want something faster. And Iāve surprised myself, I think I actually like it.
I havenāt done any proper tests, but Iām pretty sure Iām a good bit faster, and it is rather satisfying.
Itās the closest experience Iāve found to Flexy or Flicktype, albeit without the ability to swipe up and down for alternative suggestions, and I do sometimes tap the delete, shift or enter key by mistake when aiming for a letter. You need to be fairly accurate but the auto correct does a pretty good job for the most part.
The other challenge is when you do really need accuracy, such as when typing punctuation or a password. My solution has been to place my finger on the keyboard, but donāt lift. You can find the character you want, and even when you lift, nothing is typed. As long as you then tap in exactly the right spot, youāll get what you wanted. Of course you could also just temporarily switch to one of the other typing styles either.
Iām curious to hear if others have tried direct touch typing and how you have got on with it, or what is your preferred method. Please donāt go down the road of talking about braille screen input, as there are already enough threads about that, and Iām keen to hear from people who are not on the BSI train.
Happy typing, Dave
By Dave Nason, 10 June, 2022
Forum
iOS and iPadOS
Comments
Iām not a fan, but slide to type is cool
I often--okay, pretty much always--use BSI. For on-screen typing, though, I rather like Slide to Type. I find it gives you the quick input of Direct Touch Typing, but with far more accuracy. There's the pause while you wait for the mode to kick in with each word, but in trade, you can still type precisely for passwords or punctuation. I also find sliding easier, as I can keep myself more oriented on the keyboard. Tapping each key, with my finger leaving the screen between taps, lets me wander too much and I hit the wrong keys enough that the auto correct gives up. Staying in constant contact with the screen helps this to not happen.
I've used this on my iPadā¦
I've used this on my iPad for years now, and I like it. Autocorrect definitely gets pretty good when you actually use it, which you kind of have to with direct touch, āŗļø.
My solution to the password thing is split touch. find the character you want, leave your finger on it, and tap with another finger.
Hi David, I'm sure you areā¦
Hi David,
I'm sure you are aware of it but for those who are not, speed dots make an excellent screen protector that has important letters marked with a bump. It comes in two flavours, standard and advanced, the latter just having bumps on the home keys, f and j.
this might help with homing ones thumbs as a referential point of interaction.
As yet they've not released a screen protector for the ipad mini 6th generation, but most other devices are covered and, I've been told, they are working on the devices that are not yet catered to.
I've tried this
I've had a go at direct touch typing and yes it does work 70% of the time for me but it's equally frustrating and the best input method for me is the Braille keyboard above anything other method which is currently available.
the go to method for me
I started using direct touch typing as soon as it was introduced in iOS 8 and have been using it ever since.
For me it's the fastest typing style and the least tedious, although when typing passwords, I quickly shift over to the normal touch typing mode which for passwords, works pritty great.
Another advantage is that you can just hold your phone normally when typing and not need to turn it into landscape mode as for example in BSI which feels just clunky for me.
I want to try this on a bigger iPad to see if I can actually do 10 finger direct touch typing, this would be the next step in awesomeness.
Not for me.
I simply use the old fashion standard typing. It works slowly but surely.
Like anything worthwhile, it takes practive
Just takes practice and getting used to. After a point, it becomes second nature. I like it as it is very quick to type out a mwssage.
Replies
Yeah I agree that when you get to grips with it, it really does feel a lot faster. I've stuck with it since I first posted this, and am pretty sure I will continue to use it.
Alex I understand what you mean about orientation. In fact, as a partially sighted user, I would love if I could change the colour of the keyboard to be contrasted against the rest of the screen, as that might help me a little. On the whole I'm managing it ok though. I never liked the swipe method as I found the gap between typing each word a bit laborious.
Yvonne thanks for the tip about split tap, I hadn't realised that was an option here.
I don't do a lot of typing on my iPad, and when I do it's generally with the keyboard case, but yes, I must give it a shot.
Dave
PS Speed Dots
Oops I forgot one thing. Yes, I have heard of speed dots Oliver, though have never tried them.
I wonder, do they get annoying when you're not typing? If I did get them, I would get the ones with just the F and J.
Where do you buy them? I couldn't find them on Amazon. Not sure if I want them really, but curious to try.
Dave
Web Site For Speed Dots
https://www.speeddots.com/
Also see
https://www.speeddots.com/pages/tactile-markings-for-iphone-and-ipad
, for a guide to many of the dots found among said screen protectors.
I love it!
I use it as my primary method of typing and have gotten good/fast at it. I do rely on autocorrect a bit but at this point I can also type with VoiceOver off because of my practice with direct touch. I think it's so worth it to keep practicing with it if you enjoy it so far.
There is also UK basedā¦
There is also UK based computer room services who stock them:
https://www.comproom.co.uk/product-category/mobile-phone-accessories/speeddots/
I didn't find having the dots on the screen an issue when I used it.
I spoke with the maker yesterday. They are on the way for the iPad mini 6th generation which I'm looking forward to as I'm enjoying touch typing on the mini. This would just inprove it further to have home keys evident, especially on a relatively, compared with iPhone, large area where there is more chance of drift.
Thanks
Cool thanks for that guys. Steve in Comproom might be the better bet for me here in Ireland. I will have a look at least.
Dave
I'll have to try it.
I have been using touch typing now that Flick Type and Fleksy are gone. In the past, most people praising direct touch had a far higher typo rate in their posts than I would find acceptable. I've tried slide typing, but didn't catch on enough to keep at it.
So, if it's just a short typing session, I touch type, and if it's longer, I'll use a blue tooth keyboard, or dictation.
I'll have to give direct typing a go.
I'll have to try it.
I have been using touch typing now that Flick Type and Fleksy are gone. In the past, most people praising direct touch had a far higher typo rate in their posts than I would find acceptable. I've tried slide typing, but didn't catch on enough to keep at it.
So, if it's just a short typing session, I touch type, and if it's longer, I'll use a blue tooth keyboard, or dictation.
I'll have to give direct typing a go.
Braille Keyboard on MacOS
I'd personally like to see the Braille Keyboard in Mac OS so you can type in Braille on the computer keyboard.
E.g
"A" is dot7
and
";"
is dot8.
TThoughts?
Slide to type is a great method to use on iOS though.
I use either that, or BSI, Braille Screen Input.
speed dots
I don't find speed dots distracting. I ordered this screen protector for my iPad a few weeks ago because there are certain instances where I can't use my keyboard or BSI, and as a result, my typing on a glass screen has improved significantly. Sighted people have said that they can view my screen without issue.
Slide to type is what I use.
If I'm going to type a long message, most of the time I will rely on dictation.
But, definitely, the slide to type method is my preferred option.