Using Keyboards with your iPad

This is a repeat post but in lieu of some of the keyboarding app reviews I thought and frequent reference to how to do this I thought I would post this how to use and connect a standard and Bluetooth  keyboard  with your iPad.

How to connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your iPad

You can connect a Bluetooth keyboard by going to Settings > General > Bluetooth>On then slide button to ON.

Make sure your keyboard power is on and then pair the two devices. The iPad will search for your Bluetooth device and give you instructions for pairing the device and keyboard typically a code to enter for connection. The manual for your keyboard will also give you instructions for how to pair the devices. Here is a good video of step by step instructions of how to pair a Bluetooth keyboard with your iPad:

Bluetooth keyboards such as the Apple wireless keyboard or the Logitech Tablet Keyboard that has a stand works with both my Toshiba Thrive Android Tablet or iPad . Connecting a keyboard is the same as connecting other Bluetooth devices such as Bluetooth switch interface. Easy? Yes!

How to attach a standard keyboard to your iPad

Standard wired keyboards  can also be connected to your iPad using the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit if you don’t have a Bluetooth keyboard. Cost of the connection kit is $29.00 typically and can connect cameras,  keyboards or another iPad to your iDevice making it a handy tool for a number of reasons. Keyboards typically cost more so if you can’t afford a Bluetooth keyboard, this might be a cheap solution.

The camera connector kits comes with two connectors, a USB and an SD card connector. Plug the camera connector with the USB port into your iPad and connect a standard USB keyboard into the camera connector that has been connected to your iPad. After connecting the USB keyboard to my iPad, I initially received a “not compatible” message, I selected okay, then opened an app that word processed (such as Notes app) which allowed me to type on the keyboard into the Note app without a problem. Here is a video showing you how to connect a wired keyboard:

The next challenge was positioning of my iPad in an upright position with the connector attached at the bottom. I unlocked the rotation on my device so that I could flip the iPad upside down and view the app with the connector positioned on top of my iPad while in an easeled position.

My Targus Versavu Case can do a 360 rotation and has a stand in the case providing an  upright position when attaching a standard wired keyboard for more appropriate ergonomic placement of the keyboard and iPad.

I also have an inexpensive Arkon Portable Fold-Up Stand for Tablets suitable for easeling an iPad, Thrive or any other tablet for better ergonomic, upright positioning.