Keyboard recommendations for Nexus 7?

By The Teej
in Android Support

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Grand Master

The Teej

Posted
Posted

Hi guys. I'm about to be the proud owner of the Nexus 7 (in the post :woot:) and I was thinking about getting a keyboard for it. I'll be rooting it and enabling USB OTG support for it, which means I'll be able to use a USB keyboard (well, and a PS/2 one too... but who would want to do that!?) as well as a Bluetooth keyboard.

If I had a keyboard, I'd most likely be using it for typing out long forum posts and probably some document editing too. Now, would you guys recommend me actually getting a keyboard at all, or would you guys say it's a waste of time and the on-screen keyboard is good enough, even for "long" typing sessions? Are there any other advantages to using a keyboard (i.e. games)?

Secondly, if you would recommend a keyboard, which one would you recommend? A USB-based one, or a smaller-and-portable Bluetooth one? Would you have any specific keyboards in mind? Preferably under ?15 but I can usually be persuaded to push the boat out a little if the keyboard is worth it :p

Many thanks in advance all :)

Grand Master

tsupersonic

Posted
Posted

If you're doing a "long" typing session, typing on the on-screen keyboard will be very uncomfortable. While a bluetooth/USB keyboard will help with that problem, I just can't see tablets being as productive as something like a netbook, which will be far more flexible in what OS/programs you can run. There are a plethora of bluetooth keyboards at online retailers, just take a look at amazon to get an idea.

Grand Master

The Teej

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If you're doing a "long" typing session, typing on the on-screen keyboard will be very uncomfortable. While a bluetooth/USB keyboard will help with that problem, I just can't see tablets being as productive as something like a netbook, which will be far more flexible in what OS/programs you can run. There are a plethora of bluetooth keyboards at online retailers, just take a look at amazon to get an idea.

I'm not looking for it to be a very flexible device like a netbook, but to be honest I see my most "hardcore" office use extending to typing out a formal letter anyway!

I'm aware there's a plethora of bluetooth keyboards out there... hence why I'm asking here :p I see mini ones, full sizes ones and ones with little touch pads on them... and I'm not really sure entirely what's the best choice for tablet use, and was hoping more experienced tablet users on here could offer their input :)

I should also mention I'll also have a tablet stand available at my disposal too, so I can use the KB both when my N7 is on a stand or on my lap.

Proficient

Ace

Posted
Posted

You don't need to root the Nexus 7 to be able to use USB flash drives. Check out Nexus Media Importer.

The Nexus 7 does support USB-OTG, just not for flash drives...

USB-OTG is indeed supported on the Nexus 7, however as anyone has used USB-OTG knows, whether peripherals or devices work is a function of the host OS and drivers. On the Nexus 7, using a mouse and keyboard is supported, and I saw Google using an Ethernet to microUSB adapter with the Nexus 7 as well. (Source)
Grand Master

The Teej

Posted
  • Author
Posted

sure about that? linux automounts it....you may not be able to use it in the gui but any file manager should be able to see it

It definitely doesn't auto-mount - that's why it's necessary to root it (otherwise I probably wouldn't be rooting it for quite a while).

Anyway.. we're deviating from the topic :p

  • 4 months later...
Apprentice

TheDarkLord

Posted
Posted

I would go with swiftkey. it is a on-screen keyboard but suggestions and auto correct work really well. It autocorrects my typing all the time (LOL because I cant type straight).

http://www.swiftkey.net/en/

If you want to stick with hardware keyboard, I would suggest this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poetic-Keybook-Google-Android-Tablet/dp/B008IEGS2Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357166193&sr=8-2

It's only ?22 and looks great as well.

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