iPad's mystery key… Widgets?
@AACDuke writes in asking what that mystery key above the '6' is on Apple's iPad keyboard dock. The iPad doesn't use function keys like the Mac/PC so there isn't a backup 'function' like on keyboards we're used to. The easiest/simplest/most likely idea is that it is just there for aesthetic reasons, like the dummy screw on earlier MacBooks.
But it seems a little silly, even for Apple, to build a key with absolutely no purpose. From a technology perspective they've likely taken the same internals from their aluminum keyboards, meaning it is a live key.
Something interesting to consider: The idea of a dashboard/widgets on the iPad has been brought up on a few occasions. Might Apple be masking the Widgets function on the iPad by blanking this key for early viewing?
ISo what do you think that key will do? Will it be unveiled sometime later? Will it be mappable to an app of your choice? Comments appreciated (the home button is on the top left btw).
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Comments (53)
Looks like a Home button to me ...
Home button is top left key
It'll not be the home button. The one above the tilde is more likely the home button, as it features the 'square-with-rounded-edges' that the home button on iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad does.
once you turn on the ipad after 108 minutes it starts beeping and u have to enter in some numbers that came with ur box then hit the blank key.
Nice reference...
Definitely a Home key
Definitely not. That video is there for a reason, try watching it. Home is the top left button that has the exact same square symbol as the real home button. The video shows what every key does.
Lmao, come on guys.
That's right. On the iPad keyboard the home button is what is normally the escape button. It's not only a fact but it makes a lot of sense when you think about it.
Hello Dashboard.
watch the video there is one already
i would have thought it's pretty clearly the home button on a keyboard. No?
are you guys blind? he clearly states that he's discussing the button above the 6 key which clearly has no symbol on it at all, therefore making it a mystery key
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The home button is the first one on the leftside maybe that blank button might be for a mobile dashboard or something???
The missing key is for the missing "Flash".................................................
It's the "any" key :D:D
Remember... From The Simpsons ;)
Finally! I am sick of searching for the Any Key. Now where's my tab?
It enables Flash...
We have a winner!!!
ROFLMAO
...my pleasure.
here is a cnet video explaining the keys on the keyboard. they did not address the function of the blank key!
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10443236-1.html
The blank key won't be blank. It was only blank at the prototype and will get a mystery function like a Dashboard in the final product - but I think, Apple will surprise us, so let us see how great it will be.
There are two reasons to don't show the function of the key at the keynote: 1st Apple want to surprise us and 2nd Apple itself doesn't have an idea for another function key and hopes they get one in near future.
Even the full size wired Apple keyboard has two blank keys (f5 and f6), so no need to think they will necesarily fill the blank key on the ipad keyboard with a superösecret function...
ichat key with a builtin web cam?
A dummy key is most likely? I disagree, Seth.
I'd be shocked if it didn't functionally send a keycode to the OS when pressed.
Regardless, I'm pretty sure that it's a yet-to-be-labelled control-alt-delete button - just to attract PC users.
reset key in the event of crash.
It is obviously the shutter release for the camera that Apple cannot put in the iPad until the Kodak lawsuit is settled.
I do hope it's for a dashboard. I am honestly hoping that Apple will give the iPad a dashboard; widgets are really too small for the iPhone, but they make perfect sense on the 'Pad. I envisage the SDK to allow for a download of an app, whilst also carrying the code (inside the same binary) for the widget. As soon as the main app is installed, the respective widget appears in your 'Add Widget' bar on the dashboard.
Excitingly, a dashboard seems to be the one rumor that has the most logical sense and evidence behind it. 'standalone-calculator' in SDK, shared-storage, empty keys ... the whole kaboodle.
it is a button to open the camera on the iPad!!
If you have to ask you don't have the authorization to know.