The Malaysian Tech Blogger
Posts tagged Apple iOS 5
Google Maps now supports Penang Transit Information
It is no question Google Maps is expanding rapidly in countries outside the US, and is still the best mapping solution especially for us Malaysians. Google Malaysia just announced today that they will be expanding support for transit information in Penang with 44 new bus routes. It has been months now since March that traffic information was made available for Kuala Lumpur, as well as the much welcomed public transit information on both the web and on Android. On our review of Google Maps for iOS (5 and below) though, the public transit feature is not present.
We all knew how convoluted our public transport’s directory is, not to mention the rapidly changing routes. The bus route numbers that we use to take just 10 years ago is totally different from what they are now since Rapid’s takeover. Google Maps has proven to be indispensable for users especially those on Android.
The Penang transit information even includes the PPSB ferry service which many Penangites would use to travel to work in Penang from their home in Seberang Perai. Head on over to maps.google.com.my to give it a whirl. You might even be surprised that this feature has been available for KL folks for a while now, both on the web and on Android. iOS users need not be jelly, this feature is still accessible from the web. While you’re at it, also check out our other alternatives to Apple Maps in iOS 6.
iPad’s split keyboard with six hidden keys
Did you know that there are six hidden keys on the iPad’s split keyboard that could help you type faster? I use the iPad for typing anything which is longer or URL in Safari or a line or two of an e-mail, and when I do use the keyboard, I rarely split it. This tip from a post on iPad Insight, however, might make me reconsider using the split keyboard. Lurking along the inside edges of the split keyboard are six hidden keys. They simply repeat three of the available keys on the opposite side of the keyboard, but these hidden keys might help touch typists type faster. Here’s the deal: instead of using your right thumb to reach the Y, H, and B keys, which are the left-most keys on the right side of the split keyboard, you can type those letters by tapping just off the right edge of the left side of the split keyboard. And the reverse is true for the T, G, and V keys. If my explanation is confusing, just look at this image to see where these six hidden keys reside:
To see the iPad’s split keyboard in action, check out video post here. And if the onscreen keyboard isn’t your thing, then perhaps you need an iPad keyboard case; Scott Stein picks his favorites. Do you have any iPad typing tips? And do you think these hidden keys might aid your iPad typing efforts? Let me know in the comments below. They have already shown quite a bit of what iOS 5 has to offer for both the iPhone and iPad. This time we are going to show you something that is specific to just the iPad. Steve Jobs announced a new split keyboard for the iPad at Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) back in June. The split keyboard is currently only available on the iPad and allows for a different typing experience, but one that aims to improve the user experience. To activate the split keyboard, with the default keyboard visible, drag two fingers from the middle of the keyboard towards each side of the screen. It doesn’t make a difference if you are in portrait or landscape mode, the keyboard will then split into two halves, hugging the edge of the screen on each side. Make sure to check out the video above for a more visual demonstration. What are your thoughts on the new split keyboard? Is this something you see yourself using, or something that is to be used once and never again?
