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Touchy Tip 003: Punctuate faster

Posted by Simon on 27 January 2010

4 Comments - Latest by Bailey S

On the iPhone's virtual keyboard, the punctuation and alphabet keys appear on two different keyboard layouts. That's a real pain, because each time you want to type, say, a comma, you need to perform an awkward three-step operation: First you need to tap the Punctuation key...then the comma key...and finally, either the ABC key or the Space bar, to return to the main keyboard layout. Which is just excruciating if you do a lot of typing on your phone.

Fortunately, there's a secret way of producing such punctuation marks that involves nothing more than a single finger gesture. Allow us to explain...

Most of the keys on the iPhone aren't actually activated until you lift your finger off its surface. The Shift and Punctuation keys, however, are different. These keys are activated as soon as you press down on them instead.

So what? Well, this allows you to perform multiple key presses in a single swipe. Here's how to produce a comma in one motion:

Touch the Punctuation key, but don't lift your finger. This causes the punctuation layout to appear. Now, while continuing to keep your finger pressed down on the screen, slide it over to the comma key, and release. As you'll notice, this causes the ABC layout to return, but more importantly, it produces the comma...and with a single touch, instead of three!

This tip doesn't just apply commas; you can type any other punctuation symbol using the same technique.

When was the last time you got what you wanted by making a single fingered gesture?

Comments (4 so far)

Jay on 27 January 2010

Just tried out this tip and it makes sending texts so much quicker. Thanks!
JJ on 27 January 2010

Great tip, but personally-speaking, I'm not sure that I like the sensation of slidign my finger across the phone's surface.
Tizi on 27 January 2010

LOL - that kid has star quality! Great tip too. Shame there isn't a similar option for keys hidden on the "third" keyboard - typing $ and * is such a drag. C'mon Apple!
Bailey S on 5 February 2010

If you press the space bar twice, it'll put in the period for you at the end of sentences, too.