Use iOS 5 Keyboard Shortcuts to Log In Faster
One of the most common fields in iOS apps is the e-mail field that is required, for one reason or another, to log in and get everything to start syncing. iCloud apps don’t do this, but apps that sync with Dropbox, Gmail, or even Instapaper will prompt you for an e-mail address. I’ve got a relatively short e-mail address, but typing it in day and day out as I test software is a real pain in the app.
One trick I’ve come up with (though I’m certain I’m not the first one to report this) is to use the Shortcuts tucked away in Settings -> General -> Keyboard. I set up a three-letter Shortcut that’s easy for me to remember and then set the Phrase to my main e-mail address. Once set up, all I need to do is type the shortcut out and then press space to have iOS5 auto-replace it with the phrase I’ve specified. Shortcuts works perfectly in most any field that supports iOS auto-correction, but they won’t work for password fields that are obscured by asterisks.
I love these shortcuts because they mimic TextExpander functionality, but they’re free and baked right into iOS 5.
I personally like @@ – which is something i’d not usually type.
It’s a terrific idea! I hadn’t thought of it myself. Thanks.
Great tip. It never occured to me to use it for my email!