dialing with a bluetooth keyboard

By Becky Manners, 18 July, 2014

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Hi, everyone.

Is it possible to dial prompts using the number line on a Bluetooth keyboard while on a call?

If not, some suggestions about how to be more successful with my touch screen will be helpful. I have no trouble dialing a number to make a phone call; however, when I have to dial a prompt on an automated system, I am not fast enough for the system. I have read some of the suggestions about programming the necessary numbers into my phone as part of a contact; however, I do not feel comfortable doing that.

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Becky Manners

Options

Comments

By alex wallis on Thursday, August 7, 2014 - 16:42

Hi, unfortunately dialing numbers on a call with a Bluetooth keyboard isn't supported, I agree like you it would be very useful.
The only way around it though is to program in the numbers as part of a contact.
sometimes pressing the star or hash keys when prompted for a number lets you bypass the automated system and puts you through to an operator.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.

By Gadget Meistress on Thursday, August 7, 2014 - 16:42

Unfortunately, whilst it is possible to dial with a bt keyboard, simply by moving the right and left cursors to the numbers you want on the keypad, and doing the simeltaneous press of the up and down cursor to double tap, that sort of action is not going to be fast enough for accessing prompts on an automated system. There is a device for that sort of thing if you really have a problem using the touch screen to enter info from the number keypad, however the price is a bit too high in my opinion. It's called the Rivo. This device gives you access to they number keypad and then some. In fact, I think there is at least one article and/or podcast talking about it. Unfortunately, the price is something like $229, I think.
But, you'd have your direct access to the number keypad, as well as being able to move around on the phone and some other things. You can text with it, but then you're going back to the days of using the multiple taps of the numbers on the keypad for accessing letters.

By Gadget Meistress on Thursday, August 7, 2014 - 16:42

There is no easy way to dial using the bt keyboard unless you have enough time to move around the screen with the right and left cursors and double tapping with the up and down cursor.
However, there is a device that will give you a direct interface for the keypad and other things called the "RIVO, "Remote Interface for VoiceOver," of which David Woodbridge submitted a podcast on.

By alex wallis on Thursday, August 7, 2014 - 16:42

Hi, I doubt the device to which you refer would be able to enter numbers while on a call?
surely if a normal Bluetooth keyboard can't actually enter a number when you press the number on it this device won't be able to either?
as I understand it the rivo is designed with VoiceOver in mind, but I would think the dialing with a Bluetooth keyboard using actual numbers rather than arrows is an issue that only apple could fix.

By Kerby on Thursday, August 7, 2014 - 16:42

How do you navigate an automated system using the contacts method mentioned? I too have this same problem. I can't use the touch screen fast enough for an automated system.

By Becky Manners on Thursday, August 7, 2014 - 16:42

Thanks for all your comments.

I agree the RIVO sounds a little pricey... OK, it sounds a lot pricey! LOL.

Other than this one problem, I am very pleased with my iPhone. The touch screen is much easier to navigate than I anticipated. I have no problem texting, entering contacts, making phone calls (without automated systems) or anything else.

Anyway, thanks for all suggestions. If anyone has any more, keep them coming. Meanwhile, I guess I will just have to keep practicing.

By alex wallis on Thursday, August 7, 2014 - 16:42

well the way to automate entering of numbers into an automated system is to use the comma and semicolon, I can't remember which does what, but one of them allows you to insert a pause before a new string of numbers is dialled.The second symbol gives you a button which you can tap when your ready to dial the next sequence of numbers. Now I think on it I believe its comma that inserts a pause. I find it easiest to put several commas in a row to give me enough pauses before the phone automatically dials the next block of numbers.

I haven't done it myself but concur with the above advice as I know others have managed it, but it does seem to be trial and error and not what you really want to practise too much!