Standard keyboards make use of CTRL, SHIFT, NUM-LOCK, etc… keys to prescribe multiple meanings to the same keys on the keyboard. The TextBlade makes heavy use of this approach to provide an enhanced level of flexibility with fewer keys, all within easy reach. Each of these modes can be activated by pressing a key or key-chord.
In additional to the modes found on a standard keyboard: CTRL, ALT, SHIFT, Command/Windows key, CAPS-LOCK, and NUM-LOCK, the TextBlade adds the following modes: green layer, edit mode, and media mode.
Some of these modes can be activated while the key or key-chord is depressed. For example, to activate ALT mode, one must press down on the lower part of each key under the ring and middle fingers on the same hand (either hand works fine). The SHIFT key is “sticky” like the SHIFT key on on-screen keyboards, i.e., if the SHIFT key is tapped once, the next key to be pressed will be pressed in SHIFT mode (we get 'A' instead of 'a'). Some modes can be locked (like CAPS-LOCK) when the appropriate key or key-chord is pressed or double-pressed.
The TextBlade has ten LEDs to communicate status. These lights are used to indicate which mode current mode of the TextBlade. For example, if the device is in CAPS-LOCK mode, the two right-most LEDs will be illuminated.
In addition, the LEDs are used during the start-up sequence or when charging to indicate the battery charge level. The number of LEDs that are illuminated indicates the current battery status (in units of 10%).
Finally, the LEDs strobe when connecting via Bluetooth.
For the chords that are used to trigger Jumps, refer to the Jumps section.
The following lists the key / key-chords to control other modes of the device. The LED status is also shown (for now, 1 indicates ON and 0 indicates OFF).
| Shift (tap for sticky key or press and hold) |
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| or |
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| Caps-Lock (double tap) |
| |
| or |
| |
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| ALT (press and hold) |
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| CMD (press and hold) |
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| or |
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| or |
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| Green Layer (press and hold) |
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| CTRL (press and hold) |
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| |
| CTRL (press and hold) |
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| Edit (press and hold) |
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| Select (press and hold) |
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| Media (press and hold) |
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| Toggle iOS Keyboard Extension (press) |
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