January 1, 2017 (Vol. 37, No. 1)
Rating:
Strong Points: Easy to install and use
Weak Points: Limited number of symbols
Platform:
iPad/iPhone
Cost:
Free (in-app purchases)
Summary:
Less of an app and more of a utility for one’s phone or tablet, SciKey is a scientific keyboard that is easily added to the native keyboards of one’s device. Following download of the app, users simply need to add the keyboard within the “settings” menu of their device. Characters on the keyboard are divided into three screens and include numbers (including subscript), select Greek letters (both upper and lower case), and a small number of mathematical symbols. Comically, each of the three screens of the keyboard also includes one science-appropriate emoji: a light bulb, a cup of coffee, and a microscope. For additional symbols, users can pay a small amount of money to upgrade from the free version of the keyboard.
