Filed under: Software, Cool tools
WWDC Demo: QuicKeys 4
WWDC isn't all about iPhone apps. Long before the iPhone was a twinkle in Steve's eye, WWDC was all about developing for the Macintosh. I had a chance to sit down with the guys behind QuicKeys, a venerable Mac app that will save you a lot of time on repetitive typing tasks. I got a look at the beta, but the full version is now available for $59.95 ($29.95 if you are upgrading from version 3).
For example, if you are constantly typing your email signature, QuicKeys can auto-complete the typing when you type "szm" or any other character combo you like (in a similar fashion to TextExpander). QuicKeys can also create keyboard shortcuts for darn near anything, and record actions for later use. That's really just the tip of the iceberg. QuicKeys has MIDI triggers, a powerful search tool, web actions, an online repository for shortcuts and tutorials, and the company is set to release a QuicKeys remote app for the iPhone/iPod touch (so yeah, you just can't escape that little platform).
Luckily, you can try QuicKeys yourself and get a feel for how powerful it truly is. There's a 30-day trial mode, but Startly (makers of QuicKeys) has a generous "unlimited" trial period, which extends the trial app indefinitely. I know I've often downloaded an app, installed it, then come back close to 30 days later to realize I can't dig into it within the timeout period. Give it a try and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. If you are a power user, this thing is a lifesaver. If you're a casual user, there's still benefit to typing less throughout the day.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ken Cohen said 2:02PM on 6-24-2009
If you’re not familiar with it, Quickeys is an excellent application for recording and programming macros (shortcuts that save you time and put an end to some repetitive computer tasks), from the very simple stuff that people like me can do, to the complex. It’s pretty straightforward to learn the basics, and the documentation is excellent for moving forward from there. I’ve owned Quickeys in many versions going all the way back to my Macintosh SE which I bought in 1989. The new version, which I just downloaded this morning, looks like a good step forward. Highly recommended for intermediate and advanced Mac users.
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Juz said 2:36PM on 6-24-2009
Can anyone sway me as to why I would choose this piece of (expensive?) software over Typinator or the (comparably expensive) TextPander (which is too slow I find, sometimes correcting something after I have psaced-past the word, resulting in double typos)
My biggest issue, these apps all work poorly within a VMWare VM, which hurts the place I need typing corrections the most, Windows
Any suggestions?
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colouroflight said 2:42PM on 6-24-2009
What's a Macintosh? You wouldn't know if you've been reading TUAW for the last two years.
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Brett P. Cooper said 2:49PM on 6-24-2009
What about Typinator - it is under $30US
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Brandon Newendorp said 12:07PM on 6-25-2009
QuicKeys does a heck of a lot more than just abbreviations, which is what TextExpander or other products do. The recordings and shortcuts can automate practically anything on your computer for you, and there's a ton of ways you can activate your shortcuts.
Disclaimer: I know the developers of QuicKeys, but I don't work for them.
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Cowicide said 11:35PM on 6-24-2009
I'm still looking forward to someone or Apple to make something that will record most anything you do (accurately) and then play it back with gestures, keyboards shortcuts, etc. maybe after some editing of the actions, etc.
QuicKeys is cool, but at least with the last version I tried, it failed miserably at recording things beyond the most simple functions, etc.
I was hoping Snow Leopard would have something like this with a new Automator or something...
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Peter Payne said 2:39PM on 6-25-2009
I have been a huge fan of Quickeys over the years, literally using it since 1986 or so. However Keyboard Maestro does 99% of the same stuff, without the serial number check making you have to buy a separate license for each bloody computer I have. Not fun -- I recommend Keyboard Maestro instead.
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