Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Research has shown that frequent use of a computer mouse may contribute to repetitive motion injuries. KeyCue for Mac claims to teach users how to replace the mouse with keyboard shortcuts, but its limited functionality and its price make it less useful than it could have been.
A 30-day free trial version of KeyCue for Mac is available, but it costs $29.99 for the full version. The program downloads quickly but despite having its own installer, proved difficult to set up. We had to try the installation several times due to the program claiming it could not install while it was open. This was a strange error since the installer was the only version of it running at the time. In addition to having to activate keyboard assist in the control panel, the program prompts the user to sign in to all network computers not only during the installation, but throughout its operation. Ergonis Software offers support by e-mail, but we didn't try this. As for the program itself, the only evidence that it was running was a small icon at the top of the Mac screen. Clicking the icon brought up a keyboard shortcut list, but any additional functions were not obvious. Instructions would have been helpful since any additional features were not apparent from cycling through the options.
While KeyCue for Mac lists keyboard shortcuts in an easy-to-see way, its full version price and failure to provide additional features make it less attractive.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of KeyCue for Mac 6.4.
Publisher's Description
From Ergonis software:
Menu shortcuts are supposed to provide quick access to frequently used menu commands. Honestly though, how many shortcut keys do you know by heart? KeyCue helps you to learn and remember the keyboard shortcuts of the applications you are using. Over time, you will automatically remember frequently used shortcuts and start working more efficiently.
What's new in this version:
- KeyCue now has an optional icon in the menu bar for opening the shortcut table with a single click and accessing various settings with a control-click or right-click.
- In trial mode, no registration reminder is shown when the Settings window is already open.
- Background version checks now take place only when the computer has been idle for a while.
- KeyCue no longer shows the shortcut table when the scroll wheel is operated while pressing modifier keys. ... See all new features
More Products to Consider
-
Control fans of your intel mac to cool it down, monitor temp.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Turn your Android or iOS device into an extra touch screen moni...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Monitor widget: cpu, memory, bandwidth, drive, fans, temps...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Adds AirPrint support to many third-party printers.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Remove unwanted language resources from OS X and installed apps...DownloadThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install -
Customizable virtual keyboard utility.Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Command-line utility to expand RAR archives.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Access applications and personal data by typing abbreviations.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Set a different desktop picture for each Space.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Fix a keyboard shortcut issue.Visit Site
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
-
Count down the seconds to any event right on your dashboard.DownloadThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install - Learn piano with ease.Download
Installed
Smart Install - AutoCAD (dwg & dxf) & eDrawings viewer.Download
Installed
Smart Install - Move and resize windows on your Mac using only the keyboard.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Access hidden preferences settings.Visit SiteThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
- Learn how to use your iPhone.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Spelling & pronunciation widget dictionary.DownloadThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install - Hover over the Dock for window previews and enables window snap...Download
Installed
Smart Install - Speed up the Finder with keyboard shortcuts.Visit Site
This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
-
Makes the color of your computer's display adapt to the time of...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Menu bar extra to control display brightness.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Look up handy shortcuts.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Menu extras: CPU, disk, memory & network monitoring.Download
Installed
Smart Install
-
All versions:
4.6 starsout of 16 votes
-
Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
-
"Great small utility app!"
Version: KeyCue 6.1
Pros
Quick, complete, and very useful overview of all shortcuts for an app, beautifully visualized in a grid format. Perfect for learning and choosing keyboard shortcuts.
Cons
None. Really works well.
Summary
Using it daily for years and still loving it.
-
"Another Great Ergonis Product"
Version: KeyCue 6.1
Pros
Great product.
Easy to use.
Works in the background.
Easy updates, and low pricing.Cons
None. The program works as expected
Summary
KeyCue 6.1 is the most recent addition to my stable of Ergonis products, and there is no doubt the quality of this latest update is superior. I am thoroughly impressed by the clean interface, smooth execution of commands, and the ease of updating that has long characterized this company's efforts to stay on the cutting edge of constantly evolving technology.
What I like best about the products is their seamless integration with Mac OS X, and the careful attention paid to the need for them to function correctly, and work in the background thus eliminating the need to "activate" them in any complicated manner.
Kudos to the design team. You have outdone yourselves in this version. But, more importantly, the ease with which your company provides updates coupled with the low cost, makes it #1 on my list of preferred software companies. Congratulations! -
"This should come with the MacOS"
Version: KeyCue 5.2
Pros
It's essential to understand the keyboard shortcuts, provided by MacOS. This provides you with all you need to know in one press of a button.
Cons
None. None at all.
Summary
Everyone should have this as a log in item. I no longer need to STUDY the plethora of the keyboard shortcuts available in MacOS. If i'm curious about what keyboard action can be used, at any one time, in any particular dialogue box, I can call up a complete list of actions, by holding down a key (that I can pre-assign). No studying needed!
-
"Keyboard Shortcuts, on call, right at your fingertips."
Version: KeyCue 5.2
Pros
Works with any Mac program, no more 'menu hunting'; no need to memorize. Unobtrusive, well supported, fills a unique niche.
Cons
None that I know of.
Summary
Quite possibly, KeyCue may be an app you never knew you had a need for. Keyboard shortcuts have been with us since the beginning, but no one ever addressed cataloging, organizing and accessing them in such an easy manner as does KeyCue. It makes every keyboard shortcut available to you, in the front-most app, with the press of a button. You may not have initiated a search for a utility that does what KeyCue does, but after using it, you'll probably wonder how you lived without it.
-
"Occasionally useful"
Version: KeyCue 5.2
Pros
Worth the low cost because it can be extremely helpful.
Cons
Very erratic - sometimes just will not work at all for no apparent reason. It usually manages to fail just when I need it most. It has got better at responding at each new version, but still fails sometimes.
Summary
Apart from sometimes not responding when called up, at other times, if you hold down the Option key a mite too long while executing an action, it pops up and gets in the way momentarily - but that is not really its fault. Nevertheless can be very useful from time to time or when learning a new program. Worth the money.
-
"A Perfect addition to your Mac"
Version: KeyCue 5.1
Pros
It works perfectly, and using Key Commands is soooo much better than using your mouse.
Cons
no "cons" whatsoever.
Summary
This is especially useful for Mac noobies.
I have recommended this to several people new to Macs.
They have ALL thanked me. -
"KeyCue Helps Me a Lot"
Version: KeyCue 4.5
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I have had KeyCue for many years. It has saved me a lot of time and frustration, especially since I can't remember all of the key combinations for the shortcuts just in the Finder itself. With the third-party add-ons and programs that I use, I still find that KeyCue is a great help, and it is nice that all I have to do is press and hold just one key. -
"QuicKeys integration is excellent in v4.5"
Version: KeyCue 4.5
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I have been using KeyCue for three years on Tiger and Leopard with no problems and the latest version allows me to see all my application and QuicKeys shortcuts at the same time, which is brilliant. QuicKeys became an indispensable utility for me back in the Classic OS days and remains so now. KeyCue is the only practical way to quickly see what shortcuts are available in any given context across the application, system and QuicKeys domains simultaneously, in an attractive and easy way - well worth the fee for me. -
"Useful utility"
Version: KeyCue 3.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I got KeyCue as part of the Macitility Productivity Bundle. While I probably wouldn't have bought it as a standalone utility, it's a very useful program, well implemented and elegantly done. -
"GREAT time saver"
Version: KeyCue 3.0
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
If you want to use key strokes instead of relying on a mouse, or the mouse pad on your PowerBook is to fussy than get this utility. It works 100% of the time, is stable and saves me a lot of time. Try it, I'm sure you'll like it.
