Peace of Mind Organizing

Nine things I love about the iPad

21 September 2010

My three-year-old cell phone came to the end of its life recently, so I bought an iPad. I realize that doesn’t make a lot of sense on the surface, since the iPad isn’t a phone. But when it came time to contemplate a new phone, I realized I wanted the productivity of the iPhone (that is, I wanted to be able to access the internet when I’m out and about without relying on a wireless connection), but I didn’t want to sign a contract with AT&T and I also craved a larger screen for my middle-aged eyes.

So I bought a less-than-smart replacement phone similar to the one I’d had and ended up with a 3G iPad and wireless keyboard. It’s just been a couple of weeks, but I am loving it.

In the spirit of why I love my iPod Touch, a post I wrote in 2008 when I bought my iPod Touch (which I still love and use), here are nine things I love about my new iPad.

1. I can access the internet anywhere. With my iPod Touch, I have to have a wireless connection to use the Internet. With the iPad, I pay a monthly fee for a cellular data connection. So as long as there’s cell service, I can log on.

2. The screen is quite large. And really crisp. Reading a website on a smartphone can be difficult. But the iPad’s display, at 9.7 inches, isn’t that much smaller than my MacBook’s.

3. The larger screen allows for touch typing. It’s not perfect, but it’s so much easier to type on the touch screen of the iPad (particularly in landscape mode) than it is on the iPod Touch. That said, typing longer emails or other written documents can be painstakingly slow, which is why I spent an extra $70 on…

4. The wireless keyboard. Small and light, it connects automatically via bluetooth with the iPad, making it almost as functional as my MacBook and so, so much more portable. I also love that the iPad is fully functional without the keyboard, so I don’t have to carry it if I don’t want to.

5. The apps. I love the apps. Since iPhone/iPod Touch apps work on the iPad, I was able to transfer the apps I’d already downloaded. And there are a growing number of apps written specifically for the iPad. I’m using more work-oriented apps like Dropbox and Evernote, but I also enjoy the games. (My current favorite is Word Scramble, a Boggle-like word game.)

6. The photo display. I’ve already loaded some before and after photos on my iPad, which I think will be inspirational to clients. They show up so large and clear on the screen that they have a real impact (as opposed to, say, squinting at the display on my digital camera).

7. The portability. This thing is so light (1.6 pounds) that if I don’t have the keyboard with me, I barely notice that I’m carrying it. And the keyboard adds just 14 ounces.

8. Synchronicity. I already use MobileMe to synch my computer with my iPod Touch. After just a couple of minutes of set up, I was synching my iPad as well. So no matter which device I’m using (MacBook, iPad, or iPod Touch), I have the most current info for my calendar and contacts, as well as my latest emails, right in front of me. And the synching is automatic and wireless. That’s a great thing.

9. The plethora of accessories available for the iPad. Even though it’s only been around for five months, the iPad is so insanely popular that accessories have sprouted up like mushrooms. I can find anything I might desire for it (cases, bags, stands, you name it) — and chances are really good that the accessories are stylish.

My only challenge at the moment is finding just the right bag to replace my purse, which isn’t large enough for the iPad. I want to find a bag that will hold the iPad and the wireless keyboard when necessary. But that’s a fun challenge.

Tagged with: ipad, iphone, ipod, productivity, purse, technology

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