iPad 2 Review - The Evolution Of An Amazing Device

It is barely a year since Apple unleashed its original iPad, a game changing device in the world of mobile computing. Now the tablet is firmly established as a niche product: smaller than a laptop or netbook but larger than a smartphone. The Apple iPad might not have been the first tablet device but it was the one that renewed the format for the mobile internet age.

Now, twelve months later, with the original iPad a runaway success, but with other manufacturers getting in on the act in greater numbers, Apple has released the iPad 2. The excitement and anticipation concerning this new model has been remarkable, so in this article we'll have a look at what the new iPad brings to the table, and whether it makes sense for owners of the old model to go for an upgrade straight away.

Whenever Apple launches a new, upgraded version of one of its products, you can be sure that the new model will strive for something noticeably different in design compared to its predecessor. This is how Apple uses design to stimulate desire for its products. While there is always technical advancement, at the same time appearance and style are used by Apple to distance the new product from the old and make what was 'new' a few months ago seem 'old hat'.

Bearing this in mind, the new iPad 2 is surprisingly recognizable from the old model. To be fair, when it comes to the tablet it would be hard to reinvent the wheel; having said that, the new model is noticeably thinner and sleeker than the original. There is also a curve to the edge of the new unit that gives it a different feel in the hand. As well as being thinner than the first iPad, the new model is also lighter, by 80 grams.

Moving on to the technical specifications, if we compare the old iPad with the iPad 2 we can see that there have been some big improvements made. The new unit is powered by an A5 dual core 1 GHz processor chip, which is effectively twice as fast as the single core A4 chip in the old iPad. The iPad 2 has 512 MB of RAM, again twice that of the first generation iPad. Also on the plus side, the iPad 2 features an upgraded graphics engine that is claimed to be nine times faster than the previous version. On the other hand, the iPad 2 screen is the same (1024x768 pixels) as that on the old iPad, so there is no improvement there.

A significant step forward with the iPad 2 is in its provision of two cameras: a rear-facing cam for video and still capture, and a front-facing VGA cam for video chats. In contrast the original iPad had no camera of any kind. Another improvement with the iPad 2 is its inbuilt gyroscope that detects whether the unit is being held horizontally or vertically. This feature aims to counteract an annoying tendency of the old iPad to display images or pages at the wrong orientation if the unit was moved suddenly.

As you might expect, the enhanced hardware of the iPad 2 makes for faster processing and smoother display of some kinds of material. Simple web browsing, using the supplied Safari browser, doesn't seem that different but video playback is definitely somewhat smoother. However, one disappointment is the camera quality. The resolution is not that great, either for capture of video and stills, or for the quality of video chats. This is a little surprising given the superior specifications of the cameras on the iPhone 4. On the other hand, a tablet like the iPad is not really an ideal size or shape to use as a camera. Perhaps the company's research shows that buyers use the iPad chiefly to browse the net and as an e-reader, and so there was no point in over-specifying the device.

One other thing we have to mention is the issue of Adobe Flash support. In common with the various iPhones and previous iPad, the iPad 2 does not support Flash, so any websites dependent on this technology (and there are lots of them) will not display on the iPad. Some websites, for example Google's various sites, offer HTML5 versions as a substitute for Flash, but many other websites do not so these will not be viewable at all on the iPad 2.

In conclusion, we shall try to answer the twin questions of whether you should choose the iPad 2 over another tablet, and also whether existing iPad users should replace their machines. With regard to other tablets out there at the moment, the chief contender seems to be the Motorola Xoom. If you put the iPad 2 up against the Xoom, in our opinion the Xoom comes out slightly on top. The display is crisper and brighter, and the Motorola is better specified all round. On the other hand, the iPad is smaller and lighter, which is an advantage, even when performance is not quite as good. Of course, the other major difference is the interface. The Xoom is an Android device, and Android has increasing numbers of fans. The adaptability and flexibility of the Android OS is definitely greater than that of the Apple iOS, but to this day many people, especially those already used to Apple devices, prefer the smoothness of the Apple interface.

If you already own an iPad, you may be wondering whether or not to upgrade. If you are the kind of person who has to get the latest and greatest, and for whom the cost is not a concern, then yes, you should go for it. The iPad 2 has an improved, sleeker case and a noticeably zippier performance. You will certainly see a speed difference compared to the old model. On the other hand, if you have only recently purchased the iPad, you could take comfort in knowing you have an excellent product and enjoy it for what it is. Unless you are desperate to be up to date, you should perhaps wait for the iPad 3, or for a discount on the iPad 2, which will probably come at some point when this brand new product has been on the market for a while.

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My 12 Favorite Apps for the iPad - January 2011 Edition

Every few days I am asked what are the best apps for the iPad and what my iPad favorite apps are. In fact, last May, I wrote about My 12 Favorite iPad Apps where I called out 12 of the best apps for iPad so I thought I'd revisit the list to see if my favorites have changed. As expected, my top apps for iPad have evolved over time. For example, only three of the twelve iPad apps have remained on my list for best apps for iPad including Kindle, Zinio and Mail.

#12 Starting at #12, iBooks makes the best iPad app list. The one and only reason iBooks made my iPad apps favorite list is because iBooks provides an excellent interface to store and read PDFs.

Having used several PDF readers including the popular GoodReader for the iPad, I prefer the way iBooks stores the PDFs showing the PDFs cover in the library view and the ability to sync via iTunes or attached to an email that you open and send to the iBooks app and these features make iBooks one of the best apps on iPad.

There are a few features in iBooks I don't use including the fact iBooks provides access to Apple's iBookstore which allows you to download and read the latest books and classics. Additionally you can make notes and highlight passages in your eBook and use AirPrint to print the PDF with your notes included.

#11 My next best app for iPad and latest obsession/time sink is Words for Friends HD. If you have not heard of Word for Friends, you must be the only one! Words with Friends HD is a crossword game (think Scrabble) that is socially played against friends with a NewToy Inc account. While there is an iPhone app for Words with Friends, the larger screen of the iPad allows better vision across the entire board allowing me to smoke my foes!

#10 The iPad app on my iPad favorite apps list is one of the best iPad apps for kids available and my four year old daughter's favorite iPad app. DressUpBaby provides an intuitive and simple interface for my four year old daughter using cute characters and funky clothes and accessories. I randomly receive outfits emailed from my daughter using the camera function on one of her top apps for iPad.

#9 Next on my list of iPad best apps is also one of my iPad productivity apps. Remoter is a VNC (Virtual Network Computing) client for the iPad that provides the ability to virtually control your desktop over the network from your iPad. I've used the client to control both Windows and Mac machines, but VNC will also work with various UNIX flavors. This app has saved me too many times while I'm out but needed something from work making this one of my best iPad apps.

#8 Whistle turns my iPad into a networked conference phone making this app high on my best apps for iPad. I use Whistle as a client for an Asterix PBX, a 3rd party SIP service) that allows me to make a call from the "office" anywhere that I have an Internet connection. Whistle provides integration with my Contacts (which is synced with Google's cloud) and with the latest iOS loaded I can continue Whistle calls in the background as I continue to use the iPad. Speakerphone works amazingly, but Whistle also supports the Apple Headphones allowing you to answer calls with the center button. This app enables business and is one of my top productivity apps for iPad providing a business tool to work virtually.

#7 Kindle constantly makes everyone's best iPad apps list and is no exception for the Geeks favorite apps for iPad. The Kindle app provides an easy to use interface and provides access to Amazon's Whispersync service to automatically sync your last page read, bookmarks, notes and highlights across your Kindle devices. The Amazon Kindle store provides over 800K eBooks at the same price or better than other eBook retailers.

#6 Next on my best apps for the iPad list, Toodledo provides access to my cloud-based task manager service and provides easy access to my to do list. Apple ranked Toodledo in the top 30 paid iPad apps of all time, and in the top 200 for iPhone - Jan 2011 and is one of my favorite iPad apps and one of my top productivity apps for iPad.

#5 Evernote is another cloud-based note service that is one of my top productivity apps for iPad and one of the best apps for iPad. The Evernote iPad app provides my primary interface to take and view notes, including voice notes, while I'm not in my home office. Evernote then automatically syncs with the cloud-based service so you can view the notes on the iPad, one of the desktop Evernote applications, or the web. The Evernote app was inducted into the Apple "App Hall of Fame", on the NY Times "Top 10 Must-Have Apps" list and has been the winner of the Best Mobile App Award from TechCrunch, Mashable and the Webbys and, in my opinion, one of the best apps on iPad.

#4 One of the included apps, the Calendar app, is one of my most used and therefore one of my iPad favorite apps. The Calendar iPad App is laid out well and keeps my schedule straight by syncing with Google's cloud-based calendar service.

#3 If you subscribe to Netflix, you should have one of the best iPad apps available to access the service with the Netflix app. The app provides access to your Netflix account to instantly watch TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix as part of your Netflix unlimited membership. I use this app almost nightly to watch TV shows and is one of the best apps on iPad.

#2 Zinio is one of my favorite apps for iPad and using Zinio I receive all my magazine digitally instead in the mail as the Zinio iPad app provides thousands of magazine titles with special interactive and graphical features synced directly to your iPad. I started using Zinio over 5 years ago, and those archived magazines are available through the Zinio app!

#1 Ever since getting the iPad, I've used the device as my primary means of obtaining most of my work and all of my personal email using the included Mail App and therefore, Mail is my best iPad app. The interface is great for a tablet and thanks to the portable nature of the device, the Mail App helps maintain my quest to maintain a zero inbox.

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iPad 2 - New and Updated Review

iPad 2 review

The iPad2-release date in the US was March 11th. Review of Apple's iPad 2 is not a simple one way task. The new iPad 2 compared to last year's extremely popular version, the iPad 2 is almost equivalent with regards to software, nevertheless more improved and also similar in terms of the hardware side at the same time.

The new iPad 2 has a 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 display and although inside there is a new dual core A5 CPU, more memory and a couple of new cameras, the majority of the iPad 2's changes are merely decorative.
The iPad 2 will probably still stand above its competitors. This means the new iPad 2, a slimmer, even faster version of the original is probably not changing many of its new surfaces however it's already at the forefront of the herd.

The questions are is the iPad 2 worth an upgrade for people who own the first version? Moreover, does the new version have the required capabilities to get new customers to the brand? Those inquirers and more will be answered in this review, so.just read on.

The iPad 2 release date in the US was March 11th. From a manufacturing style and design viewpoint, the new iPad 2 significantly increased the criteria with a beautiful appealing computer appliance. For anyone who is the owner of the first device, you already know there were no short cuts taken in the design aspect, nevertheless its latest version takes it to a whole other level. The very first thing you will likely notice with regard to the iPad 2 is that it's amazingly thin. In the widest peak of it, the tablet is only 0.35-inches as opposed to the original iPad being one half inch of width. The device is marginally shorter compared to the prior model but additionally somewhat less wider, only 7.3-inches opposed to the iPad's 7.47-inches. The iPad 2 really seems incredibly slender whenever one will hold it.

Steve Jobs stated at the unveiling event, the unit is thinner compared to the amazingly thin iPhone 4 which is an impressive accomplishment taking into consideration what's stored within the iPad 2. The most dramatic change is the weight. At 680 grams, the iPad 2 is 80g lighter compared first iPad.

Much like the first version, the iPad version 2 frontages of the unit is entirely comprised of the screen, the home button is located in the bottom of the panel. The iPad 2 does include a camera opposite from that button towards the top of the unit, however the small camera is hardly detectable. Around back there's the known, sleek lightweight aluminum from the prior version. It does feel marginally smoother here, a modest spotted speaker grid about the downwards left, a camera about the top left, and based upon which model you will get, the 3G iPad version 2 antenna across the top back. The volume controls and mute button sit on the rear left side of the device; while on the right you can find the Micro SIM slot (on 3G iPad 2 versions). The top reveals a power up / sleep button about the higher right side. Most of the features are well known for an iPad, but all well and neatly assembled on this tiny body figure.

In all, the iPad 2 has an extremely tidy attractive and sexy kit.

Images and Snap shots, don't fairly represent the true experience of the iPad 2 and its look and feel. The iPad 2 feels extremely astonishing in your hands.

Putting aside the smart development it provides with a feeling of a real pleasure. Apple is recognized for its professional unique design and the new iPad 2 is brilliantly and carefully assembled.

iPad 2 Features

A lot has been talked about in terms of what is new on the interface of the iPad 2.

To begin with, the iPad 2 is 'twice as fast' as the original iPad, running the brand-new dual core A5 CPU built by ARM.

Actually the difference between the speed of the performance of the first iPad and the iPad version 2 is not that noticeable.

Several apps, such as the Safari browser and the iPad 2 media app, start up as quickly as the first iPad. However you will find that apps such as iMovie and GarageBand do run considerably faster.

There's now 512MB of RAM in the iPad 2, bringing it up to iPhone 4 specifications, which actually already seems low to us. A device of the iPad 2nd generation in this particular category should likely end up having 1GB, though there are no memory concerns. Strangely is that the size and the resolution of the new iPad 2 screens is identical to the screen size and resolution of the original iPad with just 1024 x 768 pixels. The screen is similar to the first model, a 1024 x 768, 9.7 inch display. Although the display looks good we would love it if there would be a uplift and update in the iPad 2nd generation resolution.

The vast majority of the update power on the new iPad 2 arises from the A5 processor and our initial tests reveal that this dual-core chip can give some noticable quality speed, particularly in apps like iMovie.

We also made a small test by turning on the iPad 2nd generation media player on both the iPad and the iPad 2 with the exact same music and movie files and noticed some speed variations - the iPad 2 finished loading just a couple of seconds sooner than the first iPad.

A few other features are also new or increased their performance:

Both of the two iPad 2 cameras, one being for photos and the other for video chats, have a faster visuals engines which will make games more accessible.

Despite having the faster processor and improved graphics engine, the battery of the iPad 2 still persists about ten hours.

On the speaker front, Apple has transferred the iPad's single speaker towards the back of the device. The sound seems crisper and relatively quieter compared to the previous iPad version and that we can't say is a significant advancement in terms of the location in the new iPad.

iPad 2 Internet and Browsing Features

Apple has applied the Safari browser on iPad 2 and its upgraded engine, saying performance is double the speed faster. Within our findings that statement is a bit of exaggeration.

Regarding sites that use HTML5, we saw a really good performance from the iPad 2nd generation. The sites loaded up quickly and formatted images properly.

Sites that make major use of Adobe Flash failed to load because of the iPad 2 is short of Flash support.

Flash video websites only loaded in bits and failed to play videos. There is still loads of data we couldn't view because Apple won't provide Flash support on its device.

To conclude, internet browsing is not a really good incentive to upgrade to the iPad 2 - it runs with comparable speed as the original iPad.

iPad 2 Media Features

Apple wins hands-down for media availability when compared to other tablets.

One of the iPad 2 specs is that you can rent or buy almost any TV show or movie, find albums from virtually any indie performer in the world and have the iPad 2 automatically download audio and video media without any hassle. This is one of the main achievements and one of the main iPad specs in which the iPad 2 have a strong dominate over other tablets is the easy and accessible feature to content, because they have licensing arrangements for enormous quantity of content.

Yet, the iPad 2 does not really improve on media viewing itself.

In HD movies that we played on the new iPad 2, the stream was smooth yet the iPad 2 still leaves room for improvement, as it could offer a display with a more colorful and sharper look.

For anyone who wish to get video over to your TV, you might want to grab Apple's new HDMI dongle anther one of the iPad 2 specs, that enables you to connect straight into your HDTV. The adapter worked perfectly and once an HD video was running within the iPad 2, it sent that content to the TV without any difficulty or problems in any aspect.

Home Sharing is among the latest features of the iPad 2nd generation.

Basically, it suggests that you are able to stream music, movies, and TV shows from your computer over Wi-Fi, you of course still have to get the content. You simply cannot watch media straight from the web without bringing into play the third-party application such as Netflix.

Within our tests, several episodes of 30 rock streamed easily and properly coming from a MacBook Pro.

With Video formats there were excellent results with platforms such as H.264 MPEG-4 and we discovered that, as expected, formats like Windows Media did not work. Moreover the widely used open-source HD format MKV file failed to work in the new iPad. For now, you might need a VLC application in order to use those files.

iPad 2, iMovie and GarageBand apps

The known iMovie application provides plenty of accessible features for video editing, plus it manages to do it inexpensively, at merely $4.99. iMovie app now enables you to edit both videos you've shot within unit and imported files in a user friendly platform that's actually more user friendly than its desktop space.

You'll be able to instantly upload your material to a selection of sources, including YouTube, Vimeo, CNN's iReport, and Facebook and yes it can be done in HD. From our experience, the process worked flawlessly.

Another great app is the GarageBand app, that one is truly a wonder app. The app includes numerous pianos, guitars and drums, along with other musical instruments. Above all, these instruments, especially the piano and drums, reply to soft touches and stiff finger presses perfectly.

iPad 2 Smart Cover

The iPad 2 Apple's Smart Covers nifty modest cover case are mainly touch screen protectors using a number of sharp magnets across the side area as opposed to having to wrap around your new iPad or holding the device with straps.

The cover attaches with effectively fitted magnets and protecting and covering your new iPad and results in a very impressive effect..

Furthermore the covers put your device to sleep and wake it as you close or open the flaps.The covers also have a microfiber inside layer, which would seem to help keep your screen clean.

We were very impressed with the benefit of the Smart Cover and their overall appearance.

iPad 2 Camera and Multimedia

As the well known addition for the iPad 2nd generation, the front iPad 2 camera and the back camera, are certainly a welcome addition, yet it is not ideal for any professional photography or for high-def video chats. The iPad 2 is not a flawless device, in fact in our findings the iPad2 cameras are really less than ideal.

It's annoying due to the fact that if the standard resulted in being higher, the iPad 2 camera might have become a great chat tool.

First, for photography, the rear-facing iPad 2 camera records video at 960×720. However in our tests, the recorded video looked rather poorly and simply not good enough. Worse was the 0.7-megapixel new iPad 2 camera is below average.

Most test images looked slightly blurry.

The front VGA-resolution iPad 2 cameras aren't a great deal better. You can capture 0.3-megapixel still images, yet its almost impossible to utilize it for anything aside from plain dull portraits.

In a FaceTime video iPad 2 specs, the video quality looked incredibly the same as the plain basic iPhone 4 cameras.

Conclusion
For now we quite simply think that the new iPad 2 is the best tablet available on the market. For those who own the first iPad, unfortunately we cannot suggest that an iPad upgrade is a must. If you don't necessarily need cameras on your tablet, you've still got a worthy device that still holds a lot of the assets of the latest OS and applications. However we can understand an iPad upgrade based upon the fact that the new design and style speaks for itself in encouraging anyone wishing to upgrade his or her iPad. It's simply stunning, and maintains the solid, premium feel as the initial iPad.

For those of you who haven't yet gotten the iPad's product we can highly recommend that you try the iPad2 as it's certainly a high-quality piece of device.

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Best Places to Trade in Your iPad 1G for Cash

With the arrival of the new iPad 2 flashing in the near future, you might find yourself wondering what you're going to do with your old iPad (iPad 1G). It's seems dumb to hang on to it and you would obviously rather have the iPad 2 with cameras and all the other new features. The best option for getting rid of your old iPad it to trade it in. There are a lot of companies that will buy your old iPad from you (some give you case and others will give you a credit at their store), but there are particular companies that will pay you more than others for the same device!

Don't make the mistake of trading your iPad into a company that is only willing to give you pennies on the dollar. Take a look at this list of companies that will give you the money you deserve for your iPad trade in.

1. eBay's Instant Sale Program

eBay's Instant Sale program is currently the best way to trade in your iPad, especially if it is in excellent condition. You are probably wondering, "What kind of money can I really get for my iPad 1G?" The amount of money your will get for trading in your iPad depends on three factors, when it comes to eBay's program: iPad model, storage capacity and condition, of course. You can expect to get about $442 for a 16 GB, iPad Wi-Fi 3G in excellent condition. eBay seems to be the best place to trade in your iPad because they send your payment directly to your PayPal account, which is basically cash.

2. Power Max

Power Max is a company that allows you to trade your iPad in for a Power Max store credit. This is not as bad as it sounds because Power Max actually sells iPad devices. This means that you can use the money from your iPad trade in to purchase a portion of the new iPad 2.

3. Gazelle.com

Gazelle.com is a company that buys all types of electronics from consumers. It is a very popular site among consumers, but not the best place to trade in your iPad. The same iPad that eBay will buy (a 16 GB, iPad Wi-Fi + 3G in excellent condition) for $442, Gazelle will only offer you $338 for. Gazelle pays for electronics by one of the methods (your choice): Check, PayPal, Walmart Prepaid Visa or Amazon.com® gift card.

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What Makes the iPad Better Than the iPhone?

Ever heard the statement, "Bigger is better?" With the iPad, this seems to be true. Before this tablet device came out, some people criticized it, dismissing it as nothing but an oversized iPod Touch or a giant iPhone. But when people all over the world bought the iPad in droves and made it the bestselling, number one must-have new product, the critics had to bite their tongues and acknowledge they were mistaken. Far from just being an "oversized iPod Touch," the iPad is a revolutionary product that is changing the way people read, play, work and communicate. The coming of the iPad heralded what is now dubbed the "tablet revolution." People in the know are now saying that 2011 is the year of the tablet, and the iPad surely had something to do with it.

But what exactly is so great about the iPad? Why is it better than the iPhone or the iPod Touch? Below are some of the reasons why the iPad is a superior device.

First, size matters. At about ten inches across, the iPad is considerably bigger than the iPhone or the iPod Touch (these latter two are approximately of the same size, 3.5 inches). This means better Internet browsing, better video and picture viewing, better reading, and better use of apps in general on the iPad tablet device. In fact, gadget-loving people of all ages and persuasions are re-discovering the pleasures of reading because of the iPad. "E-reading" on the iPad brings a novel feel to the age-old pastime, and sales of e-books have gone up when the iPad entered the market. Ipad apps such as iBooks and Kindle, in addition to various magazine and newspaper iPad apps, all helped to bring this about.

Not only is the iPad bigger in physical size; it also has a greater screen resolution of 1024x768 pixels. (The iPhone's is only 480x320.) Moreover, the iPad has bigger storage space of up to 64 GB, considered roomy enough for anyone's favorite collection of videos, pictures and documents.

Another advantage of the iPad is that it makes typing emails and documents much more easy than on the iPhone. The iPad has a large on-screen keyboard that allows fast, easy and almost error-free data input. This keyboard becomes even bigger and more convenient to use when the iPad is rotated in landscape mode. And if this isn't enough, one can always choose to buy a separate, physical keyboard that can be connected to the iPad through a cable or wirelessly via bluetooth. Writers and people who type a lot often choose this option.

Speaking of typing and documents, there are a lot of iPad apps that can help anyone compose email messages, articles and literary works, and all kinds of documents. Most popular of these apps are Pages and Numbers, which are Apple's versions of the ubiquitous Microsoft Word and Excel.

Currently, there are far more apps available for the iPhone than for the iPad. However, a huge majority of these iPhone apps can be installed on the iPad too, and they work just as fine. Also, many apps for Apple products have both iPhone and iPad versions. Almost all the time, the iPad version looks and works better simply because of the larger screen. At a glance, one can easily see more detail and information.

While the iPad clearly has more to offer than the iPhone, the latter is not without its advantages too. Because it is smaller, the iPhone can be pocketed while the iPad cannot. The iPhone can make calls too, which the iPad cannot do. But then again, the iPad was never intended to be used as a phone. It is simply a great tablet device for multimedia viewing, connecting online, games and entertainment, as well as work.

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iPad 2 Accessories - Will They Mimic Original iPad Bestsellers?

With the announcement of the legendary iPad 2, iPad accessory manufacturers started up their engines and went right to producing accessories that are compatible with the new device. Most of the accessories that were designed for the original iPad will work with the iPad 2, but not the accessories that require a specific size, like iPad cases and stands. All of the external batteries, Bluetooth headsets and chargers will most likely be compatible with your iPad 2.

So what do the accessories being designed and released for the new generation look like? Well, so far, the new iPad 2 cases are just updated versions of some of the most popular cases for the original device! For example, Scosche has already released their best selling GlosSEE Flexible Rubber Case for iPad 2 and, of course, Marware has already been pushing their Eco-Vue Case for iPad 2. The Eco-Vue case was rarely in stock after the original iPad was released!

Here are a few original cases and stands that iPad 2 buyers are hoping manufacturers make for the iPad 2:

1. Zagg ZAGGmate w/Keyboard Hard Case & Stand

This is one of the original iPad cases that made the device the productivity machine it is! This case was raved about by MC Hammer and Oprah and that's part of the reason this case sold like hotcakes. iPad owners love this case because of its minimal thickness, incorporated Bluetooth keyboard and high level of durability. This case would be make an awesome iPad 2 case because it would be even more thin!

2. Otterbox iPad Commuter Series Case

This case was another best seller for the original iPad and iPad 2 owners are waiting for the release of the Otterbox Commuter case for iPad 2. This case did so well for the original version because it provides incredible protection with minimal bulk. The more heavy-duty Otterbox case, the Defender Series, was not liked much by users because it was overly bulky, which made it less functional.

3. Griffin Elan Passport Case

This was another iPad case loved by users. Most users praised it for its ability to act as a wallet (or daytimer) and an iPad case at the same time. It also sold well because of its reasonable price point!

Keep in mind, these new iPad 2 accessories will take a while for manufacturers to produce, especially because Apple announced the device ahead of schedule!

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Is the iPad Useful? - Just the Facts

I've always been somewhat of a gadget guy. I was an early adopter of the earliest video game systems (think Tank Battle, Atari, Colecovision) and home computers (remember the Vic 20, Commodore 64, Commodore Pet?). I even bought one of the early Casio calculator watches in the 1980s. Continuing the trend, I picked up a Casio electronic organizer in the early 1990s, followed by the original Palm PDA with stylus, and the first HP tablet PC in the mid 2000s. Dell's first tablet PC followed, then the iPhone, and now the iPad and iPad 2.

But, as much I'm a tech guy and an early adopter, I never bought a gadget because it was "cool." I am too pragmatic and always analyze the usefulness of a gadget before I buy. And like you, I'm too busy to play around with gadgets. I need a gadget that saves, not costs, me time and money.

So when the iPad was introduced, I did my usual research to evaluate the product's usefulness in my daily life. There is plenty written about the iPad's "cool" features, design, and potential, and a fair bit written on its technical shortcomings. But, not so much written about its actual usefulness in daily life. With many people now asking me "how do you like your iPad," I figure I would just write this article to help others determine if it is right for them - after all, it's not a cheap buy.

General Observations

VISUAL DESIGN
As with most Apple gadgets, the iPad is certainly a beautiful product to look at. Similar to the iPod and iPhone, it's like buying a piece of jewelry. The iPad 2 further improves on the original design.

FEEL
I find the iPad awkward to hold. This was a surprise to me since it looks so sleek. But, with its weight and rounded edges, it doesn't feel comfortable. And, the more I try to grab it, the more likely my thumb will activate the touch screen in undesirable ways. Adding an optional case helps. For the iPad 1 I have Apple's case, and it's functional but, personally, I don't like the look and feel of the material. The iPad 2 comes with the sleek new magnetic cover design - neat but it only covers the screen (which may be fine for some perhaps).

FEATURES
While I could write about the touchscreen, 3G, or its many other features, the features really only matter if you find the apps that you want to use. And, that's too personal a choice for me to lend an opinion here.

PRICE
The low price of technology today is amazing, so when evaluating the price of the iPad, I have to do so in comparison to other technologies. A somewhat-close comparison today (in terms of portability, anyway) is likely a netbook -- one of those mini notebook computers that have recently become popular. Netbooks are available for half the price of the iPad, making the iPad seem expensive for a device that in some ways doesn't do as much. Although, it could be argued that even though the iPad does less, what it does well, it does very well. So, it comes down to what you need the gadget for, and whether the iPad or a netbook better serves that need. Other new gadgets are entering the market, so there will be more options available.

What I like best about the iPad

INSTANT ON
Click a button and it's on. No waiting. As a side note, the MacBook Air has near instant - very convenient.

EASY TO USE
It's the easiest-to-use computer you will find, period. For people who don't need the full capabilities of a conventional computer, the iPad is a perfect solution. If you have ever taught someone how to use a computer, you know how difficult it can be for an inexperienced person to navigate a computer operating system. Not so with the iPad. The learning curve is refreshingly gentle. In my mind, this same simplicity is what drove the success of the iPhone, perhaps more so than its multi-touch display and other innovative features. (iTunes on the other hand is another story; more on that below.)

OPTIMIZED FOR TOUCH
The iPad is designed as a touch device, so the interface is made for finger interaction. Tablet computers that use conventional operating systems (like Windows 7) are clumsy to use by comparison. The onscreen keyboard is quite good as well (although, power users will likely still want to have the optional wireless keyboard).

CONVENIENT TO USE AND FUN
It's a great device to pick up and just start "doing." And, it's easy to share with others nearby. You will find yourself reading/watching/playing just for the heck of it. It's kind of fun.

LONG BATTERY LIFE
Compared to a conventional computer, the iPad gives you many more hours of use between charges.

INEXPENSIVE AND AMAZING SOFTWARE THAT IS EASY TO INSTALL
Most iPad apps sell for under $2 and can be installed with a single click. And, there are many amazing apps that take full advantage of the tablet format.

Where the iPad falls short

HANDWRITING IS TERRIBLE
Although I have looked, I have yet to find a good handwriting app. And, I don't think I will because the iPad's capacitive touch screen only works with a stylus that has a blunt sponge-like head (designed to mimic the electrical touch of a finger). This makes handwriting awkward for anything other than a few short words at a time with very large letters. Conversely, my Dell tablet PC with Windows 7 and OneNote allows me to use a typical pen-like stylus quite comfortably. I was hoping the iPad could replace my paper notebook, but not a chance.

DRAWING IS AWKWARD
Similar to handwriting, drawing with an iPad lacks precision. I've seen impressive drawings created by talented people using the iPad. But, I suspect that you have to be a very talented and patient artist to find it useful for drawing.

LACK OF FLASH SUPPORT
If you really want the full Internet, you need Flash. Too many websites rely on it (and for more than just games or animated banners). Maybe things will be different in 5 years time, but today, the lack of Flash support means I have to forgo much of the Internet that I find most useful. Apple has publicly suggested that the iPad will never support Flash. It's an issue.

COPY AND PASTE IS CUMBERSOME
I frequently need to copy and paste text. While the iPad has this capability, it is slow and cumbersome to use, prompting me to jump frequently to my notebook computer to send an email or post a website comment.

NO CAMERA ON iPAD 1
Not having a camera limits the usefulness of the iPad 1 as a device to have around the home and on the go. Being able to capture impromptu photo moments is an important benefit of a mobile device. iPad 2 solves this problem with the addition of front and back cameras, similar to the iPhone 4.

FINGERPRINTS ARE EVERYWHERE
The display is nice, but when you shut it off it looks like you were finger painting on it. A small but annoying inconvenience common to most touch devices.

SHORT POWER CABLE
It's very short. (An extension is available as a separate purchase).

FINDING THE RIGHT APPS IS DIFFICULT
There are free apps and there are apps you must buy to try. It would be helpful if most apps were provided on a free trial basis, but it seems only a few apps are available this way. Luckily, most prices are quite low, so the risk of buying something that you don't like is manageable. Still, who wants to buy five cheap apps just to find the right one?

iTUNES IS REQUIRED
The iPad locks you into using iTunes to manage your music, photos, and other content. While having a single application to manage content has its benefits, it can be very inconvenient at times (and costly). And, you have to have a computer to use it and enable your iPad for the first time. Maybe it's just me, but I have always found the iTunes interface confusing and the program painfully slow, not to mention the frequent and annoyingly-large minor upgrades. iTunes is surprisingly one area where Apple's design sensibilities continue to fall short.

Final thoughts

The iPad is essentially a large iPod Touch or iPhone without the phone. Its larger size makes it more useful at home than smaller mobile devices. It is more convenient (and fun) than a notebook, netbook, or tablet computer, but falls short in important ways. While using the iPad, I have to frequently run to my computer to send an email, browse a website, watch a video, or do "real work." For those who do not need the capabilities of a full computer, it is a truly great option. For those who do not need the capabilities of a full computer, it is a truly great option. For those of you who do, it's a nice gadget to have around the house for sure (especially if you have kids), but you can live without it - for now.

Mathew Georghiou, Founder and CEO, MediaSpark Inc
MediaSpark applies the power of educational games, simulations, and social networks

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