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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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Click a button and it’s on. No waiting. As a side note, the MacBook Air has near instant – very convenient.

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.)

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).

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.

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

Most iPad apps sell for under and can be installed with a single click. And, there are many amazing apps that take full advantage of the tablet format.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It’s very short. (An extension is available as a separate purchase).

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?

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.

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
www.MediaSpark.com

Grab A Free iPad Tablet Just Being A Tester!

If you want to get your hands on the brand new  iPad Tablet, but do not necessarily part of the $ 500 … There are other options out there. Like getting a FREE  iPad Tablet! How to get?

Most of the time, people shrug with an idea like this off as some kind of trick or scam, but you do not realize that companies need to test their products and give their opinions about them so that they can improve the marketing and the product itself.

By giving away a number of units, in this case, the new iPad, a privately owned company in the product tested, the ordinary members of the audience … Just like you! He also gained customers for life every time give something as terrible as the Free iPad. This is a win-win situation for everyone. Not a bad deal, huh?

Normally, this type of action only if a product is first launched, which now happens to be the  iPad Tablet. Therefore, if you jump on the bandwagon fast enough, you will be able to leave you with a completely new, free apple iPad testing only. That’s right, you can test and keep you! There are a few places to find these types of deals, but it is not something that is not true. If someone wants all the money in advance of the IPAD free, you do not give them a penny. However, …

If you play your cards, get a new IPAD no time … Compliments of the company themselves!

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Get an iPad for Free just by becoming a tester

How does an iPad for free sound to you guys? I know most of us, including me, have dreamt to get our hands on the brand new Apple iPad but unfortunately we are put off by the high costs of buying it. Instantly, we start thinking of alternative ways we could use that money for on other important things. Perhaps we need to invest that money in something which is a necessity, or save it for a rainy day. A brand new iPad costing anything from 0 is an awful lot of money! However, good news for all us iPad lovers! There are other options out there to get a brand new Apple iPad for free, without having to spend 0 bucks on buying it… Want to find out how?

>> Click here to win free Apple iPad <<

Quite often people would instantly shrug an idea like this off, for instance getting the awesome new iPad for free, presuming something like this as a type of scam or if it was some sort of gimmick. I would not disagree with the perception that at times some things on the internet are not extremely legitimate, but often what people tend to ignore is that there are many companies in the global market who need people to test their products and give their opinions regarding them so that they can find ways to improve the product and their marketing. This is what we call market research, right?

>> Click here to win free Apple iPad <<

Companies give away a number of units of their products and in return get constructive feedback. Companies can have the products tested privately, in this case the brand new Apple iPad for free. The company is looking for normal members of the public like you to get on your hands on the brand new Apple iPad for free! Not only will the company get your opinion about it, it will also win you as a customer for life by giving you the awesome Apple iPad for free! Sounds great, right?

Free Ipad Downloads – Viruses Are Just A Click Away!

Apple’s newest gadget, the Ipad, has just been released and people are going crazy about it. The downside is, it is extremely expensive and you will have to pay around 0 to get it. This is simply too much for most of us. And what’s even worse is that you will have to pay extra for very book you download from the Ibookstore Even most of the Ipad applications and newspaper subscriptions cost an additional fee. This adds up pretty fast

No wonder that smart business man are creating websites offering Ipad downloads low cost or even free. You can already find a lot of Ipad download sites on the internet. The downside is that you will also find lots of scam services. These websites advertise free Ipad downloads, but there are either no Ipad downloads at all or they do not work. Website owners only want to get your e-mail address to send you tons of spam mails.

The other option are Torrent or P2P files. The  problem with these sites is that anyone can upload files and no one will scan the files for adware, viruses, or other kind of malicious code. P2P and Torent sites are one of the most dangerous places online, because most of the files offered for download are infected with malicious code. So in case you are going to download files from a P2P or Torrent site, make sure you have an up to date anti viurs software installed. You do not want to end up ruining your expensive Ipad only because you wanted to save some dollars, do you?

The third and most recommended way to get Ipad downloads are so called Ipad membership sites. There are already some out there. You will be asked to submit a onetime membership fee, which is around for lifetime access. These websites will give you access to 1000s of Ipad ebooks, comics, newspapers, and much more. By paying the membership fee, you will get access to unlimited Ipad downloads. The best thing about these download sites is that files offered are pre-scanned for viruses, so you don’t run the risk ruining your Ipad.

Should I Buy The iPad Just Because The iPad Is For Sale?

If you’re not a die hard Apple junkie who will buy anything that Steven Jobs put on the market you may be wondering why you should buy an iPad.

Many people saw the signs advertising the iPad for sale” and stood in long queues over night just to buy their iPad, but seeing that you are reading this article, you probably were not one of them.

You may ask, if I buy an iPad, am I not just purchasing an enlarged iPhone?  To me, this would be like saying that the atom bomb is just an enlarged grenade! Seriously, when the “iPad for sale” signs went out the amount of technology marketing and foresight that went into this amazing product did enough to, within a few months, knock Microsoft off its long-standing place at number one and wow, now that is saying something!

Without shouting “Buy iPad!”, “Buy iPad!” slogans with billboards in front of your house, the next best way I can think of to convince you that this is the technological answer, is by giving you some facts.

1.  All iPhone applications will work on your iPad.  If you have ever had an iPhone or an iPod touch, you will realize just how much of an advantage this is. If not, spend some time on the iTunes store and get a taste of what these apps have to offer and you will find that there is something for everyone.

2.  The term, iPad for sale, is a very poignant one and the price for such a great product needs to be looked at in context as they are fantastic for what you are getting on new technology.

3.  The iPad is in fact three products in one; it’s a Kindle, an iPhone and a laptop all in one, it only weighs one pound it is a slim easy-to-use device.

4.  Used in conjunction with iTunes for downloaded movies, music and books you will wonder how you ever accessed your media without it.

The points above are not technical specifications as those can be found on any Apple site and this is merely just some of the main reasons why I feel you should buy an iPad.

So the next time you see the words “iPad for sale” and are wondering if you should buy an iPad, do exactly what you have just done by reading  this article, research it and by all means compare what you find price wise.

Yes,  I am  biased and I do feel that my website offers the best added value for a great product, and of course I would like you to buy the iPad from me, but this article is for a product I love and believe is a great value for money addition to anyone’s life and not just for my website.

win an iPad just by signing

Win an iPad by just signing up

The apple iPad is an incredible gadget that is taking the market by storm with its exclusive features and leaves many other devices in the dust.  The processor that is able to handle everything practically with a large touch screen interface, user can make use of this technological sensation, young or old. If you are interested to know how to win an iPad then you are in luck!

Fortunately there are bundles of offers out there that will genuinely send an iPad absolutely free. Many websites are available on the internet who claims to show how to win an iPad either by participating in referral offers or by just signing up. These types of offer are legitimate and offer anyone the chance to get Apple’s latest gadget iPad.

Apple iPad is the first choice for the people who want to have the latest technology in the grips of their hands.  But the mounting prices of the gadget create the hurdle in fulfilling the desire of the people. The Apple’s new iPad has definitely set in motion a new computing paradigm for the future. It is a digital toolbox, which provides navigating with hand movement. User touch interface makes browsing and computing a pleasure and the general public responds is extremely healthy and they want to have the device.

If you are looking for this new gadget in the Apple line-up the UK prize draw gives you this opportunity. The UK prize offers few competitions and draws through which users have a chance to win free iPad. For this all what you have to do is to submit your contact details at the UK prize contest and get the chance to win iPad absolutely free. This is a great chance to get free apple iPad with its amazing Offers by entering in the contest.

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We are all hearing about the new iPad Tablet that was recently released by the Apple Corporation. But most of us don’t have enough extra money in our budget to try out the latest gadgets Apple has to offer. The good news is while others are trying to win one in the many contests out there; you’ll have your very own brand new Apple iPad free to keep simply by being one of the first to test out this new product.

Even if you could afford to buy your own Apple iPad, it will be difficult to get your hands on one once they are released at the Apple store. Remember the long lines you had to wait on when the iPhone came out? Fortunately, if you’re interested in trying one out and actually keeping it after you’ve tried it; keep reading this article.

How Can Companies Afford to Give Away Products for Free?

Don’t be like most people and disregard these kinds of offers. Believe it or not, some of these offers are not scams and are completely legit. How can companies give out gadgets such as the Apple iPads for free, you ask? Well with the help of third party sponsors, companies can afford to give out free gifts. The costs of these gifts are covered by their advertisers.

Giving away free gadgets like the iPad computers is an easy and inexpensive way for companies such as Apple to have their product tested by the very people who will be using them. They are so confident that the new iPad Tablet will pass your inspection that they are willing to let you keep it once you have completed your test trial. They also realize by receiving a free iPad tablet style computer, you’ll become a life long customer as well.

Some Words of Caution

These types of promotions usually only occurs when a new product is released or a company wants to make improvements to an existing product which is not doing well. In this case the Apple iPad is going to revolutionize the way we interact with computers in the future and Apple wants you to test out their new baby now. So act now, as most of these offers will expire very quickly. I’ll warn you upfront though, if you come across similar offers asking for money upfront or details of your bank accounts and passwords stay clear of those offers.

How to Test and Keep the iPad For Free
1. Click here and enter your zip code.
2. Complete the surveys given.
3. Complete at least 2 offers.

You must be a US Resident and 18 years or older. This offer is limited, so don’t miss your chance. If the link above doesn’t work, go here to get your iPad for free:

http://www.tinyurl.com/ipad4

Good luck and enjoy your new iPad!

If you want to get your hands on the brand new Apple iPAD, but you don’t necessarily want to part with $500 bucks… There are other options out there. Such as getting an Apple iPAD for FREE! How?

Most of the time, people would shrug an idea like this off as if it were some type of scam or gimmick, however, what they don’t realize is that companies NEED people to test their products and give their opinions about them so that they can improve their marketing and the product itself.

By giving away a number of units, in this case the brand new iPad, the company can have the product tested privately, by normal members of the public… Like you! They also gain customers for life every time they give something as awesome as the iPad away for free. It’s a win win situation for everyone. Not a bad deal, right?

Normally, these types of promotions only come out when a product is first being launched, which happens to be right now with the apple iPad. That is why if you jump on the bandwagon quickly enough, you will be able to get yourself a brand new, FREE apple iPad just for testing it. That’s right, you test it and you keep it! There are a few places to find these types of offers, just make sure you don’t fall for something that is not real. If somebody wants any money upfront for a FREE iPad, then do NOT give them a dime. However…

If you play your cards right, you will have yourself a new iPad in no time… Compliments of the company themselves!

CLICK HERE To Grab Your FREE Apple iPAD Now!

Test A Brand New iPad & Keep It 100% Free By Going To: http://www.tinyurl.com/ipad4

Don’t Miss Out!