Posts Tagged "Apple"

A: Whenever it’s more comfortable than my other devices. Here are a few examples:
Sitting in the couch at home it is far more convenient to use an iPad than a laptop. It’s lighter, doesn’t get hot on your lap and can be used in a lot of different positions;
Same example, but comparing to iPhone. The iPad has a bigger screen and is a really clean and pretty user experience.
Laying in bed. I would never read a book on a laptop, but I have read several books on the iPhone. The iPad allows me to have much more page space on a single screen with the same font size. That means far less page turning.

Q: Isn’t the iPad just a big iPhone?

A: This answer depends what you want the answer to be. For anyone who has an iPhone, it is not an iPhone at all. The iPhone is about mobility and being able to have access to everything that you need at your fingertips while on the go. The iPhone is about location based services and being able to enhance your experience through technology. The iPad (wifi model anyway) is more about an immersive experience. You can lose yourself in the experience and forget that you’re even using a device. It feels like it was made for you to do what you want when you want. It’s great for a personal experience and it’s great for sharing with others. As an iPhone guy, the realization of how different the two devices truly are came to me when deciding which apps to load on the iPad … I have some duplication, but I want to spend my time differently with each device.

And for those who do not currently use an iPhone, yes, it is a big iPhone. It has all of the capabilities and represents all of the things that you’ve heard about the iPhone but, for some reason, haven’t been compelling enough for you to break down and get one. The difference is it’s bigger, faster has a longer lasting battery, and, most importantly, let’s you be part of the revolution that these devices have started.

Q: What’s the point of getting the wifi-only version.

A: This one’s up to you. I can get wifi at home, work, at friends homes, and at many coffee shops and restaurants so for the few times that I don’t have wifi access I’m happy to use my iPhone. Also, many apps and tasks that can be done with the iPad don’t require Internet access at all. (i.e. reading books, iWork apps, even the Reuters app downloads 1-Click away articles to read away from web access)

Q: Can you really do any work with an iPad?

A: Absolutely. The iWork apps are intuitive and the instruction manuals are interactive so you can learn how to use them quickly. I had never thought that I would bother doing any kind of work with the iPad, but the convenience of being able to pull things up and work on them as I think of them while sitting comfortably or even laying down means that I am actually enjoying putting in some unsolicited overtime. I will say that the iWork apps are not the full versions, but instead slightly stripped down versions so if you are a power user you may find some frustrations, but for 90% of the rest of us, they have pretty much everything that you need.

Q: Why is the iPad better than a kindle?

A: To answer this, we first have to ignore all the other things that the iPad can do that the kindle cannot. Let’s pretend that the iPad is only an e-reader to put the devices on even ground. Then, let’s pretend that the two devices are the same price. The iPad allows users to download books using iBooks, Stanza, or even the kindle app so you can get books from many more sources than the kindle. The iPad offers a better variety of viewing options for standard content than the kindle. The iPad allows users to have a much deeper experience with newspapers and magazines, including video, audio, photo galleries and web-based content. One look at this month’s Maxim magazine and you will wonder how long until all magazines offer a richer experience.

Q: Why would anyone want to watch video on that size of screen?

A: Video is one of my favourite features of the iPad. Generally, to watch video, you keep the iPad pretty close to you. I’ve been watching video on it while using my laptop for other things. It’s crisp and high-res and sounds surprisingly good for such small speakers. The best part is the portability. I can pick it up from the coffee table mid show and carry it with me to the kitchen to grab a snack without missing a second or having to pause.