So I promised a few people I’d do a bit of a wrap-up with my iPad, and talk about some of the things I really like, and some of the things I don’t. I’m also going to talk through some of my favourite apps on the iPad so far.
iPad The Object
First of all, I think the iPad is a fundamentally different portable computing device, because it has a couple of physical qualities that a normal laptop doesn’t have.
Firstly, having a device that is a single solid slab of aluminium and glass is definitely a big change to the physicality of a device like this. A laptop by comparison is unwieldy; it’s an awkward two-piece object with a hinge, and you’re very aware of its physical space. Sharing stuff on a laptop is awkward. Standing up and using it isn’t really possible. It’s difficult to pass to another person, or sit side-by-side and watch.
By comparison, the iPad is a much more sharable experience. You can pass it to somebody, you can flip it, hold it, pass it back. It’s much more intimate in the sense that there’s so much less physical demands placed on the user by the object. You don’t have to sit to use it. You don’t have to have a chair. It’s a very different experience, and one of the reasons why I think is why this form factor will become much more popular in the next few years. People love to share stuff. So many times I’ve been in a group where everyone have crowded around a laptop screen to see something, be it a video, photo or article. I can’t think of a better way to share web content when face-to-face than with an iPad.
It is also a much nicer experience when lying down. Most of the time I use it in landscape when lying on the couch, with it propped up on my legs. I find it much easier and less obtrusive than a laptop in the same situation.
Battery life is also a big deal. Suddenly, you’re not clock-watching a percentage meter, waiting for when you have to go hunting for a powerpoint or adaptor.
Finally, I think that a 3G model is essential. Telstra, in Australia has blown me away with how fast and consistent the data works. Recently, I was at a conference for a few days with my iPad, and I didn’t even bother connecting to the available free wifi.
In many ways, this device is about physical freedom; size, battery & data availability. Without 3G, you end up being limited by your location. A wifi-only iPad somehow feels less free.
It’s a Better Book
I think a case is an essential part of an iPad. If you don’t have one, you end up babying it around the place. This device is best used when that mentality goes out the window, and you start being rough and tumble with it.
The case I eventually chose was a DODOcase. I chose this case in a very deliberate way. Firstly, I do a lot of reading on the iPad, so making it look (and feel) like a book is kind of nice. It makes a big difference to the way you pick it up, and use it. Plus, the case looks gorgeous. Secondly, it’s very unobtrusive - you don’t have to let people know right away that it’s an iPad if you don’t want to. Third, as I said before, when it’s got a case around it you start to lose that OH-SHIT-MUST-NOT-BREAK-IT attitude that everyone instinctively has when handling an iPad.
This might sound weird, but since putting this case on it, I now treat it just like a book. I throw it in my bag, I hold it with one hand, I lob it on to the couch or bed at home. In my opinion, it works much better this way.
Two downsides to this case, however. Firstly, you lose one way to hold it (in landscape) because of the ‘lip’ where the front cover meets the spine is awkward. Secondly, you can’t use a dock to charge. To me, the loss of a docking option is the biggest bummer, but I think the trade-off is worth it.
Apps
Apps are absolutely key to the success of this (or any) portable device. Many people think that Apple’s success has come about because of their ‘cool’ marketing, or their hardware. I happen to think that their biggest strength (& the reason many people buy iOS devices) is because of their app ecosystem. Here’s a few of my favourites:
AirVideo
A truly amazing app that lets you stream video to your iPad from your computer. It even has the smarts to be able to convert your videos on-the-fly to an Apple-friendly format. I use this so much to watch stuff in bed.
Reeder
I’ve said it before, but I am an RSS feed junkie. Reeder is the best RSS Reader app for the iPad, hands-down. And it syncs with Google Reader, which is what I use for RSS feed reading just about everywhere else. It’s great.
Instapaper
Instapaper is a service that basically takes long-form articles on the web and turns them into a book-like experience. For me, I bookmark stuff all day long with Instapaper, and then read it when I have time. A difficult service to get your head around why it might be useful, but trust me. It’s tough to go back once you’re reading stuff in Instapaper all the time.
Evernote
I’ve seen people draw notes on the iPad. They look great, and I’ve tried, but I can’t do it. I am resigned to the fact that I can type much faster on the iPad than draw (yes, my typing speed is slower, but acceptable). Evernote cloud-syncs my typed notes, and lets me search on them later. A really nice service.
Osmos HD
This game is incredible. I would call it Spore-meets-Braid, but that would be doing it a disservice. Atmospheric, beautiful, simple concepts but with amazing depth. It is truly the first game I’ve played where I’ve thought, “this experience would be impossible on any other platform”. A staggering achievement, and only AUD$6.
There many more I could talk about, but I think I’ll save those for a separate post.
