Connect with us

Hardware

I’m Using My iPad More and More. Am I Alone?

Published

on

Fellow GBMer Chris Leckness sparked a conversation with this post, I don’t use my iPad. Am I Alone? A few folks say they are in the same place as Chris. A few more asked him to send his iPad to them if he wasn’t using it. I’m responding to his points here, because I’m in the opposite camp. I find I’m using my iPad more and more as time goes on. In fact, I anticipate that when Apple releases the next iOS update I’ll be using it even more.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not arguing with Chris here. He’s meaner than I am and I’d probably lose in a knock down drag out. I think Chris isn’t alone and I think that’s one reason why the jury is still out on the “pad” form factor, no matter the iPad’s success in sales. These kind of devices and how they are used are very personal things. I think that’s what makes them go to devices for some and gathering dust for others. So here’s why I’m using my iPad more and more.

Email
This one’s easy but then again it isn’t. Email is a part of work. Using the iPad for email is something that I enjoy. I also do that task on a desktop, my iPhone, and a laptop. But for some reason I enjoy doing it more on the iPad. When I can accomplish a task and enjoy it at the same time it’s a win-win for me.

Taking Ink Notes
No, it isn’t the same as using a full fledged Tablet PC, but using Penultimate I’m able to take notes in the way that works for me in a rehearsal or meeting situation in what I call a “close enough comparison.” While the Inking experience itself isn’t the same, and I don’t have searchable Ink available, there are other benefits. Long battery life is the biggest one of those. I can’t remember when I’ve even thought twice about charging a battery on a busy day in rehearsals. I know others and their Inking preferences don’t feel the same, but that’s where I am. For Ink notes I want to archive, moving them to Evernote serves that purpose.

Reading
I really enjoy it on the iPad form factor. There’s just no way around it. I’ll grab the iPad before I grab anything else when I have the time for leisure reading or work reading. I also enjoy using Flipboard for leisurely reading Twitter feeds.

Video Viewing
My wife and I have a running battle with the TV and the DVR. Unfortunately several of the shows she watches regularly changed their schedules having us “double taping” at times, which means given our set up there’s no viewing the TV unless you want to watch what you’re taping and that’s a bit crazy. When this happens I’m really enjoying watching video via Netflix or other sources. In fact, this has become a great form of stress relief for me.

Scouring Feeds
Using the App Reeder for the iPad, I’m able to scan my RSS feeds more quickly than any other method. It syncs up with Google Reader so it’s a one way ticket to clearing out what’s come in over night or during a period that I’ve been off line.

Stall Surfing
I guess Chris just doesn’t, well, let’s not make this too personal. The iPad is my go to Stall Surfing device.

Document Creation
I didn’t start out doing any sort of document creation except in a pinch on the iPad. That’s been changing of late, as I’ve discovered that I enjoy creating posts in their early stages on the iPad, as well as some other documents. Again the enjoyment factor is key here, not necessarily the efficiency factor.

Lunch Time
When I have the ability to have lunch alone out of the office the iPad is always on the menu. Whether I’m connecting up via the MiFi card or a restaurant’s WiFi, it makes for a relaxing way to either read or work over lunch. It’s also a great conversation starter.

These are just some of the ways that I’m using the iPad and how I’m using it more and more. Again, I think every individual’s case is completely different. The kicker for me, is that even though I can (and do) use other devices for the above tasks, I get enjoyment when using the iPad. That makes all the difference in the world. Below are links to other posts I’ve done on this topic.

18 Comments

18 Comments

  1. scoobie

    10/21/2010 at 9:34 pm

    Walker – are you going to review the new Onenote Mobile on Windows phone 7 – if so, a tip for you – it only syncs one notebook to the Skydrive according to pocketnow.com

    • Warner Crocker

      10/21/2010 at 2:48 pm

      When I get my hands on a Windows Phone 7 device I will yes.

    • Anonymous

      10/21/2010 at 9:56 pm

      When I get my hands on a Windows Phone 7 device, yes.

      • scoobie

        10/23/2010 at 1:06 am

        thanks Warner. Excuse my typo on your name by the way.
        I’m going to buy a wp7 device just for Onenote but I do think from what I’ve seen that it has some real limitations compared to Mobilenoter on the iphone. Especially around what it can display and how many notebooks you can have. Plus lack of tags. Hopefully these are first release blues only.

    • Anonymous

      10/21/2010 at 9:56 pm

      When I get my hands on a Windows Phone 7 device, yes.

    • Anonymous

      10/21/2010 at 9:56 pm

      When I get my hands on a Windows Phone 7 device, yes.

  2. Markp

    10/21/2010 at 10:17 pm

    I have to agree on the size and form factor–but I have given up my iPad after trying hard to like it. I simply can’t work without a quality inking experience and the iPad doesn’t give it. While it is considerably heavier, my HP with the extended battery goes all day without needing a charge, and reading on it is a good experience.

    Still, nothing compares to the old TC1100 as the best of all possible worlds.

  3. Gordon

    10/21/2010 at 11:31 pm

    I agree with pretty much everything you’ve said Warner, except for the stall surfing. Yep, definately the stall surfing……

    What surprised me most is how much I prefer creating documents on the ipad. I’ve really become a fan of both the keyboard dock and the portrait orientation. Both of which I was sure wer going to drive me nuts.

    And as someone who’s used tabletPC’s since virtually the beginning, I’m also surprised by how I don’t often miss my tablets. Sometimes I’ll prefer to pick up my P1620 or 2730 but most often I only leave the house with the iPad. I really did expect to sell it after a couple of weeks.

    I really do want that unified mailbox though. Multitasking, not so much. Oh, and ink in Evernote….

    Gordon

  4. Synergi

    10/22/2010 at 12:10 am

    I came to the conclusion that there is nothing, either Mac or Windows that will give me full software, the iPad form factor, and the iPad like experience any time soon. This forced me to look for more work arounds and try harder to like my iPad more.

    Inking just isn’t going to give the same experience as my TC1100. But I have found some decent note taking Apps, I have remote desktop, and I found a great Rocketfish (Best Buy brand) stand that works like my TC1100 dock that’s been making the iPad more useful. I can’t wait for multitasking next month.

  5. Michael Anderson

    10/22/2010 at 3:21 am

    As I said in Chris’ article, I use my iPad for absolutely everything!

  6. Michael Anderson

    10/22/2010 at 3:21 am

    As I said in Chris’ article, I use my iPad for absolutely everything!

  7. savagemike

    10/22/2010 at 5:07 am

    I think the ipad has been a massive happening.
    It is the kind of popular thing that many, many people will buy just to check out the latest tech or be part of the latest trend, etc…
    Which is not a bad thing.
    My point is, with anything like this there will be many people who don’t continue to use it much after the honeymoon is over. That is as likely because it wasn’t needed by them in the first place as it is to do with it failing in its role.

    Already long story, too late to shorten – I am sure a lot of people use it a lot and a lot of other people don’t use it much after a bit. They have sold so many it is hard to think that wouldn’t be the case.

    I think it has been a big enough hit to ensure the product space for a good while.
    And I think too that the hardware is ready to provide enough use in that form factor.
    So with a bit of refinement in coming generations – I think these types of tablets are here to stay and will come to greatly supplant notebooks.

  8. dstrauss

    10/22/2010 at 3:00 pm

    I’ve shared here previously that I sent the iPad to eBay heaven three weeks ago because of limited use. I had dozens of Apps (many paid, not just freebies) but because of my business needs for the iPad, I got tired of the constant “work-arounds” with DocsToGo, GoodReader, FileBrowser, Note Taker HD, etc. All are great programs, and if this were personal use only would have been more than adequate. But too often I would either give up (particularly on notetaking, having been spoiled by the HP 2730p) or just reach for the real thing (MS Office, file explorer, etc.) I am now pinning my hopes on the Slate 500 I ordered this morning.

    Yes, it will have worse battery (hoping for at least 4 hours), touch won’t be near as integrated/smooth, and overall performance will not be as snappy, BUT it is the real deal. I need a business device first and entertainment second, and I think that is what HP has done with the Slate 500. Here’s to hoping they can’t keep them in stock and keep developing.

    PS – for those of you watching all the GBM coverage of the Slate 500, Evernote is a great App/Platform, but try giving OneNote 2010 a chance – the Slate will be able to share the same notebooks LIVE as your main computer (while you’re on the same network), with a great offline mode that syncs as soon as you return to the same network. It will make the Slate a great electronic yellow pad.

    • savagemike

      10/22/2010 at 8:36 pm

      Yes – as big as ipad has been I think its actual usage is showing apple missed the mark a little in thinking it would only be a consumption device and not so much a creation device.
      They clearly hedged that a bit having their office type apps avialable and cheaply too.
      However, the lack of note taking ability is a real oversight on their part.
      The quick moves of the third party will set them straight on that for future gens I think.

      Steveo will go from “stylus = fail” to “apple invented the stylus” after a bit.

  9. Westieswingdancer

    10/22/2010 at 4:54 pm

    I agree, I won’t use my computer any more unless I absolutely have to. In fact why can’t my computer turn on instantly, load applications immediately, offer me lots of inexpensive applications, last an entire day with plenty of juice to spare. And Inking, is terrific, Note Take HD, Notes Plus, Noteshelf all are great. Way better than my HP 1100 which lasted about 2 and a half hours.

    • savagemike

      10/22/2010 at 8:38 pm

      Well, in fairness, your computer can do some of those things.
      You can have a very feature rich and productive software environment on a computer today with zero cash outlay for software – up to and including the OS.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.