More Life With An iPad

We’ve had a great time discovering some of the fun apps that come with our iPad 2, but we also enjoy the ways we can use it to have information at our fingertips, anywhere, any time.

For example, we’ve set up our family calendar and contact list on our iPad. It was a snap to use iTunes to sync our current Mac calendar and contact list into the iPad, so we can see appointments, recurring events, holidays, contact information and more while on the go. Any changes we make on the iPad can be synced to the Mac and vice versa,

Another app we like that comes with the iPad is Maps, which uses the GPS in the iPad to pinpoint our location and provide text and map directions to desired destinations. The GPS also displays a tracking ball that shows your route as you move along. Cool.

Although many smart phones can perform these calendar and map functions, the large, bright screen makes everything easier to see, and the touch screen makes interaction easier.

Now to move on to those nearly 500,000 more apps to explore.

Life With An iPad - photos

One of the joys of having an iPad is that you can show off photos on the large (9.75"), bright display by just sliding your finger across the screen to scroll from one photo to another. The iPad changes automatically from horizontal to vertical view, has easy touch zoom in and out, and shows photos in brilliant color. Oh, did we mention that it does videos too?

So how do we get photos into the iPad? Just use the iPad’s built-in camera (two actually) , take the photo you’d like and it’s ready to display. Another way  is to e-mail photo(s) as attachments and pick them up on your e-mail on the iPad.

Apple also sells a camera connection kit that will connect the iPad directly to your camera or, using the included SD card reader, to the camera’s SD card. Thumbnails are shown for the entire contents, and you can select which you want fully downloaded and ready to view.

But the best way to get photos into the iPad is to install Apple’s iTunes program on your PC or MAC, load the photos directly from the camera or its memory card into iTunes, sort them into albums if you want, edit if needed and “Sync” them into the iPad.

It’s that easy to wow everyone with photos of friends and family, share trips and special events, and much more.

Life With An Apple iPad 2

 We finally did it – we got an Apple iPad. Our excuse was a mutual gift for each other for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Wedding Anniversary. Mostly we really wanted one.

We looked at the Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy and others but none of them had as many features or apps, and they couldn’t match the smooth touch screen scrolling. We settled on the iPad 2 (the  WiFi 64GB version), trotted down to the Apple Store-- only to find they were out. And, with the huge demand, they didn’t know from day to day when they’d be re-supplied.  So we took their suggestion and ordered online. Three weeks later, after eagerly tracking its shipment from China, our iPad 2 arrived. It was all we expected and more.

On our first power up, the iPad found our secure home wireless network and asked for our password and other information it used in registering itself with Apple. We were delighted with its silk smooth finger scrolling and its “just right” touch screen.

Now the fun part – what to do first? Load some photos to show off to friends and family; ditto music; watch our favorite You Tube video or movie; read a book; fill in a calendar; check email while lounging on the patio; browse the Web; or . . . and much more. Check in again in a day or two and we’ll fill you in on some details of life with an iPad.