No Flame Wars!
Discuss Issues, Software, and Hardware.
Don't attack people!
Apple iPad Ping!
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Posted on 10/28/2010 10:53:15 AM PDT by Mamzelle
I'd like to hear from FR ipad owners and ask a couple of questions. I don't own an Iphone or an Ipod, but I do use macs
I am a newbie, which is why I'm posting here.
1) Does it have a GPS navigational capability? Does it need an M3 to use it if it has one?
2) What features do you particularly like, and which do you dislike?
tnx n advance
I have an iPhone, not an iPad, so I'll stay out of this.
The 3G-AT&T iPad has a similar gps experience to an AT&T iPhone from what some google searching tells me...
My husband has one that he got from work.
I like it better than an Iphone because it’s bigger and I can actually read it.
He originally got one that didn’t have the G3(??), so it only had internet access if there was a wireless network. I didn’t like that one much.
The new one has the G3 (like iphone), and it is nice. He uses it instead of the navigation on his car. He thinks the iPad gives better directions.
He uses it all the time. He gets e-mail, downloads books to it, etc.
The kids like it. They like being able to download and watch videos in the car.
I’d like one, but I’m a stay at home mom, and I don’t know if I can justify the cost per month to have it.
I’ll be interested in responses to this.
I like mine. It is very mobile and easy to use. I have a docked key board to go with it! I love using it as an ereader as well.
Hi Mamzelle...I bought the first 3G model when it was available, with the minimum memory (16GB)
It has been a wonderful purchase. I am on call a lot, and I just take it with me when my wife and I go somewhere. If I get paged, I can remote in to my desktop through 3G...as close to freedom as I am likely to get on call.
I watch a lot of Netflix movies on it, which is GREAT, surfing is excellent, but not for freeping...:( Typing is fine, but if you are freeping, it is too much. I do have a bluetooth keyboard, but rarely use it.
My wife, who isn’t really into being online the way I am now likes to use it...”Can I borrow the iPad?” is common!
The web experience in Safari with the touchscreen is GREAT, and showing pictures or movies to others is an area where it shines.
The best thing is the immediacy of it. If you just need to look something up, boom. It is online immediately.
Get one.
The built in Maps program is great for navigating, but if you want to use it while driving, you should buy a third party product. I have several...:)
I have the newest IPad. Gotta say, I really like it. I also own a Mac laptop. It was gift from hubby so I didn’t think I’d use it all that much and surprised that I use it all the time.
‘
It can be used as GPS - I don’t use it for that.
The battery life is unbelievable.
I use it mostly for internet (I use my Verizon hotspot/IPad wireless) and to watch movies on airplanes.
It goes everywhere with me. I downloaded the Scrabble game which I use a LOT when I’m bored.
The keyboard is nice too.
I’m posting from my iPad. In fact I do most my FReeping on it nowadays. My regret is that I didn’t wait for the 3G version. The 3G option allows you to use the cellular data network, just like an iPhone. You can’t use it as a phone per se, although the iPhone Skype app is said to work.
The 3G option will also give you the ability of using it as a GPS. Also, no contract is required to activate 3G. You can turn it on, or off at will, although there might be a minimum period of activation required. I don’t think you could just turn it on for a day or two, and then turn it off. Perhaps a 3G iPad owner can chime in on that.
I’ve downloaded quite a few books for it. Most of them free. Shakespeare, Twain, the founding fathers etc. A couple I have bought, like “Sarah Takes on Big Oil”, which BTW I got through the Amazon Kindle app because the iBookstore didn’t have it.
News, weather, sports. netflix streaming, Pandora music streaming, and my entire CD collection. All good. Oh, and with the camera connector kit, I plug my Canon DSLR into it, and it automatically downloads all the pics. Very handy if you’re a shutterbug.
And the battery life is fantastic! 10 hours of heavy usage per day. That’s WiFi only. Don’t know if 3G impacts that noticeably, but I can’t help but think it does a little. Still.....
All in all, I’m quite pleased with mine. Just wish I had the 3G option.
I’m a linux nerd and have never been in to Apple products. Until I bought an iPhone. I have the first generation phone. Heck of a device!
I dragged around laptops and then netbooks with PCMCIA or USB broadband devices for years. Then I purchased an iPad and I have not touched a laptop or netbook since. I use a Verizon hot spot with it. I had to buy an extra battery for the hot spot because the iPad runs about twice as long as the Verizon hot spot. The length the iPad runs on a full charge is pretty amazing. A good 12 hours.
The iPad is the best all around tool I have for Internet access and accessing company servers using iTap RDP. I do not like that it won’t run flash but the marketplace is slowly taking care of that problem. That is about my only big complaint, no flash support. There is no built in camera but you can get around that. It also needs a USB port but that is not too much of a hassle either.
With the Verizon hot spot I have GPS nav capability.
I looked at the iPad right after they came out and it took me about 5 seconds to decide to buy one. So it seems like I have had it forever. It seems like part of me. One good thing is that the novelty has not worn off. People constantly come up to me and ask about it. So yea, it is a chick magnet:)
If Apple made a much larger iPad, say as big as a coffee table, I’d buy one. The interface is great.
I’d give the iPad a 8.5 put of 10.
I have the least expensive iPad. No 3G capability therefore no GPS.
That’s the only thing I’d like to have that I don’t. But being retired I don’t use or have use for full blown cell phone service so have a minimum shared service w/ my wife. Mainly for emergencies.
Back to the iPad. Love it. Turns on and up and running instantly.
Surf via WiFi.
IMHO it is superior as an e-reader to a Nook ,Kindle or Sony reader(I have one). One exception, full sunlight.
Lots of games to play while in the DR. waiting room.
Cons..
The touch screen is extremely sensitive. If you are used to resting your fingers on your keyboard you’ll have to break that habit.
I’ve uncoupled the wireless keyboard from my iMac and coupled it via Bluetooth to the iPad and used it that way. Works great.
It might be a little big for a handbag, depending on the bag.
I’ll page our resident Apple guru for you.
There are several GPS applications available for the I-Pad. I use one from Geocaching.com that's excellent. There are a lot of map and navigational apps available too, depending on your needs.
They work well over 3G and wireless in my experience.
It's a handy, easy to use little bit of technology IMO. You can even turn it into a phone with one of several SIP applications.
Believe it or not, you can't play quicktime videos on it. Hopefully Apple will address that soon.
Battery life is amazingly good IMO. If you're a Kindle user there's an app for it as well as an Ibooks reader.
Mrs. L does indeed carry hers in her handbag. They're very lightweight.
Where they lack is in real business applications. You can open and read any MS Office files, but to do any editing you need a DocsToGo program. It works, but isn't anywhere close to the MS products.
Overall though, I love the thing.
I hope you find this useful.
I got the 3G version and carry it everywhere. I take it and the iPhone with me to work and play.
Mine has GPS which is very useful. So many apps want to use your location to tell you where great restaurants are, where various things are. I would not get an iPad without GPS personally.
To my knowledge, and I could be wrong, but the Wifi only iPads no not have GPS.
You will be happy you bought one.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Oh, and yes, the battery life is incredible. I don’t have any device with as long a life.
As I say, I carry and use it everywhere and I charge it just once a week.
I have a 3G iPad, love it. Virtual keyboard takes some getting accustomed, better than most hardware miniature keyboards though. If you plan to take it with you a great deal, get a leather cover with a built-in “stand,” there are several good ones out there that are less expensive than the Apple Store.
I have a 3G iPad, love it. Virtual keyboard takes some getting accustomed, better than most hardware miniature keyboards though. If you plan to take it with you a great deal, get a leather cover with a built-in “stand,” there are several good ones out there that are less expensive than the Apple Store.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.