IPad users out there? I'd like to learn from Freepers about it...

October 28 2010 | Mamzeel

[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

[stripes1776]

The one real negative about the iPad and iPhone is that they don’t support Flash, as any iPad and iPhone user knows. I do hope that Apple addresses that problem ASAP. I’ve read that it’s not an easy fix but, hey, it’s Apple. They can do just about anything

You can use Flash on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch using Cloud Browse. The latest issue of Mac|Life has an article on this. But it's still in beta. And Flash expects a mouse, not a touch screen. So we will look forward to the near future when all Flash apps are converted to HTML5. Not to worry. Adobe, the maker of Flash, is busy building tools for HTML5.

[rlmorel]

I got in just under the wire with the unlimited plan...I wrote a letter to the head of AT&T telling him how much I disagreed with his decision (on top of AT&T removing my ability to remote desktop over 3G without having to purchase a “Corporate Account”.

I got a call back from his office a few weeks later to discuss the email, but I was on a conference call and couldn’t do much more than listen in one ear...

[Glenn]

I use the Verizon MiFi device with my iPad, laptop and iPhone.

I use my iPad to carry around several dozen reference books from Amazon. The Amazon Kindle app on the iPad is amazing for that purpose. I used a Kindle prior to the iPad.

It's a great email device. The calendar is superb. And Netflix, Hulu, ABC, et al, make video a great experience.

I also use Evernote for journaling and tasking.

No games, though. I am an olde man and my gaming days are long gone. I'd rather read a good book!

I don't regret getting the device. It's light. Sturdy. Handsome. And wherever I am, it is also.

[Ted]

You have to use one for awhile to understand how immersive the UI is. It’s really fun as a casual computing device at home.

I’ve had mine for ~3 months and am still thinking of various uses for it. The iPad is a game changer in the business world, with many possibilities in various niche markets (e.g. remote field staff, medical/dental, delivery people).

Google “iPad” and “business” and see the results, and visit http://www.apple.com/ipad/business/profiles/ I use it at work for mtgs, it’s perfect. I take notes, respond to email, and connect to our network to open up Word, Excel, PPT, PDFs, etc as needed. And yes, I can remote in to my work laptop at my desk if need be, but that is not required very often. Dvorak is wrong.

Combine the business use with it’s strong appeal as a home entertainment/lightweight notebook and I can agree with some projections of 48 million iPads sold by Apple next year. That’s $30 billion in sales for a product introduced 7 months ago. An AMAZING homerun by Apple.

[Marie Antoinette]

I am a newbie too. I just got my iPad a week ago. EVERYBODY wants to use it in my house (I have 9 kids, so a lot of hands). I finally took it out of the house today on a shopping trip. I had my list in the notes. It was on for 11 hours yesterday, with multiple children playing various games and using music apps.

I have yet to sign up for the 3G, but I’m sure once we try that, we’ll love it.

My biggest gripe: I keep missing the spacebar while typing on the key screen.

I hardly ever turn on my big tower computer anymore.

Sent from my iPad. :)

[Swordmaker]

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.

Mom, if you are staying at home with it, don't get the 3G version... you have one of those already. Get the WIFI only version and just use it with your home WIFI. No monthly cost at all.

[Swordmaker]

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...:)

MapQuest has a free turn by turn voice navigation app...

[Swordmaker]

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.

Buy Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for iPad and you can... opens and edits or creates MS word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents. Each app is $9.99

[SunkenCiv]

This is (so far) the best Apple thread around here in *years*. :’)

[Lurker]

I’ve been using DocsToGo. It’s good enough.I’ll check those out. Thanks

[luckystarmom]

A stay at home mom doesn’t mean that I am actually at home. Most of the time is spent shuttling kids to/fro. I spend most of my days in the car, and that’s why I want one.

At home, I can get on the regular computer and use the nice large screen and keyboard.

[luckystarmom]

Free. His company pays for it.

[Swordmaker]

Now I know I have to get the M3 version, which is more expensive, and need to find out what the monthly will cost me.

Monthly data rates for the iPad from AT&T:

• 250MB per 30 days renewable, no contract (upgradable to 2GB plan).... $14.99
  
• 2GB per 30 days renewable, no contract ($10 for each additional 1GB)...$25.00

Monthly Data Rates for the iPad from Verizon:

• 1GB per month with 2 year MiFi contract ($20 for each additional 1GB). $20.00
  
• 3GB per month with 2 year MiFi contract ($10 for each additional 1GB). $35.00
  
• 5GB per month with 2 year MiFi contract ($10 for each additional 1GB). $50.00

[ctdonath2]

The apps more than make up for the lack of Flash.