How The iPad Enhances Our Lives

I didn’t see the point. Why? Well, we both have computers, we have laptops and we have iPhones. I didn’t see that we needed more gadgetry. I imagined that the iPad was just larger version of the phone and I like the fact that the phone fits exactly into the front pocket of my jeans. Why would I want yet another device?

So we were a little behind the times

I know that the iPad has been around for a few years now and I’d seen them in use – several friends had them – but I wasn’t impressed and couldn’t imagine that actually, the new model we now have could be as important as it has become in our daily lives.

At home

Himself is the tecky one of the family when it comes to electronics – I honestly have a hard time changing the channel on the TV – and in no time at all he had rigged up the iPad so that it controls all our entertainment. It acts as a remote for the TV, it plays our music, we use it to read books and news – it’s all our entertainment in one tiny package. I remember that there used to be items of furniture called ‘entertainment centers’ – well, that’s what our iPad is. I can also video-chat (do they still call it that?) with my family in England and see them clearly instead of jerky, Max Headroom-like movements.

For work

Going into a business meeting with a laptop is one thing and we’ve been doing that for years. But compared to the iPad, even my tiny Acer seems bulky. We (well, he) can also tie it in with the large-screen TVs that so many of our clients seem to have in their conference rooms these days. This is wonderful for presentations. We have our design portfolio on the device, plus our book portfolio and we don’t have to fumble around opening and firing up laptop if we have the opportunity to show off.

Traveling

We have a pretty large bag that we always used to lug through airports. It contained my laptop, his, my mouse (because I’m too rough on touch-pads) leads,power packs and all sorts of miscellaneous – but necessary computer gubbins. I always refused to carry it – mainly because I was loaded up with the four (minimum) new books that I see as being essential on any trip, especially long haul flights. This is now a things of the past – with our iPhones and the iPad, we’re all set.

Apps for everything & everyone

I might be wrong but there seems to be apps for every conceivable purpose. I have dozens on my phone from Face Time to free games. The iPad is the same; if you need it, there’s an app for it. If for any reason there isn’t, there will be the next time you check. And the iPad is so intuitive to use. My granddaughter is only 14 months but can find her way around the device. (Of course, she’s a genius though!)

Not just a gift for teckies

As you can see from what I’ve written above, this isn’t just a great gift for the technically-minded. In fact, if you know anyone who has been left behind in today’s computer society, this will give them all the advantages of a computer – and much more – in an easy-to-use format.

iPad tips

As you’ll see, using this device is very similar to using your iPhone.

(Oh and when you’re listening, what accent does this chap have? He sounds like an American Yorkshireman – if there is such a thing…)