iPad - Much More Than A Toy

Sweeping generalizations have branded the iPad as little more than an expensive toy. Sure, there are thousands of games that already run on the iPad, not to mention the thousands more iPhone games that can run in "pixel doubled" mode. But is the iPad really just a toy, or is there more to the iPad than just having enough horsepower to run just about any apps you want on it?
A Multimedia Player

The iPad is, without a doubt, among the most versatile and best performing multimedia players on the market. It can handle high definition video as well as nearly all forms of audio files, YouTube videos, podcasts, TV shows and music. Having all these functions combined into one sleek, portable device may be worth the $499 base price alone.

An E-Reading Device

Many see the iPad as the biggest competitor to Amazon's Kindle. Despite the Kindle's E Ink display, which is easier to read in many respects than LCD, many Kindle users have already jumped on the iPad bandwagon.

Lots of Apps To Use

Apple's tagline, "There's an app for that" does not apply only to the iPhone. And if the current offerings are not enough, developers continually create new apps to add to the already extensive collection of currently exists for the iPad. The iPad's popularity ensures that there is a continuing stream of new apps to come.

Wi-Fi

Nothing in the Apple ecosystem is without an Internet connection these days, and you can use the iPad to access the vast array of online content wherever you can find a hotspot.

3G Connection

For times when there are no WiFi hotspots available, Apple integrates 3G into some models. As with its smaller sibling, the iPhone, iPad uses AT&T's 3G network, which does not bind users with long-term contracts. You can activate or deactivate your 3G connection at any time, since AT&T's partnership with Apple insures a completely customizable arrangement.

Bluetooth

The iPad has a built-in advantage of allowing external devices that connect via the Bluetooth interface. Apple stores and other retail outlets already sport a wide range of Bluetooth headphones and keyboards compatible with the iPad.

Storage Capacity

The iPad has a number of internal storage options available, allowing you to choose from 16GB, 32 GB and 64 GB versions.

YouTube and Other Video Hosting Sites

As with the iPhone, a frequent complaint about the iPad is it's lack of flash capability, and it is admittedly a drawback. However, there are apps that allow you to get around this limitation, at least when it comes to watching videos. You can watch YouTube, Hulu, and other videos sites using one of the many available video apps.

Web Browsing

The iPad sports a full featured version of Safari, the same browser in use on the Mac and the iPhone, enhanced to accommodate the touchscreen features of the iPad.

Email

The iPad is a great device for sending and receiving e-mails on the go. In the landscape orientation you'll get a convenient split screen view showing both the e-mail list and the currently opened e-mail message. Turn the iPad to portrait orientation to focus on a single message, and it will automatically rotate to fill the screen. Want to print out a message? Use Apple's AirPrint to do it wirelessly.

iWork

You can get some serious work done on the iPad with the use of Apple's Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Although typing on the iPad virtual keyboard is somewhat slower than on a real keyboard, the built-in auto correction features do a pretty good job of smoothing over many of the difficulties, and third party and Apple keyboards are also available.

In short, the iPad is a remarkably convenient, portable, flexible device that can go with you just about anywhere. What you do with it is really up to you, the user.

Posted in: 3G iPad,ipad,Multimedia Player