Since I’ve had my iPad for a couple months and have used it on a regular basis, I thought it would be a good time to report on my iPad usage and how it compares to my pre-iPad expectations. Steve Jobs has touted the iPad as a third device category, bridging the gap between smartphone use and busting out the laptop or sitting at the desktop for email and internet surfing. Has the iPad been the third device category for you that Jobs prophesied? For me, it has — but there has been a few surprises concerning my initial expectations.
As I anticipated receiving my iPad, I couldn’t help but speculate as to how I would use it, where I would take it with me, and how it would impact my iPhone usage. After all, the iPad offers a much bigger screen, almost full-sized keyboard, and impressive battery life. I expected my iPad to replace my iPhone for much of my internet surfing, emailing, and ebook reading — even many of the apps I use I imagined to be superior on my iPad.
Now, a couple months later, I can report that my iPad does represent a third device category in my life, just as Steve promised, but it hasn’t impacted my iPhone use nearly as much as I thought it would. My iPhone is still far easier to carry with me as I can drop it in my pocket. The small size and portability of the iPhone alone make it my daily go-to device, while my iPad does take over more of the heavy lifting for watching movies, reading ebooks, and serious internet surfing. However, my iPhone is more convenient to use for checking out a website or replying to an email. My iPad is a welcome addition to my gadget stable, but I’ve found there is a definite time and place for it to be the most useful to me.
How has the iPad worked out for you?
Hey! I don’t have an iPhone, but I have a 32GB Wi-Fi iPad and I love It, I bought a case for it, so anytime I go out, it is on my back bag. I use it for reading, playing, listening to music, watching movies, and many more. Last Saturday I wen to a friend’s house and we watch a movie on his LCD monitor from my iPad. Another thing I love is the amazing battery life, I mean, it really endures all day long. Everyone in my house loves it, my mom loves watching movies on it, my dad plays WarChess on the iPad as many times as I let him.
Simply awesome, I’m waiting for the iOS4 update, I know it will be marvelous.
I use it to access the Internet, attend online courses, as a DVR,to read books, to produce documents, to stay in touch with friends and family, to write invoices, to listen to music, I use my iPad to draw,edit photos,play games,find movies,resources,bargains,check my bank account,read the daily news, entertain friends,kids,family, take notes in class, send emails,PDFs,MP.3,MP.4 files. I transfer files to from my iPad, I place and receive calls over using VOIP, I use my iPad to prioritize,budget, to buy and sell products, to voice my opinion, to meet new people, I use it alot!
I am impressed at the number of ways you guys use your iPads. Very awesome. I’m really looking forward to the iOS4 update as well. I could definitely use folders on my iPad, among other things. I use my iPad at work all the time because I can’t get WiFi at work so my iPad 3G does the heavy lifting for any private internet needs.
My iPad is not an iPhone. The two do completely different things for me. I don’t need (or want) 3G on my iPad – that’s why I have my iPhone. Both are now indispensable. iPad is best for email, word processing, viewing photos, movies, videos, reading books. iPhone covers texting, calling, taking photos (please, no camera on the iPad – what a waste – do you really want to hold up your tablet to take a photo??). iPad has replaced my laptop most of the time except when I need Flash (Apple needs to get over their Flash-phobic obsession). With the GoodReader app and Pages, I can store hundreds of my home files on iPad to refer to. I’ve written major articles with footnotes, chapters for books, read music, written speeches with iPad. I’ve taught classes from it. I can’t do that with iPhone (it would be nice, though, if Apple would allow external keyboards to connect with the iPhone).
I don’t play games on either device. I bought iPad because I thought I might find a good use for it. Instead I found 1000+ good uses for it. It’s far exceeded my expectations.
I agee with you Jules that GoodReader and Pages are invaluable to any iPad owner. These Apps allow an iPad user to “bridge the gap” between iPad and your PC. Since purchasing these Apps I haven’t had a need for a PC.
I use WiFi File Transfer on Goodreader to move Files from PC to iPad, and vice versa. I use Cloud Storage to extend My iPads Memory. The Application Software for the iPad complements it very nicely. I have the 64Gigabyte,3G model. I’ve used 32zGigabytes already. That’s the reason I’m using a lot of online storage. The iPad does get Slower with near capacity.
i use my ipad most of the day. before heading out i check the numerous news apps i have,( i think its eleven). Then during the day i use it for school,(taking notes,viewing the school website,completing online assignments etc.). When i am not at school i am at work. i work as a Residential Electrical Contractor, so when i am at the job site i use the ipad to write down material lists,obtain contact information and correspond to customers through my email. i have books in my ipad that contain various formulas Electrictions use everyday. i also have a book that allows me to make conversions between various units of measure this is helpful in the Construction trade. And i am currently using the Sketch Pro app to design my new logo for my business. So i guess i use the ipad a lot during the day. Not to mention at home when i am playing games or watching movies or electronically socializing.
I’ve had mine since week 1, and find myself using it for all types of things, Listening to podcasts in and out of Work, Presentations using keynote, news readers using flipboard and pulse, i use the maps a lot, and love the PDF bookshelf in iBooks.. however the one which gets the best looks on the train, is watching TVCatchup (UK freeview Live TV over the Web) over 3G… blows peoples minds..
Its not replaced my Macbook, it compliments it..
For home use, my iPad has replaced my iPhone for everything but talking on the phone. I like it because of it’s big screen. Anything visual is better on the iPad…which is to say almost everything is better…
That being said, audio is better, too. With the small cost of a camera connector, I can get a digital signal out to a better DAC. That feature costs a few hundred bucks on the iPhone. My Touch is now in a drawer.
I finally found an app that might work for taking notes at work, too. I think I am just now scratching the surface of how useful this thing can be on a daily basis.