Ipad - What do you do with yours?

mel123

So I bought a second hand ipad, first generation, however I have to say I dont get much use out of it besides just general browsing on Safari and playing a few games etc downloaded from the app store. I have an iphone 4 and feel I could have stuck with this.

What am I missing out on? How can I optimize my use of the Ipad?
What do you do with yours?

Dades

I for one will be watching the Ryder Cup on mine this weekend while the missis gets her fill of X-Factor and whatnot on the TV.

I find my iPad enables me to entertain myself while the most mindless drivel goes unnoticed across the room!

Qwerty Dub

Yeah its good for surfing the web, especially for viewing/replying to threads here and other stuff the phone is too small for.

Use it for listening to music/podcasts.
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Flipboard
Facetime/Skype to friends abroad
Viewing YouTube
RTE Player, 4oD Player, Netflix
Reading news
eBooks
Watching live Tv on the go (Irish Channels) on Aertv.ie
Maps for finding somewhere in advance

Get a lot of use out of it to be honest.

maximoose

Browse, books, comics, play music and radio, sky sports TV, netflix are my main uses.

Hours upon hours spent on flipboard too

Qwerty Dub

maximoose wrote: »

Browse, books, comics, play music and radio, sky sports TV, netflix are my main uses.

Hours upon hours spent on flipboard too

Don't use it half as much as I should. Cool app though.

Loomis

I haven't used mine in ages tbh but started again recently. I'd forgotten how handy they are. It's just so much easier to use rather than firing up the laptop.

With the Champions League back, it's great when the missus wants to watch the TV, I can sit beside her and watch the match on aertv.ie. Again, much handier than a laptop, avoiding the issue of finding steams etc.

Peterdalkey

it is so fast to switch on I use it to look up phone numbers, watch Tv,( with DADES on that one) read the newspapers, check my email, go on boards.ie, book my golf online, look up recipies and it is a live real time encyclopedia for every question that arises in daily life, just can't leave it alone!! and I am a still working 60 year-old... hardly ever use my lovely big laptop anymore.

Hurricane Carter

I sold it.

Got a MB Air, much better for my needs. I found the iPad quite useless for me.

Qwerty Dub

I Am Kong! wrote: »

I sold it.

Got a MB Air, much better for my needs. I found the iPad quite useless for me.

Horses for courses I guess.

Im writing this on my Sony Vaio Laptop...........while on Facebook on my iPad

opinion guy

I use it for reading pdf's.

I think of selling it every now and then as I don't feel I make use of it enough and a cheaper Android tablet would do the job.....but then retina screen is so nice to read on

cuilteanna

I rarely use mine since I got a MacBook Air. I just prefer having a keyboard, and of course the instant-on that makes it so far superior to my big laptop, but it's all about what your needs are. For me the iPhone and the Air are a perfect combination and the iPad will be finding a new home.

jakdublin

I Am Kong! wrote: »

I sold it.

Got a MB Air, much better for my needs. I found the iPad quite useless for me.

I have both, but I'd defo ditch the ipad for the Air if it came down to it. Ipad is a convenience, and as much as I love it, it's a dispensable luxury (as long as I have the MB Air!)

mel123

Thanks for all the replies guys. It seems I am not really missing much at all, and this is just an expensive toy to browse the net, play games etc etc

maximoose

mel123 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies guys. It seems I am not really missing much at all, and this is just an expensive toy to browse the net, play games etc etc

It is definitely not a necessity, but it's a bloody beautiful luxury toy to have.

adox

I use mine everyday for most of the above mentioned in other posts.

Also stream alot of my local media to it when in bed!

Someone else mentioned it turns on quickly so is handy but to be honest, I rarely if ever switch it off.

Oh also use it for airplay to ATV2.

adamski8

Some people have weird expectations that they will be doing great new things with it.

I use it for browsing 95% of the time, great battery, very light and gives instant access, can use it everywhere around the house and its much easier to type than a smart phone.

Otherwise ill use it for a bit of skype or netflix, its also handy for travel where i watch movies/shows in the air.

3DataModem

Mainly browsing, and reading books, comics and magazines (which phone and MBA are unsuitable for).

opinion guy

mel123 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies guys. It seems I am not really missing much at all, and this is just an expensive toy to browse the net, play games etc etc

Get a nexus 7 instead. Cheaper. Does the same stuff. Just doens't have as nice a screen.
If I do sell mine I would get a nexus7 instead

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Does anybody have issues on boards on their iPads? I have an iPad 2 and when I click on "my forums" in the top right corner, the drop down menu opens, but most of the time when I click on a forum name, nothing happens. Does this happen to anybody else? This happens on both Chrome and Safari

adamski8

BDJW wrote: »

Does anybody have issues on boards on their iPads? I have an iPad 2 and when I click on "my forums" in the top right corner, the drop down menu opens, but most of the time when I click on a forum name, nothing happens. Does this happen to anybody else? This happens on both Chrome and Safari

it works for me but some of those dropdown menus can flash up and dissapear etc. there is a boards app you can use, i prefer the browser though

Keano

BDJW wrote: »

Does anybody have issues on boards on their iPads? I have an iPad 2 and when I click on "my forums" in the top right corner, the drop down menu opens, but most of the time when I click on a forum name, nothing happens. Does this happen to anybody else? This happens on both Chrome and Safari

Happens to me too and I'll go use Chrome for a while and then back to Safari and it's fixed!

Pythia

I have the new ipad, 16GB wifi + 3G.

Browsing the internet mainly. Plus the usual Facebook, email etc. I have quite a few sites as apps such as Ebay, Tripadvisor, the Daily Mail.

Will be using it a lot when I travel, much easier than bringing a laptop. I have to go to the UK once a month or so.

Reading magazines. I bought some subscriptions.

Studying - I have some of my actuary exam notes on it.

Listening to music - speaker is better than on iphone.

Gumbo

BDJW wrote: »

Does anybody have issues on boards on their iPads? I have an iPad 2 and when I click on "my forums" in the top right corner, the drop down menu opens, but most of the time when I click on a forum name, nothing happens. Does this happen to anybody else? This happens on both Chrome and Safari

Happening to me all this week. I had my sisters iPad for a few days, and loved it. I want one now

Some thinks i figured out :
I bet you were in portrait mode......

Turn it to Landscape and it works perfect

Stab*City

I use my Ipad2 for all the stuff mentioned. I also use a camera connection kit to hook up midi devices such as keyboards and drum pads for creating music with all the excellent music production apps. I also use my Ipad via a wireless connection to control parameters within music programs on my MBP. I also use it as a design tool with photoshop touch and some of the video editing software like avid or pinnacle.

I suppose it is what you make of it. Maybe you have a hobby that the ipad can come in handy for.

Xavi6

BDJW wrote: »

Does anybody have issues on boards on their iPads? I have an iPad 2 and when I click on "my forums" in the top right corner, the drop down menu opens, but most of the time when I click on a forum name, nothing happens. Does this happen to anybody else? This happens on both Chrome and Safari

Happens me all the time and it's a pain in the arse. Combined with no floating header and no bottom breadcrumbs, the user experience is getting worse on iPad.

I use my iPad all the time, mainly for social media interaction when I'm on the move. I find it great for reading, posting etc and, as someone else said, it's a fantastic luxury.

I fly regularly and with a 64 gig iPad I can just load it up with my movies and watch them on a bigger screen than in flight entertainment, happy days!

120_Minutes

Stab*City wrote: »

I also use my Ipad via a wireless connection to control parameters within music programs on my MBP

Please tell me you're referring to logic and you're going to tell me the app you use?

Swampy

It's a great sales aid. I put PDFs in it and it is a great way to engage a customer. Fast flipping between pages etc

Stab*City

BDJW wrote: »

Does anybody have issues on boards on their iPads? I have an iPad 2 and when I click on "my forums" in the top right corner, the drop down menu opens, but most of the time when I click on a forum name, nothing happens. Does this happen to anybody else? This happens on both Chrome and Safari

I found that instead of tapping the link if you slide your finger onto it and hold then tap it works.. bit of a knack to it!

Stab*City

120_Minutes wrote: »

Please tell me you're referring to logic and you're going to tell me the app you use?

Sorry not using Logic using Ableton. But im sure the same programs with work if there is a logic template available..

http://hexler.net/software/touchosc


just had a look at the site again there and ya there are logic videos there on how to get it working..

Also search the app store for logic

also loads of midi designer apps there so you can design your own controller for logic.

mitosis

Can you use Youtube on it? Or any Flash?

Dades

mitosis wrote: »

Can you use Youtube on it? Or any Flash?

Yes, via YouTube's own app and many others.

And no flash unless jailbroken and even then it's dodgy. You'll never miss it, though.

subway

I've an ipad one and mainly just get frustrated at how slow it is and how often apps crash

adox

subway wrote: »

I've an ipad one and mainly just get frustrated at how slow it is and how often apps crash

Slow at what? What apps are crashing and what version ipad do you have?

beardo81

Can't get near my iPad 1 these days, the wife and kids have commandeered it. One year old boy loves the learning games on it, plus its super tough and has survived many a drop into the floor!

dazed+confused

Why have so many men on here lost control of their tvs and even their iPads? Who bought the TV? Do you hand over your nuts in a little bag when you give her the remote?

subway

adox wrote: »

Slow at what? What apps are crashing and what version ipad do you have?

First gen ipad on 5.0.1. Mainly use safari and Facebook.
Both regularly freeze or shutdown. Tend not to use it because of that. Also use cloud reader, that doesn't freeze but sometimes can't open books for no reason.

vinnycoyne

subway wrote: »

First gen ipad on 5.0.1. Mainly use safari and Facebook.
Both regularly freeze or shutdown. Tend not to use it because of that. Also use cloud reader, that doesn't freeze but sometimes can't open books for no reason.

I've seen this also on a first-gen iPad since upgrading it to iOS 5. I assume it's due to the low RAM.

Greylor

My iPad (granted it is the new iPad, not the iPad 1) is essential for work and has become an integral part of my personal life as well. I've gotten a Belkin keyboard cover as well to protect it and radically increase the speed with which I can type on it.

The nature of my job (Procurement and IT manager for a hospital) is that I am constantly on the move around the building and need to keep track of a number of large projects simultaneously, and then deal with a constant barrage of small requests from any of about 50 people at any given time (impossible to keep track of otherwise without clearing the Amazon forest of trees to make paper).

It's all managed via an app called 2Do which is a brilliant to-do app with enough detail and customizability to do exactly what I want it to do, while being simple enough to be user friendly.

Other than that I use it for:
- E-mail app to view and send e-mails on-the-move.
- Contact list app to keep my entire contact list with me at all times (great in conjunction with my iPhone which is sync'd over the cloud)
- Multiple Calculator apps which are great for when I need to work things out on the move, or need to convert currency (often need to convert between Euro and GBP or USD). Comes in more handy than you would expect.
- Logmein app to remote-access into my PC from anywhere...helps to get around the limited data-creation capabilities of the iPad.
- oneSafe to store credit card info, bank account info, user account info etc.
- CamCard HD app to scan business cards right into my address book so that I have a huge database of supplier and work contacts.
- Barcode scanner app which comes in handy once in a while when products come in with the barcode and I want to learn more about them.
- Fing app: Great app for scanning the hospital network to find a free IP address to allocate to new hardware.
- My Measures app for adding dimensions to pictures which I use all the time for when a department wants something like a trolleys, beds, surgical equipment etc.
- Skype/FaceTime apps for when the boss wants to actually see something but is in another country.
- DocScanner app which is VERY useful for scanning business documents and then e-mailing them as PDFs. Use this all the time.

On a more non-professional side:
- News apps to keep me up to date with things
- Mobile web browsing on a decent sized screen for obvious reasons
- PC Gamer app so that I can get digital copies from the subscription (which is considerably cheaper than a hardcopy subscripion)
- Panoramic camera pictures are cool as well.
- Facebook app for the odd occassion that I'm in the mood to have a look.
- iTunes for downloading movies to keep me entertained when I am travelling (waiting in an airport or in-flight).

And the list goes on

subway

vinnycoyne wrote: »

I've seen this also on a first-gen iPad since upgrading it to iOS 5. I assume it's due to the low RAM.

was the same on 4.3.3, was recommended to update to 5.0.1 to get rid of the issue...
first gen pad is basically an underpowered POS, can't even handle multi tab browsing (always reloading the off screen pages). havent had the luxury of using the later ones.

Yakuza

Pythia wrote: »

Studying - I have some of my actuary exam notes on it.

Same here! Fair play to Acted for bringing out digital version of their course notes.

I watch stuff in bed with mine (either on VLC or streamed to it from a PC over WIFI using AirVideo) - very quiet and doesn't disturb the missus like a laptop would. Then again, she's usually reading or facebooking on hers beside me

Pythia

Yakuza wrote: »

Same here! Fair play to Acted for bringing out digital version of their course notes.

I watch stuff in bed with mine (either on VLC or streamed to it from a PC over WIFI using AirVideo) - very quiet and doesn't disturb the missus like a laptop would. Then again, she's usually reading or facebooking on hers beside me

Hello fellow actuary! Hope you are having a good exam season!

Airvideo sounds good, will download that now.

dixiefly

Dades wrote: »

I for one will be watching the Ryder Cup on mine this weekend while the missis gets her fill of X-Factor and whatnot on the TV.

I find my iPad enables me to entertain myself while the most mindless drivel goes unnoticed across the room!

What is the best site to watch the Ryder cup on the ipad?

Thanks

fatherbuzcagney

Greylor wrote: »

My iPad (granted it is the new iPad, not the iPad 1) is essential for work and has become an integral part of my personal life as well. I've gotten a Belkin keyboard cover as well to protect it and radically increase the speed with which I can type on it.

The nature of my job (Procurement and IT manager for a hospital) is that I am constantly on the move around the building and need to keep track of a number of large projects simultaneously, and then deal with a constant barrage of small requests from any of about 50 people at any given time (impossible to keep track of otherwise without clearing the Amazon forest of trees to make paper).

It's all managed via an app called 2Do which is a brilliant to-do app with enough detail and customizability to do exactly what I want it to do, while being simple enough to be user friendly.

Other than that I use it for:
- E-mail app to view and send e-mails on-the-move.
- Contact list app to keep my entire contact list with me at all times (great in conjunction with my iPhone which is sync'd over the cloud)
- Multiple Calculator apps which are great for when I need to work things out on the move, or need to convert currency (often need to convert between Euro and GBP or USD). Comes in more handy than you would expect.
- Logmein app to remote-access into my PC from anywhere...helps to get around the limited data-creation capabilities of the iPad.
- oneSafe to store credit card info, bank account info, user account info etc.
- CamCard HD app to scan business cards right into my address book so that I have a huge database of supplier and work contacts.
- Barcode scanner app which comes in handy once in a while when products come in with the barcode and I want to learn more about them.
- Fing app: Great app for scanning the hospital network to find a free IP address to allocate to new hardware.
- My Measures app for adding dimensions to pictures which I use all the time for when a department wants something like a trolleys, beds, surgical equipment etc.
- Skype/FaceTime apps for when the boss wants to actually see something but is in another country.
- DocScanner app which is VERY useful for scanning business documents and then e-mailing them as PDFs. Use this all the time.

On a more non-professional side:
- News apps to keep me up to date with things
- Mobile web browsing on a decent sized screen for obvious reasons
- PC Gamer app so that I can get digital copies from the subscription (which is considerably cheaper than a hardcopy subscripion)
- Panoramic camera pictures are cool as well.
- Facebook app for the odd occassion that I'm in the mood to have a look.
- iTunes for downloading movies to keep me entertained when I am travelling (waiting in an airport or in-flight).

And the list goes on

:cool:I find it handier than lugging the laptop into the small toilet under the stairs:o

Dades

dixiefly wrote: »

What is the best site to watch the Ryder cup on the ipad?

Thanks

I use a Sky Go subscription, tbh!

Dr. Nick

Flipboard, just discovered, wow!

maximoose

Dr. Nick wrote: »

Flipboard, just discovered, wow!

It really is a great app, get all your interests on to it and it'll keep you occupied for hours!

ArklowHoop

Got my mam the new one for her birthday,all she uses it for is to read her 1 and only eBook!

I've basically taken over it,I find it a lot better than a laptop for browsing

And watching sky go on it is brilliant along with aertv,rte player and 3 player.

Also have a bit of craic playing along with the million pound drop live!

Fantastic piece of kit if you make use of it!

ROS123

Flipboard is the most impressive app on iPad IMO.

WillyWonka

All the above, plus it's great for photos (I use smug mug and have the app to view the photos I put online)

Use it with Apple TV for AirPlay and as a remote for the ATV.

Mainly browsing though. You just can't beat the convenience.

Armonline

I use it on a dock in our Kitchen as a multi purpose device. it is playing streaming radio most of the time, but then use it for watching live TV via AerTV and catchup TV via RTE Player and 4OD. I also use the Plex client to stream movies from a PC running Plex media server so that i can watch all my movies. Other than than it is used for ocasional web browsing but is also great for educational games fro the kids.

Some people think of the iPad as a laptop replacement, but it is a different type of device to that.

jakdublin

If you like Flipboard you might like Zite. Not quite as good but similar concept and worth a look IMO,