So let's talk about Apple's iPad - Updated ~ teknologi

Posted on Sat - August 28, 2010

So let's talk about Apple's iPad - Updated

Some weaknesses and some not strictly Pagan apps

Right now I use my iPad as a "living room" computer. This is the one that is in easy reach when I am in my living room. It's what I use when I web surf while eating at the kitchen counter. It's a great alternative to breaking out my laptop or going to the sanctum to use the iMac.

Because I live in a rural location, AT&T service is nonexistent and cell phone service in general ranges from lousy to good. Smart phone service seldom rises above lousy. So obviously I went with the WiFi model.

I've had a chance to experiment with ~~mine~~ my iPad and two others. Despite Apple's promises, WiFi location doesn't always work. I never have been able to automatically set the location on my mom's iPad for example (she ordered hers after she saw mine). It doesn't matter if it's at her house, my house, or the local Safeway with a mini-Starbucks, mine consistently gives an approximate location and hers never does, even if the two are sitting right next to each other. Mine usually is accurate within a block or so. Understand, even with the 3G option, the iPad (and the iPhone for that matter) don't give true GPS info.

Getting documents from your computer to the iPad is a major pain, although reviews of the iPhone4 show that iOS4 fixes that. Presumably the iPad will get that before the end of the year. I'm really looking forward to being able to save PDFs to iBooks. As it stands, this is a major problem.

Even though Apple has released versions of the iWork programs for iPad, these aren't the same applications as for the Macintosh. They are "lite" applications, and it takes some finagling to get them to work across platforms.

I've never been totally happy with Apple's iCal or Address Book, but the advantage of being integrated into the OS and particularly the Spotlight Search made up for a lot. Still, I consider the Address Book in particular sparse, and I've long since created my own templates to copy/paste into the note section.

Although theoretically you could do peer-to-peer sharing of iCal info and Address Book contacts, Apple wants to sell MobileMe subscriptions, or failing that, server software. So the obvious sharing capacity has been crippled. In Apple's defense, they aren't the only company that does that.

Practically speaking, So you can share information between iCal and Address book between two Macintosh computers OR between one Mac and the cloud for the iOS devices. Despite what Apple says, those are the limits. Trying to exceed this limit like with multiple user accounts on one Macintosh and iOS devises works after a fashion, just make sure you do backups.

Like the iOS iWorks applications, Contacts and Calendar are definitely pared down of the desktop applications.

Contacts doesn't show any of the family/friend/associate fields. You can only search Contacts by the contact name or the company name. Not even an email address or a city will work. My tags in the comments section can't be searched.

Calendar does not include tasks/to-dos. This is a major error. You can not change the calendar of an entry from the iPad, like from "Home" to "Work" or "Fun Project" to "Boring Project,"you need a computer to do that.

Even these restrictions would be workable if you could search ALL fields. The iOS really needs some global search options, ESPECIALLY for a flat file system.

At some point I'll probably have to come up with my own versions to fix these issues and several others, but I need the time, energy and motivation. First I'd have to learn to create apps…

Physically I don't think the iPad is suitable for "field" use, I'd still use an iPhone or an iPad Touch. The iPad is too big with too much breakable glass. It's the wrong form factor to be easily carried "everywhere." I'm holding out for an iPad Touch that has a camera and a recorder, and that is probably when I will retire my Palm.

There aren't purely Pagan apps that I have found, but I have found several apps that help me with my devotions.

Google Earth is a big one. I can't heap enough praise on this one.

Bjano's Phases has a really nice interface. Obviously it adjusts to your local time, it gives both moon & sun rise and set times for your location.

Remember that the sun and moon aren't always visible, when you need a direction, it's hard to go wrong with the 3D Sun&Moon Compass HD by Shen Ji Pan. The interface on this one is amazing.

Vito Technology's Star Walk is fabulous. Check out the night mode, but turn off the music.

There are several good weather apps, but I am partial to The Weather Channel®.

I haven't really found a calculator I'm happy with, but for measurement conversion (drams anyone?) and several other math functions plus a whole lot of data, it's hard to go wrong with Wolfram Alpha.

For sheer drooling, check out The Elements. This is THE STANDARD that textbooks and nonfiction should be measured against. Gods, if my schoolbooks had been like that, I might not have been such a smartass to my teachers.

iBird Yard isn't quite in the same class as The Elements, but it's pretty good none the less.

I hate the virtual keyboard on the iPad, that is probably why I haven't downloaded any social apps. Well, that and I am paranoid. Dragon Dictation (by the same folks who make Naturally Speaking) makes up for the keyboard.

Okay, let's talk about the fun stuff. IMDb Movies & TV is one of those great ways to settle a bet. At least officially. Anthony Hopkins did a uncredited bit as the priest/abbot in the beginning of Bram Stroker's Dracula (which should make you wonder about the possible origins of the Van Helsing character). Paul Reubens did a bunch of funny stuff long before Pee Wee. As long as it is credited, you can find it here. The interface can get a little clunky though.

Epicurious Recipes & Shopping List is fun to look at even if you don't use it (although the shopping list function is amazing).

How to Cook Everything walks you through stuff step by step in a very friendly way. Technically this is an iPhone app, but it works for the iPad if you remember that it doesn't adjust orientation.

I don't have that many games, but I do have to give a special shout out to Koi Pond HD.

Remember that the App Store is designed to part you from your money as quickly as possible. It's really easy to overspend, a dollar here, a few bucks there. It doesn't look like much but it does add up in a hurry.

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