The Apple iPad Thread - Page 20

28-04-2011, 23:00

I still do not see the point of the iPad apart from being a fashion item.

Like the iPhone

Tezcatlipoca · 29-04-2011, 03:09

Plenty of use for the iPad or other tablets, as there is also plenty of use for an iPhone or other smartphone.

dilli-theclaw · 29-04-2011, 09:49

I now get all the service sheets for my local church on my iPad so I can blow the m up and get it to read them out to me when I'm there.

It's the cheapest portable (accessible) computer I've seen.

**Hugh** · 29-04-2011, 09:55

Agreed (although this might change when more of the android tablets hit the market).

Last night, I streamed news and films, read a book, checked my email and work calendar, surfed the web, all from something very portable and the thickness of about a dozen sheets of paper.

Lovin' it!

dilli-theclaw · 29-04-2011, 10:03

Only if android start to sort out accessibility - at the moment it's dire. If I could have used one I'd have got an android tablet like the arches 101.

I guess apple already had VoiceOver and zoom from the mac so not a lot of research had to be done to get them on the iPad.

While you can zoom the browser a bit on the android tablets it's not a full screen zoom and the text to speech systems are dire.

But they will get there I'm sure, I mean look how long it took Microsoft to finally put a decent screen magnifier on windows

Sirius · 29-04-2011, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

I may have to buy Air Play, as VLC is no longer available.

I have been using streamtome

Tezcatlipoca · 29-04-2011, 16:00

Some recommendations...

Stream live Freeview TV to your iPad using TVCatchup.com (so long as you have a TV Licence of course):

Sign up for free at TV Catchup, and then simply visit http://ipad.tvcatchup.com/ using your iPad's browser.

Play iTunes-unfriendly videos, such as Xvids in the .avi container...

1) Sync on to the iPad with iTunes, and play with CineXPlayer [Â£1.79] (or VLC [free] if you managed to get it before it was pulled from the App Store).

or

2) Stream to the iPad using Air Video [Â£1.79].

More Apps...

BBC iPlayer official app (better than using the browser) [free]

4oD Catch Up [free]

Sky+ (excellent Sky TV guide plus Sky+ Remote Record function) [free]

Sky News for iPad (excellent news app) [free]

BBC News [free]

Engadget for iPad [free]

Atomic Web Browser (alternative to Safari, has tabs & other features not found on mobile Safari, plus is better at remembering passwords) [Â£0.59]

1Password Pro (password manager for iOS, can sync with 1Password on other iOS devices & with the desktop version) [Â£8.99]

Dropbox (access Dropbox cloud storage on the iPad) [free]

File Browser (access shared folders & NAS drives on the iPad) [Â£2.39]

iWork productivity suite (Pages, Keynote, Numbers) [Â£5.99 each]

Couple of games...

Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP [Â£2.99] (retro adventure game, with an absolutely gorgeous soundtrack by Jim Guthrie)

Infinity Blade [Â£3.49] (hack 'n' slash action, optimised for the iPad 2's improved speed & graphics)

Stephen · 30-04-2011, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

I may have to buy Air Play, as VLC is no longer available.

AV Player HD is also good and has just had an update to make use of the dual core CPU on the iPad 2. This means it can now play 720p MKV files

bobcf · 30-04-2011, 18:48

Has anyone ordered an ipad2 - how long is the delivery date quoted?

How many of them are going to become available in UK shops shortly. If you're prepared to phone up in the morning and try a few different stores, is it likely that this will prove quicker than waiting for one ordered from apple? I understand they won't keep one in store for you.

Is there any difference in shipping times/availability in stores between the different models. Ideally I'm after a 16GB 3G.

Tezcatlipoca · 30-04-2011, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcf

Has anyone ordered an ipad2 - how long is the delivery date quoted?

How many of them are going to become available in UK shops shortly. If you're prepared to phone up in the morning and try a few different stores, is it likely that this will prove quicker than waiting for one ordered from apple? I understand they won't keep one in store for you.

Is there any difference in shipping times/availability in stores between the different models. Ideally I'm after a 16GB 3G.

I ordered mine from Apple on Monday 4th April. The estimated shipping date I was given by Apple was 25th April, with an estimated delivery date of (I think) 3rd May.

It actually ended up shipping on Wednesday 13th April, and was delivered on Monday 18th April.

If you check the Apple Online Store now, I believe the quoted time for availability is 1-2 weeks.

Alternatives to ordering online from Apple and waiting...

If you have an Apple Retail Store nearby, you can reserve an iPad 2 via the website for collection in store. You need to check the Apple website immediately after 9pm and be quick...

Tesco Direct & Argos both let you register for stock notification emails on their websites. Again, once you get an email from Tesco or Argos saying they have stock, you have to jump on their website pretty quick to grab one.

I would think carefully about which model you want & why. Do you really need 3G?, would 16GB be enough? Etc...

bobcf · 01-05-2011, 11:10

Thanks for response. Regarding reserving one via website, do you mean the general Apple site or the store-specific page. Where exactly is this option. Does it only appear after 9pm?

If you don't buy one direct from Apple does it affect any of the customer service etc you can get e.g. do they go through set-up with you if you buy direct from store?

I do want 3G and understand the 16Gb etc only relates to storage space, but I have another machine and hard drive if I want to store lots of files.

**Hugh** · 01-05-2011, 11:11

Do you realise you can link the iPad to your phone's wifi hotspot?

bobcf · 01-05-2011, 11:19

I don't have a smartphone, as far as I'm aware it just has normal 3G, hence I wanted the 3G ipad in order to be able to access the web from other locations than my house.

**Hugh** · 01-05-2011, 12:52

Just installed Flipbook (news aggregator) - v. good.

Also subscribed to Times and Sunday Times online and iPad versions - bargain at Â£1 for the first 30 days, and then Â£2 per week*, and the iPad version downloads the daily version, so readable while travelling.

*I already get the Times in the paper version, so saves buying/carrying it around.

Tezcatlipoca · 01-05-2011, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcf

Thanks for response. Regarding reserving one via website, do you mean the general Apple site or the store-specific page. Where exactly is this option. Does it only appear after 9pm?

If you don't buy one direct from Apple does it affect any of the customer service etc you can get e.g. do they go through set-up with you if you buy direct from store?

I do want 3G and understand the 16Gb etc only relates to storage space, but I have another machine and hard drive if I want to store lots of files.

I've just checked the Apple site... seems there's no Reservation option anymore

If you buy from Apple in-store, they'll help you set it up there & then.

If you buy from Apple online, or from anyone else, you set it up yourself at home. Not a hassle, as it's easy. Just install iTunes (if you don't already have it), hook up the iPad, & away you go.

Wherever you buy from, you still have a 1 year Manufacturer's Warranty with Apple in case of problems (plus still have protection against the Retailer under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 [as amended]).

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcf

I don't have a smartphone, as far as I'm aware it just has normal 3G, hence I wanted the 3G ipad in order to be able to access the web from other locations than my house.

Fair enough