I just bought an iPad this week, and have been struggling to get the best out of it:
- I got the Wifi only version, as I get that in most places I go to (home, offices, cafes...). If I really need 3G connectivity, I'll get a Mifi device to go along. The only thing I'll miss is the GPS.
- I got the 64 GB version, as I bought the device mainly fro reading magazines and some such as Vogue or Wired are taking up a lot of space, and I don't want to delete them just yet.
First impressions (I had tried it before, but this is based on having it for a few days) :
Plus
- It's pretty small, I like that - I'm carrying it with me instead of my laptop to meetings
- I like the format for reading magazines (Paris Match, Vogue, Wired so far). Flipboard is great.
- I downloaded a few free books on iBooks. Need to get a better feel with a few books from Kindle/Amazon
- Some apps are nice : The Elements for example. We need tons more of these interactive books for kids, and adults alike.
- basically I'm using it (and wanted it) to consume the web and media, not to produce or really interact.
- I like the fact that some apps INTELLIGENTLY install themselves with the right version on iPad and iPhone once you purchase them on either device
Minus
- It's heavier than what I'd like (waiting for the next version)
- the screen gets dirty pretty fast
- I hate the sync with my gazillion iPhone apps : the screen is cluttered and since there's no folder yet (waiting for iOS 4.2 here), it's all over the place; sync now takes forever with all the Wired magazines (backups...); and although it's nice that all iPhone apps should work on the iPad (but those for iOS 4.x yet), the small apps on the big screen is rather lousy.
- I'd prefer an easier way to get native iPad apps on my iPad (bad idea to mix them up with iPhone apps). And more of them !
- Many free or cheap apps on the iPhone and my Mac are outrageously expensive on the iPad (example VNC client at $9.99)
So here's my list so far (help me update this list ;) ! ) :
Productivity
- Keynote : presentation software from Apple
- Pages : word processing from Apple
- Evernote : take all kind of notes and sync between all your computers and phones
- Dropbox : your files stored in the cloud, and sync between all your computers and phones
- Financial calc : great if you need to calculate PMT, IRR or NPVs...
- Dragon Dictation : voice recognition software
Games
- Blue block: logic !
- Drawing Pad: nice app for drawing with your fingers
- Real Solitaire HD : classic card game
- Blocks Classics Lite
- GL Golf
Media
- Esquire : stuff for us men
- France24 : the French CNN with live video
- Food & Wine : great pix and recipes of FOOD
- Gourmet Live!
- iMDB : all you want to know about movies
- Marvel Comics : lovely navigation in comic stips. in app purchase of new issues
- The New Yorker : in app purchase of new issues
- New York Times
- Paris Match
- Popular Science
- 20minutes.fr : french free daily
- Vogue
- Wired Magazine : in app purchase of new issues, indispensable for all geeks
- Wall Street Journal
Books / interactive apps
- iBooks: digital books from Apple
- Kindle: all digital books from Amazon
- The Elements : the periodic table
- 3 petits cochons : learn how to read for kids
Social Media
- Flipboard: read all your social way in a magazine feel
- Friendly : a nice Facebook client for the iPad
- Instapaper : links I flagged on my computer and that I can read later
- twitter : official app
Photography
- Big Picture: great pix from the Boston globe
- Getty images : beautiful portfolio
- Fotopedia Heritage
Tools
- Freemote HD: great tool to replace the Freebox remote
- remote : great to control your AppleTV (very easy for music for example)
- Appshopper : discover new apps
- IM+ Lite : IM client for MSN, Gtalk, Facebook chat, twitter...
- Localiser : find your iPad if you loose it, similar to the iPhone tool
Misc
- The weather Channel : if you're into that sort of thing
- Google earth : 3D map of the world
- History Maps : beautiful old maps
Update: after many hours cleaning up the useless iPhone apps (from my iPhone ;) on my iPad, I've boiled down my setup to the following screens. I'll need to update the links above after more testing of the apps.
Weather, Maps and Travel
Misc
Productivity and Finance
Shopping
Music and movies
Books
Media
Radio, TV and video
Games
Thanks to Olivier Frigara, Stéphane Zibi for their contribution.
I have yet to try the following apps, suggested by friends :
Games : F1 2010, Asphalt 5 HD, Real racing HD, Flight control, XPlane
Currently testing : ETrade
