IPad second travel results: trial by fire

I can summarize the conclusion with this statement. The iPad does everything I need it to do but not everything I want it to do.  
I had my second 5 day trip with the iPad and this time I've had to depend on it more. Six hours after being in orange beach Alabama my iphone shorted out leaving me with just my sprint phone and iPad.  In the past, losing my iPhone would cripple me in what I needed go do as far as being tethered to the Internet but fortunately I had the pad and survived remarkably without my iPhone. Sure it would have been nice to be able to look up information and make updates in a smaller device but it turns out that the iPad was just fine and did better in most respects.  The ipad is a complete winner in travel tool, business device, productivity computer, media reader, gaming device, and media consumption device.  Everyday I'm amazed at what I can do with this and can't think of any other device to do 90% of my daily activities on.  

iPad survival guide: when iPhones go wild

This trip has been a challenging one.  From day one, my iPhone died due to a freak charging incident and now I'm faced with 5 days without my iPhone.  Fortunately I have a regular cell phone and the iPad.  iPhone was nice and convenient to have but I really haven't missed it at all.  I still get my phone calls through my regular phone and the only thing I miss is text messaging.  Besides that, I use my iPad for everything and carry it easily in my should travel bag.  Sure it would be a little nicer to have something smaller just to look something up but if I didn't have a choice, I can live without it.  I survived so far and have done more on my iPad because I had to, so I eventually grew to like it.  I still haven't needed to use my laptop at all other than to show off the Sous Chef and KP Curriculum Suite.  This is the ultimate test and so far it's succeeding with flying colors.

Pocket Progression Games: Nothing but shallow fluff

Today I decided to put my iPad to something other than reading newspapers and other productivity work and try my hand a game. I downloaded a free game called Pocket Legends, a MMO that feels a lot like a miniature version of WOW. The game has a lot of depth for being free and was very fun to play with as many as 5 other players in the dungeon with capacity for more with no lag. I was actually impressed with it as I plugged away at it for over an hour and then wasted two. I was gaining XP, leveling up, placing skill points and spending my hard earned gold for health potions and the latest gear. All that gloss disappeared as I ran into their economic engine. Nothing is ever free and mobile apps are plagued with, “if you want to progress, fork over some $$$” business models. There’s nothing wrong with making money as developers, especially with such a well crafted game as PL, to get other dungeons and add on packs but I draw the line when it comes to character development.
Turning real world cash into in game gold so you can buy the best weapons and armor, only by spending money go get special enchanted weapons and armor, and the final nail in the coffin was the ability to buy an enhancement which allows you to change your stats around after you’ve allocated it. Giving players the ability to buy their way through the game just completely destroyed any value for someone to progress through the game, fight for their spoils and grow their character. In games like these, the one who’s willing to put in the most bucks wins. I for one will never cheat that way, but there is a reason why games like these are around, because everyone wants to cheat and buy their way to happiness. What a wretched shallow world we live in.

iPad + Apple Bluetooth Keyboard = Super cool

I went to Best Buy and saw their Bluetooth Keyboard. It looked really cool so I thought I’d give it a try. The build on that thing is amazing! It’s super thin and feels very very durable. When I paired it with my iPad I started typing away. With Apple’s auto correction and having a physical keyboard, I started to fly with my typing. It’s amazing how predictive auto correction works so well on mobile devices. I can actually compose a novel on that thing with the keyboard. Since it’s so compact and durable, I can easily see myself traveling with that thing to conferences and using it when I need something a bit better than the onscreen keyboard. I’m impressed with the quality of the product and can’t wait to travel with it next week in Alabama.

The Digital Conversion: Is it enough for publishers to just create E-Book PDF versions of textbooks?

The digital age in learning is here and textbooks will soon be a thing of the past. Schools are moving away from resources that take up space, waste paper, and fall apart after a few short years, such as the traditional textbook and workbooks. They are rejecting the old model of spending repeatedly spending millions on new editions that are not at all new and they are embracing digital media as a more engaging and cost-efficient way to teach our children. Book publishers will need to reinvent themselves or be left in the dust. Although “digital” resources are available, many publishers hold on to the old “textbook” mentality and merely convert their massive libraries into PDF or E-Book versions of the same old material rather than create new interactive experiences. Students today need much more than just a digital conversion of textbooks. Technology can make learning resources much more interactive than just text displayed digitally. Students, teachers, administrators, and lawmakers must demand a more technologically sophisticated product to reach our 21st century learners.

How do you feel about the digital conversion? Are publishers meeting the needs of your classroom and students?

I can type faster on the iPad. How is that possible?

I can type faster on the iPad. How is that possible?

I'm a pretty good touch typist, averaging about 120-150 WPM with about a 70-80% accuracy. I can touch type on the iPad at about 120 WPM with 90% accuracy. How is that possible? Apple has an uncanny ability to predict and correct mistyping. When I give in to the iPad and not look at the keys I'm typing and instead look at the screen, it knows where my fingers are going and it knows what I'm trying to type without necessarily hitting the right keys. It bases my typing on what I'm likely to type instead of actual keys. Because of that, I get a better accuracy because on my "normal" keyboard it doesn't correct for hyper typing, which is my most common mistake, when my fingers move faster than my brain. I usually have to back space and correct my error but I don't have to do that. The only time when I slow down is when typing special words where it may auto correct, but after telling it three times I'm tying a special word, it adds it to the dictionary. AWESOME!!!!

iPad week in review: exceeding expectations and wet dreams

iPad week in review: exceeding expectations and wet dreams.

(note, this entire review was typed in 15 minutes on the plane)

Challenge, travel and survive the week without using the laptop.

Overwhelmingly succeeded.

Results; I used my iPad to do more than I ever have when travel with a laptop, tablet, or net book. Primary reason... Ease of use and instant access. Then easy to carry. Then fast processing.

When I travel, my biggest problem is mitigating power. I usually have to travel with multiple batteries in order to make it through a day of conferences and meeting so in order to survive I would have to set my display to 10%, my processor to 5% and sleep or hibernate all the time. To use, I would have to wait for it to boot up and get started, then launch word and then I can take notes. I would never take it out to look something out or to read a PDF or document. The iPad with its 10 hour battery and instant on access completely dispels that inconvenience.

I found at I actually responded to more emails, read more documents, did more research on this device then I ever had with my powerful computer. Convenience makes us more efficient because in the fast paced digital age, we are impatient and need to be able to address things at a moment’s notice. I loved being able to take notes while the speaker is detailing out some ideas or showing off some features, and then jumping to a website to see for myself what they are talking about. I even had a case where the speaker couldn't answer a question from an attendee and called on me for the answer. Ease of use and convenience makes this a very productive tool.

Lack of multitasking hasn't hampered me much at all. When I travel I want ease of use and stability. By limiting what I can do it keeps me focused on my task at hand and doesn't over complexify my situation. I start and stop apps with ease and maintain a stable work environment. I know if I had multitasking, I would bog down my iPad to the point where it becomes ineffective as a device, which in turn I would curse at it and call it windows mobile crap.

Being so small, lightweight and easy to hold has made it so versatile that I am able to take it nearly anywhere in my shoulder bag without much hassle. When I need it I just whip it out and, turn it on and start to use it.

Reading... Amazing. Kindle will die.

Games. I find that I don't play many games on it yet. Why? I love games but I love being able to use this to read articles, browse the web, read emails, type, and watch videos that I haven't had a need to "play" games.

The future

I see devices such as the iPad to become the staple of education. The iPhone and other smart phones was a start in the right direction but with the larger screen, ease of use, stable, reliable platform it will be a totally winner in education as we move forward with providing the entire world’s information to the hands of our 21C digital learners of the future. Star Trek comes isn't far from reality as time progresses.

Conclusion

Technology only works when it becomes easy and practical to use. As did computers, laptops, cell phones, smart phones, the iPad will find its place because it's easy to use. The touch engine is key and makes it natural so any human can pick it up and start to run with it as if they were born with it in their hands.

15 minutes to compose this review on the plane. WOW!

iPad First Impressions (originally posted on Facebook)

iPad first impressions. Below in my comments are my first impressions of the iPad. Continue reading if you want to see a crazy guy’s opinion on this new device after only 24 hours. I promise I will try to keep it short. ;)

So the argument has been, what can the iPad do that the iPhone can’t do. At first glance it’s just a bigger screen but I’ve found that it is much much more than just that.

Now that the iPad launch craze is over and we’ve had a day to get our heads back on straight past the hype. I’ve had the opportunity to purchase one via pre-order on launch day and have spent a quite a few hours loading, configuring and testing what this new tablet device has to offer. Already there are many sites that have excellent biased and unbiased reviews on the product and loaded software so I’m reserving this to only my opinion and how it affects me and my business. For a technical review, go to endgaget’s iPad review. Out of the ones I’ve read, they have the most objective. Cnet is also a good one.

The physical

Essentially it is an over glorified iPod touch but only with the look and interface, the comparison stops there. It’s a hefty 1.5 lbs so it’s no featherweight you can just flip around in your hands like paper. I start to feel a little wear after holding it one handed after about 5 minutes. I’m sure over time I will build up some massive forearms. The build is solid. First impression is that this is not a flimsy device and you actually feel like you’re holding a slate. It feels good to hold and made of very strong material. The glass is shatter resistant so if you break it, it won’t go into a million pieces as demonstrated by the kid and a baseball bat on you tube.

The Speed

One of the things I’ve hated about computing is visible lag which affects the overall experience. So far, after loading 155 apps, the system runs smoothly with no hiccups. It’s fast, responsive and fun. Old iPhone apps blaze and new iPad apps take advantage of the new processor and screen real-estate. I have yet to experience a full 3D game like the first person shooter but from what I’ve seen, the 3D graphics array is definitely up to the task.

The Keyboard

A lot of press has been focused on the virtual keyboard. Obviously it can’t replace a 101 keyboard as far as ease of typing a novel so I won’t even try to compare it. It’s like driving on a small spare tire. It’s enough to get you to your destination but don’t rely on it for the long haul. Like getting use to the keypad on the iPhone it will take a little getting used to but I think in about a week I will be keying in at about 60 wpm, which is about a third of my top rate on my keyboard and 4 times faster than iPhone. I actually like it and my only idea to improve the keyboard is to make a thumbable version of it while holding in portrait. Split the keys at the bottom where the thumbs can reach and we’re golden!

The Use

Fun fun fun! I love it because it’s not a PC. It’s not a computer and it’s not an iPod. Applications are simple and easy to use, fast and snappy. Having the extra screen makes for a lot of better applications meant for that environment. I’ve only been able to play with three dozen iPad apps but from what I’ve seen, it’s not an iPod touch. Surfing the web on it is far better than a laptop or netbook and e-mail is amazing. It’s so much nicer to get to my information that way.

I watched more TV on it that I have in the past couple of weeks! Streaming ABC and Netflix is incredible and I’m blown away at how easy it is. I’m glad I got rid of cable a year ago! I was never much of a comic book reader but I may start now with how easy it is to download Marvel comics! Impressive. Reading periodicals is fun again, no more flipping through paper magazines and it will be a thing of the past for me! I can definitely see it reviving the magazine and newspaper industries as they migrate to this new medium.

I liked reading books on my iPhone but I LOVE reading them on the iPad. Having a small screen is nice and definitely doable but having a huge screen makes the experience that much more enjoyable. Full color and backlit display will totally blow away e-ink.

The Games

iPhone OS has taken off as a gaming platform in a very short amount of time. With the iPad I can only see it continuing to dominate as people realize the amazing potential this device has to offer. Areas previously untouched by other gaming handhelds are easily done with the iPad. Games like RTS, sims, strategy and even FPS will find a happy home here. I’m tempted to buy the FPS game that people are raving about right now!

The Practical

Now on to the real reason why I got the iPad. Not because I’m an uber geek needing the latest and greatest although it had something to play in the decision. I don’t just jump on any bandwagon unless it has practical application. I even was a 2^nd gen iPhone adaptor (to my regret), so I can wait if necessary. I got this because I spend a lot of time on the road, in airports, at conferences.

The iPad goes far beyond the casual home couch potato but can become an intensive everyday business and education tool. I got it to first understand the potential it has in education and then in business and I see both being very practical. For business I will be using it as a mobile presenter. The power point application called Presenter is built in such a way that it takes advantage of the platform and exceed even PowerPoint in ease of use. How snazzy would it be for me to say let me show you about my business and whip out this tablet and take them through the presentation. I like how one reviewer put it, “taking out a laptop is so impersonal, you have a barrier between you and your customer.” Hooking the thing up to a projector this week will be even cooler! Can’t wait!

When I travel I can think of numerous occasions when I needed something bigger than just the iPhone so I would have to pull out my netbook, wait for it to come out of hibernation, connect to my MiFi device and then log into gmail and compose an e-mail, log into my VNC, send out a proposal and then put hibernate it because I only have three hours of battery. Not too bad considering I couldn’t do it that easily three years ago it wasn’t possible six years ago but the iPad is better. Now, I hit the on switch, check my e-mail, compose a simple message, log into my VNC, send out a fax and then I’m off to reading my facebook. In both cases it can be done but we’re always looking for easier ways to do the things we do often and that makes it a good business decision. There will be other great uses for it I’m sure I will find out this week as I travel to Texas and back. The true field test.

In education I can see how students will no longer have to carry laptops or heavy tree killing books and have this hold their entire library of books and comics from High School on to College. As a kid I hated books. They were heavy, caused my shoulder to ache, hard to search through, and often gave me paper cuts. It’s nice to read on a laptop but nicer to read on this slate.

But it goes beyond just converting our texts to books. Interactive elements and learning objects can be embedded along with text to give the learner a fully immersive experience. In my industry it’s important to me to not just recreate the old and put it in a new medium. Text on a computer is still text but it can be so much more. Already I’ve seen amazing renditions of the periodic table on this tablet that will blow you away.

iPad vs iPhone vs Netbook

The argument of the day is, can it replace a laptop? My answer is no, but not because it can’t replace it but it’s like comparing apples to oranges. If you want a device to compose your next novel, IM, tweet, skype and plug your camera in to photoshop your zit off, then a laptop is what you need. If you need a device to check your e-mail, read periodicals, update your social media status, and play games then get an iPhone. If you want to do more, than get an iPad. I can tell you for sure I won’t be taking out my netbook when I travel any more, but I guess this week will tell me how practical it is.

Conclusion

This first impression write-up became much larger than I expected. I guess I had a lot more opinions that I originally thought. I wanted to summarize the iPad with this.

If you have a practical application for this device, you should get it. If you don’t have a practical application for this device and have $$$ to burn, get it. If you have neither of the two, don’t get it and save your money for future copycats. Now that Apple has set the bar, competition will drive into this market in the next two years as we all migrate away from old methods and adopt a new way of getting our media. Times are changing fast so you can either get on the train of innovation or sit on the trolley of contentment. To each his own.