On Thursday my wife called me to say UPS had delivered my iPad. This was a surprise since I wasn’t expecting it until Friday.
I got home from work about 9pm, and after eating a lovely pepperoni pizza, I started to open the iPad box. I must admit I felt like a kid in the candy store. What surprised me was how little was in the box and the 3G sim card tray tool is too small. I have already misplaced this!
Anyway, I had to fire up my laptop, and connect the USB lead to start setting up my iPad. I selected to sync all my music, video and selected photos. I also synced across all my new iPad apps and games and non iPad software. And then I turned it on. One word, wow and omg. Its really got an amazing screen that makes every app look and feel great eg mail and calendar.
I used my iPad for at least 4 hours last night and it’s had wifi and games and all sorts in use most of the day ie 10 hours of use. My battery is down to 65%. Now that is phenomenal.
I have since removed most of my non iPad apps, since the iPad bespoke versions are so much prettier and IMO make the iPad shine. Gaming on the iPad is awesome. Consoles are going to be struggling to compete. I played Need for Speed, Oddblob, Astraware Casino and Sudoku and the game graphics are hot. Web browsing is a dream. The music quality is the best I have heard from any portable music device.
I haven’t used my HTC HD2 or iPod touch since getting the iPad. Now it’s setup, I do not need to use my laptop, as web browsing, email, and everything is so much better on the iPad. Photos come alive as does every game.
What makes the iPad special – the tight integration of the software and hardware, coupled with the iTunes and AppStore built in.
I am loving every minute of the amazing machine. Would I recommend it? You bet.
It’s a shame it so expensive as this does prevent a large number of people buying this machine. But then Apple are apparently selling over 200,000 per week.
By Gavin Fabiani-Laymond – written on my iPad
You wrote it on your iPad but can you upload it? Genuine question btw. Limitations on things like flash and iPlayer are really off-putting to me.
There’s an iPad version of iPlayer, I believe – wish I could access it from the US: http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49305793,00.htm
Can you upload it? I know that there’s a WordPress app – is that what you meant? Haven’t tried it…
I misunderstood – there’s no iPad iplayer app, but you can still view things via the website http://www.ipadcreative.com/blog/2010/5/27/bbc-iplayer-first-look.html
A wordpress app would probably do the trick.
Can’t believe you ate a pizza before opening the box Gavin lol.
The BBC must like Apple since their website look stunning on the ipad. There is a wordpress app I believe. You use iplayer via the website. You can save an icon shortcut to the desktop.
Flash – nah not an issue. Apparently 35% of all websites are ipad compatible now! With sales so high it’s going to change that percentage higher.
And yes I did eat pizza first as I had spent 5 hrs driving home and was hungry . Plus it was a stuffed crust pepperoni with red onion and pineapple. Perfect match. I then washed hands and could relax as I opened my baby up.
That’s the difference between you and me, Gavin. There’s no way I’d have eaten first.
Wow Gavin, it sounds amazing. Is that your own recipe or is there a pizza chain or shop that does it? I love red onion but have never thought of combining it with pepperoni.
Graham, Asda do create your own stuff crust for £3.50. Yes red onion and pepperoni is a great combo.
Lazyboy – I knew it was going to be awesome. Plus my wife had waited for me to come home and was very hungry and she had let me buy the iPad . Priorities are essential to understand.
Thanks for the Asda tip. Will definitely go. I’m taking my wife out for a meal tonight. Maybe… no that won’t work.
I see there’s an app called More Pizza! Not as tasty but a lot less calories.
Someone suggested that I get the 64gb version. Well as the 32gb did not arrive I bought the 3G 64gb version. Great user interface. But iPad not that quick with my wifi router. Need to now all the usual setups.
Jah that odd. My bt home hub works fine. In fact the web browsing is faster than any of my pc’s.
Hope you are enjoying your iPad.
I caved… 32gb wifi edition syncing now!
Lol congrats on your new iPad !
Ipad247?
Stop it! You’re all making me SO jealous – Ha ha! I was surprised when you posted you were getting the 32Gb one jah – I’m glad you’re back on track and getting top gear!
If I could afford it I would get one in a heartbeat. Keep the rest of us up to date on how you’re using it etc.
Vboelema , Shaun and Philippa weren’t going to get one – they both buckled and jah eventually didn’t let the side down and went for the big version.
Philippa I think did get one. Shaun I’m sure will get one, and vboelema would love one, but sadly doesn’t the have funds. Please don’t rub that his my face – He he!
I am glad jah went for the BIG version, I don’t think he would have been happy otherwise! (And I don’t blame him – Ha ha!)
OK. Can all of you with a new iPad send me a paragraph on your first impressions? Will make a decent article and save me some time:) To shaun@mailstm.co.uk please.
Vboelema – don’t feel bad. I had to sell the cat to pay for the ipad.
You don’t own a modern console do you? Change it to handhelds and the iPad is approaching it. The only things consoles will struggle to match is the stupidly priced app store (great for the customer, unsustainable for serious games developers)
Do you really need a PC/Mac to get it up and running in the first place? That seems a little dumb.
Glad you’re enjoying your purchase though.
I’d happily sell all of our cats, but you can’t give them away here in Spain! I’ll even be happy to sell the dogs, we’d save some money at the same time… but how will I do it without my wife noticing? I realized later I misread your post at the top, so my reply may have seemed slightly odd. I look forward to hearing all your thoughts and experiences about your delicious new toys though.
Err xbox and wii. Games are expensive on consules but I take your point and agree. Portable gaming devices are in for a shock.
They’ll activate the iPad in store if you don’t have a pc/Mac Mr. Fatuous. But to get the most benefit and keep backups then syncing with a desktop is the best option. I agree with your comment about gaming though – Arcady handhelds games are great but it’s not exactly got Mass Effect or Uncharted 2 experiences!
I didn’t realise they could activate it in store. I think it’d be a handy fairly “unbreakable” device for older people who just want to browse the internet and email without worrying about all the extra bits and viruses. Requiring a PC would scupper that which is why I thought it was a bit strange that it needed one.
Could someone come on here and please say the iPad is crap….that way I will feel better about not having one and will feel less temptation
I’m badly in need of an iPad-like device. The problem is the iPad doesn’t appear to have sufficient connectivity and the alternatives aren’t on the market yet.
However, does anyone know if the iPad can access the device in the USB port on the BT Home Hub?
On Windows the device shows up as THOMSON (presumably a link with Alcatel) but if the iPad could access it, it would become adequate for my needs and I’d go out and buy one.