iPad: Week Two
Got busy with a side project, used the iPad lass the week previous, but enough to make some headway into crossing another item off my functionality wish list: streaming video and music to the iPad from the Mac Mini.
Two apps do this quite well, Air Video and StreamToMe. Air Video does only video while StreamToMe also streams music. Both transcode files in iPad-unfriendly formats in real-time, and both require installation of software that runs on your Mac to serve up the content.
So the wish list goes as follows:
- Load as much of my existing content (music, movies, documents) on it as possible. Music and movies sync via iTunes, just like an iPod. Handbrake is the app to watch to convert all kinds of video formats into iPad-friendly ones. Free (non-DRM) ePub content can also be synced via iTunes. Found some free ePub books at Feedbooks and Project Gutenberg. For PDFs, get GoodReader (99 cents). GoodReader appears in the sharing area of iTunes, or links up with DropBox to get PDFs onto the iPad.
- Stream movies and music stored on the Mac Mini, ideally via iTunes library sharing. Air Video and StreamToMe (review forthcoming).
- Screen sharing with the Mac Minis. Desktop Connect works well, but I feel there’s a better app out there; will test LogMeIn Ignition and …
- Ginormous remote control for the Mac Mini hooked up to the television. Rowmote Pro.
- Incorporate into my blogging workflow (writing, light image editing, posting to WordPress). Have found the WordPress app insufficient (review forthcoming), and the ergonomics of typing long articles is difficult, as is anything with lots of symbols (passwords, HTML code), or even copy and paste. Creating links in a blog article is enough of a chore that I drift back to a traditional keyboard and mouse.
- Light website maintenance: FTP, web design, coding. Haven’t figured this out yet.
Yes, a Mac proper can do the above things without having to investigate new apps, but the ultimate difference is the iPad’s elegance. Am finding watching movies and listening to music on the iPad more satisfying than on a computer, because the device is portable, has touch, and no keyboard to get in the way. I watched two movies while working on the MacBook, and a TV show while cooking. The iPad would be really cool mounted on a wall, plus installation much simpler than a traditional TV and running cable.
Other notes:
- iPad is a finger print, cat hair, and litter magnet — am wiping it down daily.
- Still looking for a stand. Will likely do the 69 cent el-cheapo version.
- As for a case, the spouse got me one (shameless plug).
More updates for the next few weeks, at least. Next week, the iPad gets a workout as a travelling companion, and will be shown to some technically challenged, aged relatives, whose reactions should prove interesting.
Jase,
Funny you mention using the iPad while cooking. I’ve started doing that too, especially while I’m doing the all the prep work I’ll fire up ABC.com app and play a show or something to listen to.
I’m constantly wiping down my screen. I bought an “Invisible Shield” overlay from Zagg (http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield/apple-ipad-cases-screen-protectors-covers-skins-shields.php?intcmp=top_nav). It cost 29.99, but I didn’t like it at all.
It looked like it would protect the screen just great, but it lacked the glorious gloss and sheen of the naked iPad screen. The texture was also a little different with the screen (a bit “tackier” if that makes sense). I much prefer the smooth glide of a naked iPad screen. The upshot was that the Zagg was pretty resistant to finger prints. But in the end, I removed it despite spending decent coin on it
Installation was also a bear. So for now, I’m just going sans protection on the screen and carrying a microfiber cloth to constantly wipe the prints away.
I did buy a stylus which I’m really enjoying with the sketching apps. You might want to look into that since it’s kinda fun and adds some nice flexibility where fingers fall short.
I find myself using my iPhone much less at home these days. The iPad really is great for most home entertainment needs. Speaking of which, for the last week I’ve mostly been using the iPad to read comics! Hah.
The iPad-while-cooking thing makes some sense for one reason — no keyboard cracks for liquid to spill into. I’d actually think dripping a little liquid on an iPad, if caught in time, could be remedied with a quick wipe. Of course there’d be no hope if you dropped the iPad into hot water or exposed it to extreme heat…
Yeah I could see putting an overlay on the ipad being a pain simply because of the large screen area — trying to get a film to lay down just right without adding any bubbles. Am also just carrying a micro fiber cloth and wiping it down at any convenient moment.
Stylus? Sounds interesting — will do some research on it.
The iPhone, definitely getting less use, particularly because the 3G feels really slow. Lucky for Apple it’s a given I’ll upgrade to whatever they release this summer, if only to keep apace with the iPad speed.
Hey Jase writing to you on a 32gb that I just picked up today. Couldn’t find a 16gb anywhere after looking around for the last few weeks since the launch so i opted for putting down a little extra dough. So far I’m pretty impressed. Typing is a smoother than I had expected. Will be checking out some of the apps you reviewed.
Awesome dude welcome to the iPad fold.