At the time of writing this blog post I'm stranded in Florida due to the Icelandic volcano so I thought I would put down some thoughts on my first impressions of the iPad. In fact this whole blog post is being written on my iPad.
Obviously at the time of writing the iPad isn't available in the UK so therefore it's not supported by the UK iTunes store yet. There are a few methods of signing up to the US iTunes store but I thought I would stick with the UK store and try my luck as frankly I couldn't be bothered with the faff on.
So first of all...the bad
There is no iPad app store accessible from the iPad. When you click on the App Store icon on the home screen you get the message "app store not supported in this country". Expected but still annoying. However you can overcome this by simply going into iTunes and searching for iPad apps. As yet there is no iPad app section in the UK version of iTunes but all you have to do is search for iPad in the app store and there are literally hundreds to choose from. So a slight inconvenience that you can't access iPad apps from the iPad home screen but no big deal to sync from iTunes, plus this will only be an issue until the uk iPad app store becomes available.
No iBooks...the iPad's killer app is undoubtedly iBooks but as I'm using my UK iTunes account I'll have to wait a bit before I can use it. Again, I can wait, especially as Amazon are fighting back with the Kindle iPad app, more of which below.
Bugs...the Tweetdeck iPad app looks lush for example but it doesn't update.
If you're using your Gmail account as your main iPad account then you can't send photo's as attachments.
UPDATE: just got this to work!
Neither are major issues and I suspect just teething problems from the first software release.
Now...the good
It looks and feels fabulous. It's really hard to convey to people just how easy it is to hold in your hand and read websites, utilise apps and best of all type with the big keypad. In fact the keypad is so big in landscape mode that I prefer portrait mode as the keys are closer together. It's heavier than a Kindle DX but not heavy enough that it's uncomfortable to hold. In short it's a joy to use and it's why I'm writing this blog post with it.
iPad apps...I haven't explored that many yet but the ones I have are very impressive. As mentioned above the column layout of Tweetdeck is very well suited to the extra screen estate of the iPad, it looks gorgeous - I'm just hoping they iron out their bugs. Likewise Flight Control is so much easier to play on the iPad, loads of fun. Best of all for me anyway is the Kindle app, it's free and very useful if you already have a Kindle. All you do is sign in with your Amazon account and hey presto, all the books that you have stored on your Kindle are instantly available on your iPad. Clever voodoo. Ideal for people like me who forgot to bring their Kindle on holiday or perhaps for people who don't want to bring 2 devices away with them. The Kindle iPad app also knows what page you last read on your Kindle as well as bookmarks etc. Very clever.
iTunes for iPad...as regular readers will know I don't use iTunes for music (I've converted to Spotify a long time ago) but for movies, tv shows and music videos the iPad rocks. The screen is more than big enough to use as a media player and I'm even using it to watch some tv I've missed due to my extended stay abroad. the quality is superb too, it makes watching it a pleasure.
Email, contacts, diary, maps...all of these have been reworked for the iPad and are just stunning. The email interface is exceptionally good looking and very easy to use. The way that contacts looks like an old fashioned "little black book" is just beautiful. It's really clear that Apple make the most intuitive and best looking interfaces there is.
So in summary...ignore those people who moan about the lack of flash (I don't miss it) or the fact that it's just a big iPhone without the phone bit. It is but so what? The iPhone is fantastic so why wouldn't a bigger version be so to?
If anyone is thinking about buying an iPad and has any specific questions then let me know in the comments below. I'll do my best to answer.
Btw 800 or so words written entirely on an iPad, no trouble at all :)
What I'm listening to right now: Lady GaGa & Beyonce - "Telephone"
P.S. Anybody thinking I'm enjoying my extended break in Florida just look at the weather courtesy of the brilliant weather HD app.
Welcome to my blog. My name is Kieron Donoghue and I am the founder of ShareMyPlaylists.com, ContentNow.co.uk and some other stuff. I have no idea why I'm blue on this photo though but I like it!
Interesting your Cons don’t include those that I’ve read about such as poor wifi connectivity. Like anything fresh out the wrapper, it’s bound to have a few hiccups along the way.
I can see myself getting one of these before I sucumb to the iPhone too!
Mate the wifi has been superb in the time I’ve had it. Never dropped once and super fast.
Do you know if the Ipad will update as easy as the Iphone , when the next version is launched, with my luck I’ll get one just before they announce the new version – hope you get home soon.
Elaine is quiet right!
Thanks for that Kieron, I’m considering getting one in time for a holiday in June rather than risking my macbook and carting loads of books all the way to the far east.
How tough do you reckon they are? Do you need a nice cover to go with it to stop the screen scratching?
Also, will any sim card with a data plan work or do you need to get them ‘unlocked’?
Hey Kieron, thanks for that! Very useful. A guy on the Tube yesterday had an iPad, was letting some girls play with it, looks really amazing, can’t wait to get mine.
Hope you get home soon: some of our staff are hearing first-flight availability around 5 May!
Stephen Pratley: the iPad Kieron has is wifi-only, the 3G ones haven’t been released yet, even in the US. Guy on Tube had a nice case, think it’s an Apple one.
Hi Stephen, they’re very tough although I did buy the official case from Apple for when it!s stashed in a bag. No 3G ipad’s available yet, mine is wi-fi.
Nice post. Do you know if Mail now includes ‘rules’ to filer incoming and wether there is any junk filter, like the excellent Apple Mail junk filter? I find email on my iPhone frustrating due to lack of those features
Good post. Are you writing that on the WordPress App or via the Web?
Cannot wait for the UK release date and hope that the volcano does not affect delivery.
Hope you get home safe soon.
My wife has one as well (we live in the UK too) and likewise she hasn’t had any Wi-Fi issues and it’s brilliant. We set her up with a US iTunes account using her brother’s address and a pre-paid card and it works perfectly (US App Store works on the iPad).
I used the WP iPad app, it doesn’t have many bells and whistles but it does the job. Cheers!
Not sure tbh as I’m using gmail which has it’s own junk folder etc. The iPad email app handles gmail brilliantly though, recommend it.
Was this my iPad you were trying out?
Seriously good review – seems a lot more usable and less buggy than all of the other reports I’ve read so far.
Get home soon – although it is still freezing over here!
Thanks Stephen. Hope Paul Smith bring a nice cover out to match my Macbook
Think I’ll hang on for the 3G version, the most useful time I’d have for it after the holiday is on the train to meetings. Hopefully I can just use the same card as my data stick.
Fingers crossed for your safe & swift return Kieron. I can think of worse places to be stuck but I’m sure the novelty has worn off already.
Indeed it is FiFi x
Kieron,
Whilst on your travels in the US, you didn’t by any chance pick up an iPhone in a bar as well? LOL
http://www.slashgear.com/apple-iphone-4g-found-in-san-jose-bar-images-find-their-way-to-the-internet-1782050/
Kieron, will there be any problems with charging the ipad due to the voltage differences between UK and US, I have a friend going to US who will pick me one up but im concerned about those possible issues. Perhaps this is overcome by USB charging??
Thanks.
Hi Richard, no idea but I don’t think it will be a problem. I’ve not heard of any UK users having any issues. I have a US Kindle DX too and that works fine. You can’t charge the iPad via USB though, it’s too power hungry so mains only.
Charging works fine with a UK iPod charger and the supplied US-style two-pin iPad charger is rated for 240V/50Hz anyway – you can just use a plug adaptor with it. No USB charging though!
Wrote up what I’ve discovered so far about using the US iPad in the UK here: http://www.looptron.com/2010/04/using-a-us-ipad-in-the-uk.html
It will be interesting to see if the new iPhone 4G proves a rival to the iPad – the rumoured software updates and efficiency make the little one seem pretty powerful (surely it’s not worth carrying both just for the larger screen and keyboard?)
Thanks for all the info kieron and by now you are probably home and dry, i think i’ve been swayed into going for one but might wait for the 3g version.
One question if anybody can help is if you take the 3g version to florida how does the 3g work ie is it going to cost a fortune like say roaming charges, hope that makes sense.
I just got an iPod Touch the other day. Already I can see how its a handy device. Some people have called the iPad a glorified iPod Touch, and if that’s all it is it’ll be a slick device. This iPod, itself, with its small screen, is very slick. I can see how a larger screen, a little more power and more features would make for a nice, portable machine.
I’m also hoping this device puts pressure on the Windows based market to release a decent slate pc. I wouldn’t mind one with Windows support so I can file share with my desktop, etc.
Till then,
Jean
OK, this was the first official “written on an iPad” blog post I ave been privy to, and I must say that I’m wanting one more every day. I am almost due for a new laptop and 3G modem, and may well decide to buy my first Apple product
I am on wordpress all the time. Please give us an update if they upgrade the wp app. I am not going to run out and but an ipad but might consider it if it makes my life easier.
Just had my 64gb and 3G iPad for 3 days. The app store wait is annoying but I have got the 3G to work by trimming an O2 Pay as you go simplicity sim with unlimited Internet. It works ace and there are none of the reported wifi issues. Now I haven the 3G working I wonder why you would buy any other model.
The video are ace and handbrake copied DVDs in iPhone setting also look ace.
No real draw backs so getnordering on Monday for you second stage adopters
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It’s pre-order day today for the UK!!
Finally I can order one and start to get excited about getting. Now just have to decide which model.
Thanks for all the info Kieron.
Hi Kieron,
Hopefully you’ll see this reply – so long after posting your comments! I had a couple of questions that I was hoping you’d be able to answer, being an established user:
A deal breaker for me is being able to switch between applications, or have more than one app running concurrently. E.g. iTunes and the web browser, if I wanted to browse the web whilst listening to music. Do you know if it’s possibly to multi-task? I’m not particularly bothered about being able to view them at the same time, but would like to be able to switch between apps easily enough.
Secondly, have you been able (or had any need) to connect any additional storage, e.g. External HDD or NAS? I’m concerned the memory capacity is very limiting, so would like to explore other possibilities.
Thanks in advance!
Damian