The iPad way of life
Well, I’m settling in well with the iPad. I’m finding that it is with me all the time. The large screen and surfing experience is just amazing and I’m finding myself spending more time in the lounge than in the office at the moment just to use it more.
I’m actually sat in Costa coffee, Brackley UK writing this blog. There is a Wi-Fi access point i can use while sat drinking my favourite coffee which is just great.
I’m finding the keyboard very easy to use. I touch type so i have had to change my habits a little, but it is not that hard to get used too. The screen even being glossy is clear and easy to see even in a bright room near a window.
I’ve spent around £20 on apps so far and I’m very happy with what i have bought. Developers have been doing a great job of using the extra real-estate and it makes such a difference. When i go back to the iphone it feels sooooo small.
The performance if this device is excellent. It is exactly what you expect it to be, no waiting for things to load and the screen transitions are silky smooth.
I’ve now had a chance to install SLQ on the iPad and it is really smooth and quick. I’m using the scaled view of the app and its actually very playable and does not look too bad.
All in all I am very happy with the iPad. I’m really trying hard to now come up with a cool idea to develop on it.
Well that is enough typing for now, back to some surfing. I hope those not in the US are able to get their devices soon. You will not be disappointed.
Mike
43 Comments
Dave M. on April 15th, 2010
I can’t speak for Mike, but I’ve seen my iPad’s battery lasts around 10 hours. In fact, I rarely plug it in except to sync. Syncing doesn’t charge the battery oddly enough. Diggnation explained this due to the fact that the iPad uses a 10v USB power connection where “most” computers only have a 5v USB power connection.
I do plug it in overnight, but it gets back to 100% pretty quickly.
Now, I’ve been using the iPad way more than I will normally use it once the shine wears off. I will be using it on my stationary bike (perfect fit there) for about an hour, and I’ll probably spend about 3 hours web/feed reading during the afternoon and maybe a couple of hours in the evening gaming.
I have also heard that if you are just using it for music, it lasts well over 100 hours. :) That’s probably with the screen off, but still. Thats way better than any iPod ever made. :)
mike on April 15th, 2010
Hi Tony
Battery life has been fantastic. Ive been using the iPad most of the morning and sat using wifi in the coffee shop. It was 100% battery at 7am this morning. It’s now 1:55pm and I’ve got 71% battery. The batter life is truly incredible when compared to the same usage on the iPhone 3G.
Wifi has also been fine. I’m using ipass to get access to the access point and it has not missed a beat. I’ve read that others have had problems but I’ve not had any issues so far.
Mike
Tony on April 15th, 2010
All sounds too good to be true, but that’s Apple for you! 100 hours of music. O_O
I’m glad to hear that you have no wifi issues. You have the advantage of the higher, wifi power output limits allowed on North American models.
Will you be trying the external keyboard? IMHO, it’ll kill the experience.
@ Dave M: I think that ’10V on a USB port’ comment may be wrong. I’ve done some searching and the iPad uses the USB standard of 5V. However, it needs 2 amps of current to function, hence the 10W adapter coming with the iPad (5V x 2Amps). No computer USB port can supply 10W. The maximum, according to the standard, is 2.5W. This should be enough to charge the iPad battery, IMO. The Apple website does mention that you can charge the battery through a USB port – “Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system”. On the other hand, I’ve read posts about people complaining about how they can not charge through the USB port. Probably due to them using older USB ports, which could only supply 0.5W. Either way, this won’t stop me from getting an iPad. :0)
Apologies for the technical post.
Tony
Dave M. on April 15th, 2010
@Tony: Thanks for the correction! It’s likely that they were talking about amps and not volts since they did mention the number 10. I don’t remember what the other number was, so it’s quite likely that it was 2.5 instead of the 5 I mentioned previously.
I too have not had any issues with my WiFi connection. I’m using an Airport Express (older model) and it’s been flawless.
I can see missing not having the 3G model soon. I’ve been hearing about these personal WiFi devices from Verizon and Sprint. So if i feel the need for non-WiFi access, I’ll look closer into one of those.
Otherwise, this thing has become my new goto device for everything i normally did on my Mac Pro or MacBook. :)
Tony on April 15th, 2010
Glad to hear that, Dave. I was worried about the wifi becoming a problem.
I’ve been dreading the six hours of driving, three to go and three back, to get an iPad before they are available in Canada, but you guys have convinced me. Didn’t take much! :0) All I need now is the time.
Albany, NY, here I come!
mike on April 15th, 2010
LOL, I didn’t think it would take much :o)
You will not regret it I’m sure. As Dave said, I am now using the iPad for many of the things I would use my Macbook Pro for. All my home surfing when I don’t need to be at the macbook is done on the iPad. It is just such a usable device.
I wonder if there will be clinics opening up to deal with iPad addiction :o)
Mike
Edgardo on April 15th, 2010
How did you managed to buy the apps? The UK store already features iPad apps?
mike on April 15th, 2010
Yes, I cannot access the app store using the iPad until the iPad is launched in the UK, but using iTunes I can browse for iPad apps and download them. The Apple apps are not available this way though.
Mike
Dave M. on April 15th, 2010
Yeah, so long as the country in the App Store allows you to create an account that doesn’t require attaching a credit card, you can have an account in that country. I’ve created an account in Canada so that I could grab a copy of We Rule and GodFinger back before the iPad versions were out and was only available in Canada.
iPad addiction… :). How about Apple addiction. For me it started just under 4 years ago when Apple switched to Intel. That and Windows getting ready to launch Vista was all it took to convince me to switch to Apple and OS X. ;)
Chris Gummer on April 15th, 2010
Lucky you Mike! Unfortunately I’ll be waiting another 1.5 months for the international launch…
mike on April 16th, 2010
The delay in the launch is a pain. I hope the time passes as quickly as possible :0)
Mike
Simon on April 16th, 2010
Mike,
Stop playing with your iPad and get back to finishing SLQ lol
Seriously how close are you now to getting the final version out on to the app store?
Can’t wait to see it.
Simon
mike on April 16th, 2010
Lol, I’m trying to stop but it’s not easy. The plan is that SLQ goes to Apple for approval this weekend and when approved I’ll be giving out the release date.
I promise I will try to stop playing, honest.
Mike
scepticalmonkey on April 16th, 2010
Grrrrr … that darn volcano thing has delayed delivery of my iPad from the US!!! :-)
mike on April 16th, 2010
Oh no, that is not a side effect that I had thought of. I hope it does not slow things down too much.
Mike
nexus6 on April 19th, 2010
Just got word from apple that our iPads will be coming by the end of the month… as promised.
woo! woo!
Tony on April 21st, 2010
I drove down to Albany, New York, from Montreal, yesterday and got myself an iPad. Simply impressive. Spent the evening lying on my bed playing with it. (Maybe I should rephrase that!) I’m impressed with it’s responsive screen and lack of weight. Wifi works perfectly. I tried the database-driven, iPad app that I’m developing for a client and was amazed at the speed. I was a little worried about that during development. As Mike says in his book, testing on the target device is paramount. Some things did not render as they did on the simulator, but that was quickly fixed in my code.
Later today, I’ll run the game I started developing months ago, thanks to Mike and this site, and see how that goes.
Typing on the iPad will need some getting used to. It took quite a while to type this post.
Tony
Trisect Development on April 21st, 2010
I think my iPad will be comming next week. I ordred it in the states.
But I have one question about the power supply.
Is it 110v or 220v?
nexus6 on April 21st, 2010
@Trisect
Hi, I live in the US(New York State). More than likely it’s 120.
mike on April 21st, 2010
I’m not sure to be honest. I simply plugged it in and it worked :o)
Mike
Tony on April 21st, 2010
@trisect: The power supply is universal, 100-240V, 50/60Hz. The power cord that comes with it is what may need changing depending on where you live. You can buy an adapter plug for a couple of dollars/pounds/euros. This will plug in between your iPad power cord and the wall. Of course, you can go to your nearest Apple store and buy a new power adapter which will come with a power cord for your country. I’m not sure if Apple sells just the power cord alone.
Or you can just recharge the iPad through a USB port. The battery lasts so long, you may never need or want to plug it in to the outlet!
Enjoy
Trisect Development on April 21st, 2010
Thanks for you answers, great!
I allready got an US/DK adapter so I should be okay.
B.t.w. I live in Denmark.
scepticalmonkey on April 22nd, 2010
ahhh …. it’s great to have friends who go on business trips to the USA occasionally :)
I’m now in possession of a shiny 64Gb iPad!
All we need now is to be able to access the AppStore over here!!!
mike on April 22nd, 2010
That is excellent :) I bet your grinning from ear to ear.
I too would love to have the AppStore experience from within the iPad rather than having to use iTunes. Al as I can’t get the iworks apps
Mike
Trisect Development on April 22nd, 2010
If you get an american itunes account, can you use that directly on your ipad here in europe?
scepticalmonkey on April 23rd, 2010
Anyone got one a case or cover for theirs that they’d recommend?
Not too happy about mine being naked all the time :)
mike on April 23rd, 2010
I’m the same. I am really worries about scratching it but I’ve not found a case in the UK yet. I am heading to the US in a few weeks so I’m planning on checking out the Apple one and others that are available.
I did see a great looking case the at http://www.pielframa.com/ipad-magnetic-cases.htm Looks like you can have it tilted for typing and stood up for watching movies. Not available yet I don’t think and its very expensive, but looked very nice.
Mike
Trisect Development on April 23rd, 2010
I dont have my iPad yet, but I allready got my self an Silicon Sleeve for it.
Just for protection.
nexus6 on April 23rd, 2010
I purchased the iLuv sleeve and a neoprene case from newegg, I also have the Apple one but some peoples were complaining about some of the edges being sharp and the the flap sticks up after a while.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....=0&y=0
Don’t have my ipad yet
Tony on April 23rd, 2010
@scepticalmonkey: I purchased the Incase Convertible Book Jacket. Apple had it for $59.95. I found it much sturdier than the Apple one at $29.95. The Incase is somewhat pricey, but after reading the reviews on the Apple US site, I thought it would be worth the extra money. Pictures and info are here, http://store.apple.com/us/prod.....Tc0Njg2Nzg
I would really enjoy having the one recommended by Mike. ;o)
Tony on April 23rd, 2010
@scepticalmonkey: Just finished checking, it’s now on backorder. 4-6 weeks.
scepticalmonkey on April 26th, 2010
Thanks for the info on the cases guys…
BTW … has anyone else noticed this interesting side-effect of having an iPad: the iPhone now seems much more tiny, portable and, dare I say … cute? :)
Doug on April 26th, 2010
So, I got my iPad today, spending the day in the office trying not to spend too much time on it. All I can say is. Oh my good god! 15″ mbp has been touched only to fire up iTunes to get apps as the app store doesn’t work but this is an amazing piece of kit.
I still love my iPhone, if for no other reason than seeing a SIGNIFICANT increase in price for some of my apps for the iPad, but I can’t help myself.
Even the apple logo on the back feels nice.
This whole conversation of good cases / covers is of significant interest to me now. I am at a loss.
D
nexus6 on April 29th, 2010
Just got my notification that our iPad 3g’s are on there way for tomorrow’s delivery!!!!
Finally Woo! Woo!
mike on April 29th, 2010
You will not be disappointed :o)
I got my render engine working on the iPad last night along with the particle system. I’m working on a new project, can’t say too much at the moment ;o)
Mike
nexus6 on April 29th, 2010
That’s great! How’s programming for the ipad? Soon as I make sure my game will run on the ipad I will send it into apple. Can’t wait to start programming for the ipad. Next I’ll need the new iphone 4G/HD. The nice thing about being a developer is you get to buy new TOYS!!
nexus6 on April 30th, 2010
woo! woo! Finally got our ipads… they are sweet.
Compiled my game on it worked like a charm.
Trisect Development on May 6th, 2010
This message is actually written on my iPad.
Tony on May 8th, 2010
In case anyone still doesn’t know this – international sales begin May 28.
mike on May 8th, 2010
@nexus, great news. It is really cool seeing your game run on the iPad, even when scaled up it looks cool.
@Trisect, that is fantastic. Your going to find it hard to put it down I’m sure :o)
@Tony, yes I did see the international launch dates and prices. For those who have not yet got their iPads, hang in there :O)
Mike
Tony on April 15th, 2010
Hi Mike,
Finally, a real, hands-on review of the iPad by a real user and developer. How is the battery life? Also, I’ve read many reports that the wifi can be spotty. Any issues there? I guess you would have mentioned them if you had any.
Can’t wait to hear/see your idea. :-)
Thanks,
Tony