Posts Tagged ‘iPad’
Posted by terrepruitt on June 17, 2014
I teach Nia for the City of San Jose and the YMCA. I have been teaching Gentle Yoga too, but that is different. The Gentle Yoga classes are usually smaller both the actually room we are in and the number of people. And with yoga we don’t need the music loud so often times my iPhone in the middle of the yoga mats serves us just fine. But with Nia we need the music loud. Not “Zumba-loud” because I still need to be heard over the music, but loud enough that I can hear my music cues and people can get a sense of the music. With most of my classes the number of students is more than yoga and the venue is larger. I actually have taught at some places where the audio system did not work so I tried using my phone and it did not have enough volume. With Nia people follow my lead, but they also move their body in their own way so it helps them dance when there is music to dance too. So since I teach in all different places and the audio system is not always the same I have a variety of speakers. I had been looking at one for a couple of years, but never wanted to invest the money. But one day my hubby and I were at Costco and we saw a device I had been looking at. He wanted to get it. I hemmed and hawed, but we came home with a Block Rocker.
I had almost bought one before but with every model they came out with something different so I was trying to decide which one to purchase. Then they came out with a Bluetooth enabled version. I wanted to know that I could still use an Aux cable because Bluetooth can be spotty. I had not been able to determine that from my shopping online at first. And then I forgot about it until I saw it in Costco. We pulled it off the shelf and checked it out. Read the box to make sure it would play music both ways — via Bluetooth or a cable. And my hubby put it in the cart. All the way around the store I kept thinking, “Yes. No. Yes. No.” and on and on.
We came home with it. We plugged it in and hooked it up to our devices. It was pretty cool. Both my husband and I have used it around the house. It does GREAT house sound. Our house is an acoustical “weird-mare”, but it works great. Both of us have used it out in the yard. But none of that is in a big room with people in it. And I am not complaining that the rooms I have been teaching in have sound systems. That is GREAT. I am very fortunate. I have not had the opportunity to use my big speaker.
My Group Ex Nia Class with the City of San Jose on Tuesdays and Thursdays is normally held in the dance studio. But this summer there is Summer Camp in there for the kids one week every month. So at the beginning of the year my supervisor moved us from the dance studio to the Multipurpose room. I didn’t know if this room had an audio system. I have been telling my class for months that we were going to be in the MPR for a few classes this summer. Then for the past two weeks I have been reminding them of the actual dates. I would have been very upset with myself if I had shown up and not be prepared. Here I have been preparing them for months and then I didn’t have music. I am soooooooooo glad I thought about my Block Rocker. This is EXACTLY what it is for.
I even remembered to charge it the night before. Ya see it is a Bluetooth device and it has a rechargeable battery so it can be used totally cordless. Squeeeee!
So I used it today and it worked GREAT. I am super happy. I love it when things work out. I am so glad that Costco had it and it was such a good deal. As I said, I had been shopping for them for a couple of years and was happy this one was priced lowest of them all. Even though it was the newest model.
Here is some information copied from the ION website:
•Streams music wirelessly from any Bluetooth music-playing device or phone
•Works with iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android devices, and more
•Input for a microphone (came with a microphone), instruments and other audio sources
•High-quality microphone included
•Built-in digital AM/FM radio and retractable antenna
•USB port for charging iPad, iPhone, or other devices
•Built-in battery provides up to 50 hours of use
•Bluetooth range of up to 50 feet
•High-output powered 2-way speaker
•1/8-inch auxiliary input for amplifying other audio devices
•Recessed wheels and telescoping handle for portability
•Rugged design to withstand heavy use
•Projects high-fidelity sound up to 150 feet away
•Built-in cradle for your smartphone, iPad, or other device
It does not have an equalizer so it will not be “perfect” sound. It is what it is. It is great . . . in my opinon . . . for exercise classes. Oooo, I am so excited. You know me, I like to share when I am excited about things. When I learn of something that helps make MY life easier I like to share. I like to let you know so perhaps it can help one of you.
Can you see yourself owning one? Do you think you could use one? Do you like to have people over for outside grilling and/or BBQing?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: AM/FM radio, Android devices, Block Rocker, bluetooth, City of San Jose Nia Classes, Costco, dance exercise, exercise classes, gentle yoga, ION audio, iPad, iphone, iPod touch, Nia, Nia Classes, Nia classes at the City of San Jose, Nia Music, Nia people, smartphone, wireless speaker, wirelessly, Yoga, Zumba, Zumba classes, Zumba music | 6 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 31, 2014
Ahhh, so sometimes I DO keep track of who posts what. Sometimes when it is a picture or a meme I take a picture of it on my iPad or my iPhone. That way I can go back and give credit to who posted and supply any other details. I didn’t think I would be posting that Nia video that I used in my last post, so I didn’t think to document who originally posted it to Facebook. Tonight I was looking through my pictures trying to find some inspiration for a post. I found a picture with a quote that touched my heart when I read it . . . .that is why I took a picture of it. My friend Michelle Casey had liked it or commented on it or something that caused it to show on my newsfeed under her name. When I read it again just now I wanted to post it so I looked more closely to see who it was from. I Googled the name in the watermark. All that came up was a Facebook page. I went to the “About” page of that Facebook page, it disclosed that nothing posted on that Facebook page was from the owner of the page. She just found things on the internet and posted them on her page. She said IF she knew who they were from she gave credit. But every picture on her Facebook page had HER information. And since it took me about 60 seconds to find the actual person who said the quote she posted on her page, I think that perhaps she doesn’t actually TRY to find the original author of the things she posts . . . but whatever . . . that is part what the internet has created. Even me, I am going to use someone else’s words as a post on my blog because they spoke to me when I first saw them. They are wonderful and I knew that I would want to come back to them and probably need to know who said them so I saved the picture to my device. They spoke to me now when I re-read them. They are the words of Iain Thomas.
My initial “Google” showed they were words from Kurt Vonnegut which caused my head to spin. That seemed a little out of character even with my limited knowledge of Kurt Vonnegut . . . so I dug a little deeper. I mean, one more “Google” and I found something that said “Be soft is NOT Kurt Vonnegut but Iain Thomas”. A search of Mr. Thomas showed it was him.
So thank you Iain Thomas for saying something that resonates with so many. Thank you for being so kind about how we just post your words about. I first read your words when my mom was sick or dying and so they meant a lot. And now that I am dealing with her death they are even more important.
I will strive to stay soft, especially when there is such a strong push for women to be hard. I will work to not let the world make me so. I will strive to not let pain be a catalyst for hate. And I will continue to struggle against bitterness stealing my sweetness. And I will stand tall and recognize the beauty of the world even when others try to dictate how I should feel, how I should act, and what I should see. Thank you, Mr. Thomas. I will strive to your quote.
Does this quote speak to you? What do you think about it?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Be soft, beautiful quote, Facebook, Googled, Iain Thomas, inspiring quote, iPad, iphone, Kurt Vonnegut, life quote, meme, Michelle Casey, Nia, Nia video, picture, Spot the cat | 10 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on October 1, 2013
I am playing a game on my iPad that is a hidden object kind of game. I like games where I don’t have to concentrate a lot, ya know, think too much – a little is good, but I like it to be fun. I have other things I have to think about so my games I want to be brainless and easy. This is kind of like that. Just look at pictures and pick out the objects. To me it is cool because it is not the same as the hidden objects games of my youth where the object is drawn into the scene. This game is tricky because the object are not necessarily hidden. Yeah, I know, they are right there in plain sight sometimes and it is still a challenge to see them. I find that really funny. I actually employ a theory of my husband’s about a phenomenon to play this game. It makes me laugh whenever I think of it. Especially when it works. My husband’s theory is: You can’t see what is not there.
That sounds obvious right? And it is, in reality you cannot see what is not there, but what he means when he says that is “I can’t see what I THINK is not there.” But the belief is so strong — it (the object you seek) is not there. So we don’t even bother with the “think” we just say, “I can’t see it because it is not there.” Because no matter what, once you believe it is not there it might as well not be.
My husband will often look for something then say, “Honey, can you look for the XXX (whatever) because I have been looking and it is not there.” Then I walk over without even looking and pick it up and give it to him. He says, “See? Sorry.” I say, “That’s ok. I get it.” Once you think it is not there — IT IS NOT THERE!
When I told him I was going to post about this he said it wasn’t originally his theory. He can’t remember whose it is. He kinda thinks it might have come from Sonny. Yeah, Sonny as in Sonny and Cher. But he can’t remember.
When you are looking for something that might truly not be there then this theory is difficult to get around. But in my game I can easily get around it. I know that the object on the list is there. So I have found myself thinking, “I will never find it.” Then I remember I can’t see things that aren’t there and I can’t see things if I think I can’t see them. So I take a breath and remind myself it is there and I can find it, and usually I find the object. I know it might sound silly to post about applying a theory to a game, but ya know, most of the time thinking is just a practice so if I practice it in a game situation, I can learn to practice it in real life. I just think it is funny because I believe the theory to be true so I work to counteract it in the game.
Also with the game I am not sure what the object will look like. So it is a good practice for opening my ideals of what things look like. Again, just a practice. As an example the object list might say bell. What did you picture? Bells can look a lot of different ways. As I typed this I thought of one of those bells that one used to ding for service. But it could be a bell like the liberty bell, or a school bell. You don’t always know. So in addition to letting go of not being able to see it because I THINK it is not there or I can never find it, I have to be open to recognizing what it might actually look like.
Ha. Just had a thought . . . just right now as I am typing . . . these ideas can be tied to Nia. Nia is not familiar to a lot of people so some think they will not get a good workout in a Nia class. Well, if that is what you think . . . then that is what you will get. If you walk in knowing it is a good workout then you will be able to participate fully. Also, when the participate releases the idea of what a workout “SHOULD” look like, they will be surprised that our skipping, moving, bending, dancing, etc. is great exercise.
So yeah, the theory can be applied to a lot of things so in some cases, when you don’t have a spouse to “see” it for you, you can be aware of the phenomenon and work to counteract it for yourself.
So are you aware of this phenomenon? Do you feel like this happens to you?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: dance exercise, Dance Workout, exercise, find object, game on iPad, Gardens of Time, Hidden Object, iPad, Nia, Nia class, Sony and Cher, workout | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 30, 2013
Often times I want the applications on my devices to do something they don’t do. When I remember that there is probably someone else who wants that too and I go look for it, I usually find it. Recently I wanted a calendar with different functionality than the calendar that is part of the iPad. I also saw a commercial where they had a camera that takes pictures when you tell it to. So I went looking in the iTunes store and found two applications that I like.
The iPad has a calendar program built into it. I like it because it allows you to set appointments/events/reminders. You can even set an alarm to remind you. You can also type in things as events or appointments and have them “recur”, ya know standard electronic calendar stuff. I wanted to be able to easily mark something, as I would on a paper calendar. I wanted to just make a check or a mark. I didn’t want to have to go in and create an appointment/event. Especially since I found myself splitting the thing I was marking down. Let me explain. This past month I had a Multiple Planks In A Day Challenge going on. The idea was to do three planks a day. Sometimes I would do all three at once, but sometimes I would split them up. So I might get up in the morning and do one. Then have to go teach a Nia class and come back later that day and do the remaining two. I wanted a calendar I could just mark a “1” on. Then when I completed my three I could either change the one to a three or a check mark.
I found “A 2013 Planner” by Unidocs. It is pretty cool. I haven’t even really begun to use all that it does. For now I was just making Xs, checks, and numbers on it. But a glimpse at the other features makes me think it is pretty useful. You can write on it or you can type text on it. You can view it as an annual planner, a monthly planner, weekly planner, or a daily planner. It really is like an appointment book planner, but on the iPad. You can also include pictures in it if you would like. It seems as if it can pretty much document anything. I was just excited to find an app that I could easily notate on the calendar like a real calendar. As I learn more about it, I can always share.
On to app two: There is a commercial, I don’t even know what the commercial is for. There are so many commercials like that now-a-days they are so busy being artsy I miss what the product is that they are actually advertising. But in it there is a guy that says, “Shoot!” and his camera takes a picture. So I thought, “There HAS to be an app for that!” And there is. It is called Vapp. And it is nice because you set the sensitivity of the voice response. So if you are in a heavy metal concert you set the sensitivity to HIGH so it won’t go off with every noise. Then if you are in a quiet setting you set it at a low sensitivity so that if you just whisper it will take a picture. So you can use this when you are trying to take a picture of yourself in a group or if you need to take a picture hands free. It also has a timer, which times AFTER you tell it to take a picture. It is pretty cool.
Since there are so many applications out there it is pretty easy to find ones that do what you want for free. I think I have only purchased two or three applications.
This is also the last day of the Multiple Planks In A Day Challenge. As you can see by my planner, I missed a few days (the BIG X) and on one day I only managed to do one. But I am satisfied with what I did. Sometimes you start something, like a challenge, and things come up and then it really becomes a challenge to keep on doing what you started. But then it feels good when you get it done.
There are a lot of challenges out there and there are a lot of applications. I like to share when I find ones that I think are cool.
Do you ever want the easy of a quick check mark on your calendar? Don’t you think that having a voice activated camera is cool? Do you have any applications that you would like to share?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: A 2013 Planner, applications for iPad, applications for iPhone, calendar, iPad, iphone, Multiple planks in a day challenge, Unidocs, vapp, voice activated camera, voice operated camera | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on October 11, 2011
I never wanted an iPod or a cell phone until I started teaching Nia. After I got it, I realized how great it is to be able to create playlists from Nia routine music and not have to burn a CD. Same thing with a cell phone, I have a business so I have a cell phone. I don’t really need a cell phone, but a business does. A business needs to have a number to use for business. Which brings me to . . . when I first met my husband he was a “Mac” man. Always had been, always would be . . . . . until, that is, we moved in next door to a guy who gave us a computer that was not a Mac. Then all of a sudden my hubby had something new to learn. He decided to learn how to put computer components together to make a personal computer. He realized that he could buy all the parts and put it together for a lot less than a Mac costs. PLUS the money spent would allow him a machine that would be faster and more powerful than the least expensive Mac. So we got rid of our Macs. Then the iPhone came out. At about that time I was thinking about getting a cell phone and I would need something to play music AND . . . . it was a new toy for hubby to have. So we got iPhones and they stoked the burning embers of love for Apple that had never actually gone out in my hubby’s heart. THEN he started working at a Mac company . . . you know one of those companies whose computers are Macs and not the “other” ones. Then there is the iPad. (eyes rolling). Whenever I have a problem with either of my “i-s”, my hubby says, “Well did you flash it?”
When we first got our iPhones, they had a few issues or kinks, whatever you call them it would often not work properly. My husband being familiar with Macs figured out how to “Flash” the phone. He said it resets the parameter random access memory. This is the memory that is stored which allows the for quick start-up. Since my iPhone frequently went squirrelly back then, I got really used to doing it. I would do it probably at least once a week without being prompted. Then with one of the updates it went away. It either went away and then came back with another update or it changed. I actually think it went away, then came back different. The way the device responded when flashed was different so it seemed as if it was not going to actually do it. Whatever the actual case was, I got out of the habit. Plus the phone stopped being so buggy. So not only did it change so I thought the option of Flashing wasn’t there, I didn’t need to do it that often. So I forget that I can do it and sometimes need to do it.
Have you ever worked for a company that has an IT department? When you have a computer issue what is the first thing the IT department asks you to do or ask you if you did it? “Turn it off then turn it back on.” Right? And then even once you do that, if they have to come to your work area to work on the computer that is the first thing they will do again. So we are all used to turning electronics off than on again, right? That is the FIRST thing we do. Well, flashing it is not quite turning it off and then turning it on. It resets the PRAM.
Yesterday I wanted to listen to the music for a Nia routine for class, I plugged my little iHome Speaker into my iPad and it didn’t work. I rolled my eyes and thought, “Well so much for that.” I got my iPhone to see if the speaker worked with that. It did. So I plugged my earbuds into the iPad to see if they worked. They didn’t. So I just figured I broke it somehow. I mentioned it to my hubby when he was on his way home from work and he said, “Did you flash it?” I felt so silly for not having done it that I said, “Well, of course I did because that is always the first thing you ask.” And then I went on to say that I didn’t and I hung my head like a scolded puppy.
I forgot about it until today and guess what? Of course. I flashed the iPad and my speaker works. I got so caught up in telling my story that I almost forgot the point of this post—to tell you how to flash your phone. Sometimes the rewritable section of memory get to full or a little messed up so it needs to be reset. For the iPhone and the iPad, you hold the On/Off button down at the same time as the Home button. Hold them both down until the screen goes blank AND the Apple logo appears. Then let go and let the device do its thing. Then it will be ready to wake up again shortly. See if that works for you the next time your iPhone or iPad is acting buggy. I don’t know if works for the other iProducts. But it has always worked for mine . . . . . when I remember to do it. 🙂
Posted in Helpful Hints, Misc | Tagged: apple, iHome, iHome Speaker, iPad, iphone, iPod, Mac, Nia, Nia business, Nia class, Nia playlists, Nia routines, Nia Teacher, parameter random access memory, PC, personal computer, PRAM | 7 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on August 6, 2011
Not too long ago another Nia Teacher and I were practicing Nia in a local park. She had brought her laptop so that we could look at the DVD and practice the routine. As you might realize it is very difficult to see a laptop screen outside when you are not right in front of it. We were dancing to the DVD, so we were not right in front of it. She also brought a long a little round speaker. She hooked it up to her laptop to help boost the sound. When we finally gave up on the laptop she plugged the speaker into my iPhone. Cool. It was round and had pretty good sound. It had a little leather looking case and was it just so cute. Of course, I wanted one. It is perfect to carry around “just in case”. I pretty much always have my iPhone because I have my music on it, but not everyplace I have taught has a sound system so a little round speaker would be GREAT! It could fit in my purse.
So to Amazon I went. I am the type that looks at something online for a little while before I decide to buy it. I have a house FULL of stuff. I do not need anymore stuff. I am a stuff collector. So I tend to hesitate before I buy more stuff. When I looked online I was seeing a little round speaker for more money than I need to spend on stuff I don’t need. 😉 Right? I mean, when I am buying something I can live without I tend to have a limit as to how much I will spend. So I looked around on the website. I was finding some nice speakers. I read some reviews. I looked here and there.
I spotted a BLUE one (uh-oh, BLUE?). It was round and cute and it was blue! It was rechargeable so it doesn’t take batteries. I really like that. It also expanded to give you “larger” sound. But since it was blue, cute, expandable and rechargeable I thought it would be more than the other speakers I was looking at, but lo and behold it was LESS. And totally in my self-alloted price range. But I still hesitated because I really don’t need it and even though I thought it was completely affordable I could always use that money for something else. So, in my normal style I didn’t buy it right then. I like to “sit on it”. But then you know what happens? I think about it all the time. I end up in situations where, “Oh it would be perfect if I had that (fill in the blank) that I wanted.”
When I always find myself thinking about the item for a while, I usually give in. And I am so glad I did. It is so cute. And the sound is pretty good for the price and what it is. The sound is WAY better than the sound that comes out of the iPhone. A mini-speaker. Yay! Does it give GREAT sound? No. Is it stereo? No. But it give really good sound and I can hear the music much better than on my iPhone.
The description on Amazon says: “Speaker works with any 3.5 mm headphone jack, perfect for laptops, cell phones, portable game devices, MP3 players, etc.” So you can use it on all of your devices.
It doesn’t come with a nice leather case like my friend’s but it does have its own little bag. That is good enough for me. I just like something that fits the device AND its cord. Something some people might like is that its audio cord does not come apart from its charging cord. I know we end up having so many cords that it is easy to misplace (or as my friend says, “Put away so well.”) some of the cords. When you have a cord to charge the device and a separate one to use it sometimes the power cord can get lost because you don’t use it as often. Well, these two cords do not come apart. There is a little plastic separator that hold them together, it is the little square below the USB connector and the audio plug, and they are connected near the end too and become one cord. The cords also have a build in “clip” to keep them neat and tidy. In this picture it is to the left of the bag, the black plastic square. Cool. All built-in!
Blue things make me happy. Blue things that are cute make me happy. Blue things that are cute that allow me to hear my Nia music and all music better make me really happy. And that it was less than $20 makes me so happy I want share!
Posted in Misc | Tagged: affordable speakers for iPad, Amazon, cord clip, iHome, iPad, iPad speakers, iphone, iPod, iTouch, laptop speakers, mini-speaker, mini-speaker for MP3 player, Nia DVD, Nia in the park, Nia Music, Nia routine, Nia Teacher, stereo speakers, USB, USB recharge | 2 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on June 20, 2011
Oh my! I was just about to go to bed. Yes, up late as usual. I got caught up watching Calendar Girls. I had never seen it even though it is from 2003. So cute. I realized I didn’t post a placeholder and there is no way I can turn on my computer at this hour. I would never get to bed! So I am using my iPad which does not have all the needed functionality as a computer. Not all websites – and WordPress is one of them – behave noemally on the iPad. But this is just a place holder for you that want to check in.
I will be back to let you know I did my Ten Minute Workout. I will have to wait until I get back from my Nia Class to hear how you are doing with those ten exercises. Can’t wait to hear.
________________________________________________________________________________________
June 20, 2011 at 11:40 am
Ha! Ok, I came right home after my San Jose Nia class. And I only sat for about five minutes then I came upstairs and did my ten minute workout. I wanted to get it done before it got too hot. It is supposed to be really hot in the San Francisco Bay Area today. I am not a fan of the heat so I know that if I wanted until it was hot I wouldn’t want to do it. So I got it done, about an hour ago. But I was replying to my friend’s comment. As you can see my reply is very long . . . . it took me awhile.
Here I am, I am done and I am checking in.
So . . . . . . where are you? How are things going for you? How is your weather?
Thank you for being here and reading. Please comment. Tell me . . . . something . . . .anything . . . .
Posted in Ten Minute Workout check-in | Tagged: 2003 calendar girls, iPad, ipad less functional, Nia, Nia class, Nia in San Francisco Bay Area, Nia San Jose, Nia SF, San Jose Nia, SFBayNia, ten exercises, ten minute workout, wordpress | 5 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on March 19, 2011
I have had the opportunity to actually use the iPad. This is somewhat of an update from my iPad Coolness post in which I said, “Oooo!” but didn’t really get to use the iPad. This time I inherited one so I have it set up for me.
This version of the iPad does not have a camera nor a phone. I have a camera and a phone with a camera so I am covered. But I could see if you carry your iPad around it would be nice to have all of that included. I understand that you wouldn’t hold your iPad up to your face, as you would a phone, but headset or bluetooth device could make it nice.
I do love the beautiful display. It is sooo pretty. I know that might sound simple, but . . . c’mon . . . it IS pretty. It is crisp, it is clean–well, except for all of the finger prints on it. Because of its amazing touch-the-screen technology and the fact that the screen becomes the keyboard there is always finger prints and swipes on it. So some of its clarity gets dulled under all of that.
I was intrigued by the calendar function on the iPad and I have to laugh because I haven’t even looked at the calendar on the iPad this time. I have been using it to play a game (We Rule) my husband and I play. Because the iPad is so much larger than the iPhone it is much easier. I have also been using it to do a lot of my work on the internet.
I had mentioned in my last post that I really like the way the webpages show up. As you can see in the picture it shows the webpages that are open or easily opened. There can be up to nine webpages available. I like that since I am always going to HelpYouWell.com, the NiaNow website, my blog, my e-mail, my Yelp page, Nia Class info, and so on. It makes it really easy to sit and “watch” TV. While I am sitting there I can do research for a post. I do enjoy the ease at which I can quickly surf the web and read things, but I do not like typing on the iPad for any length of time. I would not choose to write a blog post on it. Often times I turn on a computer to comment on blogs or Facebook. I am keyboard person. I need the SENSATION of the keys. The touch screen has me typing gibberish. I am still learning, so my next post regarding the iPad could be that I use it for everything.
The iPad is heavy though . . . and I don’t mean it is HEAVY as if I can’t hold it or lift it, but when you think of the position in which you hold it it is heavy. Now the iPad2—but that is a whole other blog post. Since I do find myself setting it down a lot I end up looking down at it. With a monitor (when I am on a laptop or a “regular” computer) at least I am looking UP instead of down—that actually can be another blog post too (hump back)!
I suspect that as time goes on I will learn to use it more and appreciate it more. Now I am just experiencing the amazingness of mobility. I am not at the point where I can give up my tower. I am having to do without my tower at the moment because it is being worked on. But it is four years old, by the time I need a new tower/computer (I am getting a new one this month), I might be fully integrated into this iPad thing. It is amazing. It is fast. It is pretty. It is the future.
Do you have an iPad? Or Tablet or something like it (if so please share information because I would love to hear. Since we were gifted iPads I have never done any research on the products)? Do you have a mobile device? Do you have a smart phone?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: @HelpYouWell, bluetooth, camera phone, Facebook, helpyouwell.com, humpback, iPad, iPad2, iphone, laptop, mobile computer, mobile device, mobile phones, Nia, Nia class, Nia sensation, nianow, nianow website, NiaNow.com, smart phone, tablet, tower computer, We Rule, Yelp | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on April 6, 2010
We do not own an iPad. I believe that our iPhones are enough for us, at the moment. But the company Hubby works for runs Macs and they wanted an office iPad. Not only that, they are so nice they let the employees take it home and experience it. So I was able to use one for a couple of hours. It is really like a big iPhone . . . a really BIG iPhone. It does not take pictures nor is it a phone, but it is really pretty.
Apple seems to have a way with picture quality. I like my monitor, it is fine. I don’t need another one, but when I go to Hubby’s office I do tend to stare at his monitor. It is soooo clear and it makes whatever you are working on so beautiful. I found this to be the case with the iPad. But like my iPhone since the “monitor” is also your keyboard, you end up having to look “through” a lot of finger prints and smudges.
It was already loaded up with someone’s applications and so I basically just looked at a movie and did some internet surfing.
It ran pretty fast, and as I have already mentioned the clarity is awesome.
Some of the things that I am familiar with on the iPhone were different on the iPad and I thought the differences would be useful. The calendar program that comes as part of the iPhone was able to be displayed as if it were a book calendar with the note section on the left and the month on the right. It looked like a regular desk calendar. With the iPhone’s tiny screen you have to change “pages” for list/day/month. I can see how having a “regular desk calendar” would be very helpful. Don’t we all love to look at things “at a glance”.
I LOVED the way the multiple browsers showed. But I bet I would end up with 16 browser windows like I usually do on my regular computer. I think that the iPhone only allows eight and the way they are displayed is linearly and you swipe to move them. But on the iPad they are displayed in a grid format so you can see them all at once. I found that to be one of the most exciting features that I experienced.
Remember, I only had this for a few hours and the applications loaded on it were not mine or even my husband’s so I didn’t go snooping into them all.
The “keyboard” that pops up is a good sized qwerty keyboard and one could touch type one it. I have the need for the feel of the keys in order to type with any speed, but I heard my husband typing away on it just like normal. (And just so you know, he typed REALLY fast!)
I keep coming back to how pretty the “monitor” (display) looked. I actually didn’t even get to see the “naked” iPad because it was “vacuum packed” into is neoprene case and, as I have mentioned, it is not ours so I didn’t want to risk scratching it or anything, so I didn’t take it out of its case to look at it.
I did discover a book in the “library”. It was Whinnie-the-Pooh. Oh, my heart melted and I thought since I was stuck on the couch with the cat was on my lap I could try reading on the iPad. Well, four pages into it, my hand started to hurt. The iPad is very heavy and I could not hold it in one hand and read it like I would hold a book. But unlike the Kindle it has its own backlight, like a computer. (Did I mention how pretty the monitor makes everything look?).
Like a netbook, I can see how people could use an iPad. I can see how business could benefit from it. Since I work from home I am good with my regular computer and my iPhone, which is just like an iPad, but smaller, and it has a camera and a phone. But its picture is not nearly as pretty.
Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: camera, iPad, iphone, iPhone applications, Kindle, Macs, neoprene case, Netbook, pictures, qwerty keyboard | 12 Comments »
Terre Pruitt's Blog 