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Tips for new iPad users

Posted By : of Data Doctors on April 15, 2011

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Just got an iPad....Any pointers?

- Eileen

This question was answered on April 15, 2011. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.


For those new to the tablet format, the first couple of months is a whirlwind of ‘aha’s’!

From a basics standpoint, be sure that you sync your iPad with iTunes on a regular basis for two reasons: backup and updates.

Another key security tip is to activate the ‘Passcode Lock’ and Auto-Lock (under Settings/General) so in the event your iPad gets lost or stolen, your data isn’t easily accessed by whoever has their hands on it.

I would also highly recommend that you install the ‘Find My iPad’ app ( http://goo.gl/b50It ) that I discussed in last week’s column so you can track, lock or wipe it should it ever go missing.

If you take a lot of pictures with a digital camera, get the iPad camera kit ( http://goo.gl/kJsWj )for easy transfers of your photos.

The best part of owning an iPad is apps, so here are my suggestions for new iPad owners:

Flipboard ( http://goo.gl/Ey7T6 ) – This app is one of my all-time favorites because it consolidates social media and news feeds into a simple interface that looks like a newspaper A simple flick of the finger will turn the page and feeds like Twitter and Facebook come to life with pictures and a brief synopsis of each post so you don’t have to click anything to get the gist of what’s been posted.

Zinio ( http://goo.gl/fBrY5 ) – This app turns your iPad into the world’s largest newsstand by giving you access to virtually every magazine known to man Samples can be viewed for free and subscriptions will simply automagically get loaded as they are released! I really love how you can click on articles in Zinio and it will create a text synopsis that can be easily e-mailed to others.

PressReader ( http://goo.gl/lfVOC ) – If you’re a newspaper junkie, you’ll have access to over 1800 newspapers around the world on either a pay-as-you-go (99 cents per download) or subscription ($29.95 per month) if you want access to all of them.

Overdrive ( http://goo.gl/8y4BS ) - If you love to read books and want remote access to your public library (or 13,000 others) this app is da bomb! (You can also download audiobooks.)

Pandora ( http://goo.gl/T4Bs4 ) - Music lovers have likely already setup an account at the Pandora website, so this app allows you to extend your stations to your iPad Just make sure you are on a wifi connection when you stream the music so you don’t max out your data plan.

Remote ( http://goo.gl/Yj7ra ) - Since you have an iPad, you have to use iTunes, so why not add the ability to control iTunes from you iPad! This is particularly handy if you patch the audio output from your computer into your home stereo system.

Friendly Facebook ( http://goo.gl/moxDm ) - Facebook users that own an iPad have had to settle for the official Facebook app made for the iPhone stretched out to fit the extra space on the iPad Friendly for Facebook not only takes advantage of the additional real estate, it gives you more customization than the iPhone app

Photoshop Express ( http://goo.gl/FoBo9 ) - This free image editing app is powerful but easy to use and a no brainer for anyone that loads pictures on their iPad It’s also a quick way to edit images before uploading them to Facebook or other social sharing sites.

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Posted by of Data Doctors on April 15, 2011

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