iPad! iPad?

This year marks our ten year anniversary of being married (as well as living in Oklahoma). My wonderful husband has surprised me with a wonderful gift. A 32 gig wifi iPad. You know how I just love technology, so he did well. I am just trying to figure out if it is really worth it. After all, I have an iPhone. And when I am at home I have my computers. Here is what I think of the iPad so far after playing with it less than 24 hours:

1. It is really light weight and super duper portable. I like that I can stick it in my big purse and pull it out while we wait for our food at a restaurant.

2. It makes most of the current iPhone apps bigger and better. But they still have a lot of apps that need optimization. I'm sure that will come with time.

3. Wifi seems weak. After a quick Google search I found that this is a problem with the iPad. They seriously need to fix that. From my bedroom, which is where I will be using it the most, it is weakest.

4. The Amazon Kindle app looks gorgeous on the iPad. But now a decision needs to be made. Does one continue to purchase books via Amazon for the Kindle app, or start using iBooks, the new app made for the iPad. I like that I can purchase a book on Amazon and it can be sent to any of our iPhones or iPod touches, so I personally will continue to use the Kindle. I think iBooks is only on the iPad and I am not familiar with the sharing capabilities. I would need to do more research on this, so don't take my word on that.

4. Videos and movies are smashing on this device. I suppose when we go on vacation this little sucker will come in handy!

5. I am currently typing this blog entry from my iPad's virtual keyboard. At first it was a tad bit awkward. But it seems to be getting more comfy as I go.

6. I have yet to put any pics on my iPad yet, so unfortunately I cannot give a review of that aspect. But I am pretty sure that there is not anything horribly wrong with that module! Apparently you can turn your iPad into a digital picture frame. I dig that!

7. The built in speaker on the iPad is nice and loud. I listen to a lot of radio apps via my iPhone. So it might be nice to free up my iPhone for other tasks while I listen to the iPad instead.

One big problem I see, is the fight over who gets to use it. While I might want to read a book, Mia will want to play a game or something. She is turning out to have quite a love of technology as well! When I explained to Troy that I was not sure about keeping this gift, Mia started to cry!

I have really been on the fence about keeping Mr. iPad. One thing that I would recommend if you can afford it, is get the 3G iPad so you can surf the web and connect no matter where you are. I don't want another data bill, so I doubt I will get that one. Plus I have my iPhone for that purpose. But bigger is better in this case and if I did have 3G capabilities, I would sure take advantage of it!

App Store Addict and Photo Edit Freak

I can't get out of the iTunes App Store! I keep finding new apps to make my little buddy the iPhone more fun! My newest apps are Best Camera, ColorSplash and Photoshop.com Mobile. The Best Camera app is so cool I am not sure what I like more, the app or the concept of the app. You can check out the creator's YouTube piece on the app's inspiration. I think it is such a neat thought. And he has a book that he put together of all iPhone pictures! I love taking pictures, and seeing as my iPhone is always attached to my hand, it is usually what I use in a pinch. They turn out great! I am impressed with the quality. Add to that the tweaks that can be made to your photos in certain iPhone apps and you have some awesome pics! In the Best Camera app, you can also share your creations direct to Twitter, Facebook, email and the Best Camera website for the world to see. Below are some shots that were taken with my trusty iPhone and edited with my new apps!

Here is a link to view Chase Jarvis' You Tube video about Best Camera:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lotlwm38OM

*This one also edited with ColorSplash first

Now go App and Edit Crazy! But don't forget to share!!!

iPhone Problems

I am kinda getting tired of always being challenged with my electronics. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like to sharpen my brain with the process of fixing the issue. But it just seems like I am always working out a kink lately. Whether it be installing MobileMe which messed with all my contacts on my iPhone or needing to reboot my AppleTV twice in one week. Nothing ever seems to just be. No poking along or going with he flow. Constant intruruption and troubleshooting.
Hope you all are enjoying a tech issue free evening.
:)

Our Pups

I picked up this fun app in the iPhone app store that allows you to make collages from your pictures in your iPhone photo gallery. I am always on the hunt for new apps. This one is certainly a keeper. I change my wallpaper at least once a week, so being able to make my own from some of my most recent pictures makes me one happy girl! Here is my most recent collage that I am using for my wallpaper now. Aren't they just adorable!!!!?

Go get it in the App Store. It is called Collage Lite.

Kindle App is Out!!!

Yipeeeee! Kindle for iPhone app is available!!!! I had previously

downloaded the Stanza app, and it worked well. I just wasn't a great
fan of the "purchasing a book" process. It seemed so tedious. I had
been reading that Amazon might offer this app at some point, but
thought it might hurt their sales of Kindle I and Kindle II (which
just came out very recently.)
I just downloaded it to my iPhone and can't wait to try it out. I was
just too excited to wait to tell everyone I know!!
Happy Reading!

****Update****

This new app works soooooo much better than the previous book reader app I had been using! The download process consists of: Going to www.amazon.com/kindlestore and picking out my book. Buying the book using my regular amazon account. And since I had already registered my kindle app on my iphone, it already gives me the option to send it directly to my iphone! That was two clicks basically. Compared to the list of steps in purchasing via Stanza. Don't get me wrong, that app itself worked well, but the purchase point process was horrid!

If you like to read, and have an iPhone or iPod Touch, this app is great! I just like that I can take to reading while bored, or waiting for a table at a restaurant, or for a plane or in the car (while not driving). So convenient.

Test

Yay! So I finally figured out how to do this from my lovely sidekick, my iPhone. What would I do without you my friend!?!? I'm sorry, but I have had him for almost one year and I could not love him more!!!!
So you will hopefully be hearing more from me in the future. Not sure if it will be anything fun and exciting. You just never can tell!
Ambita