I got an opportunity lately to try out and setup an iPad. This was my first time trying an Apple IOS device and I wanted to share a beginner’s perspective for those any who have thought about trying it. I will discuss how to operate it, its design philosophy, and some basic settings that helped me.
Good
- top quality hardware, all of it, runs smoothly and dependably
- software is well designed and the user interface intuitive
- plenty of good apps are available
Could be better
- no file organization, nor file manager
- apps often have to reload every time they are switched to
Interoperability
Almost all interoperability is done with three finger gestures: tap, for buttons; finger pinches, for resizing; and swipes, for page flipping. The Home button is used to return to the Desktop.
Design philosophy
Having used computers since the 1980’s, I expected common computer operations to be carried to the IOS. I had the notion to use my iPad as I had my laptop, hoping to get a likewise functionality out of it. One thing I learned definitively though is that the iPad is designed only to be a companion device. To elaborate: it is designed to be a supplemental piece to a personal computer for the purpose of doing specific tasks in an intuitive manner. I did attempt to add common computer functionality to it through apps and settings but it just isn’t designed to do so.
The following point is an expression meant in a positive attitude. However, just for note, I am very peculiar about how I control my files.
The functionality that I expected, that I considered necessary for any computer user, was to be able to manage files. I thought I would be able to rename, organize, copy…. However, there is no file manager. The design philosophy of the IOS is centered around apps. To open a file a user has to adapt their behavior to first recall the app that created it. To transfer files to/from the IOS device requires the user either to: plug the IOS into the personal computer and use iTunes (if the app has iTunes support built in); or use the iCloud app (which I only learned about after returning the iPad). So the process just appears complicated.
Tips
- a $10 stylus will help keep the screen clean
- a $10 cover will help keep the tablet safe from common bumps
- a $30 tablet-sized keyboard is nice for typing… common keyboard shortcuts may not always be available, for Safari hold
Commandto see them - apps can be moved or removed from the desktop, press and hold the app for a few seconds to do so
- close unused apps for better performance (double-click Home and swipe up)
- for *nix tools a remote shell account can be used with a SSH app
Apps I liked
- Apple Store
- Apple Trailers
- CBS, NBC, FOX
- Coda \$10
- Does not Commute
- Microsoft Word is free, but Papers is supposed to be real good if it can be afforded
- Rayman Adventures
- Vim
- Weather Channel
- Wallpapers
- Yahoo Mail
Feedback
For users that have other ideas, consider giving Apple your iPad Feedback.
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