iPad is a bombshell. There's so much in it that it could take some serious time spent with it before one can actually use its full capacity. Here's a quick view of some of little known features this multifunctioning device has.
Built-In Dictionary
It's a no-brainer that a device that has superb features for e-reading is also backed with a decent built-in dictionary. Both the word processor and the iBooks application has dictionary for quick reference to words that you may find vague. Apple is also thoughtful enough to include a quick search of the eBooks using a keyword, just as you would do with a website. As if this is not enough, it is also easy to get quick access to online dictionaries via Safari, so it really isn’t a big deal if some unfamiliar words make you stammer while you read Apple's massive collection of eBooks.
Auto-Adjusted Screen Brightness
The developers of iPad went so far as program the device to adjust its brightness according to specific environments to make eye strain less of an issue for users. This is particularly important for people who frequently use the device in different lighting conditions.
Don’t wish for perfection though. Despite the brilliant design and programming that went into the creation of the product, it still has some limitations. Text and images look washed under direct sunlight, for one.
Home Screen Bookmarking
The home screen, is without a doubt among the most versatile features of the device. Aside from allowing the display of the shortcuts to specific applications, iPad's Home Screen also displays your bookmarked websites. For the end users, this means that you can go straight to your favorite websites with just one touch of the bookmarked websites icon.
Browser Dashboard
Forget tabbed browser, iPad's Safari offers users a different view of opened 'tabs'. Like the tabbed view we get from laptop or desktop browsers, the dashboard view allows the opening of multiple web pages, only with iPad's Safari, the web pages are shown as thumbnail images of all opened sites. This allows for easy switching between websites. All it needs is a single tap.
Smart Links
Mailing is more convenient with iPad. The device is programmed to recognize address, names, numbers and link these to relevant information. This function benefits users by cutting short the time spent on searching online or in the device's storage for information relevant to the inquiry. For example, when addresses are tapped, maps and directions show up on the screen. When a name or a telephone number is tapped, the entire information on the contact list is revealed.
Slideshow Soundtracks
We're done with boring, quiet slideshows. Apple's iPad brings forth the option of integrating music and sounds into its slideshow app. Now, that's a good way of jazzing up any presentation you create using Keynote.
Background Music
And you thought only slideshows can have a background music…Even while you are searching the web or playing any of Apple's apps, you can have music continuously playing on the background.
Apple iPad is many things to many people. It is a consolidated device that can be anything – from a gaming console to an alternative to a 'real' computer and a replacement for popular e-reading devices. It is also a media player, a web browser, an e-mailing device…to highlight a few things it can do. The fact that it does so many things while offering a better experience than the original devices built for iPads' specific applications is enough to confuse people what role iPad really fits in their lives. We'll try to break the device down a bit for you.
It is a superb media player. – Playing video is, perhaps, the forte of iPad, but Apple doesn’t really claim that so it can't be confirmed. Nevertheless, like its older distant cousins – laptops, DVD players and even plasma TVs – it can display videos very well. With its crisp, glossy screen, you can expect high from this device and you won't be disappointed. Maybe you'll find the fingerprints on the screen gross when you turn of the device, but that's an entirely different issue.
You can watch live stream TV on iPad, and even watch YouTube and other video sites without a glitch, given of course that you have the right application to 'convert' Flash to iPad-hosted file. If you are looking for a device that can help you catch your favorite video online, you can watch nearly whatever you want with iPad without a hiccup.
It's a major gaming platform, almost. – Everyone thought that gaming apps are just value-added features that can enhance the use of iPad. Well, everyone was wrong, dead wrong. iPad may not be built as a dedicated game console, but definitely has the qualities of a great gaming console. In some respects, it even beats existing gaming consoles with its features and capacity to enhance gaming experience. Gaming console developers could be cursing that extra horsepower and that extra huge multitouch screen that Apple threw into their tablet PC.
It could be a computer replacement. – In the future, we could see iPad-like devices replacing real computers. As 'raw' as iPad is now – raw, meaning having the superb and diverse apps and functions it has now – it already shows great promise for end users. It somewhat gives us a glimpse of personal computers 5, 6 10 years ahead. Maybe even less.
Despite all its glory, iPad is nowhere near to replacing 'real' computers just yet. It can't do as much as laptops and desktops can but it can definitely run as a winner against netbooks and other smaller devices. It can even beat e-reading devices, portable DVD players, and even plasma TV. Knowing Apple, we know that some great things are in store for the new iPad.
So what is iPad? Let's just say it's the first device ever to deliver on its promise while taking existing technologies to much greater heights. It may take a while before Apple unveils its predecessors, but
iPad is definitely the future of personal computing.
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