iPad Update
Posted by Chris on June 1, 2010
Okay here is an updated post on the iPad from my machine.
From connecting the iPad to my computer I was able to get everything up and running pretty quickly. After looking at all the standard applications and through the menus, it did not take long to realise that there is not a lot that can be done [iBooks seems to be interesting]. I took a look at Safari, something which I have a love hate relation with on my iPod Touch. Now, I must admit – the functionality of the browser is much the same, but the added screen space really adds to the experience. The iPad allows a user to use the internet almost exactly the way they would on a computer, very rarely did I find I even needed to use the zoom function.
Not long after this, I took a look at the App store - Unfortunately I was unable to find a Facebook application that was made for the iPad (Using Safari to browse to the website is much better I ended up deciding). Another favourite application of mine is Opera Browser – again, no such thing exists for the iPad just yet. I had a look at the Atomic browser but it’s no Opera.
Other applications I looked into:
VNC
Adobe Ideas
AIM
AcientFrog HD
SketchBook
Dropbox
iTeleport
Pages, Numbers and Keynote
Installing Spirit on the Mac allowed me to install Cydia on the iPad. This process took about 5 minutes – a lot has changed since jailbreaking the iPod Touch 1 year ago. This gives you the opportunity to see what is available for the iPad. After looking through the web I found some information on an application called SNES HD, a SNES emulator that allows
you to use an iPod Touch or iPhone as the controller. After about 20 minutes I had Super Mario World on the iPad and a controller in my hand – this is great, plus there is 2 player support!
To summarise the experience that has been had with the iPad – it would be fair to say that it has not been put down since getting it. It seems pretty difficult to go back to the iPod Touch now to do anything that can be don on the iPad.
