Review of the Apple IPad, 16GB

Initially I had wanted an Amazon Kindle, not any old Kindle, I wanted the gusto in gadgets, I wanted the newest model, the largest model, and I wanted it to be in color. Sadly my search led me to blog after blog stating this desire of mine would not be ready till 2012, and that was just a guess.

I decided to check out the Nook, and from what I discovered VIA user reviews, the Nook was too new, and too lacking for me to even bother with.

That was when I got around to thinking about an Apple iPad. I didn't need the latest and greatest, so I decided on the simple intro model, the $499 model containing 16GB of storage, and wifi. Just what I would need to download the Kindle APP and get busily reading on my new iPad. I had no idea just how addicting this device would be, and how much more I could do with it besides just catch up on a few books here and there. In fact I love the Apple iPad so much, that I imagine I will become one of those annoying Apple fan-boys that has to have all of the newest releases from Apple.

Why?
 
Well my friends, the best answer is simplicity.

I have never owned anything from Apple before. In fact I still prefer my PC for major workloads, but seriously when I am flopped in bed, and too lazy to hunker down in front of the PC I am grateful to have the iPad. For starters the device is small, and lightweight. Some have complained about the weight, but not once have I become affected by it, and this is coming from someone who has been toting the thing around religiously for days now.

Before getting into the simplicity of the Apple iPad, let me first drag you through the start up process, which is probably the one and only annoyance I have encountered with the iPad.
Now if you are new to Apple products, likely you are like me and you have never bothered with iTunes before. If that is the case, you will need to follow the simple directions included with your iPad to get the thing to work. I know I got miffed by this, because in order to get your iPad up and running, you are forced to plug in the included USB plug to your PC to download iTunes on to your iPad. Annoying I know, but it is necessary.

Fear not though, the included card tells you the exact website you must visit in order to download iTunes on to your MAC or PC.

Once it is downloaded you plug in your iPad and wait for the device to sync. Once that is done, your iPad will be up and running, just waiting for you to take advantage of what it has to offer.
This is where the simplicity of t all takes place. It is so easy your mom could figure it out.
First you will need to slide your finger across the screen to unlock your iPad. This step is unnecessary, but fun to do. It makes you feel all secret agent and what not.
On the main screen you have a bunch of square icons that you simply tap in order to explore what they have to offer. You have a calender where you can set dates for, where the iPad will remind you in advance of such important dates.

Then you have notes, which like any cell phone allows you to post little important things to yourself according to date.

The App Store is directly on the main page, and this is where you unlock the golden empire for your iPad. You download music here, movies if you want, and of course a slew of applications that you can use. From games to weather apps, it is all there, a click away. Some applications are free, others cost a small amount of money, and some have monthly fees. Personally the share of free apps I have found thus far have been pretty gnarly.

iTunes is also pre loaded on the iPad, allowing you to access your music. I have no use for this as all o my music is on my PC. For those of you who use iTunes religiously though, the addition is really neat.
On the main page you will also find your Games Center where you can play any games you have downloaded from the App store. Farmville addicts like myself will appreciate the free Farmville App, and finally an ability to send in game content that only iPhone and iPad users have access to.

Maps is another free application directly built into the iPad. This app will give you directions, and is helpful for those who travel a lot. Those who purchase the 3G iPad will need to pay a monthly fee though in order to make use of the GS applications you can purchase in the App Store.

YouTube is built into the iPad as well allowing you to view movies on YouTube, or to view your own movies you already have uploaded onto YouTube.

Contacts and Videos are the final icons on the main screen. Contacts is basically your address book, and Video is where you can view any videos you have uploaded.

The rest is entirely up to you depending on what you have decided to download from the App Store, from free applications, to ones you decided to pay for.

Simplicity here is phenomenal, and finding what you are looking for is as easy as a swipe of the finger.
The touch screen on the iPad is deliciously beautiful, and you are capable of adjusting the settings on the screens brightness. Everything is responsive, easy to use, and works without flaw. The things that bugs me most though is the fingerprints left behind. You can easily clean this however with a soft tissue. If that bothers you though you can purchase a screen protector, which I would recommend.

Volume on the Apple iPad is clear, and can be adjusted according to your preferences. Other external devices like docking speakers can be purchased as well, which can turn your iPad into a stereo, or an alarm clock radio. While docked on these external devices your iPad will also be charging its power, which is just another neat addition to an already awesome device.

A docking station may be necessary for some, as the wall plug that comes with the iPad is small, not giving you much room on plugging your iPad in, and setting it somewhere safely while it charges.

Overall:
 
I used to be against the iPad, calling it a wasteful Internet tablet, but truly this nifty device has made life easier, keeping up with my social network a breeze, and it is so fun and a heck of a lot more useful than I originally believed.

Do I recommend this device?
 
A big yes, 5 stars, and two thumbs up! I am an official fan of Apple now, and glad I finally gave the company a try. I am now using the iPad for tons more than just using it as an ebook reader (which by the way is phenomenal on the iPad, especially the Kindle Application which is free to download).