We have been working on the translation of Keynote presentations from your Mac over to the iPad version. The iPad version is very powerful – but does have a cut down feature set compared to the Mac version. With the iPad coming soon (or for those who already have them!) the use of Keynote is an interesting one, especially when you have the iPad to VGA cable allowing you to connect the iPad to projectors!
So, in order to get your presentations ready, take a look at these Apple support pages here and here. And there are a few third party tips sitting here.
Presentations from the Mac are synced over to the iPad using iTunes and then Keynote for the iPad will import the presentation. On that import, it will check your presentation and alert you to any issues which you can then resolve.
The iPad pre-order for New Zealand will probably start soon – so before you dive in and get the first one that comes to mind, lets have a look at what the options are (and mean).
First thing to know about the iPad. Without internet of some kind, it is just a big note taker and games machine. It comes into its own with internet. A lot of people in the US ended up buying twice because they thought the wifi only model would be fine.
So, there are two models – the wifi-only and the wifi+3G model. Both come in 16, 32 or 64GB storage versions – so you have 6 models to choose from!
If you have wifi everywhere you go – then the iPad wifi is all you will need. It is then just a matter of choosing the storage you think you need and you are done! Remember that iPad apps are bigger than the iPhone versions in most cases. We think the 32GB version represents the best value/feature balance.
If you think you may venture away from your wifi occasionally – then the iPad wifi+3G would be for you. First, lets dispell a few myths.
The microSIM is just a cut down SIM and can be easily fabricated. However, both Telecom and Vodafone will have the microSIM on hand soon.
You don’t need another contract for the iPad. Both telcos have a simple data prepay SIM available – and if your data use is small, you can use a 2degrees prepay SIM. It is only 2.5G – but it is fine for email and the occasional Google search!
The iPad auto switches between wifi and 3G data – it is just like the iPhone and is seamless.
The iPad cannot be tethered to the iPhone and use the iPhone data contract without hacking. It is best to stay away from hacking your iPhone and take a look at the prepay data options.
If you are the ultimate geek – then the iPad 64GB wifi+3G probably has you shaking at the knees. All your music, games, email, movies, books, browsing and more in one slab of glass. Why not??
Once the iPad is officially released into New Zealand we will have more information about the iPad data plans.
Here is a cool little video of the latest Spark 5.5 on the iPad! It shows working on a Proposal, generating a PDF, opening WIP, checking job costings! When the iPad 3G becomes avaliable in NZ – you will be able to “Spark” from inside your office and out! Great fun.
Apple have sold more than 500,000 iPads in the US so far and the demand is still strong. Because of this, they are delaying the international launch until the end of May 2010.
The good news is that the wifi and wifi/3G model will be shipped internationally at the same time.
Interesting to note that a lot of iPad owners who have the wifi only model are already looking to sell – and get the wifi/3G model. As one industry leader put it: “Once you get an iPad – and actually use it – you realise that to be useful it has to be connected all the time.”
And we agree.
If you are keen to get an iPad, then wait for the wifi/3G model as in a country like New Zealand where wifi isn’t everywhere, the 3G will be important!
We came across this page on the Adobe website which gives a good introduction to creating eBooks out of Adobe software. The eBook format is used by the Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad – so it is good to understand how they work – and how you can use your Adobe software to create them!
While you are sitting with your cup of tea and a hot cross bun (or even a choc egg or two) – here is a nice early review from the Wall Street Journal to pass the time. This weekend is the weekend the US gets their hands on the iPad – so we are sure there will be some exciting activity around it. Have a good long weekend!
We received our iPad first thing this morning, much earlier than expected! Because we are registered Apple Developers, we have been signed up to get a Developer iPad since the announcement. We believe this could be the first iPad to enter New Zealand.
We have tested a number of iPad Apps and we are blown away by the potential of this device. We will look at replacing our MacBooks with iPads for our highly mobile staff in the near future. Should be perfect for Adobe CS5 and MS Office.
If anyone is interested in getting some hands-on time with the iPad, give us a call at the Digital Arena office.
Here is Digital Arena’s Darrin McLeod proudly displaying the Apple device.
If you have come across websites which claim to be taking orders for the Apple iPad – be very careful. Apple have not put the iPad for sale yet as it hasn’t passed the FCC testing (it will, don’t worry).
So, do not trust or give money to any site which claims they have them on order or can get you one now!
The Apple iPad has been announced as many of you will be aware. It is a 9.7 inch tablet style device running a special build of the iPhone software. There are basically two models: a wifi-only version and a wifi/3G version. Both have 16, 32 and 64GB variations. The 3G version uses a microSIM (which can be handmade from a standard SIM if you are handy with a stanley knife!) and is unlocked to run on any carrier. It isn’t a 3G phone – it uses the 3G for mobile data.
The 140,000 applications in the Apple App Store mean that the iPad has one of the largest software libraries on the planet on launch. The screen of the iPad has a resolution of 1024×768 (the iPhone is 320×480) giving the ability to run the existing App Store applications in a standard size (floating in the middle of the screen) or in 2x mode – using a pixel double mode to zoom them up. With the iPad development kit, applications can be developed to use the extra screen size.
On the Apple website, there are some great movies which show the functionality of the iPad – and many of you will notice the differences in the built-in applications over the standard iPhone. For example, check out Mail and the Calendar applications. Apple also have iWork for the iPad which gives you a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation package.
So, will it be your main browsing machine? A recipe device mounted on the wall in your kitchen? Build it into your car for navigation, entertainment and music? Read books? Or a full time writing tablet using the optional keyboard dock?
We will give you a full review when our unit turns up in March.
