Overall I keep telling people that it is just as good or better than expected. As a heavy iPhone user, this is something I was longing for as I could see the potential in the device but found its size hard to use. At the same time I have heard many complain that it is to big, men break out those man purses, and to hard to carry around. I personally don’t think so, but I’m someone who often has a backpack or messenger bag with my MacBook Pro in it. I can definitely see this device allowing me to leave that MacBook at home. Carrying the device is much like carrying a 8.5×11 notebook around or even a hardcover book for that matter, as iPad is also being marketed as an e-reader.

Lets look at the usability of the iPad. With it being a steroid injected iPod touch, it works much the same way. Slide to unlock, slide sideways to change home pages, etc. I quite like that fact here’s why. Before Apple had even announced the iPad I didn’t think consumers would be able to handle yet another Apple operating system, so for the iPad to run on a built up version of the iPod OS makes it easy for users to adapt to how it works. With the screen being larger than the iPod/iPhone, it gives developers more to work with and allows them to display more features at one time. Take for example the BlogPress app, not only does a user have a section for creating a new post, they can also see all their previous posts. So far Tweetdeck is off to a head start with an excellent looking Twitter Client. The iPad is very easy to switch from portrait mode to landscape and makes using the device all that much better, especially for those wide screen movies.

The apps and the community within them is something that will make the iPad succeed. As of right now there are not many and some are still buggy. Keep in mind that developers have only been able to use computer simulated interfaces to create their apps. The one app that got me a little frustrated was the NetNewsWire app, which I paid $9.99 for and it wont even let me launch it anymore. It just crashes when I tap its icon, I’m hoping a update will fix this problem soon. I still use the NetNewsWire desktop client on my Mac and prefer to use it even though it is connected to Google Reader. One of the major reasons for buying an iPad is for a feed reader. Much of the time when I try to read blogs and feeds I get distracted by other thing that are happening on the computer at the same time. With the lack of multitasking on the iPad I hope to be able to sit down and actually read some intriguing blogs. All that being said, as more developers get the iPad there will be many, many apps available. As the more apps come out we will then see the true potential for this device and trust me there is lot of potential for this deceive, games, medical, homes, travel, consumption and so on.

So how do we connect this device? I held off on getting a 3G version of the iPad for two reasons. 1) It is not available yet and 2) I didn’t want another device with a monthly plan. Simple enough and I think a lot of consumers are thinking the same way. What I am planning to do is get a MiFi card from Bell. I know what you’re thinking, I did just say I didn’t want another device with a monthly plan, but hear me out. Bell offers a iPhone/MiFi combo plan which is what I plan to get when I get back to Canada. Although even if I didn’t have plans to get a MiFi card I would still get a WiFi iPad because the majority of places I intend to use it have WiFi. Besides connecting to networks, you’ll need to connect the iPad to a computer, this is done simply with the provided, standard, iPod(iPad) usb cable (connectors are all the same). I on the other hand also picked up a dock which has the connector for the usb cable and an audio out jack, although the iPad does not fit on the dock when the official Apple case is on the it (bad planning, guys?). Nonetheless having the dock is nice accessory to have, especially if you intend to use a external keyboard via bluetooth.

Of course being one of the, probably hundreds of, Canadians who were across the border and able to get the iPad on April 3, I’m sure you have run into the issue of not being able to use your Canadian iTunes account for the iPad. iTunes will not let me do anything on the iPad through the iTunes or Apps Store. It simply tells me, with a very prompt push notification, “Your Country is not Supported”. I have yet to think of a logical reason as to why I’m not allowed to use me own iTunes account. I can, slightly, understand why they hold off on releasing the device in other countries, but blocking my account my Canadian Account seems uneccassary. If they don’t want consumers from other countries using the iPad yet they should have us verify our residency while purchasing the device. All they real did was make me use my US Account. Yes, I do have a US iTunes account, I am a geek after all.

So there you have it, a bit of a review, a bit of an explanation, a bit of a rant and Apple’s new device, the iPad. My overall impression of the iPad is good. I see the potential and can confidently say that I will be using this device all the time wherever I am. A quick note about the no camera issue, well that is not an issue for me. I will always my iPhone will me and don’t use Video Chat enough to care for it.

Thank you for reading. I invite you to share you thoughts on the iPad and/or yell at me for being a fanboy.

Oh, by the way. This entire post was written on my iPad.

What I am thinking in my mind is somehow sending audio/video from my Video Camera to my computer. I am hoping that the computer will then see the incoming A/V from the camera as a webcam type device.

The idea is to be able to stream mobile content online without being tied to a computer with cables. I realize the range may be an issue, but I was thinking of being able to wonder around a room, while the computer would be in a stationary place.

If you have a solution or know where to find one, like a link, let me know. Or even if it is something similar.

Here is what we got:

• 2 x “L” shaped mounts (Shelf mounts possibly)
• 1 x  1/4″ bolt 2″ long with nut
• 1 x  1/4″ Wing Nut
• 2 x smaller bolt and nut
• 1 x 1/4 Lock washer

We attached the 2 “L” shaped mounts together with the 2 smaller bolts to make what looks like a “C” or “[” shaped mounting device. Attaching a video camera was easy once we drilled out the hole to 1/4″. We then screwed the wing nut on the 2″ bolt backward. Once we did that we then put the bolt through the “C” mount and screwed it into the tripod hole in the bottom of the video camera. When the bolt was in as far as it could go, we tightened up the wing-nut to the bottom of the mount securing the camera to the mount. To get rid of the sharp edges and to make the device a little more appealing we covered it in electrical tape. Before we covered the handle we wrapped it in cotton and then loosely covered it with tape.

What the video of the process of making the Camera Handle Mounting Device:

• It recorders in Standard Definition as well as 720p & 1080p HD.
• Uses a SD card to record on.
• Has a removable battery
• Has an Audio in jack – Which I will use for interview or just better audio.

The video I recorded of the new camera, from the Flip, is as followed:

Did anyone else watch/follow any of the Apple announcements today? New iTunes, with all new redesigned iTunes Store. Touch/iPhone app arranging in iTunes now – really cool feature. Bigger iPod Touch. Nano with video camera capabilities. Flip Mino vs Apple Nano – Thoughts. New Shuffles.

What we didn’t get. Apple Tablet – Even though we didn’t think we would see one today, there was thought it might be mentioned. iPod Touch with video camera – There were rumors that there were technical issue as well as rumors they don’t wont to release it until iPhone update.

What do you think of all the new Apple Goodies? Good? Bad? Don’t Care?

Nowadays chip manufacturers are making multi mode chips for phones. Before we knew about these chips we all assumed it would take Apple a lot of work to create a completely separate iPhone for a CDMA network but now it shouldn’t.

What they can do is solely use this one chip and program half of them as GSM and half as CDMA. This one chip also supports all the proper frequencies for all the providers on CDMA & GSM there for only creating slightly more work.

The negatives about this chip are only minor but I wouldn’t care! First, because the chip supports multi modes you can expect it to cost slightly more than a normal one. Possibly an increase of $10-$15. Second and also because it is multi mode the battery life may not be as good as it is now, that is unless Apple can come up with an even more efficient battery and processor.

We are getting closer folks, soon enough we will have an iPhone available here in Yellowknife. Whether it is Rogers or a CDMA supported iPhone!