After teaching a couple introductory iPad classes at my local library, I have found that learning the iPad really takes some time and exploration. You can't just go in one day and figure it all out. So, for those people who are just learning (and for those of you who have been doing this awhile), each week I hope to present a new tip or trick so you can start getting the most out of your iPad.
Week 1
What do you want to do with your iPad? It seems like a simple question, but is it? The now common adage, "there is an app for that" was not said without reason!
See what it all means after the break
Your homework is:
Make a list of the things you do during the day. My list looks like this::
Wake Up
Shower
Get Dressed
Clean Up House
Feed Dogs
Free Reading
Work
Lunch
Dinner
Manage Etsy Store
Stay in Touch with Friends
Watch Television
Relax
Other Tasks:
Grocery Shopping
Get Gas
Take Out Trash
Hair Appointments
Okay, so how do you turn those tasks into things you can do on your iPad? Well, the iPad isn't going to make your lunch for you, but it can do so much you will soon be wondering how you survived without it.
Here is what my list looks like with the apps I use to accomplish these tasks.
Wake Up: Nightstand Central $1.99, but there is a free version as well that isn't quite as cool, but still great.
Shower: Well, I don't have an app that helps me do this, but I do love Songza (free) for listening to while I'm in there.
Get Dressed: iWear (free) is an app that lets you keep track of your closet, outfits, and create new ensembles
Clean Up House: Again, if the iPad did this, it would be awesome! But it doesn't and I listen to Songza while I'm doing it.
Feed Dogs: Okay, so there isn't a feed the dog reminder, but there is a great app for keeping track of dog care called myPetCare. There is a free version and a paid version for $2.99.
Free Reading: Whether I use the iBooks, Kindle, or Nook app for this I enjoy free reading, and I like to keep track of what I like and don't like in the GoodReads app.
Work: At work I use things like iCal, Safari, and my email the most. But I also use tons of educational apps and those will come in a later post.
Lunch: At lunch I usually catch up on personal email and maybe play Bingo.
Dinner: There are some great recipe apps, I like Jamie's Recipes (free), Recipe Box ($3.99) (which is AWESOME), and FoodNetwork (free).
Manage Etsy Store: Gotta love that Etsy Store App!
Stay in touch with friends: Facebook (free), Instagram (free), Blogger (free), Pinterest (free)
Watch Television: No matter where you subscribe, you can probably watch on your iPad. Check out Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Instant Video (what I use), today!
Relax: How do I relax? FlowFree, Bingo, Candy Crush, Professor Chomp, and Angry Birds (Star Wars Edition).
Grocery Shopping: I like to use Reminders for my shopping list because you can check them off while you grab things.
Get Gas: This is the best app ever - GasBuddy (free)! Trying to not spend a fortune on gas? Let your friends and fellow gas savers help you out. They report what gas stations are charging and you know what is the cheapest gas in your area! Brilliant!!
Take Out Trash: I use the reminders in iCal to help me remember to put the trash and recycle out on the right days!
Hair Appointments: these work the same way, track how often you are going, what you spend and more in the notes section and make these appointments reoccur.
