848 replies to this topic

[dirtynine]

Get Stash for iPad.

[CeeAngi]

I've got an iPad 2 and I still haven't found a case that impresses me. I don't like the Smart Covers, because it's not enough protection... and the one I have now is a hard shell, but I don't like the flap that covers the screen. I'm also not a big fan of the cases that are just black leather, because I find that boring, even though it's probably more protection.

I don't need anything with a keyboard functionality, as I already have a wireless bluetooth keyboard to use when necessary, and I do like something that I'm able to prop the iPad up.

Any suggestions on a good case? Perhaps something with character that won't fall apart?

[ManhattanRedSox]

I've got an iPad 2 and I still haven't found a case that impresses me. I don't like the Smart Covers, because it's not enough protection... and the one I have now is a hard shell, but I don't like the flap that covers the screen. I'm also not a big fan of the cases that are just black leather, because I find that boring, even though it's probably more protection.

I don't need anything with a keyboard functionality, as I already have a wireless bluetooth keyboard to use when necessary, and I do like something that I'm able to prop the iPad up.

Any suggestions on a good case? Perhaps something with character that won't fall apart?

I went with the Smart Cover - http://www.amazon.co...duct/B004QKJXG2

And for the back - http://www.amazon.co...duct/B004XIT4NO

Pretty happy with both.

[CallYaz]

I've got an iPad 2 and I still haven't found a case that impresses me. I don't like the Smart Covers, because it's not enough protection... and the one I have now is a hard shell, but I don't like the flap that covers the screen. I'm also not a big fan of the cases that are just black leather, because I find that boring, even though it's probably more protection.

I don't need anything with a keyboard functionality, as I already have a wireless bluetooth keyboard to use when necessary, and I do like something that I'm able to prop the iPad up.

Any suggestions on a good case? Perhaps something with character that won't fall apart?

Just got this one:

http://www.booqbags....d-iPad-2-agenda

So far I like having little side slots for the pen, credit cards, notes. I have the wallet from Happy Owl

http://www.happyowls...llet-for-ipad-2

on order but think this one from Booq is going to be the solution for me.

[CeeAngi]

Just got this one:

http://www.booqbags....d-iPad-2-agenda

So far I like having little side slots for the pen, credit cards, notes. I have the wallet from Happy Owl

http://www.happyowls...llet-for-ipad-2

on order but think this one from Booq is going to be the solution for me.

I like the first one, but does it prop up the ipad? I use it for a lot of baseball watching and stuff, so it's nice to prop it up.

I found this case, and I'm considering ordering it. We'll see. http://www.dodocase....ocase-for-ipad2

[CallYaz]

I like the first one, but does it prop up the ipad? I use it for a lot of baseball watching and stuff, so it's nice to prop it up.

I found this case, and I'm considering ordering it. We'll see. http://www.dodocase....ocase-for-ipad2

The booq does an okay job of holding the ipad up in landscape mode (for the mlb video) but not much help in portrait

I love the idea behind the dodo but I worried the device could slip out too easily.

[Blacken]

Bought one this weekend. Love it so far--jailbroke it this morning when JailbreakMe got iPad 2 support and can deploy code via Cydia/.deb already. Saves me from buying a Mac, for now.

The Smart Cover is, full-stop, a brilliant accessory. Minimalist design is beautiful design. I love it. Couldn't imagine shitting it up with some huge honking case--just take care of the thing!

[teddykgb]

Well, I had the smart cover attached and went down my stairs...ended up holding just the smart cover with my ipad2 shattered on the floor below. The magnets are very strong, I'm not saying it was entirely the smart cover's fault, but the fall damaged not only the screen, but also bent some of the aluminum on the back, which surprised me. Led me to get a more conventional leather case (Toblino2 on amazon that is highly rated) that seems to be more protective and generally very good, although the lack of a typing alignment is a major drawback.

[mt8thsw9th]

I would take a screenshot, but I'm not at home, however, the new keyboard split layout option is pretty good with iOS 5.

[PBDWake]

I've got an original iPad coming to me this weekend, once a friend gets his new tablet from the office. Two questions...

1) What's the primary reason to jailbreak an iPad? I jailbroke my iPhone mostly for tethering, but the subject is still pretty foreign to me. Don't know a whole lot about it.

2) What do people use for jailbreaking? I saw Blacken mention JailBreakMe

[Blacken]

JailbreakMe is the easiest method I've seen to get Cydia on iOS devices. Go to the website, click the Install button.

[Billy Jo Robidoux]

I upgraded my iPad to iOS5 a few weeks ago. 80% of my iPad usage is for podcasts (the other 20% is porn, but I digress).

Anyway, iOS5 got rid of the "iPod" app and replaced it with a "Music" app, which really sucks for listening to podcasts. Apple took away five or six really handy features for navigating and searching podcasts, as well as a couple other annoying things.

I went to the Apple store over the weekend to complain, and they gave me a brand new iPad with the older OS loaded on it. I was not expecting that.

[jayhoz]

I upgraded my iPad to iOS5 a few weeks ago. 80% of my iPad usage is for podcasts (the other 20% is porn, but I digress).

Anyway, iOS5 got rid of the "iPod" app and replaced it with a "Music" app, which really sucks for listening to podcasts. Apple took away five or six really handy features for navigating and searching podcasts, as well as a couple other annoying things.

I went to the Apple store over the weekend to complain, and they gave me a brand new iPad with the older OS loaded on it. I was not expecting that.

The Genius just wanted your porn stash.

[Billy Jo Robidoux]

Nah, I wiped out all the porn before I went to the store.

The genius actually almost forgot to transfer the SIM card out of my old iPad. I had already left the store and was halfway to the other side of the mall when I heard footsteps running up behind me. The guy was probably 400 pounds, red faced, with massively high blood pressure. He chased me down and almost collapsed by the time he reached me. The dude was huffing and puffing all the way back to the store.

[weeba]

What features have changed from iPod to Music? I haven't noticed anything.

[Billy Jo Robidoux]

The UI is completely different. The progress bar for the current track is much narrower, which makes it tougher to jump from place to place in a podcast. When playing a podcast in the iPod, there is a button at the bottom of the screen to jump back 30 seconds. Apple removed that in the Music app. In the iPod, when you click on a podcast to open the screen that lists all the episodes, at the bottom of the list is a button that says "Get more episodes." This isn't in the Music app. There are a couple other things that I can't remember right now.

[czar]

Move to something like Downcast.

[weeba]

The UI is completely different. The progress bar for the current track is much narrower, which makes it tougher to jump from place to place in a podcast. When playing a podcast in the iPod, there is a button at the bottom of the screen to jump back 30 seconds. Apple removed that in the Music app. In the iPod, when you click on a podcast to open the screen that lists all the episodes, at the bottom of the list is a button that says "Get more episodes." This isn't in the Music app. There are a couple other things that I can't remember right now.

Gotcha. Everything looks the same in the iPhone; I just assumed it carried over to the iPad as well.

[Gorton Fisherman]

I second the recommendation for Downcast. I'd say it's almost a must-have if you're a hardcore podcast listener. It's just a much nicer way to manage, download and listen to podcasts, and it frees you from the burden of having to sync with iTunes to get new content. The playback controls are great, with multiple skip-back and skip-forward options of varying lengths. It's a universal binary, so it runs and looks great on the iPad as well as the iPhone. The app is well-supported and is frequently updated by the developer.

[Billy Jo Robidoux]

Thanks for the heads up on Downcast. I'm going to try it out fo sho.

[Jimy Hendrix]

I second the recommendation for Downcast. I'd say it's almost a must-have if you're a hardcore podcast listener. It's just a much nicer way to manage, download and listen to podcasts, and it frees you from the burden of having to sync with iTunes to get new content. The playback controls are great, with multiple skip-back and skip-forward options of varying lengths. It's a universal binary, so it runs and looks great on the iPad as well as the iPhone. The app is well-supported and is frequently updated by the developer.

I am a massive podcast listener, and the thing that keeps me in iPod/iTunes is that I also listen to a lot of podcasts on my mac, and I really like that to stay synced. Will any of the pod catcher apps properly update my podcasts in iTunes to be marked as listened to after I listen to them?

[czar]

I am a massive podcast listener, and the thing that keeps me in iPod/iTunes is that I also listen to a lot of podcasts on my mac, and I really like that to stay synced. Will any of the pod catcher apps properly update my podcasts in iTunes to be marked as listened to after I listen to them?

Unfortunately, I do not believe that's the case.

I was poking around in the OS a few weeks ago (different reason) and found everything Downcast does is self-contained within the Downcast directory (app). No communication with the official Apple stuff.

Best bet would be some sort of Downcast app for OS X that syncs an XML file in the cloud or something (similar to what Twitter clients like Echofon do for unread tweets).

I have been so happy with Downcast that I haven't looked around at other podcatchers, so it's possible one of them offers the functionality you're looking for and I just don't know it.

[Gorton Fisherman]

Unfortunately Downcast does not sync state with iTunes... It has its own independent system for tracking what episodes have been listened to. Although with the advent of iCloud, I think it might be possible to implement such a feature. Instacast, a competitor to Downcast, has recently added syncing of podcast state info between mutiple iOS devices via iCloud.

[Bongorific]

Considering purchasing an ipad2 for someone as a gift. Obviously it's user dependent, but is 16gb sufficient? She already has an ipod so I don't think she will use it much for music. It's more for surfing and games at home and movies on the road. I have no idea how large some of the apple apps and games are. Will she fill the thing quickly?

Also, what's the best way to watch movies on it for trips? Can we rip a DVD onto a PC and then transfer to the ipad? Or are we stuck renting movies through itunes.

Lastly, she uses an Android phone. However, I still like the ipad more than most of the Android tablets out there. Is it silly to go ipad if that's really the only apple product she'll have outside of her ipod? Is she missing out on too much, whether on ios or android, by not sticking to one os?

[Fisks Of Fury]

Considering purchasing an ipad2 for someone as a gift. Obviously it's user dependent, but is 16gb sufficient? She already has an ipod so I don't think she will use it much for music. It's more for surfing and games at home and movies on the road. I have no idea how large some of the apple apps and games are. Will she fill the thing quickly?

Also, what's the best way to watch movies on it for trips? Can we rip a DVD onto a PC and then transfer to the ipad? Or are we stuck renting movies through itunes.

Lastly, she uses an Android phone. However, I still like the ipad more than most of the Android tablets out there. Is it silly to go ipad if that's really the only apple product she'll have outside of her ipod? Is she missing out on too much, whether on ios or android, by not sticking to one os?

Just my opinion, so your mileage might vary, obviously;

For just apps and browsing, 16GB should be more than sufficient. If you want to have more than a couple movies on there at one time too, you might want to think about bumping it up to 32. It really depends on how much you want to have on the device at one time, and how much time you want to spend swapping stuff off/on to keep it "fresh".

You CAN rip DVDs and pull them onto your iPad directly, and most decent DVD ripping software will provide an option to generate an iPad friendly format. I still buy a lot of movies in their physical formats, (I know, very old school), and if you do the same, most new releases have a Digital Copy "included" in the purchase price. If you do that, the digital copy will actually pull it down from iTunes directly, gratis.

I'm currently using just iOS devices here, having not sprung for an Android yet, but I don't think you're missing out on much of anything by having an iPad and an Android phone. Other than preference, there's no compelling reason to restrict yourself to one platform simply for the sake of doing so. It's not like having an iPhone AND an iPad provides a ton of synergy. Other than iCloud, which isn't really an issue if you're just going to have both devices with you anyway.

Edited by Fisks Of Fury, 23 November 2011 - 10:29 AM.

[mt8thsw9th]

Take this with a grain of salt, but the rumor is Apple will be selling the iPad for ~$50 off on Friday:

http://www.tipb.com/...h-black-friday/

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

Take this with a grain of salt, but the rumor is Apple will be selling the iPad for ~$50 off on Friday:

http://www.tipb.com/...h-black-friday/

Figure that will be in-store only or might they also offer that on-line?

[weeba]

I'm happy with the 16gb. I use it for apps and browsing, and then just load up a few movies if I'm going on a trip. I normally have about 5gb free.

[czar]

Take this with a grain of salt, but the rumor is Apple will be selling the iPad for ~$50 off on Friday:

http://www.tipb.com/...h-black-friday/

No need to take with a grain of salt-- Apple has done this every year for the last 5 or so.

Figure that will be in-store only or might they also offer that on-line?

Yes, the deals will be online.

[Bongorific]

Thanks for the advice folks.

One more question. As I don't own any apple products, I'm really not familiar with ios and itunes. Let's say she purchases a game or app that takes up a lot of space. She then deletes that program before a long trip because she wants to store more movies. Are the settings/scores/etc. saved through itunes so that she could uninstall and reinstall the game without missing a beat?

[CallYaz]

Thanks for the advice folks.

One more question. As I don't own any apple products, I'm really not familiar with ios and itunes. Let's say she purchases a game or app that takes up a lot of space. She then deletes that program before a long trip because she wants to store more movies. Are the settings/scores/etc. saved through itunes so that she could uninstall and reinstall the game without missing a beat?

Yes, Apps (including games) Music and TV Shows can all be downloaded again by the same iTunes account without a charge. I just grabbed a couple of episodes of The Office I purchased on my mac years ago when I was traveling with my iPad, very cool. Think they are trying to also get that with purchased movies.

[iayork]

Let's say she purchases a game or app that takes up a lot of space. She then deletes that program before a long trip because she wants to store more movies. Are the settings/scores/etc. saved through itunes so that she could uninstall and reinstall the game without missing a beat?

Deleting an app deletes all the associated data, so in most cases (perhaps all) she would lose her settings and scores. I think that in theory games could back up scores and settings to iTunes and make them reloadable after reinstalling, but I don't know of any that do that (though I haven't looked hard).

One possible exception might be apps that use Game Center; I think they might be able to store scores that way. My reasoning is mainly that Game Center must be good for something, and I haven't found anything else it's good for yet, so maybe that's it.

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Short of reading this entire thread, what's the consensus on the best screen protector? I'm planning on a mag snap case by incase and probably an apple smart cover in addition if anyone has strong opinions on either.

[NortheasternPJ]

I'm not sure why you would need a screen protector if you have a smart cover. I've had my iPad since the iPad 2 came out and have the smart cover only. Unless you're planning on dragging keys over it or your fingernails can scratch glass I think its a waste. I throw it in my laptop bag everyday with only the smart cover and never had an issue.

[canderson]

Short of reading this entire thread, what's the consensus on the best screen protector? I'm planning on a mag snap case by incase and probably an apple smart cover in addition if anyone has strong opinions on either.

I highly recommend this case. I don't think you'll need a cover but if so the iVisor is the only one ive ever seen that doesn't create bubbles.

[ookami7m]

If you are looking for another way to class up your new iPad that you are gifting someone (or recieved as a gift) check these out: http://engravedipadcovers.com/
(disclaimer I'm affiliated with the site and will make a small amount of money if you were to order one - like $2)

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Word is circulating that the iPad 3 will be hitting shelves in February - retina display, an A6 processor, Thunderbolt, NTC and Siri are the biggest rumored features.

Earlier speculation was a March release - or even later with an "iPad Mini" intervening - but there was an LA Times article written yesterday citing Citi analysts that are saying February is more likely, given the popularity of the Kindle Fire and Apple's desire to recoup that market share and squash their lower priced competition - ie iPad 3 introduced, iPad 2 reduced in price to compete with the Fire and Nook.

Anyone have some reliable blogs they rely on? I was looking to buy one before Christmas, but if it's two months I would wait. I'm planning to head abroad in late February / early March and would want to buy before I go. Input requested and appreciated.

Link to article: http://latimesblogs....alyst-says.html

Edited by Papelbon's Poutine, 10 December 2011 - 02:31 PM.

[derekson]

Appleinsider.com and 9to5mac.com are the best sites I know of for Apple news & rumors. A lot of unsubstantiated rumors show up besides legitimate news though.

Edited by derekson, 10 December 2011 - 02:43 PM.

[canderson]

In the past few weeks, Safari crashes on me quite a lot on my iPad 2. It tends to happen when I'm switching tabs or first zoom in on a new tab. Any ideas to fix this? It's highly annoying and happening more and more. The iPad is about three weeks old andit's iOS is up-to-date.

[GlenMorangie]

Anyone have some reliable blogs they rely on? I was looking to buy one before Christmas, but if it's two months I would wait. I'm planning to head abroad in late February / early March and would want to buy before I go. Input requested and appreciated.

Link to article: http://latimesblogs....alyst-says.html

macrumors.com is pretty good for news and rumors. If you're ever feeling down, the forums are always good for a laugh. A litte more religion there than your typical android/mac fanboy site.

[Zososoxfan]

Just got an iPad and am enjoying it in the first few days. I intend on reading thru the entire thread before asking any other questions, but could someone reco any particular screen protector? I'm considering the Crystal and hd anti glare cover from power support(?). Cost is 30 per cover and I also have no idea if that is a good price. Any advice would be appreciated.

[NortheasternPJ]

Just get the smart cover and be done with it. I'd hate my ipad with a screen protector on it. Unlike an iPhone its not being thrown in my pocket etc. I've had mine since April or so, been in my car, laptop bag etc. not a scratch on the screen with the SmartCover.

That's my opinion.

[billgio]

Just get the smart cover and be done with it. I'd hate my ipad with a screen protector on it. Unlike an iPhone its not being thrown in my pocket etc. I've had mine since April or so, been in my car, laptop bag etc. not a scratch on the screen with the SmartCover.

That's my opinion.

I've had the ipad 1 since Nov 2010 and I do have a couple deep scratches on the screen. I would say get the screen protector.

[Three10toLeft]

I got the iVisor at my local Apple retailer. It's pretty solid, but it does have anti-glare coating so it does slightly blur the display. If you've used an anti-glare screen protector before, you'll know what I am talking about.

If you want one that is completely clear, I'd highly recommend the Steinheil Ultra Crystal screen protector from Amazon.com. I haven't used the iPad one, but I have used them on my iPhone and various other phones that I've had and they are always the best.

One of the perks of the iVisor is that it is easily removable and can be re-applied without any bubbling. So if you did want to take it off for whatever reason, you can easily throw it back on. It actually recommends that you take the cover off once a month and clean it, but I don't think that is completely necessary.

[mt8thsw9th]

I've had the ipad 1 since Nov 2010 and I do have a couple deep scratches on the screen. I would say get the screen protector.

The original iPad doesn't have the Smart Cover. It's more than enough if young children aren't handling it. If you're an adult, you probably should be careful in handling a $600 piece of equipment.

[Dan Murfman]

Okay got an iPad today. Playing around with it and I went to download the 3rd season of Dexter. Says I don't have enough room. Shouldn't there be enough room to do this?

[AlNipper49]

Not with the 16. Download a few episodes at a time...

[NortheasternPJ]

I bought grand theft auto 3 yesterday for the iPad and love it. They did a great job converting it over and even the controls are great.

[Zedia]

Thanks for the tip, getting it now. I've been playing Metalstorm: Wingman quite a bit, which is a lot of fun (and free, with in-play upgrades available).

[Bongorific]

Lady friend and I have been messing around with ipad2 since Christmas. Any recommendations for the best way to narrow down which apps are worth our time? I have a few Apple gift cards and don't mind getting paid apps/games too. The sheer number of apps is overwhelming and there are nearly as many "best apps" lists on the internet. So far I got Angry Birds, Flipboard, and the ESPN one. Can't wait for TWC to allow HBO Go.