But a friend of mine had to show me iA Writer for the Mac. I admit, this is the most sexy wordprocessor I’ve seen so far. I mostly do my notes in TextMate, just because I like the Mono-Font which makes doing some quick tables pretty fast. He told me there’s a pretty cheap iPad version, too. Hmm iPad? For writing stuff? Nee…

A few minutes later I saw myself spending 79¢ for this iA Writer for the iPad. I thought “Ok, well – I’ve some unused Apple Bluetooth keyboard laying around – why not use them for a funny test ride?”. So I connected one of those spare keyboards and – wow. I’m impressed. Possibly it’s some days ago since I last wrote something positive about Apple and their stuff, but the integration of the BT keyboard into the iPad is awesome! Seriously! Of course, have a great stand for the iPad is mandatory I luckily have (since last christmas) and TwelveSouth Compass and so it’s great to type thing here in the kitchen without having a MacBook running.

I even agree to the iA principles: Concentration! I’m not disturbed by chats and can fully concentrate on writing. To type this post, I’ve just downloaded the (free) WordPress app. Super-quick-review: nice, but linking is very bad implemented. When I start typing the a href tag in HTML a box pops up… annoying. Maybe I can switch this off somewhere

Experiencing this, I hardly wonder if especially the keyboard-switch between different languages will find it’s way into Lion. Simply pressing CMD+space on the keyboard and space again let me switch between the keyboards I’ve configured in my iPad (German & Japanese Romanji). VERY GOOD! Also, the Eject key pops up the keyboard – funny! Of course, also brightness, Rewind, Play/Pause, Forward and the Mute, Increase & Decrease volume works fine. Fancy thing I’ve noticed yesterday: When locking the iPad and pressing Play/Pause on the keyboard the previously started YouTube video resumes. Very handy.

Looks like sometimes I need a bit longer (1 year ) to adopt something than others. Oh – and I still have the “Original” iPad – there’s no need to update to a newer version in my mind. Maybe with version 3. Who knows.

Have a great Sunday!

10€? I rarely use it out of the house, mostly just use it to catch up with RSS feeds via Reeder or some late eMails in the afternoon. So why did I spend 10€/month for that? Right! Makes no sense.

A missing option is to say (with a switch on the iPad): Pause it. I don’t use it and I will come back to you, O2, when I need your services. It is possible, but you need to communicate with them via eMail which can take up to 2 days before you get a response. Not very handy.

So I was looking for another option. The O2 reseller (or daughter company – no idea) FONIC has a nice plan: 2.50€ per day. But you don’t pay every day! You can simply use this flat when you’re on the road and you’re done. I’ve spend approx. 80€ on the O2 data plan over the last few months and used just a bunch of MBs, because I haven’t used my iPad on the road. FONIC had cost me 7,50€ for 3x being on the road in the last 8 months. That’s a difference and the way to go for me.

I ordered the MicroSIM card for less than 10€ with one day free starter package and kicked the O2 card out of the iPad. Of course, I had to send a quit notice to O2 to not have to pay 10€ automatically anymore.

BUT BE CAREFUL!
I forgot to set this option in the first minute, so my first free day was used with 100kb yesterday Oops!

Go to the “Preferences” -> “Cellular Data” and hit the “Cellular Data” switch to OFF. This way, no push data will be send via 3G or Edge and you don’t create additional costs.

Of course, you will have to switch it on when you want to use the mobile data network

Yesterday, we finally had the chance to touch an iPad the first time at the new Gravis store in Essen (Germany). When it was introduced I thought: Hmm… nice, but is it really worth 499$ (or here in Germany 499€!)?

With more and more reports and videos that I’ve read and seen in the last few weeks since it came out officially in the US and now also in Europe, I was really warming up for this device, though – I haven’t ordered one from the Apple store. I wanted to buy it on my own, but that’s another story.

By having the chance to test it in a quiet atmosphere, I found some painpoints that hinders me from getting one (not mentioning that you have simply no chance to get one until July).

For example: It’s really heavy. If you see it, you don’t think it’s that heavy. Sure, compared to a good reference book, it’s a lightweight, but that wouldn’t be my main function for this which drives me to the result that I simply don’t need it: checking websites. You can check websites also on the iPad simulator with the same effect and you could be sure if it works or not.

I’m having my MacBook around pretty often and it’s very comfortable to work with. Sure, playing videos makes it hot easily, but I don’t see the reason to spend 499€ for this device as I don’t see a real usage for myself in it. It’s hyped, that’s it. If you’ve read some of my last articles or my old blog, you know, that I enjoy to use Apple products since software is mostly better designer and more intuitive compared to their Windows competitors, but I also try not to react “Fanboy”-like. Apple does a lot mistakes in my mind when it comes to politics, but that’s not what I want to discuss here. Just to highlight: At the moment, Microsoft is more congenial than Apple – they are opening more and more stuff to OpenSource which is a step into the right direction and letting me do more with Windows 7 than I could ever do on my Mac (for example: customize it). With one leg, I’m already back in bed with Windows :/ Now: Complain! Just as an argument why: Outlook. I haven’t tried Entourage yet, but Outlook for Windows is in my mind THE BEST eMail & Collaboration software in the world – shout at me, but in my mind it is (if it’s connected to a great working Exchange Server).

I wouldn’t say that I would never get an iPad for me or my wife. I also can’t see the future through a glass bowl and I’ll try to keep my mind open.

Another issue I run into is the cellphone. Not “THE”, but mine. I’m happily using my iPhone 2G for 3 1/2 years now, but I would love to make the next step and get a 3G connection when I’m out of my office. iPhone 4G/HD – whatever, will be 100% sold by T-Mobile in Germany and you can’t select another provider. I guess there’s nearly no chance to get an unlocked one unless you’ll get one from Belgium or Italy. No big deal, because Bruxelles is just 200km from here, but… I don’t know. Having the iPhone was nice and so, but again: mixed with Exchange it’s nice, but also you can’t use all the stuff that Exchange provides. Call it: Tasks for example.

So, I’ve also taken a deeper look onto unlocked cellphones on the market and let me say one thing: It’s horrible! The only GUI that is nice enough is Android, and guess what: you can’t upgrade it as easy as an iPhone to a new software version. Why? Well, because the companies like HTC and Co want to sell phones! New version of Android called “Froyo”? Yes, but the best chance to get it to buy a new phone. In some ways I miss the old times. I was a happy user of my SonyEricsson K600i – it simply worked, could do some videos and photos, play some MP3s and that’s it. Sure, eMail and Web was horrible, but in the past it doesn’t matter that much. As resumé – I will see what will come at the WWDC tomorrow and then I will take my time (and give Apple time to ship it to the local stores) and then choose if I want to get one or not. My iPhone 2G is phone and would be perfect if it wouldn’t miss the 3G Maybe I should get an iPhone 3GS when the 4G comes out

Now I’ve written a lot and need to change the title from “Hmm… iPad” to a better fitting title yey…

Have a great day!

Ciao
Dennis