Pros: Consolidates lots of functions that are really usable.
Cons: Better tutorials needed for some functions
My smartphone (an Android) has most of the functions that the iPad has but it is far from as easy to use. Aside from the fact that the smartphone can make phonecalls and the iPad can't as easily, the iPad2 is great because a) it is fast and has reliable connections with the internet (in a WiFi environment), and b) it has a large screen with excellent resolution (newer IPad is of course has even better resolution). I love the iBooks feature to download books - don't use my laptop for this - it is too inconvenient - or my phone - screen is too small. Downloads are fast, many are free, same size as a book so easy to read. I can read 6 books at a time - I can't carry 6 books around with me very easily. I don't like to have to pay $10-$16 for many books I really want - and then can't give them to a friend or put them on my shelf. If you are interested in college level courses there is an iTunesU app that connects you to a bunch of courses that I love to watch. But you have to be connected to WiFi to use this app unlike the iBooks. Email is fast in every way - downloading, uploading, sending and receiving attachments, multiple accounts. Internet is wonderful as well for many of the same reasons. Thought I would have a problem with virtual keyboard but it is almost same size as my laptop's keyboard. And it appears automatically whenever you need it. I like viewing photos on the iPad, but I still have problems figuring how to download all that I need from my computer and organizing them in groups on the iPad - probably there is a tutorial on this but haven't come across it yet. Music a also good but I have gotten use to my nano iPod for that. IPod and IPad are well integrated however. I've watched only one movie on the iPad but it was a very good experience - renting it for $4 but you only have 24 hours to view it - not good. i'm a musician, and I'm scanning in my music and importing it as PDF's. I can put the iPad on my music stand and play as if it is sheet music - not full size but close and much more convenient than lugging around books. I wish the 3G phone connection were cheaper but I am sticking with free WiFi for now. Haven't figured out how to use FaceTime for video calls - not intuitive for me. Can't figure out how to import my MS Outlook contacts into iPad2. I can read my favorite columnists at the breakfast table just like a magazine or newspaper. You have to figure out how to get these downloads without expensive subscriptions but you usually can. Just learnt how to use MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint on the IPad but haven't yet tried it. Every few day I find new features and new apps to learn and try out.
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