Apps You Didn’t Know You Needed

OK, you have every “must have” that all of the blogs tell you that you need.  Well, I have a few here that you might never have heard of, but I have found them very useful.  I use a Windows Phone, the Nokia Lumia 900 to be exact, but some of these apps are available for Android and iOS.  I’ll let you know, because I’m cool like that.

DalyDose of…iPad – and I’m Underwhelmed

I’m underwhelmed by this iPad thing, especially with all of the hype surrounding it.  It’s no secret that I’m a well documented iPhobe, but I’ve tried to put that aside and be objective here.   I predict that only the most hardcore iSheep will be flocking to this overgrown iPod Touch.  I can see a future for the device and others like it, but it’s not there in the present.

What’s wrong with it?

• No camera.
• No phone calling.
• Another $30/month for unlimited Internet access on top of what you’re paying for your phone and home Internet access.
• That *name*!!! Sounds like something that will revolutionize how women deal with uh…well…you get what I’m saying.
• It’s kinda big to lug around and it will DEFINITELY need a case to protect all of that glass.  You might as well keep using your laptop/netbook.
• It’s too small to get “real” work done, especially with no keyboard.  Again, keep your laptop/netbook.
• New, untested processor that Apple designed in-house.  Why didn’t they use Intel?

What’s good about it?

• The claimed battery life is amazing.
• The multi-touch capability on a device that size might change things…someday.
• This would be great to watch movies with on a plane.
• I imagine there will be some niche applications that will be great;  I can see in-the-field photo editing and possible video work.

I looks like it would be an OUTSTANDING book/magazine reader, albeit an expensive one.  The kindle is monochrome and really only for books.  Something tells me that Amazon might kick it up a notch now though.

Speaking of books: I hope one day kids will just have to carry something like this vs. the backbreaking load of tree carcass that they have to walk around with now.  The only concern is that Apple is notoriously proprietary so I’ll have to root for equal marketshare for Kindle and iPad and Sony and whomever else jumps in, so that there can be a standard file type and users can CHOOSE which device they want to carry around.

What’s the damage?

• 16GB = $499
• 32GB = $599
• 64GB = $699

The Internet access is provided by AT&T exclusively, but the device isn’t locked and there is no contract and can be used with WiFi only.  Here’s what the access will cost you:

• 250MB/month $14.99
• Unlimited Access $29.99

So it appears that I’m in no danger of making my 1st ever Apple purchase.  Although, with some improvements and openness to 3rd party content (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon), I *just* might in the future.