Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Why I love my iPad...

Current work: Venice book (I did do some admin yesterday so am not a complete slacker…)
Listening to: Def Leppard
Reading: Lindsey Davis, Alexandria (finished and enjoyed hugely)

  • It’s incredibly fast - switch it on and go, just like my PDA, except I don't have to mess about with a stylus to type or get impatient because the PDA screen is slow to recognise my handwriting.
  • The onscreen keyboard is OK for notes, but the keyboard dock makes it act like a desktop. And it's comfortable.
  • I can work anywhere I like and am no longer tied to my desk (e.g. I can keep an eye on something in the kitchen and work at the same time instead of fretting that I need to feed my family but I also need to get on with the book).
  • I can plot a book on Infinotes by typing each plot point on a different note, colour code it depending on the story strand, and then zoom out and see at a glance whether it's balanced or whether I need to move scenes about (that's fab for a planner like me).
  • I can write the actual book on it (though I still have issues with file management and the lack of wordcount in the Pages app – there’s no excuse for this as Word Mobile can do more).
  • I can have a playlist for the book as I'm working, to help set the mood (e.g. for this book there will be a lot of cello music)
  • My research photographs are all sorted at the touch of a finger. (And my "gorgeous men" file is there for inspiration - Antonio Banderas, Richard Armitage - and my husband, of course!)
  • I can reward myself for working hard with games of Boggle or Peggle
  • I can research what I want on the net, including Google Maps with streetview so I can double-check things not local to me, and apps such as the Star Walk so I can see what the stars would be like anywhere in the world at any given time
  • I can read books on it (well, when I've bought some - cough, where is the category romance section, then, iBooks? Tut, tut - get your act together because romance is the biggest market in fiction)
  • It's light, it's fast, it's functional and it's fun.

In all – it's the best bit of kit I’ve ever bought. I am SO pleased with it. (And if anyone knows any really cool apps – iPod and iPhone apps also work on the iPad – do let me know so I can go and investigate!)

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Don't temp me - sounds divine!!!! Want one - NOW except it doesn't seem to write the book for you....

lx

Lesley Cookman said...

Both sons want one, but I'm wondering if it would be worth it for me. I've got the big old G5 Mac in the office and my nice little white MacBook for wafting around with - even on hols in Turkey. Convince me!

Michela said...

So glad that you're enjoying your iPad! It sounds fantastic and really useful and funny too!

P.S. No, I haven't a blog or a website, but soon I'll send you a photo of my desk since I haven't recent ones at the moment.
M xxx

Anonymous said...

I'm convinced - now I want one - lol!

Lacey Devlin said...

It does sound fabulous!

Kate Hardy said...

Liz - come and play with it at the conf!

Mmm, you do have to put fingers to - well, screen :o)

Kate Hardy said...

Lesley - convince you? I take it you're at the conf. Come and grab me and I'll let it convince you :o)

Kate Hardy said...

Michela - it's wonderful. And it's a shame you don't have a blog/website - really easy to set one up and you could showcase your artwork... :o)

Kate Hardy said...

Kathy - it's FAB! I thought it would be overhyped, but it's not. At all.

Kate Hardy said...

Lacey - it is. And I'm going to change my handbags so it can travel with me in style :o)

(Daughter says I need a new Radley one. We've been looking on the website and spied a particularly gorgeous one. DH might kill me.)