iPad App Commentary
As I’ve mentioned, I am trying mostly free iPad apps, but I’ve purchased a few. I’m going to do a rundown on what’s on the iPad that I haven’t mentioned and maybe a few comments on things I have mentioned if there’s something new to note.
I’ve removed two apps — both were free. The first was a weather app – Weather Bug Elite for iPad. Not a think wrong with it that I could tell, I just decided I preferred The Weather Channel app. The other app has been removed “for cause.” I wanted a simple calculator, and I didn’t see any reason to pay for it. Calculator XL seemed like it would fit the bill, so I installed it. I was using it while we were doing our taxes. When I did a simple subtraction operation with dollars and cents (decimal to two places, in case there’s any doubt) and got an answer with decimal numbers going off the end of the display, and it continued to do that, I stopped using that calculator, and removed it not only from the iPad but from the App section of iPad, too. I’ve replaced it with PCalc Lite Calculator, also free. It’s a scientific calculator, but it does simple math, too.
I found an electronic copy of the US Constitution. I also installed Dictionary (which includes a Thesaurus). Neither of these programs require a WiFi connection to function.
I picked up School Notes Pro today but haven’t had time to play with it, but it looks interesting. One of nice options is the ability to choose different kinds of paper for your note — lined, graph, legal, or plain. Apparently you can browse the web from inside the program, pinch pictures and pull them in, stuff like that. I looked at a similar program yesterday that was highly rated but cost $9.99.
I’m really enjoying the iShop app. How I’m using it is evolving. Now, I’m creating various lists, adding items to the list. When the item is obtained or completed, I touch it to fill in the checklist. When I’m ready to delete the item, I swipe the right side of the item with my finger to reveal the delete button and press it.
I mentioned my delight that the Things app synced with my Mac Mini version. Recurring tasks will take an upgrade in the desktop version to be able to sync those tasks. There are a few other things that the Cultured Code folks will be adding, but they wanted to get the basic app released when the iPad was released.
I’ve installed the Adobe Ideas app, which seems like it would be similar but not like School Notes Pro. I discovered yesterday that I can load a photo layer. Then I can draw on top of it — kind of like the telestrator sportscasters use. I’m not getting this app, but I think it’s me and not the app.
One thing I’d like to see Apple do is add a text screen to the Settings, About page where I could add “If found, please return to:” information. It’s not unreasonable to expect people will manage to leave iPads in various places. It’s also not unreasonable that people who find them wouldn’t mind returning the item to it’s rightful owner if they knew how to track that person down. Since I got the see-through skin, I wrote my information on a Post-It, stuck it to the back, and returned the skin. It’s not very elegant, but it does given an honest person a chance to do the right thing if I manage to misplace the iPad.