| Author | Message | ||
     Des (Des) Username: Des Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 81.131.175.228 |
I know nothing about such things. I've no idea what I want really. I just want to buy a mobile device, not really for voice-chatting or texting, for using the internet when I'm out and about, and on holiday etc. I'd be grateful just for some pointers so that I don't look wholly silly when I walk into a shop. | ||
| Des (Des) Username: Des Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 81.131.175.228 |
...not really for voice-chatting or texting, *but* for using the internet when I'm out and about, and on holiday etc. | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 129.11.76.230 |
try this one, Des. Its screen is a bit bigger than some, but it's hard to mislay: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__Cp_pRazUII/TS1ZOWnOW5I/AAAAAAAAA_I/jHIPibXIK2M/s1600/ dom-792655.jpg | ||
| Lincoln (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.176.156.91 |
 | ||
| Lincoln (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.176.156.91 |
Des, the ipad is very user friendly. A good place to start for comparisons, at least. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.182.24.155 |
I agree with Lincoln - my iPad sees a lot of use. | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 129.11.76.230 |
Easy to hold with one hand, too. Right, Mick? | ||
| Des (Des) Username: Des Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 81.131.175.228 |
That's very useful thanks (particularly, Gary!)  Actually, I've just been in a shop looking at blackberries, iphones etc. All too complicated for me. With an ipad - does it just depend on wifi hotspots? Will I be able to use it when in my Mother's flat (sheltered elderly property) for example etc? What's the differennce between an Ipad and an ipod? | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.66.23.11 |
about 50 quid | ||
| Lincoln (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 124.176.156.91 |
ipod plays music, ipad is like a mobile pc. About A4 paper size, touch screen. Best to check with your local supplier re. connectivity. Maybe Mick can help with that? | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 217.156.210.82 |
50 quid? try 500 quid... iPods retail at about 100 notes; iPads are something like 600 (for the old version). | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.66.23.11 |
down the pub off the dodgy geezers Anyway, I always think Ipads just look like oversized i-phones that you can't even make a phone call on (and I think I-phones are shit as phones in any case - Every time I've borrowed one to make a call the reception has been shockingly bad compared with my own cheap crappy phones) | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.182.24.155 |
Easy to hold with one hand, too. Right, Mick? I use a bracket so I have both hands free... | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.182.24.155 |
Des - all iPads come with wifi, but you would need to ensure you have one that also has 3g, so you can use it pretty much anywhere (although the actual connectivity will cost extra). The cheapest iPad with 3g is £499. I use one of these 3g cards:- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Broadband-Ready-Preloaded-Data/dp/B004B71ZH0/re f=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311366300&sr=8-1 which last for three months or three gigabytes of data, whichever is used up the sooner. If you're just surfing you'll not use 3 gb in three months. If you have broadband at home you can use it there on your own wifi. Find an Apple store and have a look, or find someone locally with one. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.182.24.155 |
I think this is Des's way of getting hold of an ebook reader without anyone noticing!  | ||
| Des (Des) Username: Des Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 81.131.175.228 |
Thanks, Mickand Lincoln. Very useful. Can you use an ipad as an ereader, then? | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.179.56.49 |
Yep - there's a free Kindle app for it, and lots of free books too, such as everything by M R James, J Sheridan Le Fanu and many more. | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.66.23.11 |
But Ipads have a backlit screen so you can't read off them in bright light... | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.59.115.60 |
But Ipads have a backlit screen so you can't read off them in bright light... Des lives in the UK though - there're never any bright lights here. To be honest, though, I've not noticed a problem, certainly not in a brightly lit room, as the iPad adjusts its brightness to cope. | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.66.23.11 |
IMHO they're just another pointless gizmo. Something with no purpose but to show the owners have more money than sense. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.179.56.49 |
I wouldn't say they're pointless; rather that they're unnecessary. There are lots of unnecessary things that are still fun to use, if you decide to buy one. No-one forces anyone to buy one. Mine's used as a control to listen to music on the hifi, and also as tablet computer to save walking up two flights of stairs to check emails, this board and such. Unnecessary, yes. Pointless, no. | ||
| Carolinec (Carolinec) Username: Carolinec Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 92.232.199.129 |
I'm no expert on these kind of things (in fact, I'm grateful for this thread as it's helped me understand what an i-pad is for!), but wouldn't a wi-fi enabled laptop be just the kind of thing Des needs? If all you need it for, Des, is to use it to access the internet when out and about, I'd have thought that would have been fine. I may be wrong though ... I have a laptop which I use as an ordinary PC as it's all plugged in on my desk, but I haven't a clue how to do the wi-fi stuff. Would love to know how to do that if anyone can enlighten me here too? (not intending to highjack your thread though, Des) | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.179.56.49 |
Trouble is ensuring you have available wifi when out and about - yes, some places such as cafes may have free wifi, but you won't find it in a lot of places and a cellular data setup would give better coverage. | ||
| Carolinec (Carolinec) Username: Carolinec Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 92.232.199.129 |
Er .. OK .. what's a cellular data setup? And how come you know all these technical things, Mick - you're older than I am?! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.179.56.49 |
I'm only three weeks older, Caroline!  Basically the same as a cellphone connection but for information rather than speech. Oh, and I've worked in telecoms all my life! Mind you, even if I hadn't I'd probably still be aware of such stuff, as I'm a bit of a techie by nature anyway. | ||
| Carolinec (Carolinec) Username: Carolinec Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 92.232.199.129 |
I thought you were three YEARS older than me!!  Right, so if I wanted to get this cellular data setup thingy, would I need to go into a computer shop or a mobile phone shop? Sorry to ask seemingly daft questions but I haven't a clue about these kinds of things. Oh and I assume Des will need to know the same kind of thing too - or does an iPad work without one of these cellular thingies? | ||
| Des (Des) Username: Des Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 81.131.175.211 |
I've just got an ipad. Still in its box! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.183.126.98 |
Good show, Des! Caroline; sorry, I didn't see you'd posted a question months ago. If you have wifi at home then you don't necessarily need a cellular singnal, but if you don't, or you plan on using it outdoors a lot, then yes, it would need one, otherwise you're not realising its full potential. | ||
| Des (Des) Username: Des Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 81.131.175.211 |
Mick, I've got it recognising my BT Hub. I've also got Orange 3G connection for 'outside' use. Do you know how it knows to use the BT Hub (when within range) rather than the Orange 3G (there is a limit of usage on the Orange.)? | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.183.126.98 |
Des - sorry, I don't, although I guess it would make sense to automate such a thing. If you want to be doubly sure, though, when you're using it at home, go to "settings" then "mobile data" and switch off the data connection. That way you'll be sure it only uses wifi at home. As you're with BT it would make good sense to check if you're opted into BT Fon, which is free, and this would also allow you to use wifi where available when you're out and about too. | ||
| Des (Des) Username: Des Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 81.131.175.211 |
Thanks, Mick. That's very helpful. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.183.126.98 |
You're welcome, Des. And don't forget the free Kindle app for your ebooks! | ||
| Des (Des) Username: Des Registered: 09-2010 Posted From: 86.155.24.14 |
Mick, I've just bought a Kindle book for my ipad: STATE OF EMERGENCY - THE WAY WE WERE: BRITAIN 1970-74 by Dominic Sandbrook | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.183.126.98 |
Good man - let us know how you get on with it. The iPad's heavier than most books so that may cause a bit of discomfort, depending on how you hold/prop the device whilst reading. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.126.164.88 |
Here, Des - now that you're all hooked up with your iPad and all - someone just shared this with me - but I need a guinea pig to tell me if it's even worth my time.... http://youtu.be/25vL7Hxj8i0 | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 2.24.10.188 |
Why did the pirate go to the Apple Store? To get an iPatch. | ||
| Craig (Craig) Username: Craig Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.126.164.88 |
...iYaiYai... |