talking with a guy today he said I should get the cell service one as well because the GPS powered apps will not work well on the wifi only version of the ipad3. You don't need activate the sell service but will help with GPS. c/d?

[Edited on June 13, 2012 at 5:02 AM. Reason : d]

6/13/2012 5:01:47 AM

Alright, so I bought him an iPad 3 16GB wifi yesterday. What are some must have accessories? I as the apple store looking for covers. I don't like the smart cover since it seems thin, flimsy, and only protects the screen.

Any suggestions for something that protects the whole body like a portfolio but not too thick? Thanks!

6/13/2012 11:12:08 AM

I'd let your dad pick what he wants to use to protect it, as you can see from the ipad thread the issue can be contentious.

6/13/2012 11:31:38 AM

ok what brick and mortar store has the most selection? Apple Store? Best Buy?

6/13/2012 11:35:59 AM

^^Obviously you have not looked well enough. The new "smart case" does cover the back, and provies the same functionality as the smart cover up front (power off on case close, magnetic latches, etc.). It's not an Otterbox, but I would not call it flimsy, it should stand up to any household use. As far as it being thin, well that's an advantage.

If you don't mind the extra bulk and want something portfolio-style, then you might as well go ahead and get one with a built-in Bluetooth keyboard.

6/13/2012 11:38:16 AM

Quote :

"I don't like the smart cover since it seems thin, flimsy, and only protects the screen."

they make one now that protects the back too. the smart case, yeah what ^he said.

i, too, would let him pick his case/cover. that can be a pretty personal thing & i know when i tried to help my mom find one that's slim but still tough, doesn't detract from the design of the ipad, or add retarded amounts of bulk...she had completely different ideas. she ended up buying this hideous giant portfolio type thing to put it in. i wouldn't have touched it with a 10' pole. to each, his/her own.

[Edited on June 13, 2012 at 11:39 AM. Reason : beat me to it]

6/13/2012 11:38:33 AM

got the iPad2 equivalent of one of these for somebody, its pretty sweet cause its a physical keyboard as well as acting as a case to at least protect the front/screen side

http://www.zagg.com/accessories/logitech-ipad-3-keyboard-case?gclid=CPaSmruczLACFbFa7AodDxkgZw

looks pretty much identical to the ipad2 one I bought at Costco for like $70

if the ipad2 and ipad3 are the same physical dimensions, i think the ipad2 version would work


[Edited on June 13, 2012 at 6:15 PM. Reason : sounds like what Igor mentioned at the end of his post]

6/13/2012 6:06:58 PM

Check out the CompUSA/TigerDirect store on Capitol Blvd for accessories. They have a pretty good selection with decent prices.

6/13/2012 6:26:40 PM

Ok, so he loves his iPad. YAY. He picked out a folio case too -- InCase Book Jacket Select.
Now I'm trying to learn how to setup his iPad.

How do you do these basic things?
1. calendar -- sync calendar with his email calendar, Facebook events, etc
2. contacts -- sync contacts with his android phone contacts
3. transfer files between Windows PC computers
4. hook the iPad up to a TV
5. can he use his sprint phone as a wifi hotspot to connect to?
6. what does Jailbreak mean/do?
7. what are some must have apps? -- he's asking for file explorer, calculator, book reader

thanks!

[Edited on June 18, 2012 at 11:05 AM. Reason : thanks]

[Edited on June 18, 2012 at 11:06 AM. Reason : thanks]

6/18/2012 11:05:05 AM

Quote :

"he's asking for file explorer, calculator, book reader"

lol

6/18/2012 11:11:37 AM

I've got no clue about most of that stuff. I think the hotspot would depend on your phone (if it works as a wifi hotspot for other stuff it should work on the ipad). But iBooks is fine and attractive as a book reader and there are plenty of perfectly acceptable calculator apps.

If you click on the app store then click on featured apps, there are several "essentials" categories that you didn't even know you needed.

6/18/2012 11:15:15 AM

a lot of those questions are easily answered with http://www.google.com. not trying to be rude, but that would just be a LOT easier.

6/18/2012 11:44:58 AM

Cut the Rope
&
Angry Birds

to keep Alzheimer's at bay

6/18/2012 11:53:09 AM

Not to sound rude either but I know I can use google but I don't have the time to sort through thousands of links, discussion forum topics, and millions of ways to do it. "Google it" can apply to anything asked here on Tech Talk.

But I trust the techies here at our top rated tech university and just wanted the opinions and best recommendations of a collective few.

6/18/2012 12:02:27 PM

you're really taking advantage of the hivemind with such basic questions. it's a bit insulting.

i mean jesus christ. you asked people what STORE you should go to.

6/18/2012 12:11:46 PM

Taking advantage? Then I apologize for not being as tech savvy or research savvy as most of you are. Obviously I was wrong in thinking I could seek help here from my fellow alums.

6/18/2012 12:15:29 PM

There's a big difference between coming here to ask tech questions and googling the answer yourself. At least show you've done some googling to try to answer the questions yourself.

6/18/2012 12:20:58 PM

Doesn't seem to be a direct way to sync fb calendar...have to go through google calendar then use exchange?
Synching contacts have to go through cloud? Transfer files from pc to iPad also through cloud?
Many dongles to attach To TV. Apple HDMI adapter best?
Sprint Phone hotspot only through USB?
Recommended apps are all over the place.

How's that for research? None of these sound easy to do.

6/18/2012 12:37:41 PM

Quote :

"Doesn't seem to be a direct way to sync fb calendar...have to go through google calendar then use exchange?"

Facebook calendar? People use this? Try syncing it with google:

http://www.insidefacebook.com/2009/02/15/how-to-sync-facebook-events-with-google-calendar/

Quote :

"Synching contacts have to go through cloud? Transfer files from pc to iPad also through cloud?"

You shouldn't have to "transfer" any files. Log in using a google account and your contacts will show up, log in with an exchange account and your contacts will show up, etc.

Quote :

"Many dongles to attach To TV. Apple HDMI adapter best?"

Just get the official Apple a/v cable and order a $5 HDMI cable from monoprice. It works great.

Quote :

"Sprint Phone hotspot only through USB?"

You have to give us a little more info here...Android phone? Model?

Quote :

"Recommended apps are all over the place."

Just browse the list of top apps in the app store. If you tell us what you want to do we could recommend some apps.

6/18/2012 12:46:16 PM

3. transfer files between Windows PC computers
What kind of files?

4. hook the iPad up to a TV
Best way is using Airplay, but you'll need an Apple TV

5. can he use his sprint phone as a wifi hotspot to connect to?
Yes, but it usually costs extra unless you use FoxFi/PDA Net

6. what does Jailbreak mean/do?
Makes it much tougher to use and adds functionality he probably wouldn't use

7. what are some must have apps? -- he's asking for file explorer, calculator, book reader
Check the App store, it has must-have apps for every category

6/18/2012 1:22:06 PM

I ask dumb questions like that all the time. Only difference is that I don't get butthurt when I get made fun of. I take my tech-noob medicine...and I like it.

6/18/2012 1:36:14 PM

Quote :

" 4. hook the iPad up to a TV Best way is using Airplay, but you'll need an Apple TV"

I would argue simply plugging in the iPad is "easier" than setting up airplay.

6/18/2012 1:40:18 PM

i didn't know people actually used facebook calendar stuff

6/18/2012 1:40:36 PM

1. calendar -- Wants Facebook events to show up directly on his Calendar app on his iPad without going through/signing up for any intermediary like Google.

2. contacts -- Has Samsung Epic android phone and wants the contacts from his phone to show up on his iPad contacts list, again without going through/signing up for any intermediary service if possible

3. transfer files between Windows PC computers -- Transfer music (mp3), word docs, spreadsheet, pictures from his ThinkPad to his iPad

4. hook the iPad up to a TV -- thanks, i'll get him the Apple HDMI connector. I think it's this thing.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD098ZM/A

5. can he use his sprint phone as a wifi hotspot to connect to? -- Samsung Epic. I think the Epic has some function to act as a hotspot but only attaching computer to it via USB.

6. what does Jailbreak mean/do? -- thanks, I won't touch it for him.

7. what are some must have apps? -- he's asking for file explorer to see what's on his iPad drive, simple easy to use calculator like on his current phone, simple easy to use book reader like I guess what Kindle and Nook are made for?

6/18/2012 1:44:28 PM

Quote :

"Wants Facebook events to show up directly on his Calendar app on his iPad without going through/signing up for any intermediary like Google."

wait for iOS6

6/18/2012 1:47:15 PM

Quote :

"I would argue simply plugging in the iPad is "easier" than setting up airplay."

Set up Airplay, I promise, you'll never plug it in again.

Quote :

"Transfer music (mp3), word docs, spreadsheet, pictures from his ThinkPad to his iPad"

Use the included USB cable

Quote :

"he's asking for file explorer to see what's on his iPad drive"

This is kind of a mindset change, you don't browse for files, you open the app that corresponds to the document you want to open and select it there.

Quote :

"simple easy to use calculator like on his current phone"

There are a billion out there, they all provide pretty much the same functionality.

Quote :

"simple easy to use book reader like I guess what Kindle and Nook are made for?"

iBooks from Apple, it's on the app store.

6/18/2012 2:05:02 PM

Quote :

"Set up Airplay, I promise, you'll never plug it in again."

I don't have nor want an Apple TV. I do have software on my HTPC that lets me use Airplay with my iPad though. It's not bad. I think the a/v adapter + HDMI cable is just more convenient though. Especially when you're traveling and not every TV has an Apple TV hooked up to it...

6/18/2012 2:27:02 PM

Yeah I think there are some file explorers available for the ipad (most probably require jailbreaking though) but you have to ask yourself what you need it for.

You can see the basics in the settings menu, go to general settings and usage and it will tell you how much memory is being used by each app. If it's an app that has its own files (like music/video/book/comic viewers) all those files will be added up to give you the number it shows you but to see the files you'll need to go into the app itself.

You can also see the files in itunes on your computer, under the apps menu in itunes.

6/20/2012 11:27:21 AM