Using iPad for Business

BANGALORE,INDIA: iPad has been one of the most interesting gadgets, that I have played with, in the last few years. I bought it for a specific purpose but soon realised that I could do a lot more with it. Here's my story

While I was keen to buy the iPad, I found a much more compelling reason to pick it up in the same month as it was launched in June 2010. Launch of the first version of the iPad coincided with my visit to US in June 2010. My US itinerary was spread across 6 US cities over a period of 20 days. Internet connectivity throughout the trip was very important to me. I enquired about internet access options with hotels and my friends in the US. I learnt that hotels in the US would charge me, on an average, around $15 a day for unlimited Internet access. That amounts to USD 300 over 20 days. Using iPad for internet access cost me $725 (iPad (16GB 3G) USD700 with a $25 3G connection) but I save $300. Effectively, the iPad cost me only $425.

All my client pitch presentations, in the first 20 days, were on the iPad. After loading my presentations on the iPad I did not use my laptop for presentations. Yes, I had to purchase a VGA adapter ($39) and the Good Reader app ($5) to ensure that I was able to connect to standard VGA projectors or LCDs. The iPad gave me a 40% ROI in the first month of use.

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I saved another $10 in an interesting incident in Chicago. I took a cab from Chicago airport to a client office. I noticed that the driver took a route which was longer than the one shown on Google Maps app on the iPad. On reaching the destination, I asked the driver why he did not take road no. xxxx, it would have been shorter. He apologised and and asked me to pay $10 less. It's not the discounted amount but the confidence with which I was able to talk to him that made me feel happy. It was my first visit to Chicago and I knew nothing of the city. iPad and Spokn turned out to be a killer combo when travelling. Spokn is a VOIP service. With a mere $10 credit, I was able to manage all my calls for the 20 day period. I was easy and economical.

Other applications that gave me joy in the first 20 days were - internet radio, live traffic feeds (when we took a 10 hour road trip to Virginia).

How has the iPad benefited me

• iPad gave me 40% ROI in the first month of use.
• Achieved additional savings in telecom costs while travelling.
• All my client pitch presentations, in the first 20 days, were on the iPad.
• Even now, most coffee table discussions are on the iPad.
• Use iPad for reading news and shared content especially around technology and media research, via Fipboard, Zite and Zinio.

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What I miss:

• Inability to video chat on the iPad 1
• iOS's ability to manage multiple profiles.

How do I use my iPad today:

To read news and shared content, especially around technology and media research. I use Flipboard, Zite (which one of my friend calls 'Flipboard on drugs)' and Zinio. I use it in most coffee table discussions with clients. For local (in-city) meetings I do not carry my laptop for the meetings. Ease of use and the speed with which I can get it up and running are the two key reasons for using it for this.

I find it very convenient to download TED videos or podcasts like TWIT etc. I view them/listen to them on flights or in bed or any other time.

I play games with my kids and friends. Words with Friends and DrawFree are two of my favourites. But have I stopped carrying my laptop? The answer is NO. I may be old school but I feel more in-control when I have my laptop with me, especially when I am creating a new presentation or spreadsheet.

Source: www.pcquest.www.ciol.com