Sunday, February 13, 2011

My latest toy

You folks are not going to believe this, after all the soul-searching I did before buying my Nook e-reader.  The thing is, and I tell Cliff to remember this also, once he retires, a lot of this buying fun-but-needless things is going to stop.  
So it was almost Valentine's Day, which Cliff and I largely ignore except for my using it as an excuse to eat at Olive Garden.  The more I surfed and studied, the more I wanted an Ipad.  I began dropping this bomb on my husband in small doses.    
When these gadgets first came out, I recall saying to my daughter, "Why would I need an Ipad?"  
She replied, "You don't."  


Well, you may think you don't want  or "need" one, but don't be surfing too much and window-shopping, or you'll find out different.   
Now I realize that those of you who have fancy phones that surf the Net are used to this type of thing.  We've never needed such phones, nor could we justify the expensive plan that would be required to use them.   
My first reason for wanting an Ipad was that it's a compact way to carry my computer with me.  I've already added all my music and some pictures from my computer.  If we manage to go on some motorcycle trips after Cliff retires, space is at a premium in the little trailer we pull.  The Ipad is, first and foremost, a very compact computer.   
As I studied the situation more, I found out that by buying an Ipad with 3G capabilities, I can get on the Internet, for a fee, any time I want, without signing up for a full-time plan.  Whoa!!!  So when we visit Cliff's sister in St. Louis, I may be locked off their wi-fi, but I can buy some Internet time for $14.  Sweet!  
Don't get me started on the apps.  Discovering all these things about my Ipad, I get the same sensation as when I watch beautiful, extravagant fireworks displays:  Each one is better than the last.  I went to PC Mag's website to get suggestions for the best apps to download.  I didn't load a lot of them; many were games, and I don't need games.  But there are some dandies.  
There's an App for ABC television that lets you watch any of their shows on the Ipad.  News apps from most any local or national TV station.  All sorts of weather apps.  Epicurious gives me recipes; I type in the ingredients I want to use, this app gives me a recipe.      
Now, you ask, what about my Nook?  I find I still prefer it for reading, although I did add it to the Ipad; you never know when Cliff and I might want to read books at the same time.  I also added Kindle.  
My daughter asked yesterday why I hadn't blogged about getting the Ipad.  I don't know, maybe I felt a little guilty at spending so much of Cliff's money on foolishness, although he gave me the go-ahead before we got it.  Or maybe I was so overwhelmed with its greatness I was speechless.  
Whatever.  Now the whole world knows.      

14 comments:

  1. Congrats on your newest toy! I think they are great! No, I don't have one but I do have a Kindle and my laptop and my internet wireless card that lets me travel and be online wherever I go. It's hard to keep up with all that is becoming available to us but you really are doing a great job of it. Enjoy!

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  2. Woo-HOO!!! I bet you do love your new toy! I have to say with my ANdroid phone that I love being able to get on the internet anywhere I go....especially having you guys with me. I can & do check in on Facebook regularly & also on my favorite blogs!

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  3. Alot of my friends have Nooks and Kindles and rave about them. I'm a little old fashioned and I prefer having an actual book to hold in my hands. Heck, I don't even own a cell phone anymore. Guess it's just my way of quietly protesting what I feel are needless and annoying technological advances.

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  4. Congratulations!! My youngest daughter and I got a nook for Christmas, and we really like it, though I still have quite a few regular books I haven't read yet. And there are certain authors that I would always buy in book form. Also, I plan to get a reader's digest subscription for my nook. But I do find myself drawn to the iPad...ha. Enjoy, Sheila

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  5. Well, you've now you've made me jealous. I want an Ipad, but have no use for it. I guess I'll wait to see how I like it when we come up there next time.

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  6. I have a Kindle and a Droid Phone and got it in my crawl to look at IPAD's yesterday. They are very interesting. Still thinking about it. So EXCITED for you. Congratulations on getting one. Keep us posted about what you like or don't like about it.

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  7. I want one too! I would use it as a reader and as a computer. Is it really, really easy?

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  8. I bought my daughter an iPad for Christmas.... she LOVES it... and now has most of her college books on it..... much easier to carry than 40 lbs of textbooks... several medical schools are "giving" their incoming freshman iPads to use..... and, since you already are Mac using it, I'm sure, was a breeze.. I just got an iPhone moving up from a dumb phone to a smart phone.... it's really just a computer which happens to make phone calls.

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  9. yeah, I have to agree--as soon as I saw the things I thought, how cool. to be able to have your computer, reader, phone and camera, all in one instrument, that's pretty darned handy, period, but what with the bike and all, it is perfect for you, huh? Good for you. Enjoy. Clearly you are. I'll let you know when I get mine. (no time soon)

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  10. I hope you enjoy your Ipad, that is something I have never looked at. Helen

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  11. I got the Hubs an Ipad for Christmas but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. I think they are wonderful and you shouldn't feel guilty for getting one!

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  12. This may be a luxury item but I'm sure it is one you will get a lot of use out of. Unlike me who bought all kinds of craft supplies before I retired that are now just taking up space. I'm gradually getting rid of them either on eBay or donating to charities.

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  13. Lindie5:23 PM

    You are amazing. Learning to use all these things! I am still trying to learn to use my Nook. I can buy books and read them but am having difficulty borrowing books from the library. I can't transfer them from my computer to my Nook. I still love regular books but I travel and carrying 6 to 8 books is dumb. Maybe next year I will think about an Ipad or even updating my old cell phone! ;)

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