Is the iPad 2 a toy?

Is the iPad just a big, expensive toy?

I suppose that it could be. However, with hundreds of useful productivity and design apps and new iOS5 features, the iPad 2 is certainly much more than a toy.

There are a lot of games for iOS, but they represent only a fraction of what iDevices can do. The iPhone 4, for instance, is a powerful point-and-click camera in addition to being the best 3G smartphone. There are tools to keep in touch with friends and family, find the best restaurants and the lowest gas prices. Notification Center keeps tasks, weather, stocks and calendars one convenient, downward swipe away from whatever you're doing. And the iPhone 4S? Well, there's an 8 megapixel camera, and most importantly, Siri.

But about the iPad itself, specifically the iPad 2...

The iPad 2 is much more than a "big iPhone."

When the first iPad was announced, I bought the hype — I thought of the iPad as a big iPod touch, nothing more. Of course, everything changed when I actually used one. If you're thinking about buying one (and can afford it), do it. If you're skeptical, try to get to an Apple store to spend a few minutes to test an iPad.

There are features and apps that just wouldn't work well on the smaller screen of the iPhone, even with the retina display. There may be a lot of small pixels on the iPhone 4, but that doesn't just change the size of your fingers. Organization and writing tools are much more natural on the iPad, and there are apps that allow you to draw and write as you could on paper that just aren't practical on a small screen — you'd either have to write/draw smaller, or constantly zoom in/out and scroll. Typing is much nicer and quicker on the iPad, and iOS5 has a new split keyboard feature.

Popplet is a good example of the iPad's wonderful abilities. This organization app, a mind mapping tool, has been around since the first iPad, and I still use it to organize thoughts quickly and to share ideas. Popplet takes advantage of the large screen; you can drop text, images and drawings into the popples (the boxes), resize them, connect them, and move them around, while still seeing the bigger picture. There are mind mapping tools for the iPhone, but I haven't found one as useful. And I do constantly keep an eye out for new apps.

Bringing me to something else, worth mentioning...

You don't need to empty your wallet on apps.

Check out AppShopper, a universal app that keeps track of new and popular apps, as well as your favorites, and notifies you of price changes and updates. I've snagged hundreds of apps, usually in the $1.99-9.99 price range, for free — many of them I wouldn't have known about in time if not for AppShopper. This tool keeps track of the many holiday sales and discounts, so you can get that $4.99 app you've been eyeing for $0.99 when the developers decide to have a special 24 hour sale.

There may be over one million reasons to get an iPad or use it for more than gaming. I could go on for hours about it. I love my iPad 2. But here is what you really need to know: as Steve Jobs said, it's magical. The iPad is revolutionary, and the device can change your life if you let it. (Also, for the disabled/handicapped, the iPad is the greatest computer, ever. Essential.)

This review of sorts may sound like a sales pitch, but it's not... Apple doesn't need my help to sell iPads. I'm sharing, because I've gained so much from this device, the one I'm writing this blog entry from, and I hope to encourage others to give the iPad a chance. I'll try to share more tips, tricks, and reviews... and hopefully, Apple will release Siri for the iPad 2. That'd be a wonderful treat for me. And hey, I'm helping them sell iPads! Apple should do something nice for me.

:-)

ThinkBook app for iPad Review

ThinkBook - Write, Plan, Outline and Take Notes ($4.99) is an iPad app by bitolithic that I’ve recently spent some time using, and I must say, ThinkBook IS AWESOME. I will get into app specifics, but first, I want to comment on the wonderful developer, @bitolithic. Emiliano Molina’s responsiveness, support, and attitude has been exemplary, and he is a developer that should be supported. bitolithic is also responsible for Comic Zeal, a universal comic app with great reviews.

Now, to the meat of the ThinkBook quick review!

ThinkBook has custom keys that are extremely usable; adding notes and navigating the app is a breeze.

ThinkBook is productivity application designed to organize large amounts of information (text) into usable chunks. The beauty of this software is that, by design, it’s as simple or as complex as you’d like it to be. You could use this app to organize classes, schoolwork, research, or your entire life.

If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward to-do list application, this app is probably overkill. It could be used to keep track of tasks, but task management isn’t its main strength. (Information on “Wunderlist” at the end of entry)

However, if you are working on a complex project, ThinkBook is perfect.

From the onset, ThinkBook can seem daunting. The learning curve seems steep. Fortunately, after spending about ten minutes with the app, I realized that it is a lot more intuitive than I’d first thought, and quickly fell into a productive rhythm with the program. Still, I recommend reading the built-in manual — to get the most out of the app. 

ThinkBook has a simple, powerful structure, built around a homepage called “Contents.” This overview page is just like the table of contents in an ebook — from here, you can jump to various pages and books within the app. ThinkBook organizes text on individual pages, and books are simply collections of pages. 

All of your text inside of the application can be found using the search tool on the sidebar. Further, ease of use is provided by a cursor on the righthand side of the screen; this tool allows notes to be moved around freely, and can be used to move entire pages as well.

ThinkBook is only going to get better. I have no doubt that Emiliano will continue to support his apps; bitolithic won’t disappear. Also, if you do end up getting this app, don’t hesitate to give your honest feedback — your concerns or criticisms will only help to make the app better!

You could also let bitolithic know that you read this blog entry ^_^

(For a wonderful FREE task manager, check out Wunderlist — available on all iOS devices, iPhone, iPad, as well as Android, Mac OS X and Windows PC. 6 Wunderkinder GmbH has also released a web app version. Wunderlist stays synced across all devices. Definitely Bradtastic Approved!)

Wunderlist is amazing for all.

I just posted a story that I’ve been working on about Wunderlist at my “disability blog,” Bradtastic Defined. If you want to check it out, it’s here. I wrote specifically about how the app helps me, but it’s useful for you, too.

If you have a Windows or Mac desktop, a web browser, and an iOS or Android handheld, Wunderlist will be your best friend. Or rather, you can use it to share lists with your best friend, and you’ll be best friends, forever! And you’ll have Wunderlist (and me) to thank. (You may send me presents.)

Update on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 7:38 PM by Bradtastic

Unfortunately, I didn’t win. My story was chosen as a runner-up, and the 6Wunderkinder blog says that they’ll send me a t-shirt and some stickers. Joy.

App Review and Efficiency: Breakthrough?

Yesterday afternoon, I had a positive meeting; one filled with revitalizing ideas and confirmations, and I’ve decided to post some things here instead of keeping it private.

iPhone screenshot: Momento [Software — iTunes Apps]

I’ve been testing and reviewing iPhone apps since the App Store’s launch with the intent of sharing my findings. I even thought about adding a new category here — then and again, today. However, for now, I’d like to keep it simple and concise — after all, this post was composed on my iPhone 3GS using the Squarespace application (finishing touches applied at my desktop — as the screenshot shows… I was running toward low-battery). 

My first pick, and a bit about the post.

I downloaded Momento just-barely over one-week ago, and it’s already one of my most-used — and frequented apps. It’s a referral tool, a tracker, and a calendar… or rather, a journal — in condensed form.

I’m rather pleased with this app as my first-pick — Bradtastic Superfluous isn’t going to turn into a “review blog,” much-less one restricted-to, or focused-on, iPhone apps. It’s far-too restricting, limiting my outlet and output, but beyond that and significantly — there are tons of review sites out there. Some of them are even okay!

If you’re looking for iPhone apps on a regular basis…

I recommend following the Twitter trends and iPhone blogs. Better yet, follow the recommendations of people that you trust, or blogs about your industry or interests. Check back here — I will write about what works for me.

Back to Momento.

Momento is a great tool for busy people. Writers, thinkers, researchers, readers… just about anyone can benefit from this app. Additionally, the more time one spends away from the computer — primarily desktops — the more useful this app becomes. As a writer choosing to devote time and energy to pen-and-paper over keyboard and screen, much of my output isn’t searchable — at least not in the functional, tech-way — databased, tagged, indexed and hyperlinked.

Momento brilliantly indexes and displays what I’ve decided to call my “dynamic quickies;” despite what the perverse might think. (I don’t actually use that term… I just made it up) Basically, I can display my Twitter feed; my personal posts, separate from everyone else’s crap and clutter. Twitter users should have a separate app for their favorites anyway — why double-up and duplicate — there’s no reason to have two apps for one category. Beyond the feeds, Momento has a simplistic, clean interface designed for adding short entries. For those so-inclined, photos can be added as well. (I use Evernote for that, but I’ll get into that separately… Evernote certainly deserves its own review. Many exist out there already; if you aren’t using Evernote during your daily ritual, you should look into it.)

Momento’s “something special,” usable… about tagging.

If Momento just displayed external feeds (from Facebook, Last.fm, Twitter, etc) and allowed for additional entries, it wouldn’t be that special. I’m sure I’d still like it; it’s attractive, well-designed with clever artwork and graphics, but it’d lack a key element: usability. The added special ingredient: tags. And not just Plain Jane, one-dimensional, single-facet tagging; Momento offers sub-categories: tagging people, places, events, and whatever else you can think of as “extras.”

This app could’ve just been something cute and somewhat-clever; a place to dump thoughts and record daily on-goings, but tags makes the information usable. I can refer back to my entries… mostly, because I can find them. Not everything that I write is going to be relevant all of the time — some of it won’t ever be critically valuable — but I don’t want to be presented with every thought I’ve ever had when I’m trying to find just one. It doesn’t even matter how much time I have to search — it’s not pleasant. If I happen to be pressed… I’ll develop a headache. Apps should not add stress.

Bottom Line: 9 of 10.

If you don’t use your computer regularly — for whatever reasons — you should seriously consider this app. If you don’t have an iPhone… as Gordon Ramsay might say, “you’re mad.” However, seriously think about what your daily processes are before committing to a new system of any kind. Don’t use this app (or any) just because I use it — or because someone special uses it. Don’t waste your time; as a 21st-century human, time is valuable and finite — you probably won’t have forever.

Youth is fleeting and important; with so much to get done in twenty-four hour days and 168 hour weeks, maximizing your peek-efficiency and minimizing lulls is crucial. Simplifying your tools eliminates waste and makes for a life with fewer moving-parts — fewer points of failure. Consider each addition critically; positive or negative, every extra thing that you do is a complication.

While success certainly requires some intricacy, finesse is often more about what isn’t done, isn’t needed.

Coherence is order.

I hope this helped — more to come. If you do start using this app, please comment… let me know what you think.

Timeless

I have a lot of work to do this week — and likely next week, as well. I’m enjoying the slow, rhythmic, methodical process of writing-longhand in my Canteo Classeur notebook… I’m also enjoying skag-sniping in Borderlands with Mordecai “The Hunter.” (Got XBOX 360? Message me, let’s play sometime! Rainfault) 

Next week, Forza 3 and DJ Hero. Next month: Modern Warfare 2.

This holiday season is going to be great for gamers. What else does this mean? I’ll have a lot of sub-$100 items on my wishlist.

I’m working on my next topics — and Bradtastic Premier — but because I don’t have a full site-sponsor yet, Superfluous is on the back-burner. These side-projects take second-seat to my other stuff. Soon I should have another design commission, however… that should be fun!

Meanwhile, if you have questions about getting your online-assets in order, task management, or design, please email me! 37signals’ products are wonderful, but they aren’t automatic breakthroughs. That I can help with.

Also, if you’ve checked out Jumpchart and are considering using it, let me know.

Hope to hear from you!

Action Writing (a quick post), and Canteo

Canteo A5 Notebook.I’ve been working hard (through a lot of pain, too) to create a great — and great looking — blog and website.

I really hope that you’re liking the results. So far, I’ve received a lot of positive feedback — I appreciate all of it — it lets me know that I’m headed in the right direction.

Many ink-lovers were pleased to see my work back up; I hope that they like my new style, and I hope that my work inspires some ink comments (handwritten, however you want to!) and new inkbloggers and Tablet PC contributors. Technology is enabling and exciting — changing the world… and we get to decide if that’s for better or worse.

I’ve been working on new artwork and designs… I’ve created a few marketing pieces and I’m currently working with several people to turn ideas into actions.

The results of my work can be seen here, along with some of my inspirations. Over the next few days, I’ll add books, materials and products to this site with my Amazon Associates ID. If you’re planning on buying something from Amazon anyway, please help this site stay afloat and keep the content coming by giving me some credit. Hopefully, I can pay it forward — hopefully, you think I’m worth it.

Design needs a designer.

If you’re looking to get a product marketed or a project off of the ground, let me know. I might be able to personally help — I can certainly point you in the right direction. If you’re looking for graphic design or typography, look no further.

If you’re looking to jump-start a project on your own, you may want to try BackpackIT by 37signals or the more creativity-focussed Action Method by Behance. I’ve used Backpack for several years now, and I actively use Action Method paper products… both are great for organization… both can be free, and have very reasonably priced paid upgrades.

Writing offline — paper, paper!

Today I received two packages in the mail: one from Canada containing Canteo Classeur notebooks (Swiss made — more photos at my “gallery”) and a Rhodia webnotebook, the other from Behance’s Creatives Outfitter containing an assortment of Action Method offline GTD organization tools. No more Moleskine notebooks for me; I’ve found reasonably-priced alternatives superior to Moleskine in every-way, and I can’t hardly wait to share my findings. I’m likely going to review all of these… most particularly, the Canteo notebooks — extremely difficult to find, previously unavailable in the US.

---

The excitement has just begun. For the past few years, I’ve tried to create things — do things — that help people. I’ve struggled through some difficult things and found happiness in words, the art of communication. I hope that these posts can inspire and inform. In addition to writing about paper products and GTD tools, I’m going to interview a hypnotist and therapists to discuss serious issues in hopes that I can offer solid advice and help to those in-need.

Superfloo Anew, Logo Design Two!

©2009 Bradtastic™ Brad Chin. Please don’t steal art — it’s not a victimless crime.

Slowly but surely, it’s getting there.

I’ve been working with my newly-reformatted Tablet PC for several days now, but I’ve been sketching designs, doodles and graphics since my knee-high-to-duck days. “Superfloo” is a relatively new idea; I’ve been thinking about a logo since the beginning, but until recently, my plan was to create it in Adobe Illustrator, 100% vector.

Threw that idea aside, this is the result — or “version two,” anyway. I’m not easily sated — the design still needs work… I’ll likely create a few more logos, using symbols instead of the full-title.

Ink for the win: attention, received!

A few days ago, I emailed Sumocat (the “Father of Inkblogging”) about my plight — inkblogging inability. Reformatting my Tablet took away the older version of Live Writer, so I replaced it with Live Writer 2009.

Mark (Sumocat) is like Ink’s Superman — able to save the day and bring hope to Metropolis. Through him, I was able to get the older Live Writer install, and with that, I was able to fix inkblogging. Here at Superfluous, I’ve demonstrated the result — two ink posts — and more to come!

If you like it, please leave a note and tell your friends about it — inkblogging needs more fans and contributors!

Something inspirational, soon to arrive!

You might’ve seen my announcements — like this one — within days from now, I will receive Behance Action Method “offline” paper products, a Rhodia webnotebook, and most important, Canteo A5 notebooks!

I’m particularly thrilled because originally, I was expecting that the Canteo and Rhodia products — from Nota Bene — would take two weeks (or longer) to arrive. Fortunately, I took a moment to email them. I’d mentioned my intent to review the Canteo notebooks and share my findings, and conveyed my earnest excitement because — amongst many other things — Canteo can replace Moleskine for me.

Atop that… Canteo isn’t easy to find.

Their website doesn’t list a US distributor… I got lucky finding Canteo at Nota Bene. It wasn’t the first time that I’d been to their website, but this is my first order. I’d been told about their site by a pen collector I’d met at Montblanc because of another paper-product that they stock — Whitelines. I’m always looking for a great notebook — I need them, and my students need them.

The excitement isn’t stopping.

Thanks again for taking time to read/look at my website. Over the past several days, the number of unique visitors to my site has surged. This is a good sign! Moreover, this blog is fun… I enjoy posting here. The process of writing here has brought me discoveries — I’m grateful — and I intend to continue this upward spiral.

Inasmuch as this blog has thus far been the ultimate blogging thrill-ride, this site — I hope — may contribute to the success of my other endeavors.

This hypothetical boon is vital; being semi-crippled has countless draw-and-setbacks, and although kind words — insofar as they aid — and the luxurious fantasy of living solely off of Wishlist gifts is conceptually romantic and splendorous (as well as sugar-sweet), I still need food, have bills to pay, medicine to take and doctors to visit…

Fortunately, I’m having a blast; writing furiously, designing, illustrating, sketching and doodling again. I’m sure someone out there needs a new logo or graphics for something… or perhaps a new slogan, website text or brochure — you might even know someone. They’re probably worthy.

Come back soon! New ink and artwork on the way.

Who knows (not I), perchance something entirely unexpected makes an appearance here — gasp — a serious article about real, important things?! A totally edge-of-your-seat moment approaches… maybe!