iPad

iPad mini - smaller is better by Josh Li

I initially bought myself an iPad 4, skipping the iPad mini as I deemed it unlikely a good device for my use cases.

Then I played with one in the Apple Store, and my head began to spin.

One really needs to hold the iPad mini to feel how big a difference the thinness and lightness make to usability. I not only enjoy using the iPad mini, but I want to use it everywhere. At work, carrying the iPad mini is like carrying a Moleskine - drastically more convenient.

I initially had three major areas of concern about the iPad mini:

  • Screen size: I thought the screen would be too small to read documents and mark up presentations. I was wrong on both counts. The iPad mini is a better e-reading device (PDFs included), and marking up documents is no problem either.

  • Using the on-screen keyboard to take notes in meetings: I have not experienced a dramatic slow-down in speed or deterioration in accuracy typing on the iPad mini keyboard vs. iPad. In fact, I typed this post entirely on the iPad mini.

  • Lack of retina display: While not ideal, the lack of a retina screen is compensated for by the thinness and lightness of the device. I am sure we will all be blown-away when the retina version does get released, but I am very happy with the current version nonetheless.

Two days ago I returned my iPad 4. The iPad mini is now my main iPad, and I do not expect to go back to the larger form factor any time soon.

iPad apps for business by Josh Li

What apps do you have?

I get asked this question very often at work, because a lot of people struggle with productivity on iOS devices in a Windows-centric office. In fact, when the iPad was introduced in 2010, I bought it without really understanding how it would fit into my life.

If there’s going to be third-category device, it’ll have to be better at these tasks or else it has no reason for being -- Steve Jobs
Two years later, I cannot imagine being productive without my iPad. There are some things that are still better done on a desktop or with pen and paper, but the iPad excels at a couple of things:
  • Reading, editing, and storing PDFs
  • Keeping track of tasks
  • Taking and keeping notes
  • Providing real-time news and market data

Below are apps that I use for the above:

PDF Expert: The most user-friendly PDF reader I have tried. Two things that I love about this app: 1) you can move pages from one document to another; 2) you can add blank pages that can then be annotated.

SecureZIP Reader: Need this to decrypt secured zip files.

OmniFocus: Forecast mode is killer. Syncs across all Apple devices.

iA Writer: The clean interface is great, and the custom keyboard makes the app a lot easier to use in meetings. (Two things make taking notes on an iPad in a meeting acceptable: 1) the iPad lays flat on the table and does not create a barrier between you and other meeting participants; 2) there is no sound when you type on glass.)

Noteshelf: I use this to take quick notes or draft out pages using my Wacom stylus (yes, I use a stylus. Trust me. It makes the iPad a lot more productive for work.)

Evernote: Makes notes searchable, and synchronized across all Apple devices. Offline mode for selected notebooks ensures access even when there is no internet.

Market data apps are self-explanatory, so I won't waste time here.