One of the neatest things I have seen so far is the new iPad 2 Smart Cover with keyboard. The cover is soft, and made of either polyurethane or aniline dyed Italian leather. The cover folds up and is bluetooth-connected to the iPad 2.
(I have a penchant for all things Italian, even when I cannot afford them, such as Ferrari, Armani, and of course Italian food, which all of us can afford. Not meaning to compete with anyone on Food Network, I can heartily recommend the red sauce, matricianna, on the pasta at Liberatore's Ristorante. If you ever find yourself near Georgetown Plaza Shopping Center in Eldersburg, you would be foolish not to stop in.
The red sauce is not overcooked, so the sweetness of the tomato (spelled tomatoe if you are English or Dan Quayle) comes through. I just ate there last night and it was wonderful. Cappelini, red sauce, Italian sausage, and a wonderful salad and bread. Forget the Olive Garden. You have not lived until you've eaten at Liberatore's Ristorante in Eldersburg.)
Back to the cover on the iPad 2: The cover attaches to the wonderfully beautiful and ergonomic iPad edge with magnets in the metal hinge. The cover can unfold and turn on the iPad 2 and fold up and turn off the iPad 2. The cover can be folded into a stand.
Some software designed for the cover can be used to study test questions (use the cover to hide the correct answer). Fully unfolding the cover to open the last fold reveals the answer to the question. This instant gratification learning can be very good practice for computerized testing of credentialing examinations (ACAT board, please note).
Apple's new cover has also caused the downfall of many of the companies making money by selling cases for the iPad and iPod. Some of the venders are responding with products that are similar but more useful. AViiQ announced a case that folds around both sides of the iPad 2, protecting the back that is exposed by the Apple folding cover as well as the screen of the iPad 2.
Apple and Steve Jobs seem to have disdain and envy when it comes to competitors providing accessories for the iPad. Apple's point of view is that if there is an iPad 2 accessory that you need, Apple will make it for you. Do not waste your time buying from anyone else. The new folding cover proves this.
One of the un-neatest things that I have seen lately is the iPad 2 itself. What is un-neat about this device is that I just spent $800 last year on the 64MB iPad 1, which will now be known as the iPad vintage. I cannot afford to buy the new iPad 2 right after this purchase. After all, I am an accountant, and cheap when it comes to purchasing anything.
The iPad 2 has a camera, like the iPhone. This accessory is to allow users the access to iPad apps (applications) such as Skype. Skype allows you to make a video phone call (just like Dick Tracy) from your iPad. Even Dick Tracy could not read the text on his 2-way voice and video "iWatch;" guess he needed to upgrade to the iPad.
Just look at the advertisement for the iPad 2 on Apple's website (http://www.apple.com/ipad/). The tag line says "thinner, lighter, faster, and longer lasting 10-hour battery." The iPad 2 is 33 percent thinner. Thinner means lighter.
"When you pick it up, you can't put it down." I wondered if this was due to new iGlue that Apple coated the case with. Apple did not elaborate on why you cannot put the iPad 2 down. The models I looked at did not come with the iGlue feature.
The iPad 2 is twice as fast with the new A5 microprocessor chip. Fast is good. Most of the time the iPad vintage is not slow due to the processor but to the connection speed, which is terrible if you are using the 4G, 4, or 3G network instead of the wireless Wi-Fi connection.
With FaceTime, an Apple app, you can speak to your friends and family as well. The iPad shoots HD video and can function as a video or sound recorder and playback machine with its built-in microphone and speakers. I found that the iPad was ideal to watch personal movies or Netflix movies using the headset without disturbing your mate in bed when you have insomnia.
iOS 5.0 is coming this fall with the iCloud, which should improve performance and utility a bit. The iCloud is built into iOS 5.0 and is "free" with the purchase of the iOS 5.0 upgrade. The iCloud seemlessly stores your videos, text, music, movies, etc. on the world wide web similar to drop box (www.dropbox.com) for your access any time and any place. The iCloud is free if you use 5GB of storage for all your devices, including the iPad, iPod, iPhone, and Dick Tracy's iWatch (if Dick gets it out in time). If you want more than 5.0 GB you will have to pay for it on a subscription basis.
5GB of storage is quite generous for cloud storage. Dropbox and Norton Online Backup give you 2GB for free on their services. If you want to store more on the cloud it costs you a subscription fee.