GOT YOUR IPAD YET? Or are you waiting to learn more about the device’s functionality for a writer. While on the market for only a week, there is already some good news for wavering writers, though one must cough up a bit more money for some applications and even hardware.
Among the first items to consider is an external keyboard. For US$69, one can buy either a wireless keyboard or a keyboard dock.
There are already a number of applications writers will want to explore:
- GoodReader [US$1.00]: Capable as a PDF reader. I understand that with some tweaking this application can open Microsoft Word.
- QuickOffice [US$10.00]: While the version for the iPhone does not work well on the iPad, an iPad-specific version will reportedly be availabe sometime this summer.
- Of course, already receiving acclaim are the Apple office applications with iPad-specific versions — Pages, Keynote and Numbers — all costing US$10.00 each. These apps were among the top five downloads over the past week
- Being a musician myself, I’m intrigued by three iPad applications that are getting good reviews; Nota [$8], Pianist Pro [$10] and Tab Toolkit [$10].
Have any of you readers tried out any of these apps? Or, more interesting, have you found other iPad applications that will be useful to writers? Please share with us. Zamantha has rounded up some articles citing additional applications — see below.
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- Does the iPad need Microsoft Office to succeed? (macworld.com)
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- Steve Jobs: 450,000 iPads Sold, 3.5 Million Apps Downloaded (mashable.com)
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Comment by
Gary Carson
10 Apr 2010
The Ipad’s just another over-hyped, disposable electronic gadget of no particular value to a serious writer. If you really have to have a portable writing device and you can’t get by with a notebook and a fountain pen, buy an Alphasmart Neo ($200), but there are even better ways to go. Assuming you already have a good laptop or desktop computer, you’d be better off investing in Dragon Naturally Speaking, a decent noise-canceling headset microphone and a professional-grade voice recorder like the Philips 9600 or Olympus DS-5000. Start dictating. Your productivity will go through the roof.
Gary Carson´s last blog ..Another Lost City Discovered In Mexico
Comment by
Tom Colvin
10 Apr 2010
Gary, while I don’t dismiss the iPad as quickly as you do, I certainly endorse your alternatives.
I love my Alpha NEO. I once used it during a week-long voyage on a Philippie banca through the waters travelled by the Galleons — 7 days without reliable electric power.. No other device, due to battery limitations, would have allowed me to take such extensive notes for research for a book I’m working on. More often I use it for reflective writing when I go to the beach or a park.
I recently bought Dragon Naturally Speaking, but have to admit I’ve not yet installed it.
BTW, I find your blog on ancient history to be absolutely fascinating. Decades ago I taught ancient history to 9th graders, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Comment by
Gary Carson
10 Apr 2010
Thanks.
I didn’t mean to blast the Ipad in particular (OK, yes I did), but I’ve always been cynical about the value of computers and word processors for writers–at least when it comes to basic composition. Word processors are great EDITING tools, for instance, but when it comes to composition, you can get just as much done with a manual typewriter or writing longhand with a fountain pen. Dictation’s still the best for raw production IMO.
Having said all that, I’ve got to admit that I own two laptops and use them all the time. Go figure. Anyway, I checked out some of the reviews of the Ipad and it looks like it would be a nightmare to try to do any extended writing on that touch screen. Like you said, you’d probably have to get an external keyboard, but if you’re going to do that, why not just get a laptop?
Whatever works, though.
Comment by
AP
15 Apr 2010
I have a question for Gary Carson. Are you old school because of your age or simply using notebooks or legal pads is your style? I certainly don’t want to have to do work twice! I prefer a computer any day of the week and twice on Sunday! I tested the ipad and I’m holding out for Microsoft’s Courier or HP’s tablet pc. So many people say that the ipad is not meant for content producers (I blog). I somewhat agree with them since there are so many distractions on the ipad. When I write, I simply want to focus on writing. Writing on the ipad is like driving a Ferrari slow when you know the car can do so much more!
To each his or her know. I too am a fan of Dragon Naturally Speaking.
In the end, it depends on the type of writing you intend to do. In the blogging world where pace and frequency are important, investing in a device with easy to use word processing features is a plus!
On second thought, doesn’t the ipad have a wordpress app?
Comment by
Duane Gundrum
16 Apr 2010
While I’m still keeping my eye on the development of the iPad, I’m just not convinced it’s ready for me yet. I bought an iPhone when it was released, and I’m really happy with that, but as a writer, I have to have something that is massively convenient for me, and so far, I’m not sure it breaks the barrier that makes it feel more useful than a pad of paper and a pen right now. There are too many little factors that need to be configured first, like wireless/3G and other such attributes, as I can’t see myself paying for a service that seems less than what it should be right now.
Duane Gundrum´s last blog ..The First Rule of Teaching and Writing: Have a Lesson or a Story to Tell
Comment by
Tom Colvin
16 Apr 2010
Duane, I’m holding out my e-reader purchase until I see more of the forthcoming competitors. Currently, I’m most intrigued with what I read about the WePad.
Visited your blog and enjoyed your posts — nice blend of story-telling and commentary.
By the way, do you REALLY read Kindle books on your smartphone? How do you find the experience?
Comment by
Tom Colvin
16 Apr 2010
AP, from your comments I’d think you would love the Alphasmart NEO as a portable device for writing. I love mine.
Comment by
Duane Gundrum
16 Apr 2010
Yes, I do read Kindle books on my iPhone. At first, I thought it would be difficult to do, but to be honest, it’s not that bad. In the beginning, I had a bit of a loading problem, but it hasn’t been a problem since. I mainly did it because I wanted to read King’s Under the Dome, and I really didn’t want to lug that huge book around with me, even though I already bought it in hardback.
And thank you for your comments about my blog. I’m still working at getting it where I want it to be. As soon as I relaunch the Stickman section (my comic strip), I think I’ll have it where I want it to be.
Duane Gundrum´s last blog ..The First Rule of Teaching and Writing: Have a Lesson or a Story to Tell
Comment by
Gary Carson
18 Apr 2010
I’m not really old school. I use computers all the time and I used to make my living as a programmer and systems administrator. I don’t write that much in longhand anymore and I still do a lot of my work on the computer, but I’m trying to make the transition into dictating all of my first drafts. I’m dictating this right now, for instance. (I still suck at it–had to do a lot of editing the old-fashioned way after I got finished).
Computers have their uses, but they’re over-rated when it comes to actual composition. Writers have been brainwashed into thinking they have to work on word processors to be productive, but that’s not true at all. Elmore Leonard, for instance, writes all his books in longhand on yellow legal pads and he’s a thousand times more productive than most writers using computers.
It’s just a matter of what works. Personally, though, I think it’s nuts to spend $500 on an Ipad so you can write on the move when it’s so much easier and cheaper to just use a notebook, voice recorder or something like the Alphasmart Neo. The Neo, for instance, is a fantastically robust dedicated writing device with no distractions that will run for a year on a couple of regular batteries and it only costs around $200. For $500, you could also buy the best professional-grade digital voice recorder available for voice recognition right now–the Olympus DS-5000.
I don’t know. I guess I just like minimalism and functionality. And look at how expensive these electronic gadgets are with their battery replacements and printing costs and external media and all the rest of it. And how long do they last? I’ve got an Olympia SM-9 manual typewriter that’s over fifty years old and still works perfectly, but the average computer has a lifetime of what? Two or three years?
Gary Carson´s last blog ..Ancient Greek Temples
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Comment by
Robert JA Basilio Jr.
19 Apr 2010
I agree with Gary, Tom. And I say that as a loyal user of the Alphasmart Dana — the Palm-OS-driven device of the Alphasmart product range. It hasn’t failed me yet — no lost data. One minor disadvantage though is that the device sometimes turns on by itself during transport, leading to battery discharge. But as a writing gadget, it is dependable, light, and has excellent power management features. Mine is even enabled for wireless email via my Gmail.
Robert in Quezon City, Philippines
Comment by
Chet
19 Apr 2010
Here’s another shout-out for the AlphaSmart Neo, all the way from Malaysia!
I was very excited when I first saw the iPad’s on-screen keyboard. It reminded me of the AlphaSmart Neo! Now, I’m very excited that there’ll be competitive products coming out later this year. I’d prefer a Windows machine because all of my must-use programmes are Win-based, with no equivalent in either Mac or Linux.
I’m hoping that one, or more, of these coming Win slate PCs will work with my Neo as the plugged-in keyboard. That way, when I travel (which I do at least once a year), I will be able to bring along my Neo for my journalling, and then attach it to the slate PC when I need a full-blown computer for my online work.
Comment by
Liz Whelan
19 Apr 2010
I currently use Pages on my iPad to write and I love it. Once you get used to the process it is easy to move documents back and forth between it and another software (I use Scrivener when writing at home). Could I use Pages on the iPad to write an entire book? No. And there are plenty of features I wish Pages had (like the ability to tab, a “control” key – but these would be solved if you used the external keyboard). But overall I am very happy with it. If you are looking for a device that serves as an e-reader, word processor, and allows you to do easy internet research, the iPad is great. And it is incredibly light, which was actually the main selling point for me.
Comment by
Tom Colvin
19 Apr 2010
Thanks everyone for tossing in your thoughts. Stimulating discussion. I’m please also to see a couple of comments from fellow residents in Asia — I’ve been living in Manila for 25 years.
Robert, I checked out your Jack the Scribbler site — and I find your sense of humor to be delightful. Good to see that a newsman can keep his perspective.
Chet, what an interesting idea: the Alphasmart NEO as a keyboard for the iPad. I hadn’t thought of that. Hope it works!
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19 Apr 2010
[...] tossing in your thoughts. Stimulating discussion. I'm please also to see a couple of comments …”Tom Colvin on iPad for Writers“I currently use Pages on my iPad to write and I love it. Once you get used to [...]
Comment by
Chet
19 Apr 2010
Tom – I doubt the iPad will work with the Neo. In any case, as I mentioned in my earlier comment, I’m interested in one of the Win-based slate PCs that should be coming out later this year. Not the iPad.
Comment by
Tom Colvin
19 Apr 2010
Like you, Chet, I’m waiting for a Windows tablet. I’m particularly intrigued by the German designed WePad, but have my eye on a few others as well.