mip's scan

GoToMeeting on my iPad

This is the stuff dreams are made of, for real! 

I've been carrying my iPad around all week, in some instances, not bringing a laptop with me at all.  I've been trying to see how far I can push the envelope.  I'll have a detailed post in a day or so with regard to how the iPad is fitting into my set of work tools.  

Moments ago, however, I got an invite to participate in a GoToMeeting call.  My day was "officially over" and I've stepped out to take my daughter to an evening class, when I got the call 'Can you jump on a quick review call?'.  Gulp.  I hadn't planned on this when I headed out and obviously I'd left my laptop behind, but I did have my iPad.  I quickly searched, feeling it was a long shot....would there be a GoToMeeting app?

Yes!

I've been a long time GoToMeeting user (I'll save that for another post on another day) and so I was so pleased to see that one of my favorite online collaborating/meeting tools is indeed available for the iPad.  I used the app to effortless join the meeting.  I was able to listen via a headset and participate via the built-in mic.  It worked so well that I caught myself grinning like a fool from ear to ear.  

It is apps like this that really start to drive home the potential value for the larger sized device, the iPad, over its smaller cousin, the iPhone.  You can really only start to discover these uses by carrying the tech around and seeing how it performs.  

Very pleased indeed!

PS - I've written this post using the iPad here at the offsite location I find myself at!  Another bonus in an already great day!

Initial Thoughts After Using My iPad

Well I got my iPad early yesterday morning and I've been using it now for the past 24 hours.  I've had several client meetings yesterday and had the opportunity to start putting the iPad through it's paces.  I will of course provide a more detailed review in a week's time - I don't think you can accurately comment on this device without really using it over a period of time.  The unit I got was the 64 GB WiFi unit; still not available in Canada but I had it brought up from the US.

I've capture a little video of myself below where I talk about a few initial observations.  Already I can tell you that this device will indeed change the consumption of content.  While I was conducting a GoToMeeting working session where the participants in the meeting where viewing my screen, I was referencing other documents off of my iPad.  I've got DropBox already installed and that basically gives me access to all my documents.  I was able to open a number of PDFs and Excel documents right on my iPad without the need to interrupt what I was viewing/sharing on my laptop.  It was an absolute joy to use.  What struck me the most about the iPad, besides the sheer elegance of the device itself, is how it seems to fade away while you are using it.  When looking at web pages, it really feels like you are holding that page and not some device showing you that page.  I felt the same way while viewing PDF documents.  The display and the feel of the device all make the consumption of content the front-and-centre aspect of what you are doing.  

In short, after a full day of use, I can say that the iPad doesn't replace the laptop or the iPhone, but it does indeed augment them.  People who rail against the iPad as not being up to the task of replacing a laptop have missed the point.  It is a unique device that fills a need that has been unanswered for some time.  I look forward to continuing to use my iPad and sharing my further thoughts on it as a business tool and a personal tool.