10 Uses for Your New iPad

The hype for the iPad is unprecedented, with sales of over 120,000 units on the first day of availability. Steve Jobs is attempting to rewrite the way we think... again. However, unlike the iPod, there doesn't seem to be a clear idea of what you can do with this magical device. It isn't just an MP3 player or even just an internet browser. It isn't just for watching movies or just playing games. The iPad can do all of those fine but the question remains: What can you use the iPad for?

Here is a list of ten uses you probably haven't thought of. The iPad will free your imagination and release you from conventional computing. While these ten uses are great, there will be tons more uses that become available as apps are made especially for the device.

1) Digital photo frame - Yes the joke will be "why spend $500 on a digital photo frame when I can get one for $50"? That statement is very true if you weren't going to buy an iPad but my suggestion is to buy a $5 "L" shaped photo frame and then go into iPhoto and set up a slideshow to run continuously. Of course you don't want this to be the main function but when you plug it in to charge it, the iPad becomes a nice place to see your pictures scrolling by when not in use.

2) Kitchen computer - Get rid of your recipe books! Or at least get an app and transfer them to the iPad. www.foodnetwork and other sites are just a click away while you cook. Making a lengthy meal? Throw some music in to pass the time. Create a grocery list of what you need. Find out the closest Whole Foods. The iPad has the functionality to make the kitchen your most organized place in the house.

3) Portable movie player - Going on a long trip? The iPad will be perfect for the kiddos. Ford just recently announced that its 2011 models will have a WiFi option. But if your car doesn't have WiFi then just make sure you spring for the extra 3G connectivity. The nice thing about this option is that you don't have to subscribe to a plan. All you have to do is pay the monthly fee for the trip time and you have a ton of movies available... or YouTube... or whatever the kids need to keep them occupied.

4) eReader - One of the main reasons the iPad came out was to take some of the eReader market. Cancel your subscription to your local newspaper and enjoy your news on this wonderful reader. Just buy the paper for coupons? No problem, save your money and print them out from online at one of the many coupon sites. Not only do you get the news from several reputable sources (CNN, USA Today, New York Times) but it's all free!

Having hardbound books is nice but can consume a lot of space. Now you can purchase your books electronically and store them on the iPad with a virtual library app. Imagine the beginnings of living a paperless life at home. That reality is coming closer and is more affordable than ever.

5) Thin Client computers on a multi-media network - Whew! That is a mouthful but the possibility is amazing. Buy an iPad for every person in your family ($2,000 for a family of four) and then spring for a network connected storage device (around $500) and you have a very versatile multi-media entertainment system. Sure there is the big TV but what happens when the kids don't agree or Dad wants to watch the hockey game?

A simple set up and a little maintenance will allow anyone in your house to listen to whatever music you have in iTunes, watch any movie from your library, read any book or newspaper, surf the web, play games... All at the same time without stepping on each other's toes. For the price of a high-end computer you can have 4 thin clients and a storage device feeding them. And as they say in the MasterCard commercials the peace of mind is "priceless"

6) House remote - That's right a remote for your house. Buying a few special plugin's for your electrical outlets in your house and downloading an app will allow you to do all kinds of fancy things like turn on the lights or turn them off if you are away from home. You can also download an app that will allow you to remote into your computer from anywhere in the house or from anywhere that has WiFi.

7) Gaming machine - Sure it's not Xbox or Playstation but the game apps are getting better and better as time passes. The ability to buy any game available at any moment is enticing. The touch screen can actually become the control pad now that the screen is bigger than the iPhone. There are sure to be a slew of new games available for the iPad that will take advantage of better graphics, faster processor, and more possibilities. The price is a little more than an average system but you most likely won't be buying the iPad strictly for gaming.

8) Personal trainer - It's a stretch (no pun intended...) but you can download a ton of fitness apps and be well on your way to 100 pushups and 200 sit-ups in no time. iFitness is a great app that allows you to watch short clips on how to properly do exercises. You even got the iTunes built-in to pump up the volume! Again not a primary use but a very cool secondary use. Track your performance and even share with your Facebook friends if you dare...

9) Financial Planner - Get the app for mint.com to go with your free membership and you can track your expenses and allocate money where it is needed. Download an app for your bank (a lot are available and then open an IRA, transfer money, pay bills. Get an app to watch your stocks. Use the mortgage calculator app to decide if you need to refinance. Use the iPad as your portal to the financial world.

10) Fun device - OK? What do I mean by this? Try downloading the lava lamp app or maybe the Glow Stick App. Download a drum app and play the drums, or even a guitar. Get a fish tank app and set up the iPad on a shelf. Pop bubbles in the bubble wrap app. Flash a light saber. The thing is you can utilize this iPad for several fun things at once; your imagination is the limit.

I'm not saying that anyone of these 10 things will have you screaming out the door to the nearest apple store to place an order for the iPad but what I am saying is this device is capable of so much more than a laptop or an iPhone, more functional than a BlackBerry and cooler than an iMac. The purpose of this thing is to provide you with a blank tablet and let you run with it. Some are definitely going to argue about Apple controlling the app store and hardware specks but in the end now two iPads will be alike.

For years people have been clamoring for Apple to release a cheaper Mac, well here it is and it just happens to be the most versatile Mac ever. If you prefer to stay in the world of Windows and wait for them to catch up yet again, so be it. However, if you are willing to spend your hard earned dough on Steve Jobs latest invention then be sure you get your money's worth and maybe use an idea from this article. Better yet, write an article yourself and share your ideas!