Ipad: A Good Hand-me-down Christmas Re-Gift Idea

As re-gifting is a totally green concept, Steve Jobs would be proud that this year's iPad tops the list of most wanted hand-me-down gifts. When most consider re-gifting Hanukkah and Christmas presents, few consider technology as the atypical re-gift item. However, given the much waited release of the rumored 7-inch iPad 2.0, coupled with a few of the original tablet's shortcomings, it's only practical to pass on the first iPad to neophyte technophiles: warning the recipients of how to prevent iPad water damage, ensure iPad security and other potential glitches.

But before one repackages the slick wrapping that the iPad came clad in, it's a good idea to add a cheat-sheet with the re-gifted iPad. And since, some people are not as savvy with technology as others, the following printable instructions will save a lot time and the obligation of explaining the iPad's inner-workings:

No dropsy, please.

The iPad stands at 9.7 inches (diagonally) and weighs 1.5 lbs. making it highly accident prone. The repair for a broken face or iPad touch screen is a minimum of $200 or a new iPad altogether ($499). So, handle with care.

Don't overcharge.

Overcharging alters the batteries ionization, ultimately leading to device malfunctions. The iPad's battery is known for its staying power (10-hours of uninterrupted performance). Recharge only as needed.

Vulnerable to H20, coffee and all liquids.

IPad has a reputation for being liquid intolerant, as in an aversion to all fluids. Although iPad water damage represents is another method for destroying the iPad, a blogger at iPad Tablet Help created instructions on how to overcome iPad water damage: (1) Power down. 2) Shake water out of the iPad. 3) Run a blow dryer indirectly over the iPad 4) Place in a bag of rice for two days 5) Allow the device to overcome any iPad water damage by not using it for or four to five days.

Single task management.

Although a new or used iPad inspires end users to catch up on news, read email and surf the Internet, multitasking tends to be a challenge. (Online reviews indicate that multi-taskers have been unsatisfied with the first iPad's inability to juggle five-projects in a single bound). However, for students, the unemployed and retired individuals, this should not be a problem. Remember to complete and save each task before opening another application.

Camera shy.

The iPad has incompatibility issues with cameras, in that it does not have the ability to directly upload photos from a camera to the device. Although photos can be synced via iTunes, and then back to the iPad, the process is more cumbersome then streaming it directly from a camera. Fortunately, photos are exchangeable by email.

Practice iPad Security.

AT&T powers iPad's Wi-Fi service. Reports documented by The New York Times, the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration in the Washington Post, indicate that the security issues were derived from AT&T's 3 G Network that iPad uses to access Wi-Fi. These cyber attacks suggest that the wireless behemoth has the potential to compromise end users' iPad security. As a result, it is not advisable to do any personal banking via iPad. In other words, iPad security via AT&T 's 3 G network is too precarious to conduct any financial tasks.

Despite its minor technological inefficiencies, the iPad makes for an outrageous hand-me-down, re-gift Christmas present, legitimizing the donor's need to order the next release of the iPad 2.0.