The game changer

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days but I've been too busy playing with my iPad. Not quite the truth but it sure feels that way.  Contrary to popular belief I'm not an early adopter, especially when it comes to gadgets.  But given all the hype and also since I got an iPod Touch (thanks THP folks) for Christmas, I had to get and iPad. My plan was to hold out for the 3G version since based on my Touch experience, the ability to use the device on the fly was critical. (Author's note:  Thanks to my family for getting the iPad for me for my birthday and for being patient with me as I spend quality time with it instead of them). So there are few things I gush about (family, Springsteen, THP, Rutgers…regular readers know all this).  I am now adding my iPad to the list. I will never take a pad of paper to a work meeting again.  This will surprise some who are now asking (as my business partner did today), "why….you never take notes at a meeting anyway?  The ability to take notes and sync them online is killer. I did a presentation over lunch by opening the iPad and showing off some Facebook contests we are doing for clients.  No need to break out the bulky laptop. Checking email in the car.  Easy.  And my eyesight will be saved for at least the next six months. Tweeting while watching you favorite team or show on TV?   No problem,  iPad sits on your lap. Watching the Mets while at daughter's soccer game?  I'll never tell.  (Okay, I'm a bad dad…shoot me). This doesn't include all the games you can play, the ever-growing number of APPs you can add, the books you can read, etc. In most cases, this will replace my laptop for travel and once someone shows me how to do presentations and a more robust word processing function….my laptop will remain anchored to my desk. No, Apple isn't paying me for this and yes it is the game changer. This is the future of mobile.  Marketers gear up for it. If only it came with a phone.