minding the gaps » mobile

iPirate – The Bucs Go iPad

Russ Leseberg — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:58:14 +0000

A month before the launch of Apple’s original iPad, I predicted that sports teams would replace their playbooks with the tablet computer, see Countdown to iPad – Playbook (Use Case 18).

Recently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bought iPads for their players to do just that, see Tampa Bay Buccaneers buy each player an iPad to hold playbook, videos.

As further predicted, the Buccaneer coaches and players not only watch plays on the iPads, but if the devices are ever lost, “You’ve got a way to wipe (everything) off with the push of a button,” according to Tampa Bay Bucs Coach, Raheem Morris. ~ quote from tampabay.com article.

iPad: Team Player

In the Countdown to iPad Series (early 2010), I presented possible use cases for the amazing device that had yet to be released into the wild. Now that iPads have been with us for more than a year, it’s interesting to see just how many predictions have come true.

MobileMe & the iDisk Gap (Bridging the gap)

Russ Leseberg — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:58:35 +0000

I am a fan of most Apple products and usually do not hesitate recommending them. MobileMe has been a glaring exception. While I consider the overall value of MobileMe to be well worth the $99 per year, the iDisk service has been slow and buggy. Despite an extended marathon on the Apple Tech Support Line and a myriad of in-store genius attempts, the performance has remained ‘iffy’ at best.

Enter Transmit 4 software by Panic Inc. Add Transmit 4 to iDisk and you more than solve the problem, you blow it away. Combining Transmit 4 and iDisk gives you a glimpse into the flexibility and power of cloud-based storage. So Steve, ehh… Mr. Jobs, how about buying Panic Inc. and making iDisk the cloud storage solution it was born to be. Cloud-based computing is only as good as the bridge you take to get there.

My iPad and I take to the Skies

Russ Leseberg — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 02:30:54 +0000

I fly a lot and it seems as if the space between plane seats narrows a bit more every year. So much so, I gave up using a laptop to get any work done on most flights. When I got my iPad I gained back much of the work time I had lost, but it meant giving up one of my favorite seats, 8A, at least on a CRJ (Canadair Regional Jet).

CRJ 8A - iPad Unfriendly Seating for Right-handers

Row 8 window seats on the CRJ are great because they remove the arm rest toward the exit door giving you an extra 2 inches of width. Width a man of my… ehm… build thoroughly appreciates. Since I hold my iPad with my left hand and navigate with my right, however, 8B is less than thrilled.

Who would have guessed we would be changing airplane seats to accommodate gadgets? Note to self, let travel agent know… 8D is the new 8A.

iPad – It’s just a matter of time

Russ Leseberg — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:02:40 +0000

Last week I was near DC meeting with a customer. After we had finished presenting to our client my colleague commented, “Just 6 months ago you were writing about what the iPad would do for business… who would have believed we would already be using an iPad to show our products and make our presentations”.

He was right, almost 6 months ago to the day I posted Countdown to iPad – Ultimate Sales Kit II (Use Case 25). What a difference a little time makes.

iPad- Changing the World in 80 Days

Russ Leseberg — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:11:18 +0000

Apple’s iPad has been “in the wild” for a mere 80 days, and in that short time it has changed the world of computing forever. Don’t believe me? Just ask some of the other people that have voted with their checkbooks. Apple announced today… “that it sold its three millionth iPad™ yesterday, just 80 days after its introduction in the US. iPad is a revolutionary and magical product that allows users to connect with their apps, content and the Internet in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

So regardless of where you stand on the flash vs HTML5 debate, the netbook vs tablet debate, or the iOS vs Android debate… there is no debating that Apple has yet again changed the technology landscape forever.

iPhone Tip – Check your iPhone 4 upgrade eligibility

Russ Leseberg — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:37:16 +0000

I was in my local Apple Store the other day and learned a neat trick… Want to see if you are eligible to upgrade to the new iPhone 4? All you have to do is type/key in *639# (*NEW#) and hit send/call on your iPhone.

Cool… Turns out I’m eligible for the new iPhone and AT&T will be waiving my $18 upgrade fee. I don’t know if this works on other carriers/countries.

Pic 1. Key in *639# (*NEW#)
Pic 2. Give it a minute
Pic 3. Dismiss the dialog
Pic 2. You get your answer

Bundles of Joy

Russ Leseberg — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 19:17:47 +0000

The twins have finally arrived. Let’s let them rest for a bit. We will fill you in later.

Almost asleep

Countdown to iPad – Ready-Fire-Aim (Use Case 47)

Russ Leseberg — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:00:32 +0000

Ready… on spur of the moment you decide to get away for the weekend. Fire… you pack the car and leave the house without knowing exactly where you’re headed. Aim… all you need now is a destination… all you need is iPad.

While you drive, your co-pilot is free to check weather, hotels, points of interest, traffic reports, etc. … all en route. And iPad not only lets you make reservations and purchase tickets while speeding along, but even guides you into port using on-board GPS.

iPad - Planning on-the-road and on-the-fly.

iPad, the parallel planning tool... soon to be all the rage.

Countdown to iPad Series – There are countless articles and posts citing what the iPad isn’t or won’t be good at. We think they are wrong. Join us as we celebrate the countdown to iPad’s debut by posting a daily iPad use case. Think of the possibilities!

We have many iPad use case scenarios queued up, but could always use more. Please comment and share your iPad ideas below.

Countdown to iPad – Teammate II (Use Case 46)

Russ Leseberg — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:25:13 +0000

In Use Case 12: Countdown to iPad – Teammate, we introduced iPad as the “politically correct meeting tech.” And although iPad can benefit a single team member, when you outfit an entire workgroup it really gets interesting. When everyone follows along on their iPad, you…

…don’t need to wait for a conference room with a projector.

…eliminate the last minute rush/waste of printing and copying handouts.

…don’t turn out the lights for presentations, so no one sleeps.

…don’t have to send out for the one report everyone forgot.

The benefits of iPad meetings don’t stop in the room. Those joining by phone get the same handouts and see the same presentations.

iPad – out-of-the-office no longer means out-of-the-loop.

Getting on the same page

We have many iPad use case scenarios queued up, but could always use more. Please comment and share your iPad ideas below.

Countdown to iPad – iPortal (Use Case 45)

Russ Leseberg — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:00:48 +0000

Three geek cheers for iPortal, aka iPad! The power of Mac OS X, Linux and Windows is coming to the iPad. Through the use of VNC (Virtual Network Computing), iPads will be able to control desktops, laptops and servers.

Companies like MochaSoft already have VNC technology working successfully on the iPhone and iPad Touch… see Mocha VNC. Just think of what they’ll be able to do with iPad’s additional screen real estate. Soon computer guys and gals everywhere will be walking around with iPads in their hands and smiles on their faces.

What? Windows on an iPad?

iPad - portal to a whole new world of computing

We have many iPad use case scenarios queued up, but could always use more. Please comment and share your iPad ideas below.