Home opinion-and-analysis Fuzzy Logic Nine cool things I love about the Apple iPad

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Number 4 on the list is the new iPad's amazing screen. Yes, I know, trillions of amazing things have been written about this screen, but honestly, it makes a real difference, so much so that my MacBook Pro's screen looks fuzzy, making me hope that Retina-class displays are coming for the new 2012 Macs - even if we might have to wait until 2013 or beyond for that to become a reality.

Number 5 on the list is the new Personal Hotspot feature. Sadly, this feature still isn't available in Australia from the telcos, even though Apple has blessed the new iPad with this feature.

However, as others have discovered online, it is possible to 'sideload' a new carrier profile into the iPad - without jailbreaking - and through this method I have been able to very, very happily share what is usually a very fast DC-HSDPA connection to my other devices, when required.

Australian telcos will, they say, be releasing this feature, so it's one that many more new iPad owners will be able to enjoy sometime this year.

Number 6 on the list is the new iPad's faster 3G modem. Whether it's HSPA+ or DC-HSDPA that you're connecting with, it's definitely faster than previous iPads, and as long as you're with a telco that can deliver fast 3G wireless speeds, you really do notice the difference.

Number 7 on the list is the rich accessory eco-system. It's always fun to check out the latest iPad accessories, from covers and cases to external keyboards, Wi-Fi hard drives, Bluetooth headsets, capacitive styluses and more.

Sure, many of these accessories will work with other devices, but they're often branded as being iPhone or iPad compatible first and foremost, and in the case of casings and screen protectors, no other electronics range is as well looked after as that from Apple.

New accessories arrive thick and fast too, right down to super-thin iPad keyboards from companies like Logitech, which even use the magnetic attachments to clip the keyboard to the iPad like a smart cover. Great stuff!

Number 8 is the consistent UI. From being able to 'tap' where the time is on the iPad to automatically 'scroll' to the top of the page, through to the button-free interface that lets the iPad be anything, through to the consistency between the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad, the UI has been an 'everything-else-killer' since day one, and despite all the sweets from Google's Androids, the iUI is still the one to beat.

The 'UI' also includes all the little sounds the iPad makes, which followed on from the iPhone. Sounds when you turn the iPad off, or slide to unlock. Sounds that indicate an email has been sent. Sounds that are now more customisable than ever.

There's even the ability to flick the , and the . keys on the iPad "upwards", where you're rewarded with either a quote or a double quote character. No need to press and then slowly drag up, just flick the keys "up" and the quote or double quote appears. Try it for yourself if you didn't already know about it.

Concluded on page three, please read on!

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Alex Zaharov-Reutt

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One of Australia’s best-known technology journalists and consumer tech experts, Alex has appeared in his capacity as technology expert on all of Australia’s free-to-air and pay TV networks, including stints as presenter of Ch 10’s Internet Bright Ideas, Ch 7’s Room for Improvement and tech expert on Ch 9’s Today Show, among many other news and current affairs programs.

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