Getting Started With Your New iPad 3G

May

2010

Derek Walter, iPadNewsDaily Contributor
09:45 AM ET

So you've gotten your hands on an iPad 3G. After marveling at its sleek form factor and amazing screen, the question inevitably arises: Now what?

The following walkthrough will guide a new user through the steps necessary for setting up their iPad 3G, from connecting it to iTunes to using the apps that come preloaded on the device.

Connect to iTunes

Just as with the iPhone/iPod touch, iTunes is essential for downloading software updates and syncing data. In fact, that will be the first step to getting an iPad up and running. The iTunes software will confirm and identify the necessary software for the iPad to begin working.

Next, iTunes will present options for syncing data. If selected, iTunes can automatically sync music, photos and apps every time the iPad connects. iPhone owners will probably want to avoid the app syncing option as iTunes will try to sync every single application from the iPhone to the iPad when connecting to iTunes. The problem with this is that iPhone-only apps look pixilated when blown up on the iPad’s screen. They can be used in their original iPhone size, but it’s a bit awkward manipulating the tiny icons on the larger screen.

3G &Wi-Fi connections

Getting on the Internet is accomplished through either a wireless connection or AT&T’s 3G service.

The 3G model will prompt a user to connect to AT&T’s network. Then it is a matter of filling out credit card information and choosing a plan: either $14.99 for 250MB of data or $29.99 for unlimited. The plan is contract-free and expires 30 days after it is launched.

In order to decide which plan is best, one should think about usage. If the month of data usage will be used mostly for surfing the web, reading eBooks and playing with apps then the lower-tiered plan should be fine. If there is some heavy video or app downloading planned then it would best to go unlimited. Apple promises that if one should one gets too close to the 250MB limit, a notification will offer switching to the unlimited plan.

Key apps

Mail – The iPad’s e-mail app can connect automatically with a Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, AOL, or Microsoft Exchange account fairly easily. The advantage of Exchange is the ability to push email, contacts and calendar events directly to the iPad. If that is a bit too geeky, then any of the other email options should be fine. Most use a technology called IMAP, which keeps the messages you read, delete and archive in sync when viewed later on a computer.

The mail app’s layout has been tweaked to make better use of the larger screen, with a panel on the left offering a view of the inbox and the messages on the right.

Safari – Browsing on the iPad is a great experience due to the very responsive touch screen. Tapping, pinching and swiping works just like on the iPhone. While much of the Apple rhetoric about it being an “intimate” experience is a bit of hyperbole, it is generally more enjoyable to casually browse the Web with an iPad than with the typical laptop. And the larger screen real estate means Safari can perform some functions that on the iPhone would be better served with apps. For example, popular sites like Facebook, CNN, or ESPN function well in the browser thanks to the larger screen size.

By now the debate about Flash has become well known, so no need to go into great detail into it here. A few other sites that have Flash or Java elements don’t always work as they should. So it is worth keeping in mind that browsing on the iPad is closer to a mobile experience than a desktop one.

iTunes – The layout of iTunes makes it very easy to browse through music and video. Given the limited storage on the iPad, though, renting and viewing movies through iTunes is a great way to view content. After 48 hours, the movie rental is deleted from your iPad.

iPod – The iPad is also a full-featured iPod, which means one can listen to music while browsing the Web or working in other apps. Just as with the iPhone or iPod, connect to iTunes on a computer to get music onto your iPad.

Contacts – This app is not as useful on the iPad since most people tend to access their contacts for making a phone call. With Microsoft Exchange support, however, syncing contacts can be quite helpful for keeping e-mail addresses accessible.

Calendar – The interface has been designed to mimic a desktop calendar, though it functions essentially the same as the iPhone version. Adding, editing and deleting events are pretty intuitive.

App Store – The App Store is the iPad's "killer app " because it allows users to give their iPad new abilities by downloading apps built with a single purpose in mind. Frequent checking for new apps and updating current ones should be an essential part of any iPad user’s routine.

Photos – This app has some of the best visual goodies, with the ability to swipe open an album or pinch to close it. The bright, vibrant display makes the iPad a great device for looking at or sharing photos.

Once you've educated yourself on the essentials, you can customize the iPad home screen by holding down an app then moving it to a preferred location. The dock bar can hold up to six apps. The ability to customize and add new apps to your iPad will help make your experience more enjoyable.