iPads on the Job
I’m the recent proud owner of an iPad2. I’ve had my iPod for a couple of years and it never left my side. I loved the interface and it soon become more than just a pretty music player (which it why I got initially).
I used it to check my social media streams, send emails and tweets and browse Huffington Post or the Globe and Mail. My decision to purchase an iPad was driven by the need to have something that I could use when meeting clients.
Showing websites and walking clients through various social media platforms is a breeze on the iPad. It’s easy to pass around so that each person can have the experience of navigating their way through the various applications. With an HDME cable, it can also be plugged into a projector for presentations.
I’m finding it very helpful (it’s seductive interface and Apple cache also makes for some interesting conversation ice breakers).
Does it replace a laptop? No.
They’re different products with different applications.
The iPad is primarily a content consumption device whereas the laptop is your “office in a bag”.
While there are many apps that simulate the experience of working on a laptop i.e. Blogsy.(for writing blog posts), Noteshelf (great notebook, thanks to Mitch Joel for recommending on recent podcast) and Documents2Go (doc processor), that work in a pinch, they aren’t conducive to hours of content writing or numbers crunching.
I’m presently researching the way iPad is used in the workplace; particularly in the service and hospitality area. I’ve read about and can certainly see the benefits of a digital “concierge” and there are apps that hotels can create that replicate the information cards you find in your rooms that give you numbers for housecleaning, front desk, room service etc.
We have a company that creates such apps here in Montréal: mConcierge.
The following video can be found on the Apple site. It’s a testimonial from Hyatt Regency – How the iPad is changing the hotel business.
What are ways you could use an iPad in your business?
About Ray Hiltz
Ray Hiltz is a Social Media Strategist with management roots in restaurant, hotel and performing arts. A strong proponent for the power of collaborative communication and "humanized" digital networking, Ray writes about social media, social business and Google Plus. His clients include hotels, restaurants, consulting firms, entrepreneurs, writers and individuals just trying to make sense of "social". Ray is a popular speaker on Social Media, Social Business and Google+.
