Are you afraid of using your ipad on the subway or bus?

[Mac-converted]

If you look like an easy target, then you should be worried. That's life!


If you are worried about using it, then you probably shouldn't use it!

 

[melman101]

Also, I bought a Worth Ave Group insurance policy which covers accidental damage and theft, so I'm even less worried . It's always good to have that extra piece of mind

 

[phpmaven]

yes, that's why i keep it in a moleskin type case so no one knows its an ipad I am reading.

A lot of people have had their iPads grabbed while waiting on the platform

Wow, who would be able to see past that incredible disguise?
That's almost as good as keeping your wallet in the toe of your shoe when you go to the beach. Foils thieves every time.

 

[antster94]

I used mine on the bus a few times, wasn't afraid, just didn't want to look like a pretentious knob so put it away.

 

[colmaclean]

I used mine on the bus a few times, wasn't afraid, just didn't want to look like a pretentious knob so put it away.

At least you're still happy looking like a pretentious knob in private.

 

[itsmemuffins]

The last time someone tried to snatch my iPad, they wore it as a neck tie.

 

[blevins321]

I pulled mine out on a plane last week and it was the envy of everyone lol. Eventually it was getting passed around the flight to everyone. Didn't need to worry about theft because really, where would they run? The flight attendant even passed it up to the captain through the food door into the cockpit. Kinda fancy according to him

 

[SPEEDwithJJ]

I pulled mine out on a plane last week and it was the envy of everyone lol. Eventually it was getting passed around the flight to everyone. Didn't need to worry about theft because really, where would they run? The flight attendant even passed it up to the captain through the food door into the cockpit. Kinda fancy according to him

Forgive me for being rude & ignorant, but what does all the people on the same airplane as you got to do with your iPad that it has to be passed around?!?!?

 

[blevins321]

Forgive me for being rude & ignorant, but what does all the people on the same airplane as you got to do with your iPad that it has to be passed around?!?!?

Lol. I was sitting there watching Kevin James (funny as balls) with my headphones and a soccer mom in the row next to me asked what it was. I let her see it and the person behind me noticed. None of them had ever seen one in person before (ipad 1 or 2). Eventually it made it through the rows. The plane was small; only 24 people including the pilot/attendant.

 

[ani23]

I have the smart cover on mine and haven't decided on a case yet. so heres what i use in the interim to carry around. works great and looks like a bunch of boring documents. its does invite some stares when i pull an ipad out though.

 

[Night Spring]

I've used the iPad 1 (and now 2) on the subways almost from day one, and never had any problems. Of course, I only use it when I have a seat, and I'm riding for a significant distance -- say, more than five stops.

 

[jonbones]

i took mine out in public for the first time today... started reading the news (read: comic books) while waiting for the L train and decided to just put it away because i had two bags with me to keep track of.

once summer hits and i get my portenzo case, i think it'll be sweet just carrying it around on subways in a clean tee.

 

[Sydde]

Also, I bought a Worth Ave Group insurance policy which covers accidental damage and theft, so I'm even less worried . It's always good to have that extra piece of mind

"So sorry that you failed to realize that the adjective applies to both terms: we only cover accidental theft."

 

[jonhcox]

Too risky. It's a sad thing about our society but also think of the value. Stealing someones wallet you get maybe $20 to $40 in small bills and credit cards that are blocked within minutes of the mugging.

To make a livable income the mugger would have to risk stealing at least 15-20 wallets a week! That's a few muggings a day. Increases the odds something goes wrong, plus spending a lot of time finding victims at the right locations and times.

With an iPad, its a $500 to $700 device that can easily fetch it's full retail value or damn near it on craigslist or eBay. Steal on 64Gb 3G model and you got your money for the whole week! And now that everyone has one and uses them on trains and buses (especially people sitting by an exit) you basically have 80% of the job already done for you.

If I was a mugger, I'd be stupid not to target iPads or iPhones. That is why as a commuter, I never take out such devices unless I have to. If I'm listening to my iPhone I have it in my pocket with just the headphones out. Not easy to snatch, compard to someone sitting a few seats down playing angry birds on their iPad!

Remember, in the wild, you dont have to outrun the tiger to survive, you just have to outrun the guy next to you. Be smart.

Using your iDevice actively means you aren't paying attention to your surroundings (even if you like to think youd notice something while using it you really wont) and it makes you an easy and high value target.

Smart advice and true words. I didn't take my iPad on our Blue Line simply because everyone looks at it. By that, I mean if you are on your cell phone or iPad surfing- someone behind you is probably watching. It's not their fault- it's hard not to when you are squished together on the morning commute. That said, record your serial numbers. If your iDevice gets stolen the police dept will ask for the serial numbers. Then they can trace the item if it shows up. Once it has been stolen they are already looking to unload it.

 

[duncanapple]

Smart advice and true words. I didn't take my iPad on our Blue Line simply because everyone looks at it. By that, I mean if you are on your cell phone or iPad surfing- someone behind you is probably watching. It's not their fault- it's hard not to when you are squished together on the morning commute. That said, record your serial numbers. If your iDevice gets stolen the police dept will ask for the serial numbers. Then they can trace the item if it shows up. Once it has been stolen they are already looking to unload it.

Not that its not a good idea to jot them down, but you can look up serial numbers in itunes on the computer you sync/backup to. At least for the iphone you can - I am sure the ipad is the same way. Its also on the box if your the sort of person who hangs on to those (I am )

 

[tpavur]

Hearing how scared everyone is to carry something that they own is very sad... if I had this logic I would have never bought a house, cars, anything else... this is why I carry a pistol every day of my life, I'll be damned if I buy something and be to scared to use it. I'm not about to be bullied as a grown man, I would die for ten cents in my pocket let alone anything else I own.

In the event you are questioning that this would be illegal to use a gun over an iPad, think about this... someone comes up and tells me to give them my **** I respond with no and lift the right side of my shirt to show I'm the wrong M***** *********, one of two things will happen; either they will take off or they will assault me, at which point game on baby.

the only thing I keep out of sight is my Glock 19 until i need to show it.

 

[EdwardMoffet]

I'm hesitant to right now because holding one in public is like holding a brick of gold since they're so hard to come by. Besides that I don't have a case for it yet (it's actually still in its plastic) so it would be really obvious. And I'm less worried about someone mugging me for it and more worried about just getting bombarded with questions about it and drawing attention to myself. Some people like that kind of thing, but I just find it annoying and somewhat creepy.

 

[KittyKatta]

One of my concerns IF I would take it out is that the smart cover just screams "look at me" and thats not the desired message in many places. This is one of the reasons I wish they kept the plain black case as an option for the iPad 2 (Apple Stores around me dont even sell ANY cases other than the smart cover).

 

[miamialley]

A lot of people have had their iPads grabbed while waiting on the platform

Source?

 

[AndrewR23]

Where I live now, not afraid at all. Where I used to live (Sacramento) I wouldnt be caught with my iPad or iPhone. Im not sure how many people have heard of Sac, but it's filled with poverty homes now and lightrails.

 

[eastercat]

It's pretty sad but true. However it's book-like resemblance wasn't why I bought the portenzo case. I liked it because of its appearance and had been trying to find something not made by slave labor in China or Vietnam.

Go with your instincts if you don't feel safe don't pull it out. Or buy the cover that looks like a bound book. No one wants to steal books. hah!

 

[Barbariska]

I do use my IPAD2 on NYC subway. I was one of the first who used IPOD Touch, then IPHONE, now my brand new white IPAD2. So far it is naked, because I am looking for a good cover. Honestly, yes I am afraid a little, plus I am a woman and def. would not run if somebody grabs it out of my hands. I try to be aware of my surroundings. Whenever train stop I hold it a little tighter Hopefully soon I'll get a good book-type cover and it's not going to be very flashy anymore.

 

[spiderman0616]

One of my concerns IF I would take it out is that the smart cover just screams "look at me" and thats not the desired message in many places. This is one of the reasons I wish they kept the plain black case as an option for the iPad 2 (Apple Stores around me dont even sell ANY cases other than the smart cover).

One of the big reasons I did not buy a smart cover. The other reason being that it doesn't protect the back of the iPad. I bought a protective case for it, but also a binder-like zip up case to hold the whole thing. I have a half mile walk from the train station to work and I want this thing protected. But also, it may sort of just look like a book when I'm using it on the train with the case I bought. Or at worst a Kindle. Does anyone want those anymore?

Most of the people I ride the train with probably OWN Apple stock, so I don't think anyone is going to try anything. (j/k on the Apple stock, but there are a lot of high powered business people on the commuter trains) I'm more worried about walking through the loop to get to my job, so the case(s) I bought for it will disguise it well. I think crime wise, Chicago is probably pretty low key compared to New York. I could be totally wrong on that because I'm basing it on absolutely nothing but my own experience.

 

[MykullMyerz]

Like quite a few people have said, those who get their iOS devices snatched, usually look like an easy target. I've had friends who have had this happen to them, but I, thankfully, have not had any problems. However, I'm also, 6'0, African-American, and built like a linebacker, so that probably has a lot to do with it.

 

[darngooddesign]

I used mine on the bus a few times, wasn't afraid, just didn't want to look like a pretentious knob so put it away.

You still care what other people think of you? How cute.