How to use my iPad more?

[placidity44]

im looking at getting a 12.9 iPad Pro but I barely use my iPad Air 2. I know it's just habit but I use my iPhone even while I'm just around the house. I really want to mainly use the iPad while at home but old habits die hard. Any suggestions on how to incorporate it more? I'm not buying the Pro until I start using the Air. Anyone else not really use their iPad's?

 

[joeblow7777]

Just putting this out there, but if you have to try to find reasons to use something, maybe you just don't need it.

 

[kis]

Never used my Air 2 and, honestly, tried to make the IPP my main mobile computer for school (I'm a teacher). In the end, however, the IPP is just another iPad. Perhaps with better accessories, but still - if you don't use your iPad now, you won't be using the IPP, either, once the honeymoon period is over.

 

[neutrino23]

I use my iPad Pro 12.9 all the time. I barely use the iPhone. I like the larger size for reading. I sometimes read things while watching a video using the multitasking feature. Using the pencil I make sketches to prototype posters or presentations. I also settle in and read books this way and now I'm learning iOS programming on iTunes U.

The iPhone is OK if I'm just getting text messages or glancing at headlines.

 

[placidity44]

I seem to like the iPhone 6 Plus because in bed or on the couch I can hold it up with a finger and type with ease as opposed to lifting the iPad. Such a shame because I understand how remarkable a product they are.

 

[ColdShadow]

Strange because I never use my (iPhone 6 when I had one and now my Note 5) inside and always use my iPad Mini 2.
the small (even 5.7" is significantly smaller than iPad Mini) screen of phones makes reading difficult and feels unnatural whereas the iPad Mini just feels perfect for web browsing.

by doing so I preserve my phone's battery for its real purpose,and for outside use.

maybe you should remind yourself the battery charge part whenever you try to use it inside instead of iPad inside.
It could also be that the Air size is nit suitable for your needs and you might find Mini size better,specially if you use it whike lying in bed..I owned both Air and Mini and found Mini way more comfortable for in bed use,you can hold it in one hand and again significantly larger than 6 Plus.

 

[placidity44]

Strange because I never use my (iPhone 6 when I had one and now my Note 5) inside and always use my iPad Mini 2.
the small (even 5.7" is significantly smaller than iPad Mini) screen of phones makes reading difficult and feels unnatural whereas the iPad Mini just feels perfect for web browsing.

by doing so I preserve my phone's battery for its real purpose,and for outside use.

maybe you should remind yourself the battery charge part whenever you try to use it inside instead of iPad inside.
It could also be that the Air size is nit suitable for your needs and you might find Mini size better,specially if you use it whike lying in bed..I owned both Air and Mini and found Mini way more comfortable for in bed use,you can hold it in one hand and again significantly larger than 6 Plus.

I never thought about that! Maybe I sell my air for a mini and get a pro for other uses. Thanks for bringing that up. Should've occurred to me but sometimes you don't think haha.

 

[ssledoux]

Well I had an Air 2 and I have a 12.9 pro and I used/use both of them quite a bit. However, all this talk about the iPad mini and how it's the perfect size DO make me wonder if I should get my hands on one for a reader for bed (I have owned a mini in the past, but sold it when I had my first Air). My phone (even though it's a 6S+) is too small to read books on, and the pro is fine if I'm sitting and have it propped, but if I'd wanna lie down and read, it would be uncomfortable to hold.

Really I'm just looking for excuses to get myself another gadget. ;-p

 

[placidity44]

Well I had an Air 2 and I have a 12.9 pro and I used/use both of them quite a bit. However, all this talk about the iPad mini and how it's the perfect size DO make me wonder if I should get my hands on one for a reader for bed (I have owned a mini in the past, but sold it when I had my first Air). My phone (even though it's a 6S+) is too small to read books on, and the pro is fine if I'm sitting and have it propped, but if I'd wanna lie down and read, it would be uncomfortable to hold.

Really I'm just looking for excuses to get myself another gadget. ;-p

I've played around with the pro at Verizon...how do you like it for day to day usage. I think I might pick one up. The Air is too big for the couch or bed so that makes me want a mini too!

 

[richpjr]

Just putting this out there, but if you have to try to find reasons to use something, maybe you just don't need it.

That was the first thing to cross my mind.

 

[PanAm-L1011]

I got the iPhone 6 Plus on launch day and barley used my iPad Air since. Two weeks ago I got the iPad Pro 9.7 and not I rarely use my phone. Of course, I use it all day at work for notes and meeting notes so that's a big part of it but I also surf on it at home all the time now. Love love love the pencil.

 

[capathy21]

im looking at getting a 12.9 iPad Pro but I barely use my iPad Air 2. I know it's just habit but I use my iPhone even while I'm just around the house. I really want to mainly use the iPad while at home but old habits die hard. Any suggestions on how to incorporate it more? I'm not buying the Pro until I start using the Air. Anyone else not really use their iPad's?

I was the exact same way. The Air 2 was something I owned because it was part of the Apple lineup. I had to have an iPad right? I rarely used it other than Netflix and such. When the Pro came out, I was interested mainly because it was larger. I read all of the reviews about how it was still just a huge iPad with the same old iOS limitations, blah blah blah. I decided to pick one up and try it and I'm really glad I did. The larger screen makes all the difference in the world. Pair that with the Apple Smart Keyboard and it completely changes the way you use the device. The 9.7 pro is still better than the Air 2 simply for the ASK option and the Pencil support but in my opinion, the 12.9's size is what makes it a lot more useful than the Air 2 ever was for me.

;tldr:Rarely used my Air 2, but I now live on my 12.9ipp. Get one, you will love it.

 

[chasonstone]

For me, my iPad Air 2 sort of becomes my giant screen phone when I'm at home. I can just plug my iPhone into a charger somewhere and really use the iPad for texting, answer a quick phone call on speaker, and then of course for everything else you'd do on a smartphone. So maybe consider docking your phone and pushing using the iPad more for that kind of stuff, but to be honest if you're trying to find reasons to use it more.. you probably don't need it. But I'm the same, I always want tech that I don't necessarily need so I can't fault you for that, haha. I will say when I got my 6 Plus I stopped using my iPad Mini, well not stop but significantly narrowed its uses. When I decided to get an Air 2, which was out of desire to go digital with my textbooks, I found I would pick it up more. I guess the screen size difference made it feel like a much better experience... whereas with the mini it was closer to the size of my phone. Maybe this is true for you? Maybe the 9.7 inch screen doesn't offer much over your 5.5 inch screen in terms of experience so you just end up subconsciously choosing your phone over it. Maybe a bigger screen would differentiate it and for tasks appropriate for a big screen you'd feel more like picking it up.

 

[Starfia]

On one hand, yes, there's some wisdom in the guideline that it feels best to buy things you know you'll really use. That said, I really love the large iPad Pro and use it for lots of things every day.

• Streaming podcasts to a Bluetooth speaker near the shower in the morning
• Diagramming or painting with Apple Pencil (almost no paper remains in life now)
• Delegating a side monitor / random display thing when working at the Mac
• Typing with Ulysses when not at the Mac
• Storing and displaying sheet music
• Reading in bed before sleep

 

[Pakaku]

I seem to like the iPhone 6 Plus because in bed or on the couch I can hold it up with a finger and type with ease as opposed to lifting the iPad. Such a shame because I understand how remarkable a product they are.

There are tons of remarkable things out there that I don't actually need...

 

[TrueBlou]

If you don't use the one you have I'd be inclined to advise against buying any new tablet at all.

But you have an Air 2 already so it's a shame not to put it to good use. Maybe start making yourself use it when you're at home for all of your web browsing/Facebook/messaging/reading to get you started. Everything is actually much more pleasant on the bigger screen and after a little while of regular use it becomes second nature to just pick it up.

Once you've gotten into the habit of using it and find its your go-to device when you are at home. Then you could start considering a new one of you want. But the Air 2 is still a great tablet that will last a few more years yet.

 

[Abazigal]

Just putting this out there, but if you have to try to find reasons to use something, maybe you just don't need it.

I find it goes both ways.

On one hand, yes, if you have to force yourself to use something, you could probably get away with not needing it in the first place.

On the other hand, habits take time to form, especially if you are learning a new platform or habit, and you must believe that it will benefit you in the end. I can download a new app, not touch it for half a year, then finally go back when I think I am ready to give it a go. For example, I thought that I would be better served by tracking my expenditure so I could better manage my finances. I downloaded the "Next" app upon recommendation by Macstories. It took discipline to make yourself conscientiously key in every single expenditure you made every day (because I am a pretty lazy and unorganised person by nature), often right after you have spent something. Now, I have been using the app for more than a year, and keying in my expenses has become 2nd nature.

im looking at getting a 12.9 iPad Pro but I barely use my iPad Air 2. I know it's just habit but I use my iPhone even while I'm just around the house. I really want to mainly use the iPad while at home but old habits die hard. Any suggestions on how to incorporate it more? I'm not buying the Pro until I start using the Air. Anyone else not really use their iPad's?

Well, for you to want to use your iPad more, there has to be some legitimate benefit.

For me, my iPad is the consummate consumption device for me at home. With split-screen and PIP, you can have two apps open side-by-side, with youtube (steamed via the Protube app) playing in a window in the foreground. Force yourself to come up with some usage habit that cannot be readily replicated by the iPhone.

 

[ericwn]

I was the exact same way. The Air 2 was something I owned because it was part of the Apple lineup. I had to have an iPad right? I rarely used it other than Netflix and such. When the Pro came out, I was interested mainly because it was larger. I read all of the reviews about how it was still just a huge iPad with the same old iOS limitations, blah blah blah. I decided to pick one up and try it and I'm really glad I did. The larger screen makes all the difference in the world. Pair that with the Apple Smart Keyboard and it completely changes the way you use the device. The 9.7 pro is still better than the Air 2 simply for the ASK option and the Pencil support but in my opinion, the 12.9's size is what makes it a lot more useful than the Air 2 ever was for me.

;tldr:Rarely used my Air 2, but I now live on my 12.9ipp. Get one, you will love it.

How does adding a keyboard, a feature that was explored for many years on previous generations of iPads, completely change the way you use the device? Certainly only for those who lived under a rock for the last years and used their devices only for Sudoku.

Sure, the Apple keyboard for the iPad Pro is a lightweight variation, but I have successfully used great keyboards on older iPads before, and Bluetooth is perfectly fine for that kind of connection.

 

[cardfan]

I'd rather use the imac at home. 73" tv for movies. iPhone for reading. The ipad hardly gets used besides some games and mostly in car. We consider the ipad a device for the kids mostly.

That said, the ipad pro was worthwhile since my daughter loves to draw. I'd still never pay full price for one and didn't. It gets enough use in the family but I would never just buy one for myself.

 

[ggibson913]

im looking at getting a 12.9 iPad Pro but I barely use my iPad Air 2. I know it's just habit but I use my iPhone even while I'm just around the house. I really want to mainly use the iPad while at home but old habits die hard. Any suggestions on how to incorporate it more? I'm not buying the Pro until I start using the Air. Anyone else not really use their iPad's?

I have a 5K iMac at home that when I am there is my preferred computing device. I use my Air 2 in situations where I need to travel or there is something quick I need to do. I recently had a class through work and rather than use the paper materials I downloaded them all to my iPad and took notes right on them, making them neat and readable (unlike my handwriting). Though I like the iPad pro, the Air 2 is plenty powerful enough for me to use in the manner I use it in, the fact that BB sold it at $125 off last Christmas helps too. I too have an iPhone 6 Plus as others do and have been thinking that I can same myself some $ for my next upgrade and get the regular sized 4.7 inch iPhone 7, I don't think the SE is for me. I would recommend the 12.9 Pro for my Parents who have an aging PC, but that is up to them.

Hope that helps you.

 

[highlystrange]

What's your usage scenario for the ipad, ideally? I wasn't using my iPad Mini very much until I realized I needed a keyboard. I ended up getting a Logitech UltraThin, then realized my needs had outstripped the Mini; eventually I got the Air 2 with a keyboard. When I'm away from my Mac I'm a happy writer. Spending so much time writing means I tend to use the iPad for other things as well. So, you should consider what, ideally, you'd use the iPad for.

 

[2ilent8cho]

It might just be the 9.7" Air 2 is too big for you. I have a 1st Gen mini and an iPad Air, the Air is not used much. I always go to my Mini despite it being a LOT slower than my Air as its just more comfortable to hold and use around the house. As already mentioned by somebody else put your phone on charge and leave it there use your iPad around the house for texts, calls and everything else you would normally grab your phone for.

 

[richwoodrocket]

I seem to like the iPhone 6 Plus because in bed or on the couch I can hold it up with a finger and type with ease as opposed to lifting the iPad. Such a shame because I understand how remarkable a product they are.

I agree with you. An iPhone is a single handed device, which makes it easier to use in bed.
Dropping an iPad on your face also hurts a lot more that a phone.
There are apps that aren't available on the iPad as well, which force me to use my phone. For example, Instagram, snapchat, kik. Kik's reason for not having an iPad app is absolutely ridiculous. It's for "security." As soon as you sign in on another device, your kik messages on the first device will be cleared. Goes against the purpose of having an iPad, really.

 

[thekev]

I never thought about that! Maybe I sell my air for a mini and get a pro for other uses. Thanks for bringing that up. Should've occurred to me but sometimes you don't think haha.

I bet you'll still end up using your phone. Right now you use it, because it works best for you. The other things are bright new shiny objects, so they seem interesting. It doesn't mean they serve your requirements better than what you own today.

 

[max2]

I agree with you. An iPhone is a single handed device, which makes it easier to use in bed.
Dropping an iPad on your face also hurts a lot more that a phone.
There are apps that aren't available on the iPad as well, which force me to use my phone. For example, Instagram, snapchat, kik. Kik's reason for not having an iPad app is absolutely ridiculous. It's for "security." As soon as you sign in on another device, your kik messages on the first device will be cleared. Goes against the purpose of having an iPad, really.

I hate when I have to switch devices (from my iPad to my iPhone) just because a app isn't available on the iPad.

It sucks.