Uses For iPad

Ah, the Apple iPad 2. Not only is this out-of-box device handy for a variety of things, but there are thousands of useful and well-made apps out there waiting for you to discover them. The possibilities are endless, but here are some uses for the iPad you may not be aware of.

Image by tenz1225, Courtesy of Flickr

Affordable Textbook

The iPad 2 makes a lightweight and portable addition to college students' backpacks, and leased digital copies of textbooks could soon replace traditional textbooks entirely. $499 sounds a lot less expensive when you compare it to the price of traditional textbooks for a year — and you don't need a lump sum of money to get it. Use it now and pay tiny lease-to-own weekly fees like $21 from www.presta.com.

Cash Register

Did you know that some stores have gotten rid of their cash registers and replaced them with iPads? The iPad 2 has an app for almost anything, and that just happens to include processing credit and debit card purchases. The dongle that reads credit cards as well as the app to use it are free, so use of it is bound to grow.

Menu

Some restaurants are replacing paper menus entirely — with iPads! Using an iPad is more environmentally friendly and much easier to customize than anything printed on paper, and with the right app it can look like a slick menu layout.

Copilot

From advanced GPS tools to radar, flight rules to airport maps, there are many apps available just for assisting pilots professionally. In fact, some planes even have an iPad built into their instrument panels!

Monitor Extension

There is an app to connect your iPad 2 to your monitor, providing extra screen space while working on large projects such as digital paintings.

Cat Toy

Yes, not only can the iPad fascinate cats with the movements of objects on the screen, but there are numerous apps designed to make the iPad 2 into a cat toy. Expect apps with running mice, bouncing balls, and other quick-moving items that bounce around on the screen, prompting your cat to follow and try to “catch” them. And don't forget your screen protector!

Turntable

The iPad has so many apps for making music that it can be used in place of a DJ's turntable, cranking out catchy beats for parties!

House Controls

Automate your house! Control lighting, heating, appliances, security system, entertainment system and more all from your iPad 2 with one of the many apps designed for home automation.

Image by Per-Olof Forsberg, Courtesy of Flickr

140,000 Apps and Counting

These are just a handful of the diverse and interesting things that iPad can do. Browsing the Apple App Store's selection of over 140,000 apps will surely inspire you for more.

What's your favorite use for the iPad? Feel free to share in a comment!