iPad 2: Open for business
Eric Carson, Director of Rainbow Telecom, Northern Ireland’s largest independent business telecoms company, discusses how your personal assistant could soon be replaced by a super app.
iPad 2: Open for business
If you were lucky enough to unwrap an iPad2 this Christmas, you’ll know it’s pretty great. So great in fact, that an estimated 12 million were sold worldwide in December alone.
We already know that tablets are great for watching films, gaming, sharing music and of course spending a fortune on apps without really meaning to.
But what about business, can you bring your iPad2 to work? Absolutely.
The iPad2 has lots of features to help you through the business day.
Mobile presentation device
The Apple Digital AV Adapter means you can plug the tablet into any TV set or computer monitor with an HDMI port. Add an extra touch to your presentation by playing high definition videos and passing the device around for the audience to see images up close.
Video conference host
The FaceTime app allows you to make video calls to other Apple devices that support the app using a Wi-Fi connection. The twin cameras allow you to share where you are or what’s going on around you with your colleague.
Business card holder
By downloading the WorldCard Mobile app you can even update your contacts database. The app uses the camera function to take a photograph of the business card. It converts the information and adds it to your contacts.
Personal accountant
Forget keeping expenses receipts. Download iXspensIt and keep a digital record of all your expenses. The app takes a picture of the receipt and saves it until it is needed again.
Print
AirPrint will allow you to print wirelessly from your iPad2 to any AirPrint enabled printer.
Point of sale
Apps such as Square allow small business owners to take credit card payments with their iPad2. A free credit card reader will be sent to you after registration to allow cards to be swiped and secure transactions to be processed. In app analytics will allow you to track sales, accept tips and even send digital receipts as emails or text messages.
Weighing in at approximately 600g with a ten hour battery life, the iPad2 is a lightweight alternative to a laptop when travelling or attending business meetings.
Despite its slim form the iPad2 is still powerful enough to brave tasks normally assigned to a laptop.
Apps can be downloaded to complete all your word processing, spread sheet, file sharing and presentation needs. But if you miss your desktop computer that much you can even download an app to access your computer from the tablet itself.
Eric Carson is Director of Rainbow Telecom and can be contacted at ecarson@rainbowtele.com