Arstechnica Blogger Tests Productivity of iPad-Only Day

Can a blogger be productive by using only an iPad, and no Mac? Can he even survive?

Preparation: iPad Apps

For his day without Mac, Jacqui Cheng mainly used these iPad Apps:

• Writing Kit [App Store] $4.99
• Beejive IM App [App Store] $9.99
• Web based IRC client: Alice
• No RSS, instead he used the official Twitter App [App Store]

He used iPad 2 + Apple Smart Cover + Apple Wireless Keyboard (connects over bluetooth).

iPad Only Blogging?

So, does the iPad work in a professional setting with Movable Type-based CMS? Jacqui Cheng wrote about his experience in Masochist me? An Ars writer’s iPad-only workday. Conclusion:

Working on a tablet made it more difficult to constantly monitor everything that happens in a day, but there was a tradeoff: it was significantly easier to be productive when actually writing. In fact, I produced slightly more the day I worked on the iPad than on a normal day, and I didn’t miss any significant news—work-related or otherwise. I did feel as if I was somewhat disconnected from the world compared to my usual setup, but I wasn’t—I just couldn’t see everything at the same time, all the time.

ObamaPacman: iOS 5, with its improved notifications should make it even easier.

Keyboard Workflow Improvement Idea for iPad Blogging

Jacqui’s suggestion for improvement? When using iPad with keyboard:

• Command + Tab should switch to last used iPad App
• ObamaPacman adds: bring up app switcher when holding Command+Tab without letting go, just like the Mac behavior

Writing Kit: iPad Blogging Research / Writing App

Writing Kit [App Store] “built for researching and looking up stuff” seems to be a great app for blogging. Features:

• TextExpander snippets
• “Learn about anything you come across within two taps. You don’t even have to leave the current page.”
• Browse Instapaper unread items
• Queue things you find interesting to view later
• Website search with text results
• Can email or share text, or generate HTML

Related Posts

1. Writer & former PC World Editor in Chief: iPad Favorite Computer
2. Try the Secret iOS 5 Nuance Speech-to-Text Feature, on iOS 4
3. iPad Knockoff HP TouchPad Keyboard Fools Best Buy
4. Mixel: Free iPad Collage App [Review]
5. iPad Dual-Keyboard Translator: Converse

Tags: Apple, iPad, iPad Apps

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 at 11:05 am and is filed under iPad Apps. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.