New Tablets
Bob and I are enthusiastic about technology and are eager to try new gadgets.
A few years ago we didn’t have cellular phones. We relied solely on our land line for voice communication with family and friends. When we signed up for cellular service, our first cellular plan included one phone for voice only. We upgraded our cellular plan in 2004, I believe, to include two cell phones. That’s my recollection at any rate. We felt the need for two cell phones, when my father passed away. I was spending a lot of time driving back and forth between our home and my parents’ home, checking on Mom. Each of us having cell phones meant that we could reach each other even when a land line was unavailable. Our cellular plan at that time was still for voice only; data was not included. Somewhere along the way we opted to get rid of our land line, relying solely on cellular phone service.
Bob was the first to purchase a smart phone (a Blackberry), at which time our cellular plan included access to the Internet. We added family text messaging to the plan as well. I think it was a year later, I wanted Internet access, too, while on the road. We upgraded our cellular plan to include Internet and text messaging for both phones. We purchased new phones too. Bob purchased a Samsung Focus Windows phone. I opted for an iPhone.
I look back to the year 2000 and wonder how we ever got by without cell phones. Cell phones have become an integral part of our lives. I enjoy the convenience of keeping in touch with family and friends via voice, text, or Internet no matter where we are.
Our newest purchase is two tablet computers. Bob purchased a Nexus 7. I purchased an iPad 4. Both tablets have a storage capacity of 32 GB. We chose not to purchase the cellular version of either tablet, opting instead for Internet access via Wi-Fi connections. We will continue to use only our cell phones for cellular access to the Internet. Our tablets arrived on Friday, January 4. My iPad was the first to arrive.
We are enjoying our new tablets. In time I may decide that my laptop computer is no longer needed. Presently, though, I am making use of my iPhone, iPad, laptop computer and desktop computer. Bob is using his Windows phone, Nexus tablet and laptop computer. As I stated earlier, we are a family who is enthusiastic about technology.
The Beauty Around Us 
6 Responses to “New Tablets”
Enjoy your new technology! We’ve been sharing one TracFone for years that we turn on only to make an occasional call [usually to say “I’m running late”] or when traveling, and that works for us. Usually the phone is turned off and waiting for the next time we might need it. I don’t even know my own cell phone number – I had to write it on the phone, lol!
Hi, Isn’t technology amazing? I don’t think we have kept up quite as much as you two have… When we got a new contract for our cellphone (we still have one since we are almost always together) —we opted not to get one with internet access. I have so much trouble with my eyes and that ‘tiny’ print that I didn’t think I would use the phone for internet access. However, I HATE the new phone we have… I have a hard time texting on it. SO–we have been talking about getting an iPhone sometime this year.
George got his iPad a couple of years ago –and loves it. However, his doesn’t have a camera in it –so he’s hankering for a new one. I am still using the laptop –but if we get an iPhone, I’ll get rid of our little Verizon MiFi and the laptop–and probably then get an iPad… We’re a little slow –but are gradually coming up in the world… ha ha
I will say that one thing I still love about the laptop when we travel is that I can load and organize and put all of our pictures in folders each day –on a trip. George can look at and load his photos onto the iPad –but it won’t let you organize them into folders like the laptop will. I just like coming home from a trip –and having my photos already organized and ready to dump onto my iMac at home… BUT–maybe the new iPads can do that…
Congrats.
Hugs,
Betsy
Because I had only the iPhone before, I did not use iCloud. I am going to have to come up to speed with iCloud. If I understand iCloud, that’s how I can get my pictures from my dSLR to my desktop computer. At any rate, I am not ready to get rid of the laptop. I don’t know if I will be ready to get rid of it anytime soon. It is very much like an extension of myself!
I find the iPad a bit unwieldy to take pictures. I don’t know if I would ever be able to hold it steady enough to get a good picture that is sharply focused. With that being said, I plan to take pictures on the iPhone and, via iCloud, get them on my iPad where I can see them better. The majority of my pictures, though, will still come from my dSLR. I find taking pictures with the iPhone, while vacationing, helps me identify pictures I have taken with my dSLR.
I have not gotten full use out of iTunes. I still feel very overwhelmed when doing anything to do with iTunes. I ordered a book “iPad for Dummies”. I am waiting for its arrival. I hope that the book helps me feel more comfortable with the iTunes interface!
There is just so much to learn –and never enough time. By the time I learn something, it CHANGES…. iCloud is neat since we keep a common calendar and it can lync it all together…We have our mail program, the calendar, our address books, etc. on iCloud –which is kinda like another back-up I think –since you can go online from anywhere and get any of that info you need. It’s like a big storage box in the clouds… ha
We still use .mac for mail –since we didn’t want to change our email addresses… BUT–the iCloud mail program is good. Last night, we upgraded to the newest operating system of apple (Mountain Lion)…. Each time we do that, there are improvements and changes to learn…
When we were on our trip out west in the Fall, we noticed a few people trying to take pictures with their iPads… Most everyone who has one doesn’t like that feature…
Both GE and I have TONS of songs on our iTunes… We both have earphones and listen to music when we are working on the computer. I love it until I get to someone’s blog –who has music…. Grrrrrrrr… haha
We have the tracfones and very seldom use them…usually try to take one when we are meeting the kids to get Lorelei or traveling. And I am trying to get better about taking it with me when I am out at the strip pits by myself.
I don’t have a tablet…I just don’t want to give up my keyboard is the main thing with that. That and where would all my photos go? If you go to just a tablet…would you store your photos on an external hard drive or what? Inquiring minds want to know.
I have my photographs stored on my desktop computer and an external drive, Rose.