iNgenious

[Richard Brown]

I have started this thread to publicise stories about unusual uses for iPads. *This excellent tablet can be used for the greater good, and in some surprising arenas. *Have you seen a news story about how iPads are being put to good use?

I recently saw a story in a UK newspaper. *The story prompted this thread. *I will post my summary of the story, with an acknowledgement of the source, in the next post.

There are iPad forums which cover different ways in which the iPad is being used. *For example there is the Special Needs iPad Forum. *However, these threads are more specialised and lay people may not be aware of the threads. *This new thread is for more general stories about new uses for iPads.

Now for some rules

The iPF forum rules apply.
Your written post should be a summary of the story in your own words. *Do NOT. Cut and paste huge chunks of text from the story.
Quote the source of the story. *No links to the story please.
If you are posting an image, quote the image source. *Again no links.
Stories about standard iPads and standard apps shall be put up. *Stories about jail broken equipment will not be permitted.
That's it. *Let the thread, or is it presses, roll.

 

[Richard Brown]

Newspaper story

A man was left brain damaged and paralysed after he was attacked 20 years ago.

It is reported that he can now communicate through an iPad.

Kevin Beverley uses the inbuilt keyboard to write and thus communicate. He also plays games to help with his hand-eye coordination.

One of his messages was "It's so good to be able to speak again."

Story reported in the UK by the Sun Newspaper on 18th February 2013.

 

[Richard Brown]

In today's Sun Newspaper (UK) there's a story covering a new gadget which could be under development - the iWATCH.

Dick Tracey was the first with his 2 way wrist radio.

The article covers wrist phones, and suggests that the Pebble may be the catalyst for Apple's reported gadget development.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Richard Brown]

In today's press and on TV are stories about people, especially children, who are racking up huge bills on iTunes when playing games et cetera. Add-ons and enhancements credits are purchased.

Don't ask why isn't there an app to control this type usage. Well there is, called your password. Do not share your password anyone.

Then in today's Sun newspaper is the story about a guy has lost everything - his girlfriend et cetera as he is addicted to using his iPhone. Oh dear.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Richard Brown]

I was watching the last 10 minutes of Grand Designs last night. The house was a great new build for two sisters. The house was set in a superb garden.

Inside, the various rooms had lovely views, including one of the best rural views from the loo.

The house was bristling with technology. Some of this technology was discrete - speakers were built into the walls of different rooms. The sisters told Kevin McLeod (the presenter of the programme) that they had access to an enormous collection of music. So, to be testing, Kevin asked for an ancient number by an obscure artist.

Oe of the sisters pulled out a control tablet. Typed in the request, and sure enough up it came loud and clear. I'm pretty certain that the tablet was an iPad.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Bob Maxey]

No offence, but how does a Dick Tracey watch fit into the thread? And why no JB talk?

Bob is confused.

 

[Hayles66]

Heh heh.

Yes, Richard, I saw that.

Our school has just purchased 30 mini iPads to help our literacy students. Unexpected budget that our Headteacher could use. It will be interesting to see how they get on.

Sent from my fantastically, wonderful iPhone using iPF

 

[Richard Brown]

No offence, but how does a Dick Tracey watch fit into the thread? And why no JB talk?

Bob is confused.

No confusion intended here Bob . The report on the iWATCH referred to the Dick Tracey radio. The 2 way wrist radio is mentioned in several articles on new developments, such as those by Apple.

The iPad and apps can be used in new ways. Ingenuity often features as the required catalyst. JB is covered in other threads and can be seen as a bit of a cheat in some ways. It is possible to do amazing stuff with an iPad which is not jail broken.

So, lets showcase what can be done - as reported in the press and media

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Richard Brown]

Use iPad as a scanner

In the April edition of the Who Do You Think You Are magazine there's an article about using your iPad as a portable scanner.

I have downloaded and tried out the App - Fasterscan HD free version. It looks pro using, and could save my purchasing a portable scanner at £126.

I will be posting images of bits I have test scanned under the Family History thread.

 

[Richard Brown]

This isn't so ingenious!

A warning was issued in a national. UK paper about iPads for those fitted with electronic heart pacemakers.

The magnets in an iPad can switch off or confuse the electronic timing / transmitter in the pacemaker if the user rests the iPad on their chest!

There is always a flip side to every coin.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[skimonkey]

This isn't so ingenious!

A warning was issued in a national. UK paper about iPads for those fitted with electronic heart pacemakers.

The magnets in an iPad can switch off or confuse the electronic timing / transmitter in the pacemaker if the user rests the iPad on their chest!

There is always a flip side to every coin.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

I did read that in our newspaper the other day, if it was the right one. If it was, I was impressed that a high school girl took the initiative to do this study and present her findings. Extremely valuable should further evidence and studies show it's relevancy!

Thanks for sharing, Richard!

Skimonkey ~~ sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Bob Maxey]

This isn't so ingenious!

A warning was issued in a national. UK paper about iPads for those fitted with electronic heart pacemakers.

The magnets in an iPad can switch off or confuse the electronic timing / transmitter in the pacemaker if the user rests the iPad on their chest!

There is always a flip side to every coin.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

Ah . . . but is it true? Stories like that upset people and they should be upset if the story is true. The FCC has lots to say about these issues; they rule the electro magnetic spectrum. Not sure what is tested during the approval process.

It might be true and if so, something must be done.

Sometimes, the problem is with a pacemaker manufacturer that did not shield properly and not the iPad or other such device. Just like the ham that "bothers" your TV or radio. In many cases it is not the amateur's fault and the ham is not responsible for your problem. It is the TV owner/manufacturer that did not take steps to keep the interference out.

The story does bear watching, however.

 

[Mickey330]

Sigh. This is not "news" - just sensationalism (or Apple-bashing ... you decide).

Here's page from Apple's "iPad User Guide for iOS 6"

View attachment 41291

Here's an article discussing what was actually done by the 14-year old: http://www.tuaw.com/2013/05/10/myth-killer-ipad-magnet-effect-on-defibrillators-wasnt-discov/

Key paragraph: "While the Bloomberg article and headline provided some titillating reading, Chien didn't "discover" anything. Instead, the 14-year-old and her cardiac electrophysiologist father Walter just used 26 volunteers to test how commonplace the iPad magnet effect is. If Chien should be lauded for anything, it's waking the public up to actually reading those user guides and safety warnings that we all ignore on a regular basis."

Just so's you know.

Marilyn

 

[Richard Brown]

Thanks for providing the link Mickey. The UK paper presented the story as a sensationalised summary of these reports.

I agree that those on medication etc need to listen to their doctor's advice and take reasonable precautions to maintain their health.

Perhaps one one way of raising awareness is to use the media, including forums such as iPF.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[Bob Maxey]

Sigh. This is not "news" - just sensationalism (or Apple-bashing ... you decide).

Here's page from Apple's "iPad User Guide for iOS 6"

View attachment 41291

Here's an article discussing what was actually done by the 14-year old: Myth killer: iPad magnet effect on defibrillators wasn't "discovered" by a 14-year-old | TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Key paragraph: "While the Bloomberg article and headline provided some titillating reading, Chien didn't "discover" anything. Instead, the 14-year-old and her cardiac electrophysiologist father Walter just used 26 volunteers to test how commonplace the iPad magnet effect is. If Chien should be lauded for anything, it's waking the public up to actually reading those user guides and safety warnings that we all ignore on a regular basis."

Just so's you know.

Marilyn

Chances are, Apple is CIA. An interesting lawsuit: Apple's devices are determined to be the cause of a death. I hope not. Does Apple settle because they "know" there is/could be a problem or do they debunk their own user guide warning and fight the case? I use to see such flip-flops in personal injury cases every month.

At least, perhaps, she started a needed discussion. Good for her for trying, I guess. Or she added to the background noise.