Need some Information About iPad Mini

[Vstar]

[FONT=&quot]I am planning on buying an iPad mini [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Wi-Fi + Cellular [/FONT][FONT=&quot]with accessories but I would like some further information if you do not mind answering some questions because I am still learning about these new technologies.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
1. I am dyslexia and some of the specialised software I use for my work is Dragon Medical 10.1 UK English (Nuance). Is there any way this software can be uploaded or downloaded onto the iPad mini?
- Alternatively, could I buy another Dragon Medical software/app and have it downloaded from their website?
- Or do you know of any software/app that is similar to the Dragon Medical that could be used with the iPad mini?

2. Would it be possible to use Microsoft application, particularly “Words†on the iPad mini?
- If yes, how can I upload or download this software/app?
- If not, is there a similar software/app that works with the iPad mini?

3. I understand that AT & T, Sprint and Verizon are American service data providers. I live in the UK and will be travelling around the world, particularly New Zealand, Australia, South Pacific and South East Asia. Some areas I may be travelling to may not have Wifi coverage:
- I would like to know what British service data provider, provide internet coverage worldwide - that would not be costly to use the iPad mini aboard?
- I have heard about some gadget that a person can connect their iPad mini or mobile phone to and use a Sim Card in the country they are visiting. What is this call?
- And are there any restrictions to the use of this gadget and the Sim Card?

4. Are the apps for the iPad mini expensive to buy because I would like apps on world maps and maps of the local areas of countries?

5. I read that you can text using the iPad mini – can you also make telephone calls like on a mobile phone?

6. Is the iPad mini compatible with other brands of electronic equipment? For example, I have a Toshiba laptop and a Samsung mobile phone – can I synchronise all my data, such as photos, Words, emails, Sky Go, etc, so that I can access them on any of these equipment that I choose to use?
- If yes, how would I do this?
- If not, is there a way of doing this?

7. The iPad mini has a 10 hour charge life – Is there any way I could extend this?
- Or is there a portable charge that I could carry around with me that I can connect it to the iPad mini in case I am not able to connect it to an electrical socket to charge it up?
8. If I take photos with my camera or mobile phone – How can I transfer them onto the iPad mini?


Thank you for your help

 

[Richard Brown]

Hi Vstar,


Welcome to the forum. I have put some answers to your questions. I hope they are of some help.

1. I am dyslexia and some of the specialised software I use for my work is Dragon Medical 10.1 UK English (Nuance). Is there any way this software can be uploaded or downloaded onto the iPad mini?
- Alternatively, could I buy another Dragon Medical software/app and have it downloaded from their website?
- Or do you know of any software/app that is similar to the Dragon Medical that could be used with the iPad mini?

I cannot answer this for you, but do visit the Special Needs iPad forum where you may find some answers, and can post specific questions. http://www.ipadforums.net/special-needs-ipad-forum/

2. Would it be possible to use Microsoft application, particularly “Words” on the iPad mini?
- If yes, how can I upload or download this software/app?
- If not, is there a similar software/app that works with the iPad mini?

I'm not aware of a Microsoft application for the iPads as yet. However, Pages and Numbers are good programmes which work with Word and Excel - you can import and export files in formats recognised by the respective programmes.

3. I understand that AT & T, Sprint and Verizon are American service data providers. I live in the UK and will be travelling around the world, particularly New Zealand, Australia, South Pacific and South East Asia. Some areas I may be travelling to may not have Wifi coverage:
- I would like to know what British service data provider, provide internet coverage worldwide - that would not be costly to use the iPad mini aboard?
- I have heard about some gadget that a person can connect their iPad mini or mobile phone to and use a Sim Card in the country they are visiting. What is this call?
- And are there any restrictions to the use of this gadget and the Sim Card?

Again, I cannot advise. However, do visit the Travel Forum where there are discussions on this. http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-travel-forum/

4. Are the apps for the iPad mini expensive to buy because I would like apps on world maps and maps of the local areas of countries?

Apps cost the same for any device. There are lots of free apps and free demos of paid apps in the store. When you look for an app in the store, you can filter your finds to free apps under the pricing menu.
Re maps. Apple maps is a standard app shipped with the iPad. Then, Google maps with street views can now be used on iPads.

5. I read that you can text using the iPad mini – can you also make telephone calls like on a mobile phone?

You can install Skype. However, you can communicate between apple products which have iMessage and FaceTime installed. You cannot use the iPad as a mobile phone.

6. Is the iPad mini compatible with other brands of electronic equipment? For example, I have a Toshiba laptop and a Samsung mobile phone – can I synchronise all my data, such as photos, Words, emails, Sky Go, etc, so that I can access them on any of these equipment that I choose to use?
- If yes, how would I do this?
- If not, is there a way of doing this?

You can synchronise data. You can also share files via iCloud which is a standard app, or use a free app such as Dropbox for sharing files.

7. The iPad mini has a 10 hour charge life – Is there any way I could extend this?
- Or is there a portable charge that I could carry around with me that I can connect it to the iPad mini in case I am not able to connect it to an electrical socket to charge it up?

You cannot extend the battery life of a device. However, to ensure you get the maximum life from a battery charge, it may be worth fully charging the iPad, then use it till the battery is fully drained. Repeat this process two or three times just after you have bought the iPad. There are a number of battery packs on the market. These can provide 1 or 2 full charges when you are out and about. Try this link for information.. http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-acce...-anyone-use-back-up-batteries-powercells.html

8. If I take photos with my camera or mobile phone – How can I transfer them onto the iPad mini?

You can do this by emailing them, or use the camera connection kit which has a USB connector and an SD card connector.


If you need further help, please ask.

Now, to increase your enjoyment of the forum, there are 3 very informative threads from which you will learn many tips and shortcuts for the iPad.
http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-general-discussions/21590-tips-tricks-those-us-who-dont-know.html/] iPad tips and tricks
http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-os/49581-ios5-tips-tricks.html/]iPad ios5 tips and tricks
http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-help/61009-easy-pictorial-shortcuts-helpful-places-people-new-ipad.html/]pictorial shortcuts and helpful places

Enjoy!

Richard Brown
A member of the iPF moderators' team.

Sent from my iPad using iPF

 

[J. A.]

Hi, Vstar! Welcome to iPF!

In addition to Richard's excellent advice:

2. Apps like CloudOn work with Microsoft Words, Powerpoint and Excel. There are other apps as well, perhaps better than the one I mentioned. Just search in App Store.

6. To sync data between your devices you could apps like Dropbox, SkyDrive, Google Drive, Evernote, ... They can be used on any device, afaik.
Your email account(s) will be set up on your iPad, and they should be synced automatically.

8. If you enable Camera Upload in the Dropbox app and on your Samsung mobile phone, all the pictures you take with one of the two devices will automatically be loaded to Dropbox, as soon as you open the app, and you are then able to see or transfer them to the other device.

 

[rjkgr]

i just won a ipad mini and i downloaded so many free apps. and also i have google drive and gmail on it but i dont have powerpoint and microsoft word

 

[J. A.]

i just won a ipad mini and i downloaded so many free apps. and also i have google drive and gmail on it but i dont have powerpoint and microsoft word

To create, show and edit pptx and docx files, you need another app. CloudOn is free and does all this. There are other apps as well working this way.

 

[Vstar]

Thank you all for your wonderful advice and I shall certainly visit those sites that you suggested Richard. I have been sold - I shall def buy the iPad mini.

 

[Richard Brown]

Thank you all for your wonderful advice and I shall certainly visit those sites that you suggested Richard. I have been sold - I shall def buy the iPad mini.

That's great news Vstar.

I have just edited my long reply to you. I have put in links to the 2 forums I referred to. HTH

Richard