Interesting to read BTs thoughts on using one's own devices inflight as IFE. On my few recent long hauls on several different airlines (with fairly decent AVOD) I ended up using my iPad - either to view some movies I had downloaded on iTunes, or in one case, several brand-new episodes of a US TV series to which I had purchased a season pass.

The quality of the screen, audio, and general interface along with the content that's easily accessible, makes it a far superior option on many flights.

Interested to hear anybody else who's having these same experiences? I have yet to see anyone else doing it!

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Just returned from months holiday and brought along my iPad as you had, along with other passengers on my flights.

Glad i had done this for although i travelled in First on Lufthansa, Thai & AA and enjoyed watching films on their AVOD systems my iPad was much more enjoyable as far as picture quality, clarity and most of all no disruptions while watching films. I had inevitably had to have my system reset a few times on one of my flights and have experienced entire systems fault on one Cathay Pacific long-haul flight a few years back.

In truth my ipad was a back-up for me during my trip should I had run into any troubles whilst on my long-haul flights. In a way I wish i could have watched all of my entertainment on it since it's a far superior viewing screen to what we find on today's aircraft, though on newer designs like Singapore and others i know they have large screen tv's at each seat.

One last note is that i loved being able to write emails and messages during my flight when i wanted and the iPad is just such a user friendly tablet it even fit right into the very thin magazine slots on all of my seats which in turn were right next to the plugs (except for Lufthansa First where the plugs are on the inner side of the seat, you will need adaptor plugs with you for the various plugs that exist on different airlines' aircraft).

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I bought my iPad just before leaving for Singapore (where it had not yet been introduced, so I received plenty of interest in it) and while there I downloaded a film as well as a few albums for nostalgia's sake.

I finally was able to watch a film en route from beginning to end without interruptions, prepare emails, read documents I had downloaded in the SQ lounge with free internet, not to mention playing a few games. Real quality IFE at last!

This was all far superior to Lufthansa's offering and I could just leave the route map on so I could see where we were. I had enough battery life but did charge my iPhone without problem using the device's own charger. Lufthansa to their credit have multi sockets in the seat divider that accommodated European and American plugs.

It's perfectly true the device fits in the magazine pocket, but after a long flight arriving Frankfurt at 5.30 am I forgot it there. Fortunately,and to her credit, the FA asked me if I had remembered to pick up my iPad. I guess they are still unique enough for them to remember this but as they become more ubiquitous this may not always be the case.

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The iPad is good for many things, but best of all is the game Angry Birds.

Very good use of the "real estate".

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Maybe one day soon the ipad brigade will wake up and realise this is nothing more than an overpriced toy which frankly will stand out in time like the Motorola bricks did

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Proliteboss - well the gadget you describe as a toy, is the most wonderful 'toy" a traveller can use. As a storage for data, it enables users to leave the "motorola brick" - aka laptop in the office as it allows you to carry client files and presenstations as well as all other data needed to be read, maps, charts, books, emails, calenders to name just a few, without the need for a case full of wires. Best of all it turns on and off straight away. Yes there are some issues around data input (easily possible but not for long documents) and printing, but if used correctly you wont be able to leave home without one.

So yes, it may be a "toy" to you, but it is an extremely usable toy for business and mobile purposes.

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Well if you are that weight concious why not try a HTC android phone, work ten times better than a IPad brick and does not flag up the nerd factor as much for those of you who are only missing a flag sticking out of your head saying look at me I just wasted a fortune making Steve Jobs richer. At least with Android you can have many apps open at once

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Proliteboss - I do like to view a slightly larger screen. You also can't use an HTC phone effectively in client presentations either. If you read previous iPad posts, you will read that I took a simillar stance to you abiut the iPAD. Its not perfect but, if you look at the product, list its key benefits and understand its limitations, it can be incorporated into both working land business life. This response was written using blackberry bold. I sure wish I had my iPAD with me.

My company has bought just over 30 iPADs as a direct result from a discussion on this thread. I hear that the next version is being launched towards the end of this year or early next year. Take an honest look at the product and then I would be very interested to hear your views.

Regards

Martyn

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Sorry Politeboss, but I'm with Martyn on this one. I'm anti Apple / Mac preferring Windows above all else, but once I saw the iPad and how it could work for me, in much the way Martyn describes, I had to have one.

I don't have to take it out of my case and put it separately through the scanners. It's only slightly bigger than a folded newspaper without the ink coming off on my hands. I have the FT which I can actually read, unlike on a smartphone.

The battery lasts for hours on end (average 18 hours between charges) and the charger is no bigger than a packet of nuts. In fact, by using a universal USB charger, I can charge my iPad, iPhone, secondary mobile, camera and my GPS all with the same small device. In fact on a recent trip to Singapore I could charge it from the USB port of the hotel television.

I have no flag sticking out of my head saying "look at me"! I buy and use things for their practicality, not because I wish to show off and the iPad ticks all the boxes for me, so I'm quite happy to add a few shillings to Mr. Job's wallet, and if, like me, you bought shares in Apple two years ago you would be even happier!-)

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I refer the honourable gentlemen to my previous reply the only thing missing is the nerd flag sticking out of the back of your head

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Hi Guys

We are all meant to be colleagues on this site.

Dont think we need to degenerate to this.

Personal opinion and all that - horses for courses etc.

If someone drives an RR and another a Mini so be it they both have their personal reasons for doing so.

Now what will we talk about next ?

What about the BA Christmas strike ?

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There's much talk about what the next ipad should contain - ie: cameras etc...

On a practical side, I'd quite like it to have some was of attaching a thin lanyard to it, like you have on compact cameras. That way there'd be less chance of dropping it when using the iPad while standing in a queue or on the tube / a bus / anywhere with a hard floor.

Smartphones don't like being dropped, but by HTC Desire has survived a couple of drops, but the iPad, I don't want to test.

And yes, let's be polite to one another, otherwise it just kills the debate.

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Loads of stuff for iPad 4.

Just lets not slag each oher off - Agreed ?

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Talking of accessories...

Aquapac’s Whanganui case – your iPad’s best friend

Will keep your iPad safe up to 5 metres below the surface, all the while "...enabling you to continue to operate the iPad’s touchscreen, use its buttons and even hear through the case. Perfect for using on the beach, while kayaking or river rafting."

...Portable, it’s supplied with an adjustable shoulder strap and comes with handy desiccant sachets supplied to absorb any condensation in humid climates.

Details: Dimensions of case: W 290mm x L 370mm; SRP: £25.

So now we can bathe with our iPads. Happiness.

www.aquapac.net

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Hello all, I love my i pad. Its light, and touch screen. It does everything I want it too. I agree apple is a bit gadjety and in vogue at the moment, but if it works, then whats wrong with that?!

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