I keep getting these false feelings of hope that there will be this killer word processing app for WordPress on the iPhone/iPad that will let me do really complex things like, oh, bold and italicize text, or even (dramatic pause) a bulleted list. But no. Even this newly updated one is not much more than a 100% text version of some lame email client that attaches photos to the bottom of the post.

Actually I have another app that does better than this (BlogPress), at least with photos, but I still can’t emphasize anything. Which is why anything I write on either one turns out in complete deadpan.

I guess there’s a lot to be said for deadpan writing. And if you’d like to be the one to say it, please feel free to do so in the comments … because I can’t think of a single thing.

The rumors are true. Even though it gives you a message saying “This USB Device is Not Supported,” a regular old USB keyboard works just fine with the iPad when you plug it in via the Apple Camera Connection Kit’s USB adapter.

What do you bet, though, that this will not work once iOS 4 is up and running on the iPad?

Oh, and for anyone who’s curious: Yes! The numeric keypad works perfectly.

This is a cheap old HP USB keyboard from my closet. This post was written on it via BlogPress for the iPad, and I imported the photo from my Nikon D5000 via the Camera Connection Kit’s SD card adapter.

UPDATE: Reports are coming in that, while the keyboard works fine, the numeric keypad that comes with it does not.

While looking for a new keyboard for my desktop computer, I ended up choosing the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 — simply because it I liked the feel of the keys so much. I do have to admit it occurred to me it might work with the iPad, but I doubted it.

Still, after getting it home, the first thing I tried to do is pair it up with the iPad. It took 20 seconds, and I was up and running. It works perfectly.

It doesn’t cost any less than the Apple Bluetooth, but I’m one of those weirdos who got used to the ergonomic “bent” keyboards and so this one suits me perfectly.

I ended up getting the Apple Bluetooth keyboard for use with the iPad, simply because it’s smaller and more portable — and to my surprise, I actually ended up liking it.  I use this Microsoft keyboard for my desktop computer.

Long a denizen on the more portable iPhone and iPod Touch, the Beer Judge Certification Program Style Guidelines are now available for the Apple iPad, where it’s much easier to read.

A touch here, a touch there, and you’ll find out everything you want to know about a certain style of beer.

I absolutely love it, and for those of you with an iPhone/iPod Touch, the same program works on those as well – you don’t have to buy another copy.

More info:  Beer Judge Certification Program website and BJCP Styles on Apples App Store.

Love it, hate it — it doesn’t matter. The iPad is here to stay. The more I use mine the more I love it, because you actually have to use it to understand where it fits into your life. It’s not a computer so much as it is an interactive book, mixed with a personal TV, and — as it turns out — a decent sounding radio.

One of the apps that I’ve come to enjoy using on a daily basis is Today In History by Down-Shift Interactive. The History Channel is what originally made me a fan of history, but since I’ve stopped watching TV this is one of the things I’ve missed. Now, right here on my iPad, I have all of history in concise Twitter-sized spoonfuls. I actually look forward to my new daily ritual of sitting in my big comfy chair, cracking open the iPad like I would a book, and touching the icon for this program.

Up pops the historic events that happened on this day. Not just a few, and not just recent ones, but notable events in all of history are at your fingertips. Also are lists of who was born today, who died, and what significant calendar events — including holidays — are happening around the globe.

You don’t have to be online to enjoy it, as all the data is cached locally, but if you do happen to be online — and an item of interest compels you to share — you can, directly from the app, via email, Facebook, or Twitter. That in itself is pretty cool, but add to that, this app has it’s own built in social network where you can actually comment on each historic event and read what others have commented. You can friend these other commenters and have entire discussions with them.

All right there in the app. Seriously, this is something I never would have thought of, and never would have thought I’d enjoy — but I do. I mean, really, talk about “history coming alive…”

– Post From My iPad

This is literally like comparing apples to oranges, but since people continue talking about the iPad as a "Kindle killer," this needs to be addressed.

I have both, now. I can compare them side to side. I’ve used the iPad to do some serious reading, and as slick and sexy as it is, my iPad is not as good a ebook reader as my Kindle.

Two main reasons:

1. Despite all its deficiencies, the Kindle’s screen is far easier on the eyes. The iPad’s screen, through a combination of being backlit and glare from the glossy surface, is harder to read — not at first blush, but after a few hours, yes. I noticed a big difference.
      
2. The iPad is much heavier. This makes a difference especially if you’re the type, like me, who prefers to hold the book instead of resting it. It’s like the difference between holding a paperback versus holding a big hardbound book.

Setting both these things aside, the iPad may still be the better choice for you if you are dead set against owning a device that has a single purpose. You can’t really think of the Kindle as a computer — it’s a book. Period. Now some detractors may say that an iPad isn’t a computer, either, but I’m sorry — it is. It’s a decent little word processor (I’m writing this on it) and it’s a communication device (Skype works great on it, by the way) and it’s a game machine, and it’s a great little music and video player.

It is also a pretty good ebook reader. Oddly enough so is the iPhone — truth be told I actually find the tiny iPhone screen easier on the eyes for reading than the iPad’s.

But which one would I pick up and take with me to the park so I can sit under a tree and get lost in a good novel?

My Kindle.

Forget immersing yourself into a computer generated reality.  It looks like in the very near future, computer reality is going to be generated on top of our outer reality.  And onto us.

This is the first new interface technology to actually fire my imagination in a long, long time.

The CompactFlash Association has announced their CF5.0 specification, which allows memory cards up to 144 petabytes.

That’s PETAbytes, which translates to 150,994,944 gigabytes.

Unfortunately the new Compact Flash specification only allows transfer speeds up to 32 megabytes per second, which means a full 144PB card would take about 153 years to transfer.

(from Michael Zhang at PetaPixel)

Heheh. Indeed. (Via EncyclopediaDramatica.com)

This is pretty groovy in concept, and I applaud those who actually came up with it, but really … it falls into that category of “just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should.”

This isolates us further away from natural food, which is perfect already. Eat a banana or an apple. You don’t have to print it, or open a can, or anything. JUST EAT IT.

Do that, and your body will thank you for it.

(via Inhabitat.com)