I skimmed this, because I was mildly curious what another freelancer’s day looks like. After reading it, I went to Facebook elsewhere to be amused, with this article in the back of my mind. I was struck with the author’s organizational skills, and with her interactions with the internet.

It made me want a smartphone (iPhone or Android, I’m not picky) and it really really made me want to purchase an iPad. Well, the latter is always close to mind, but the article fanned the flames of that all over again, le sigh.

I wondered how I could articulate should anyone ask what on earth I’d want an iPad for. If my goal was productivity and/or organization, couldn’t a pad of paper and pen be just as adequate? My roommate has let me play with an original iPhone as she’s since upgraded. Whenever her phone’s out of commission, she grabs for the one I use, but otherwise, it’s mine to do whatever with.

I’ve purchased a number of apps that are compatible with this older version of the iOS, and played with many others that were free, and even developed a few that are currently in the app store and doing very well. So I do have the teeniest bit of experience with the sort of apps that are or might be available for the iPad. There are quite a few apps that I can’t play with because they will only work with a newer version of the OS, or because they’re specifically for the iPad with no iPhone equivalent.

ANYWAY, my answer as to why I’d want an iPad (v2, 3g) so strongly is threefold: 1. I would use the 3G internet access whenever I needed it–for everything from syncing info and work, to viewing Google Maps (I’m directionally challenged), to communicating with clients and with other professionals. 2. I would use the cameras on the iPad 2 for Skype and other programs of its ilk, again to communicate with clients and other professionals. 3. Productivity. What apps would I use? Well, I don’t rightly know, I don’t have one in my hands to test them out and formulate an answer. However, I would definitely find them, test them, and incorporate them into my daily usage.

There was a period of time in which I was dragging my roommate’s old iPhone everywhere with me, using it to jot down notes, organize to-do lists, write blog entries, scribble down URLs and companies that interested me, etc etc. I do that now by texting a note to my email from my almost-smartphone. I don’t drag my roommate’s phone around so often anymore, because 1) the apps are becoming obsolete with needed upgrades that it can’t handle, and 2) the few things I used to do with it, I now do with my phone. My phone doesn’t play music, but it can access the internet (badly), and like I said, I now send notes to myself via text and email rather than using a notepad app. I don’t like dragging around the different electronics that I used to, either.

I would be lying if I didn’t mention that there were a few not-work things I’d love to play with on the iPad–specifically, several “musical instrument” apps I’m really curious about that have no or limited functionality on the smaller iPhone screen. Oh yeah, and I want to code for the iPad too.

So yes, I can get by without the iPad, but I’d dearly love to get one, and create my daily life around it. Getting an updated iOS or Android phone would be splendid, too, but so little of my mobile stuff is done through voice talk that it’s a distant second on the list of wants.

Probably related:

• November 14, 2011 -- In More Professional News…
• January 19, 2012 -- Being a Professional
• January 5, 2012 -- *perks ears up*