Whether you’ve just unboxed your first iPad or are looking to get more out of the trusty tablet you already love, exploring all that it can do is a must. Knowing just what your iPad is capable of can convert it from a mere entertainment device to a powerful tool for creativity, productivity, organization, and entertainment, too.
Here are six ways to integrate your iPad into your daily life.
Why Use an iPad?
Before we dive into our list of the different ways to use your iPad, let’s explore how an iPad is useful:
- Versatility for work and play: With an iPad, you can handle work projects like taking notes and making charts, and you can also use it to watch movies and TV once you’re off the clock.
- Powerful performance: An iPad can run intensive apps like Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office, which is not as easy for other portable devices.
- Seamless multitasking: You can manage multiple apps with an iPad’s easy-to-use interface.
- Comprehensive organization tools: From storing files in iCloud to managing documents on the Files app, the iPad helps keep your digital life organized.
- Touchscreen functionality: The iPad’s touchscreen and Apple Pencil support offer a more intuitive experience than a laptop. This makes the iPad a great tool for artists, designers, and anyone who prefers more hands-on interaction.
Get The Most Out of Your iPad
Now for the fun part. Here are a few ideas to help you get the most out of your iPad:
1. Organize Your Life With Apple Wallet
Apple Wallet on your iPad is more than just a digital payment tool; it’s an all-in-one organizer for your daily essentials.
Helpfully, this app lets you make payments quickly and safely from your iPad and it securely stores all of your loyalty, debit, and credit cards in one place.
Beyond financial tools, it also holds your:
- Digital keys
- Boarding passes
- Event tickets
- IDs
Apple Wallet comes pre-installed on your iPad, offering these management features at no additional cost. However, integrating certain services like Apple Cash or adding specific types of keys may require additional setups or fees with those service providers.
2. Discover New Tunes With Apple Music
Transform your iPad into a hub for all things audio with Apple Music. This service streams music and offers access to a wide collection of audiobooks and podcasts.
Apple Music is integrated with iOS to explore over 90 million songs and a wide range of playlists tailored to different moods and activities.
So, whether you’re looking to relax with some classical music, find the perfect playlist for a workout, or catch up on your favorite audiobook, Apple Music has you covered.
Another advanced feature you may not realize is present in your iPad (from 2018 onwards) is Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. This is the next iteration of surround sound where certain sounds come from different places instead of every sound surrounding you at once, giving you deeper and more nuanced sound from your iPad.
This app not only makes your music listening experience better, but it also lets you discover new artists and albums through its intelligent recommendation system that’s based on your listening habits. And, Apple Music integrates with your existing iTunes library, so you can keep all your music in one place.
Apple Music offers a free trial for new users, after which it costs $10.99 per month for an individual plan. There are also family and student plans available, offering additional features and value.
3. Become an At-Home Chef With Paprika Recipe Manager
Transform your iPad into the ultimate kitchen companion with Paprika Recipe Manager. This versatile app is perfect for anyone looking to streamline their cooking and meal planning.
At its core, Paprika is designed to make cooking more accessible and organized. The app lets you save and manage your favorite recipes from anywhere on the web. Then, grocery lists are organized automatically by grocery store aisle.
Paprika is great if you love to be prepared and hate food waste. Its meal planning and grocery list features are seamlessly integrated, so you’ll always buy exactly what you need for your weekly meals.
What sets Paprika apart is its ease of use and many features. You can browse recipes within the app’s built-in browser and save them with just a click—Paprika formats and organizes them into a user-friendly layout.
Paprika also offers handy tools like timers and unit conversions directly within each recipe with no need to switch between apps.
Not only can Paprika on your iPad help you prepare before getting in the kitchen, it can also help you while you’re cooking. Try propping up your iPad on a cookbook stand to have it in front of you while you cook and see how easy it is to follow your culinary plan.
Paprika Recipe Manager is available for a one-time purchase of $4.99 on the App Store. The app does not require a subscription, making it a cost-effective option to upgrade your cooking experience.
4. Track Your Fitness With FitOn
FitOn is a free fitness app that transforms your iPad into a dynamic workout companion. It offers a vast array of workout videos featuring celebrity trainers that cater to all fitness levels. Whether you’re into yoga, HIIT, or strength training, FitOn provides a range of exercises to suit your preferences.
FitOn is especially appealing for its user-friendly design and the variety of workouts available without any subscription fees. Tailor your workout plans, set fitness goals, and even join challenges to stay motivated.
Another thing that sets FitOn apart is its social feature that lets you join video workout sessions with friends, making fitness a more engaging experience. And this is where having an iPad is an advantage—trying to follow along to a fitness class on a small phone screen is hard. But with an iPad’s larger screen, you’ll be able to see every move without problems.
FitOn is free to download and use, with optional Pro features (like meal plans and personalized fitness plans) available for $25 for six months or $30 for a full year. This makes it accessible and a great way to stay active and healthy with your iPad.
5. Stream Videos On the Go With Netflix
Turn your iPad into a portable entertainment center with Netflix. Whether you’re at the airport, on a plane, or simply waiting for an appointment, enjoy your favorite shows and movies anytime, anywhere.
Netflix’s user-friendly app also lets you download content to keep you entertained even without an internet connection. Plus, the app also offers personalized recommendations based on your viewing habits, making it easy to discover new favorites.
This is another instance where a larger screen creates a much better experience for the app. While people are used to watching short videos on their phone screen, for movie watching or longer binge-watching sessions, the iPhone screen makes for a much more pleasant viewing experience than a phone.
Netflix offers various subscription plans starting at $6.99 per month, with the option to download content for offline viewing available in all plans.
6. Express Your Creativity With Procreate
Turn your iPad into a versatile digital canvas with Procreate, widely regarded as a great app for digital artists on iPad. Procreate offers a variety of tools for sketching, painting, and illustrating. And because it’s easy to use, it’s perfect for amateurs as well as professional artists.
Create anything from quick sketches to complex artwork with features such as:
- An easy-to-use interface
- A full set of high-quality brushes
- An extensive color palette
Procreate is especially powerful for creating digital illustrations or even marketing materials; the app’s features support high-resolution canvases and detailed animations.
Another feature is its advanced layering system and over 130 customizable brushes, which allow for deep creative exploration and the ability to produce professional-grade art.
Procreate also supports typography and has advanced features like masks, blend modes, and 3D painting tools.
Procreate is available on the App Store for $12.99, offering access to a complete suite of artistic tools for one upfront cost without the need for traditional, often expensive art supplies.
Exploring the Full Potential of Your iPad
Your iPad can do much more than you may think. By exploring these apps, you can turn it into a powerful tool for creativity, productivity, organization, and entertainment.
So, whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go, your iPad has the power to improve your everyday life and simplify your tasks.
