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12 things you never knew you could do with your iPad

Some neat tricks you might not have known before…

THE IPAD IS a more capable device than a lot of people may realise.

Despite iOS being a scaled-down operating system, there are loads of features buried inside of it, and it’s robust enough to run some powerful apps on top of it.

These are our favorite features and capabilities (whether native or app-assisted) in our iPads.

Access your home computer and use it from anywhere in the world
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  • Access your home computer and use it from anywhere in the world

  • Enable private browsing

  • Use it as a media remote

  • Remotely wake up your computer

  • Split the keyboard in half

  • When the keyboard is split you have access to invisible keys

  • Switch between apps with a special gesture

  • Get to the home screen without pressing the home button

  • A faster way to reveal the multi-tasking bar

  • Two spaces make a full stop

  • Video out is easy to use

  • Read comic books

- Dylan Love, reproduced with permission from Business Insider

Read: Introducing the incredible 3D mapping technology heading for iPhones and iPads

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30 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Cafferkey
    Favourite Seán Cafferkey
    Report
    May 22nd 2012, 2:34 PM

    What about doing the same type of article for Android?

    136
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Murphy
    Favourite Noel Murphy
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    May 22nd 2012, 2:45 PM

    Nobody would care……. Ba-zing!

    139
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Slattery
    Favourite Patrick Slattery
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    May 22nd 2012, 3:02 PM

    Us Android tablet user know how to user them & don’t need to find tips in the ‘business’ news.

    111
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damocles
    Favourite Damocles
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    May 22nd 2012, 2:40 PM

    You mean it’s _not_ just an expensive door stop?

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stadler Waldorf
    Favourite Stadler Waldorf
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    May 22nd 2012, 10:08 PM

    It’s also a handy chopping board

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ƒR()§†H@X
    Favourite ƒR()§†H@X
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    May 22nd 2012, 4:13 PM

    Don’t want this to turn out an iPad / Android bashing thread like it always does everywhere! :)

    I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, the misses has an iPad2. The iPad is certainly a brilliant tablet with absolutely fantastic apps.

    I love my Samsung Galaxy Tab because I can customise it to my tastes, I have Go Launcher HD which is fantastic and a custom Rom. The apps were scarce but they are improving. Definitely the iPad beats it on apps.

    But I can download any files to my tab (avi,mkv,etc) and stream from any flash site. AirDroid is just the dog’s bo**ocks and I can now attach hard drives to my tab so I have unlimited storage.

    Both Android and iOS are brilliant in their own ways.

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute seamus mcdermott
    Favourite seamus mcdermott
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    May 22nd 2012, 3:09 PM

    What about the persistent feeling of loneliness I feel from not connecting with other human beings?

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel Lane
    Favourite Nigel Lane
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    May 22nd 2012, 5:15 PM

    Why do people feel that owning a computer makes you connect less with people? I connect far more regularly with people than my parents would ever have. And that’s down to technology.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute seamus mcdermott
    Favourite seamus mcdermott
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    May 23rd 2012, 3:18 PM

    It’s quality, not quantity, dear brother.

    1
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave
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    May 23rd 2012, 4:36 PM

    Well if you do have this feeling of loneliness, you could try a social activity? No need to blame the technology.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin McGuinness
    Favourite Gavin McGuinness
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    May 22nd 2012, 3:56 PM

    Picking up a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 next week in Boston.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Mac Aonghusa
    Favourite Diarmaid Mac Aonghusa
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    May 22nd 2012, 5:57 PM

    Sure why would you want to support a local company when you help the good people of Massachusetts?

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin McGuinness
    Favourite Gavin McGuinness
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    May 22nd 2012, 7:53 PM

    I would “support a local company” when they lower their prices are become more competitive with the rest of the world. The tech industry is all about margins and if they are off by a little bit you will sell nothing. The same tablet is €475 here in Ireland compared to €315 in the states. I think I know where I’m buying mine. Thank you very much!

    27
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bilbo Baggins
    Favourite Bilbo Baggins
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    May 23rd 2012, 12:34 AM

    vat n customs will set u back about another ?85 too.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian Nolan
    Favourite Adrian Nolan
    Report
    May 22nd 2012, 3:17 PM

    Tip 13. Use it for stress relief by bouncing it off the wall. Repeatedly. Hard.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris lynch
    Favourite Chris lynch
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    May 22nd 2012, 4:16 PM

    Double space = Full Stop is around years on the iPhone. If you have an iPad this is is new then, you must be only using if for porn.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AdrianKenny
    Favourite AdrianKenny
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    May 22nd 2012, 2:29 PM

    I use splashtop remote all the time to control my laptop from ipad and is the same as iteleport app mentioned and it’s only around €2

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Conneally
    Favourite Conor Conneally
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    May 22nd 2012, 3:44 PM

    i use mine as a coaster.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Murray
    Favourite Colin Murray
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    May 22nd 2012, 5:44 PM

    Fascinating stuff *rolls eyes*

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Geraghty
    Favourite Michael Geraghty
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    May 22nd 2012, 5:28 PM

    That was pretty shit to be honest…

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel Lane
    Favourite Nigel Lane
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    May 22nd 2012, 5:13 PM

    It’s a 5 finger pinch to close an app, not 4. Just saying.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul
    Favourite Paul
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    May 22nd 2012, 5:43 PM

    Nope, 4 fingers are enough to swipe or pinch for the multitouch gestures. Try it out.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel Lane
    Favourite Nigel Lane
    Report
    May 22nd 2012, 7:16 PM

    Trying here now, been using it for ages… Four finger swipe changes app, swipe up for multi tasking bar… But five finger pinch to go to home screen.

    3
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul
    Favourite Paul
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    May 23rd 2012, 5:38 PM

    Try it again. Lift your little finger or index finger out of the way. 4 fingers to swipe or pinch back to home screen

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy O'Reilly
    Favourite Paddy O'Reilly
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    May 22nd 2012, 5:49 PM

    I used one as a paperweight. True story.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Figo murphy
    Favourite Figo murphy
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    May 22nd 2012, 6:12 PM

    O tell us more.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Itchy Brain
    Favourite Itchy Brain
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    May 22nd 2012, 11:07 PM

    Cool, did not realise I could split the keyboard. I think I prefer this way!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karla Carroll
    Favourite Karla Carroll
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    May 22nd 2012, 5:28 PM

    Knew all that already… Its a handy gadget…

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute pip white
    Favourite pip white
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    May 22nd 2012, 11:49 PM

    really! who giveaway s**t anyway?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute random
    Favourite random
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    May 22nd 2012, 5:11 PM

    I tried comixology on my Android tablet and it sucked, wouldn’t allow me to log in half the time. I hope the iPad version works properly.

    1
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