How do you use your iPad? How can I use mine to better report the news?

Tweet

Yesterday, my editor handed me an iPad.

I know, I know. Sounds pretty cool, right?

But truth be told, I found it kind of intimidating. Outside the Apple Store, I had never really used one.  I don’t have an iPhone. I’ve never even owned an iPod.

Today, I’ve been playing around with it. I contacted some tech-savvy journalism friends of mine. I downloaded apps for Twitter, the New York Times the York Daily Record/Sunday News, and Dragon Dictation – an app I found on a “recommended for reporters” list that converts voice recordings into text. (Transcribing notes from my digital recorder is the bane of my existence. )

I’m taking recommendations for an easy-to-use video editing app I can experiment with, as well. I’m seeing lots of potential that I never learned about in journalism class.

I’ve always liked the idea of being a mobile journalist, but I’ve never had the tools. My cubicle on Loucks Road is cozy and all, but I’ve never found a story by sitting in it.

So I’m on a mission, now, to educate myself, and I’d like to hear from you.

How do you use your iPad? What apps should I download?

How can we, as journalists, use this tool to better serve readers? What kinds of things would you like to see?

Tweet