I got an iPad in February. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it or not because I just got a new MacBook Pro for Christmas. I wasn’t sure if I would have a need for it or not.

Two months later, I can definitely say I love the iPad.

I love it for a few reasons:

It’s a big iPhone - Since I got my iPad, I use my iPhone a lot less. The games, videos, and apps are 10x better on the iPad compared to the iPhone.

It’s Portable – It’s so easy to travel with! You don’t need to carry a lap-top bag or anything!

What You Can do On It - I use mine for e-mail, to track my to-do lists, to take notes, to show people documents and pictures when I meet with them, to browse the web, to read books, to read the Bible, to watch NetFlix, to play video games, to listen to music while I’m working out . . . I could go on and on. The possibilities are endless!

It’s a Post-Computer Device - Steve Jobs said that other companies that are trying to make their own versions of iPads are failing because they are trying to make them like a computer. The problem: it’s a post-computer device. Down the road, I think iPad’s could definitely replace the need to personal computers and laptops.

What the iPad Doesn’t Do:

It doesn’t replace a lap-top - I still love my MacBook Pro. I still do a ton of my work on my lap top. The iPad is a great product to have beside your lap top! It’s helped me become more effective.

A lot of people wonder if they need to get an iPad or not. I would say this, you don’t have to have one, but it sure is nice to have one!

Here are some of my favorite/must have apps for the iPad:

Productivity:
Evernote
Awesome Notes (For to-do lists)
Pages
KeyNote
DV Prompter
Drop Box
iMovie

Accountability:
X3Watch Browser

News:
CNN
Drudge Report
FlipBoard
The Weather Channel

Entertainment:
Netflix
TED

Books:
Kindle App
YouVersion

Social Media:
Twitter
HootSuite
Friendly (FB)

Fun:
Angry Birds
PLants vs Zombies
Dungeon Hunter 2
Infinity Blade

This video from Seth Godin really challenged me on social networking this weekend. I’m really re-thinking the way I do social networking. This statement is what challenged me the most:

“Networking is always important when it’s real and it’s always a useless distraction when it’s fake”

Here are some questions I’m asking myself. In the future I’ll post about my social media strategy. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these questions:

• How can we use social media to make real connections?

• How can we really add value to people through social media?

• How do you measure the success of how we use social media?

• Are we really making a difference through our efforts?

• How much of the way I use social media is a useless distraction?
  

Thoughts?

Below are some things I use in everyday life that have made life so much more productive & so much easier! I’d recommend checking out everything I’ve listed.

If you’re aware of other things that could simplify my life of make it more productive, please leave your recommendations in the comment section!

Google Reader – Ever feel like there is way too much to read? Too many blogs, to many news articles, etc.? Google reader allows you to subscribe to RSS feeds and have all of your favorite news articles, blogs, etc. in one central place for you to read. If you’re not currently using this, you need to check it out!

Evernote – I just recently started using this, it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite things in the world. It’s a place where you can draft, edit, organize, and file text documents, audio files, pictures, and pretty much anything else you can imagine! You’re able to organize everything by Tags and Notebooks. I’d highly recommend looking into this and all the things you’re able to do with it!

Hootsuite – This is where I take care of my social networking updates. It allows you to schedule Tweets/Facebook updates in advance. You can schedule updates as far out in advance as you’d like, so you don’t have to waste time during the day thinking of what to say, etc. There are plenty of other benefits, but I’d recommend using this tool!

IMapMyRide - If you’re a walker, runner, or a biker, you need to get this app or use this website. It will track all of your workouts, map out your runs, keep your heart rate, allow you to listen to your ipod while working out, and even has voice updates that tell you how far you’ve gone, etc. This makes working out so much more fun!

Tap & Track - This is what I use to track all of my calories. It’s only for the iPhone, but it’s so convenient! You can find pretty much any restaurants nutritional info in this app, pretty much any food from the grocery store, and what you can’t find, you can add. If you’re watching what you eat, this is a necessity! I love it!

Mint.com – The best free way to track all of your finances. This will create reports for you based on your spending, allow you to make financial goals, give you options as to where you’re money could be making more money for you, etc.

YouVersion – This is free online Bible software. By far the best out there! Want to read the Bible through in a year? No problem – YouVersion provides a ton of reading plans for you to choose from. They will track your progress, allow you to tag and make notes with the scriptures, share verses, and allow you to read any version you want. There are mobile versions available! Get in the Word!

iPhone – This goes without saying, but the iPhone has made life so much easier. All of the things I’ve listed above are all available on my phone. If you have one, I bet you’d agree that you can’t really remember what life was like when you didn’t have one! I don’t care what anybody says, no other phone comes close to the iPhone. I’d recommend getting one, it’s worth it.

Google Analytics - Want to track traffic for your website? This is the best way! You’ll be able to find out pretty much anything you want to about who comes to your website, how many times, what they look at, etc. This is very helpful to see whether or not your website is effective, what articles interest people, etc. If you have a website and you’re not using this, you need to be.

Google Apps -  I use this to e-mail my ministry teams, share documents with them, share to do lists with them, create online sign-ups and track them, share calendars, have online team meetings, etc. I’d highly recommend getting your organization hooked up with the apps, especially if you’re a non-profit!