INSIDE MOBILE: Becoming Part of the Apple iPad Generation

Using the iPad for e-mail and menu planning

I was able to access mail on my MobileMe e-mail account (gerrypurdy@me.com). I'll likely forward some of my MobileTrax e-mail to my MobileMe e-mail account so I can see what's going on via the iPad when out on the back porch or while watching TV. Alicia has already used the iPad to check on equestrian event updates and for menu planning in the kitchen.

In another recent column, I described how people will spend their time using different screens in their lives. It appears that the iPad will be used both during existing activities (such as while watching TV), as well as allocate time away from other activities (such as dedicated use). And, because it's so convenient and available all the time, it will get more spur-of-the-moment use than a notebook.

I fully expect that the most exciting applications for the iPad will be those developed specifically for the iPad. I fully expect to see insanely great applications developed and adopted in the different categories over the coming year. And, I'm certainly going to have to define a number of new categories to watch, and then acknowledge success with, in future Mobility Awards.

J. Gerry Purdy, Ph.D. is Principal Analyst of Mobile & Wireless at MobileTrax LLC. As a nationally recognized industry authority, Dr. Purdy focuses on monitoring and analyzing emerging trends, technologies and market behavior in the mobile computing and wireless data communications industry in North America. Dr. Purdy is an "edge of network" analyst looking at devices, applications and services, as well as wireless connectivity to those devices. Dr. Purdy provides critical insights regarding mobile and wireless devices, wireless data communications and connection to the infrastructure that powers the data in the wireless handheld. He is author of the column Inside Mobile & Wireless that provides industry insights and is read by over 100,000 people a month.

Dr. Purdy continues to be affiliated with the venture capital industry as well. He currently is Managing Director at Yosemite Ventures. And he spent five years as a Venture Advisor for Diamondhead Ventures in Menlo Park where he identified, attracted and recommended investments in emerging companies in mobile and wireless. He has had a prior affiliation with East Peak Advisors and, subsequently, following their acquisition, with FBR Capital Markets. For more than 16 years, Dr. Purdy has been consulting, speaking, researching, networking, writing and developing state-of-the-art concepts that challenge people's mind-sets, as well as developing new ways of thinking and forecasting in the mobile computing and wireless data arenas. Often quoted, Dr. Purdy's ideas and opinions are followed closely by thought leaders in the mobile and wireless industry. He is author of three books as well.

Dr. Purdy currently is a member of the Program Advisory Board of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) which produces CES, one of the largest trade shows in the world. He is a frequent moderator at CTIA conferences and GSM Mobile World Congress. He also is a member of the Board of the Atlanta Wireless Technology Forum. Dr. Purdy has a B.S. degree in Engineering Physics from University of Tennessee, a M.S. degree in Computer Science from UCLA, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Exercise Physiology from Stanford University. He can be reached at gerry.purdy@mobiletrax.com.

Disclosure Statement: From time to time, I may have a direct or indirect equity position in a company that is mentioned in this column. If that situation happens, then I’ll disclose it at that time.