Aviation application news
For all you iPad owners looking for a way to secure your iPad in the cockpit, Tech Boards has released a new kneeboard made specifically for the iPad. It’s called the Tech Board iPro Kneeboard and it is available for $149.95 from the folks at ForPilotsOnly.com.
Fellow RV builder (now flyer) Don Hall posted this YouTube video where he demonstrates how uses his new iPad as an EFB.
A few new apps have been added, some with iPad support, and a few old apps have now been revised to support the iPad.
New Apps
Airporter (iPad)
Flightwise Chart Explorer (iPhone/iPad)
Power Pilot (iPhone/iPad)
SkyChartsPro (iPad)
Old Apps with new versions to support the iPad
Airports 4 Pilots Pro - World Edition
Foreflight Mobile 3 HD Aviation and Preflight Intelligence
MyRadar Pro
I’m typing this post from my lawn chair outside the Walnut Creek , California Apple store where I am waiting for the iPad to go on sale tomorrow. OK, not really, I’m actually at home sitting on my couch with my feet up and an adult beverage at my side.
All kidding aside, a few people have emailed asking me if I am planning on buying an iPad. I am not planning on it (at least immediately), although when I saw the screen shots of ForeFlight Mobile 3 HD on the iPad I suddenly felt the urge to order one on the spot (talk about cool!). As tempting as I find the iPad, I already have an iPhone and several other PCs, so I just can’t put it into the need column right now. Although, I suspect that as more applications for the iPad are released, I will find its allure harder and harder to resist.
All this being said, I’ve already begun the work need to track and filter apps by platform (iPhone/iPod or iPad). I know I’ve mentioned it before but I’ve been working on a categorization scheme and filter (yeah I know, you’ll believe when you see it) and the plan is to launch the platform filter at the same time. While the database work is complete, I’ve had to bring in some technical assistance to help with the increasingly complex database structure and associated queries. So when will you see it? As soon as possible is all I will say.
If you are planning on purchasing an iPad, just keep in mind that the version of the iPad that has 3G connectivity and GPS won’t be released until late April. I suspect most aviators will be waiting for that version, I know I would.
So, are you getting an iPad?
As I type this Apple is launching it’s new iPad tablet computing device. At first glance it looks like a giant iPhone with with a 9.7″ screen, but it is clearly much much more than that.
Apple is saying that it will run vitrually all iPhone apps in their native iPhone resolution (appearing small on the iPad screen) or can be zoomed to run full screen in a low resolution mode. However, they are also making the SDK available today so that developers can build iPad specific applications which according to Apple will also be available in the iTunes App Store.
Well, I am not a reporter and I am not at the release event so I am not going to go into all the details here, but just about every technology news service is there covering the event and will provide detailed coverage. I’ve included some links below.
This product’s launch is obviously relevant to us as aviators and iPhone users because it provides us with another, and perhaps better, device which can be used as an EFB (electronic flight bag). Many of us have used our iPhones for a variety of aviation related tasks, but the small size of iPhone display has always stood in the way of it being truly useful. Viewing graphical weather, charts, or instrument procedures on the iPhone always involved a lot of zooming and scrolling, but With an 9.7″ screen the iPad will surely solve many of those issues.
What do you think… does this look to be the device aviators have been waiting for?
iPad coverage…
http://gizmodo.com/tag/apple-tablet/
http://www.cnet.com/apple-ipad/
http://www.appleinsider.com/
http://www.apple.com/
