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Even though the first iPhone lacked a GPS and compass (not to mention a true gyroscope), there were a few early avionic entries to the App Store, mostly involving crude tilt measurements. When the iPhone got a GPS and then a compass, it became a wee more useful to the flying sort. The iPad brings ample screen size to the table, and the iPhone 4 has a gyroscope. But leave it to good ol’ American ingenuity (or largess) to put an iPad smack in the middle of a plane’s dashboard.
Whether you’re a true gourmet or someone who can’t do anything more complicated than pulling a frozen pizza out of the oven, you probably enjoy going out to eat. Wouldn’t it be nice if your iPad could help you find some new restaurants? Whether you’re on the road for business or hanging out in your home town, these apps can help you break out of your rut and experience something new.
OpenTable (Free)
OpenTable for iPad is designed to make restaurant reservations, but it can do more than that, helping you discover an array of dining options you may not be familiar with, even if you’re a native and not just passing through. When you first start the app, it asks for permission to use your location; tap yes and you will almost immediately see a Google map showing nearby restaurants participating in the Open Table network. Tap on one of the map pins to get the restaurant name and available reservation times; if you’re interested in learning more you can tap on the arrow to get more information. The restaurant details page includes the address, a photo, a description, and diner reviews. A link to the restaurant’s web site, if available, offers menu information, and you can also mark restaurants as your favorite.
Making reservations on OpenTable for iPad is as easy as tapping a time on the restaurant details page; you will then be prompted to log in to your OpenTable account if you like (not required) and enter your name, phone number, and email address. You can also add special requests if you like, though of course there’s no guarantee. If you do decide to join the OpenTable network, you will receive dining offers and earn points toward free meals at participating restaurants.
The OpenTable for iPad app is a pleasant surprise, because it offers a lot of information about each restaurant and is very well-organized. Since it is reservation-based, the selection of restaurants is a cut above the usual every day, so there’s a targeted selection of choices, all generally excellent.
Oklahoma State University is the latest school to start setting students up with iPads. Starting this fall, a pilot program will give iPads to 125 students, and the university will monitor, both, how the device affects their learning and what their textbook costs turn out to be. Additionally, the classes in the pilot program will look at using, both, apps and Web-based tools on the devices, as is appropriate for the classroom.