Numismatic Content and the iPad

MrEureka

I'm considering buying an iPad and wondering exactly how much numismatic use I can get out of it. Specifically, I'm considering coin images and (mostly KM) price guides. Based on the little I know, it looks like the iPad will do a good job managing coin images, although it may not be much of an improvement on using a laptop. I'm also guessing that it will be difficult to load price guides into the iPad, and that the digital KM catalogs are better suited to a laptop. Any guidance would be appreciated!

wildjag

I am going to stick with my laptop for now for viewing Krause digital books, but will switch to a netbook as they get faster.

TokenTinker

I'm not familiar with the iPad per se but I do know that Apple's iPhone has a great deal of versatility for on-site evaluations and resourcing. If the iPad has a camera or image capture built in then it will probably also have apps and tech built in that allow for everything from barcode scanning & comparative pricing, web access (of course) e-book storage. The iphone has also introduced numismatic catalog apps that I can't imagine they would scrap for the iPad - though you'll want to check on all of this. I'd be most interested in the data storage abilities, camera, image software for correcting, cropping, compositing and formatting image files and in compatability with any preferred database organizing all collecting and cataloguing info.

ajaan

Don't ask me, I don't even have a cell phone.

JCMhouston

I really like the little Acer netbook my wife got last year. Weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and much easier to carry around than my 17" notebook.

spoon

I haven't bought into the iPhone/iTouch/iPad stuff yet...

But I have heard that importing your own PDFs can be annoying. The built in ebook reader only works with their ePub formatted stuff, though you can convert nearly anything, including PDF to epub. PDF is supported in other areas on the iPad (they can be opened directly from email), and I'm sure someone will squeeze an app through that more easily handles them. But from what I can tell there is no native support for unconverted PDFs. This is essentially a proprietary lock on things since they want all your ebooks to be purchased through them. And since I haven't really played with these toys yet, I can't say how painful it would be to search through a 400MB+ PDF version of Krause on the thing. I know large PDFs can slow older computers like molasses, and if Apple doesn't natively support PDF there probably are performance issues, beside the greedy lockout.

I'm not sure about apps specifically made for coin collectors. The only thing I've found for the phone/touch is this which looks like little more than a couple bookmarks packaged as an "app". There are a couple other things that look like generic stabs at "collection organizers", none specifically coin related, and none that really stand out to my knowledge. IMO, Numismaster, Heritage and those guys would be wise to make a nice app for the full Apple lineup (and other smart phones too).

The iPad is supposed to have better MS Office-like work tools, so you can manage your own spreadsheets and such on it. And then there are neat little things like this (which turns the iPad into a cash register). So there is definitely room for a good coin collector app or three. But I ain't seeing them yet.

So far the iPad is wifi only, no 3G connection over cell lines, so you have to be near an open network to surf on it. Word is they are gonna come out with a 3G version with some sort of separate subscription plan for access through AT&T.

The iPad does not have a camera, though if you dole out another chunk of cash Apple will sell you a clunky thing that can plug into it and take pics. It also does not have any removable storage. Thumb drives won't plug into it, memory cards (like for cameras) won't either. But, again, there's a device for that.. sold separately.

All in all, never buy the first generation of any Apple product unless you just want bragging rights.

But it is a darn pretty little toy!

1960NYGiants

<< <i>Don't ask me, I don't even have a cell phone. >>



Yoo Hoo! I'm not the only one. I hate those !*/***! things.

ajaan

Gene,
My wife doesn't have one also, that makes us three middle aged Americans without one.

newsman

I hear the iPad is super-absorbent and keeps you smelling fresh all day.

Other than that, I don't see any use for it right now. It's so large you might as well carry a lightweight laptop, which also is capable of doing more. If you need something smaller and more portable, a smartphone is enough.