When the iPad is not between sofa cushions, it is our friend’s favorite tool in the media room. Who needs a laptop when you just want to lookup IMDB or Youtube? The obvious complaints are about no Flash and not being able to print. I/O issues were never really part of the conversation as the Internet and the Network provide ample exchange solutions. Blake, who also got his hands on an iPad confided in us… it’s now his favorite bathroom magazine. Ick! He can keep his.

We’re going to pick up some Velcro this weekend and we’re seriously considering a 3G version of the iPad for a wicked road trip we’re planning this summer.

We wondered, would this card still work? We’ve been burned so many times with gift cards that died, lost their remaining balance or went mysteriously empty after a few months (phone cards are the worst) – so naturally we were skeptical.

So we fired up iTunes, scratched the back of the card – realizing we probably ruined a vintage item… but hey $25 is $25! With trepidation, we entered the 16 character code and discovered within seconds we were now richer by $25!

So there you have it, a six year old iTunes card still works!

UPDATE. Although we’ve managed to redeem this card, we need to let you know there is one small problem: geography. The test was done while we were in Canada and we couldn’t use our Canadian account to redeem the card. Luckily Blake has a US account so he was able to use it, but remember this the next time you buy an iTunes card while you travel: cards come with a specific territory.

So what did we buy with this card? The Last Great Rockabilly Saturday Night …

We still have a balance of $14.02.

Pricing

• Wi-Fi
  • 16 Gb  $499
  • 32 GB  $599
  • 64 GB   $699
• Wi-Fi + 3G
  • 16 GB   $629
  • 32 GB    $729
  • 64 GB    $829

iPad Specs

• Wi-Fi models shipping in late March.
• 3G models shipping in April.
• 9.7 inch display
  • Height:9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
  • Width:7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
• 0.5 inches thickness
• 1.5 pounds – 0.68 kg
  • Depth:0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
  • Weight:1.5 pounds (.68 kg)
  • Wi-Fi model;1.6 pounds (.73 kg)
  • Wi-Fi + 3G model
• Full multi-touch interface
• 16-64 GB of Flash memory
  • 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive
• 1 GHz Apple-branded A4 chip
• Bluetooth 2.1
• 802.11n WiFi
• Built-in Speaker & Microphone
• Accelerometer & Compass
• Same dock connector as iPod and iPhone
• 10-hours of battery life
• Runs all iPhone apps
• App Store application included

Image from Apple.com

iPhone Apps are currently in the 10 000 + numbers. How many of us will ever use more than a dozen or so apps? After two years, we’ve boiled it down based on usage, practicality and usefulness.

So here goes.

1. Facebook – Mobility and friends, what a great way to keep in touch on the go. Take your friends with you everywhere. Of all the apps, this one is probably the best way to nurse your social media addiction.
2. Echofon – We’ve tried all the twitter apps out there, and Echofon is our favorite. We’ve even purchased the full version with multiple account management. Intuitive, easy, fast and simple to use.
3. Fring – Well, Fring is one of those apps you won’t use every day, but when you need to MSN someone abroad while antiquing in the backcountry, this is the app you need to use.
4. Radio apps – We’ll bunch these into one category since we have proprietary and general apps. We used the NPR addict, the RTÉ Radio 1, 2fm and Radio France apps. The general trend with radio apps is to offer streaming and podcasting over streams. If you want to browse radio stations, we tried and paid for VisuaRadio (one of the early apps out there) and Tuner. Both offer a large array of streams. The only downside to this family of apps? The amount of data you’ll be downloading when you get hooked!
5. iReddit – Not the best app out there, but if you’re like us, you need to check your submissions while using the transit system. Right? We’re hoping for an improved version of the app soon, but so far it’s not a disappointment, just not up to par with Reddit expectations. We’re a special bunch.
6. Shazam – So useful when you just need to know who’s singing that song and where you can get it. Just tap and watch the application check the audio with known sound files.
7. Games – Surprisingly, we’re not big gamers. But when we take a break, we love to play a game or so to keep us busy. BrainTeaser, Chess by Gameloft, Checkers by Optime, Solitaire by Posimotion and of course Toobz by OffCenterSoftware are our favorites. Toobz is addictive, what else can you say about time based plumbing?
8. Financial Apps – We’re always broke, but we love pretending we’re rich. So of course we have Ebay and Paypal applications. Oh, we just got 5 $ from another sale…
9. Photoshop Mobile – Excellent free app. Crop, resize, color correct your iPhone pictures on the fly. Saves a copy to your photo library instead of rewriting the original image.
10. Urbanspoon – This would be a great app if only it didn’t list CLOSED restaurants! ARGH. A little buggy, but very useful when you’re searching for a change in the restaurant scene.
11. Flixter – Awesome! Times, shows, places, theaters, ratings… What else can we say?
12. Flashlight – Probably our most used app ever. One of us has convinced his 5 year old niece the flashing strobe lights option is in fact a truth machine …

We personally prefer podcasts as they are a renewable source of entertainment or information for those who are constantly on the road. PBS, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News all offer top notch podcasts, some being actual audio versions of on air-shows you might not be able to watch in real time.

If you’re part of the nation-wide trend of personal entertainment management using your Ipod where you combine your personal lists, smart lists and your favorite podcasts, you will definitely be interested in quality Ipod Adapters.

We’re not talking about home chords using the aux jack, extension plugs and cigarette charger adaptors that will crowd your dashboard or car organizer, we mean actual Ipod Adaptors that are integrated into dashboard and give you full control from both the car radio controls. Adaptors are available for many vehicle types and work with the nano Nano, the Classic, Touch as well as the iPhone and provide a recharge

AutoSoundCentral.com offers adaptors for many vehicles types and adaptors from many manufacturers for any type of budget, from the prestigious MoBridge adaptors to more economical peripheral packs. Ipod adaptors can be purchased for many model cars including Acura, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Infiniti, Jeep, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, Mercury, Mini Cooper, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Suzuki, Toyota, Volvo and VW.

With more than 177 items in stock, AutoSoundCentral.com is the place for the ideal Ipod adaptor. AutoSoundCentral.com accepts all major Credit Cards as well as Paypal.

What else should you know about Ipod car adaptors?

The Direct Connection Option: The best type of iPod adapter integrates the iPod into the car’s entertainment system and connects directly into the iPod’s connector port. The buttons on the dashboard or steering wheel are then used to control the iPod. Music track information is displayed on the car’s built-in screen.

Roundabout Connections: FM transmitters or cassette adapters provide easy ways to attach an iPod by pretending to be a radio station or a tape cassette. The transmitter, also called the “FM modulator,” retransmits the audio as a short radius FM radio signal that is picked up by the car’s antenna, while the cassette adapter uses a modified tape cassette that produces a magnetic signal that is picked up by the player.

Disclosure: this article is sponsored by third party advertiser.

While ATT has delayed iPhone tethering it is now available in Canada. The setup is straightforward: you start by using the USB cable, connect the iPhone to your computer, then activate the function on the iPhone. Speeds are not the greatest, but fast enough to make you almost forget you’re using a 3G connection.

Now you can be the first to get that awesome deal or curbside freebie you spotted on craigslist while on the go. Of course, using your laptop while driving is a definite no-no.

Do you have a spare AirPort Express ? Did you know you can use it as an Ethernet to WiFi bridge?!

We discovered this feature some time ago and were pleased to learn this trick is documented.

Apple does mention this ability in support docs : Depending on how you have it set up, the Ethernet port can function as a LAN port (defined as either simple bridging or sharing your Internet connection via network address translation) or a WAN port (connecting to your broadband Internet service provider or upstream router).

Amazing !