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Recently, Shonali got me thinking about Apple’s genius, and the more macro side of how devices impact our lives.

I received an iPad 2 for my birthday this year.

A great gift, but I was a bit baffled by what I’d use the thing for. It seemed the classic “tweener” to borrow an NBA term; neither a laptop, nor a smartphone, nor an e-reader.

This much has emerged: I use it primarily in the morning, for leisure pursuits. I love the damn thing, in ways I never imagined. It has even rekindled my love for a medium, radio (which I now endlessly listen to via the Tune-in Radio app).

The iPad is my “fun time” machine, which I suspect is not at all uncommon. However, it has been interesting to see how a new device (this is my first tablet) takes time to find its place in one’s life. More fascinating is the effect hardware has on media consumption; in my case literally boosting the amount of time I listen to radio exponentially (whither McLuhan?).

Have you had a similar experience with a device newly or recently integrated into your life?

Join the discussion 2 Comments

  • Mary Hubbard says:

    I, too, was give an iPad 2. lucky me! I find my favorite use for it is to read my email while on my stationary bike. Makes me forget that I am biking and I clean out my email box at the same time. Win-win.

  • Norma Colón-Daleccio says:

    I was given an ipad2 also. I never imagined I would like it so much. And I totally agree with you. It is neither a computer nor an intelligent phone, however, I can read everything here. I go to bed at night with it and I get up in the morning looking for it. I read all my mail, and all the news. I have not experimented with radio or tv yet. Only had it for a week now. I will get to it!

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