The iPad and the new dimension of social networking

Social networking on the iPad

With your iPad, you can keep attached to all your favorite social network sites whenever you hop onto a radio network - because, after all, a large part of many people's day is spent checking up on events on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and the like. Some sites even have their own iPad apps. Once you're all set, here's some of what's available:

Facebook and MySpace. Both mega-popular destinations have free applications, immediately in the App Store - but you are made for the iPhone. They do scale up to iPad size having a tap of the 2x button, but it's a trade-off between a smaller workspace and a blotchy display.

Twitter. By using this widely popular micro-blogging service is much easier on the iPad than trying to text out pithy ideas on a tiny mobile phone keypad. Most Twitter apps continue to be iPhone-oriented, but Twitterific for iPad does a great job of turning your tablet into an easy-to-tweet dashboard for those your thoughts of 140 characters or less.

AIM. You cannot get more social or networked than with instant messaging, which keeps you in touch with all your online pals through real-time, typed conversations. AIM for iPad works the same as its computer and smartphone counterparts: pick a friend off your Buddy List and shoot on the message to start a conversation. But the iPad edition doesn't end with AIM - you can also pull in updates from Facebook, MySpace, Foursquare, Twitter, YouTube, and other social sites.

Flickr. Several apps are available for browsing pictures about this massive photo-sharing site, but many are for the iPhone.

Photobucket. If the Photobucket site is where you choose to share your pictures online, check out the free Photobucket for iPad app. You can download any Photobucket image to the tablet, easily search the whole site, and create albums right on the iPad.

Loopt Pulse. Loopt uses location services to place you on the map and demonstrate restaurant reviews and concert listings right in your area. The free Loopt for iPad app makes it all more readable.

Use autofill to save time

Some people will like the iPad's simple virtual keyboard, and some will hate it since it feels like typing on a glass coffee table. And some will use it only if buying things online while relaxing in a hammock out back. Regardless of how you feel about the keyboard, there's one feature included in Safari that's bound to please everybody: Autofill.

Autofill, since it's name suggests, automatically fills in your name, address, and telephone number on web forms - helping you save the drudgery of typing in the same information constantly. It's convenient, reduces your keyboard time, and accelerates purchases for power shoppers.

Along with your contact info, Autofill can remember passwords for websites that require them, but be cautious with this. If you accidentally lose your iPad or someone steals it, the thief can waltz directly into your password-protected accounts and steal even more from you.

To turn on Autofill, start on the iPad's Home screen and tap Settings, then Safari and then Autofill. On the Autofill screen, tap the On button next to Use Contact Info. Tap the My Info line below it and choose your own name and address from your Contacts list. Now, whenever you come to a web form that wants your info, you get an Autofill button on the iPad keyboard to tap rather than typing.

If you want to go ahead and use the password-supplying part of Autofill, tap the button on the Settings screen to On. Now, if you hit a site that requires your password, Safari provides you with three choices: Yes, Never with this Website, and Not Now. Say Yes and also the browser logs you into the site automatically from then on.

To play it safe, it's a good idea to only say Yes to non-money-related sites like an online newspaper and tap Never with this Website for any bank, stock-trading, e-commerce, or another site that involves money and credit-card numbers.

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