The Most Surprising Uses For The Apple iPad (PHOTOS)

While many of the iPad's functions are well known--like browsing the web, reading eBooks, or tinkering with apps--users are inventing some unique ways to use the iPad.

We've compiled some of the most creative and unexpected ways people are using their iPads--to make music, salsa, and more.

Though some of these uses are practical and entertaining, others are dangerous and damaging to the iPad itself.

Vote for the most creative use of the iPad, then tell us what you think. Seen something better? Send us your photos or videos.

 

Have you come across other original, unexpected uses for the iPad? Share them with us!

Creative Uses For The iPad

Find a picture, click the participate button, add a title and upload your picture

1 of 12

DJ 'Turntable'

1 of 13

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

Rana Sobhany is reportedly the world's first iPad DJ. She mixes beats using iPad apps like Groovemaker House, Looptastic HD, iDaft, AC-7 Pro, Pianist Pro and Sonosaurus Rex. iPads are cheaper and easier to transport than DJ equipment.

Arrested Development Photos

Tips To Help Your Cellphone Battery Live Longer

gadgets/slideshows/224838/slide_224838_946901_small.jpg

The Most Unnecessary iPhone Accessories Ever Made

gadgets/slideshows/227827/slide_227827_1003627_small.jpg

Creative Uses For 3D Printing

'Curing' Homosexuality

What Happens On The Internet In One Minute?

Rana Sobhany is reportedly the world's first iPad DJ. She mixes beats using iPad apps like Groovemaker House, Looptastic HD, iDaft, AC-7 Pro, Pianist Pro and Sonosaurus Rex. iPads are cheaper and easier to transport than DJ equipment.

comments(154)

Total comments: 154 | Post a Comment

1 of 13

Use

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Expected Original!

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

iPad Uses

loading...

iPad Uses

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

Comments

[melaelisa]

10:38 AM on 05/11/2010

iPad juice by Tom Dickson!!!!!!!

[MsVella]

08:42 AM on 05/10/2010

Lol Colbert was so funny..... and MEAN.

[Amyli]

05:31 AM on 05/10/2010

aha, awesome!
Kitchen Entertainment System is very interesting, maybe my mom will love it! Actually I have order one for my mom as mother's day gift.
I think ipad brings much enjoy for us, and I have collected many recourses and tips about it, Sync Content to the iPad with iTunes is needed, and this 'Tips to Turn iPad Wifi Into 3G' are very helpful too, share some: http://www.ifunia.com/ipad-column/index.html

[elicourey]

11:51 PM on 05/09/2010

Here's my favorite use for the iPad, a portable Super Nintendo. And you can even use a Wii controller! http://www.macdaddynews.com/?p=3052

[dontpanic1]

03:02 PM on 06/04/2010

Whoa. Didnt know that...Thanks for the info!

[JayLikeBirds]

09:05 PM on 05/09/2010

I can't help but get the feeling that everyone posting comments here are working for advertisers. Especially the guy schilling for Native Instruments-- you really couldn't be more obvious. Sorry guys, this whole comment thread is complete fail, lacking in wit, drama, and purpose. What's happened to the enthusiasm levels of professional comment posters?

[chuychrist]

06:47 PM on 05/09/2010

2 ipads $1,600
2 interfaces, $200
Software $100
Laptop $2,000
Laptop Software $500
Total $3,300 at least!
PLUS power amps speakers EQ etc., ADD $4000
This DJ System is at least $7000
Call it 'Destroy the B.S.'

[UchuKaizoku]

07:49 PM on 05/09/2010

My point was that she can replace the two iPads, the two interfaces, the software and the analog mixer (depending on configuration, we might easily be over $2,000) with the $599 (street price) Maschine hardware/software from Native Instruments, which would give her not only much better loops but also a lot more possibilities and a much better (as in truly professional) audio quality than a pair of iPads . The rest can be just the same, including the laptop, though she could save even more by replacing the mac with a pc with no difference in functionality whatsoever. The Native Instrument software runs just as great on either system.

[DeadlyMantis]

09:20 PM on 05/09/2010

This is neat, however, what you get with with a physical interface as opposed to a touch screen is true feedback. The ipad fails in this regard. Secondly, it is a cheaper setup only if you are the only dj for the gig (and you like to play on a low-end mixer like she is). If you are spinning with other djs then the setup just got more complex and the more elegant solutions (because no one will complain if you have a Rane or A and H mixer) require more expensive gear.

Lastly, this fails in the dj arena the same way as an ipod dj fails. No one wants to see you touching screens. You might as well be playing Diner Dash or something up there. This is the same problem that djs who solely spin from their laptops have--no excitement. Want to use an ipad in your rig? Fine,use it as an effects box and nothing more. Stick to Serato or physical midi controllers for djing.

[gsteinum]

09:35 PM on 05/09/2010

recently purchased a netbook for less than $500. all kinds of freeware available for it and the interweb works just fine on the bus i ride to work. also has an energy star rating. thanks apple for getting me away from my desk.

[chuychrist]

06:40 PM on 05/09/2010

'No computers are used' and the whole time there's a Laptop in line otherwise FAIL!

[Joe Moore]

06:10 PM on 05/09/2010

Pretty cool man. Can't wait to have an iCar one of these days. :-)

[Lefty Pockets]

06:07 PM on 05/09/2010

you can also use it to cover your head when its raining. Or line up a row of them and do the Tom Hanks Big piano trick. Or perform penance with it by repeatedly smashing it into your forehead as you pray for transcendence from the evils of the flesh.

[UchuKaizoku]

05:59 PM on 05/09/2010

What an idiot. Buys two iPads and a crappy analog mixer for what, $1,500? For less than half that price she could have bought Native Instrument's Maschine hardware/software combo, the de-facto standard for serious DJ's, offering professional loops -not the amateur stuff that comes with Korg's Electribe app- all-digital audio and a degree of control she can only dream of with that ridiculous contraption.

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/maschine/

[writersbloc]

01:16 PM on 05/10/2010

True. But if she had done that, we wouldn't be responding to this news story now and she would be one of the other 100,000 DJ's out there with all the right equipment playing gigs at a venue called "My Bedroom." Wish I had thought of it first.

You gotta hand it to her, that ridiculous contraption has gotten her media attention. Plus I'll give her kudos for trying something different, even if i doesn't quite work out. Heck I wanted to use the iPad for DJing until I found out it wasn't a full computer. What will probably end up happening is that someone will, in short order, write an app that works much the same way midi interfaces work now. Korg's probably developing a Kaoss pad application. And if they aren't they should.

As for Maschine, I personally think that it's too early to tell with that thing. Far as I know, Serato is the industry standard in LA followed by Traktor and Torq.

One last thing, she does talk too darn much. I'm like, quit talking and do the mix without trainwrecking it.

[hypnotoad72]

05:56 PM on 05/09/2010

An unbiased iPad review (yes, they do exist):

http://www.trustedreviews.com/laptops/review/2010/05/07/Apple-iPad/p1

[ItsAD]

03:14 PM on 05/09/2010

She talks way, way, way too much.

[chuychrist]

06:40 PM on 05/09/2010

Ya think?

[mlaiuppa]

03:10 PM on 05/09/2010

The kitchen door was cut to install the iPad.

What happens in a few years when the size or shape of the iPad changes? Remodel the kitchen?

[bertha112]

03:47 PM on 05/09/2010

Remember the Kholer faucet fixture commercial. The architect shows the couple all the world famous structures (million dollar designs) his company has designed and they finally sit down and he says "And what can i do for you? The wife pulls the ugliest faucet in the world from her purse, places it on the table with authority, and says "Design a house around this."

I think I've answered your question.

[GoDogGo]

02:29 PM on 05/09/2010

Ultimate sports fan device:

My brother had half the stands crowded around him at the Formula 1 race this weekend in Spain. He had all the times, data and an animated 3D track position map in real time. The other fans were all over him. Same thing at the Dodger game. He had the whole roster's real-time stats along with re-plays right there....

For serious sports fans, it's worth it for the sports apps alone!

[Forester]

05:07 PM on 05/09/2010

How about a VHF scanner app for the pit crews/driver comm.?

[stopgeorge]

02:04 PM on 05/09/2010

Now, why couldn't the genius that is Steve Jobs figure this one out...

http://www.machoe.com/4590/clamcase-clamshell-case-with-keyboard-turns-ipad-to-a-padbook.html

Instead, he comes out with the "idock".

[mlaiuppa]

03:17 PM on 05/09/2010

So it's attached a keyboard instead of having a bluetooth.

Kinda defeats the purpose of the portability of the pad.

There is a keyboard dock already. And it's portrait, not landscape.

Think I'll pass.

I do like the candy colors.

[stopgeorge]

07:28 PM on 05/09/2010

"Kinda defeats the purpose of the portability of the pad."

How is that? It folds up -- like a laptop. Laptops, as you know, are "portable".