iPad365 - iPad App Show [Video]

Benefits of Keeping Your iPad 1? - iPad365 - iPad App Show [Video]

02.09.2014 - By Jeffrey PowersPlay

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First of all, I would like to thank Jack and Carol Ellis. They sent me their 1st generation iPad because they knew I could use it on the show. Future episodes will include segments called “Will it Run on iPad 1” – highlighting everything you still can do with the first generation iPad.

With this episode, I would like to reintroduce you to the iPad that started it all. Is it worth keeping, or should you get rid of it?

What the 1st Gen iPad Can Do

The A4 processor is a single core chip running at 800 mHz. It contains simple cache of 32 (L1) and 512 (L2). The video runs at 1024×768, and the video still can run a Netflix, YouTube, or Hulu Plus app.

The iPad can also run a lot of apps, although you might not be running the latest versions of them. I loaded several apps, to which I either got messages saying it needs a camera, gyroscope (which iPad 2 does have), or it cannot run the latest version – but will install an earlier version. Therefore, Facebook and Twitter will run on this iPad.

Of course, you can also set up email, use it for photos and video, put music on the device, and more.

What the 1st Generation iPad Cannot Do

There is no camera on the 1st generation, so any app that needs it is out. There is also no gyroscope in there, so any app needing one is also out.

Apple OS is 5.1.1. You can jailbreak and put on programs making the system feel like OS 6, yet you are still on OS 5.1.1.

Bluetooth is 2.1 + EDR. Many devices will still connect to this version. Newer Bluetooth devices might require Bluetooth 3.0 or 4.0 (which iPad Air has). 4.0 has Low Energy mode, so the 2.1 EDR version might take up more battery.

There is a definite lag on loading and installing apps. If you play games like Candy Crush (which mostly rely on a server to run), you will most likely be fine. Don’t expect to run Call of Duty on it, though.

Other Benefits of the iPad 1

Apparently, the resale value of this device is really good. Gazelle notes a perfect iPad 1 is about $60, while eBay sells for around $150.

Still, this iPad could easily become a TV in the kitchen or other room, a recipe holder and more. If you attach the same account from your other iPad, you can even sync up games and play while the spouse is using the other iPad.

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