There’s no doubt that tablets, especially the iPad, have changed the face of computing. I don’t know if it’ll be the Apple iPad, or another future device, but it’s extremely clear that the computer for the 99% is going to be a simpler, easier to use device.
One of the criticisms of the tablet is that it’s not a content creation device. Well, over the past few months, I’ve found that supposition to be completely incorrect, especially with the coming of the iPad 2. Sure, the video camera on it isn’t the best ever – but it is sure functional. And some might feel that not having a real keyboard is a deal breaker. But that can be quickly remedied – and honestly, I’ve found that if you just trust it you can get very excellent results off of it (in fact, I’ve posted many pieces of content with it, never touching a “real” keyboard). One of the things I’ve learned is that it’s not always about the quality, but what you have on hand, and the iPad helps you become a mobile reporting maven if you let it.
In my travels, I’ve live-blogged, live-tweeted, shot, edited, then uploaded videos on a tour bus, on a boat, and on the street – all off of the iPad 2. But, it doesn’t come out of the box with the functionality you need. For the purposes of this post, we’ll focus on blogging and video creation.

Blogging
First off, forget the official WordPress app. It’s from all appearances made for nerds, not writers. Get Blogsy. It has so many bundled-in features, and most of all, it gives you supreme control over formatting and the ability to post to different platforms. You edit your text, properly format pictures, access your media library, and without as much of the nerdy coding subtext. Yes, you can have that control if you want it, but writers need to write, not be bothered with the fiddly bits. Here’s a few key points:
- Make sure you have permission to use the photos you select. Just because it’s on the Internet doesn’t mean there are not rights attached to it; look for “Creative Commons” with the appropriate license on Flickr, purchase stock imagery, or use what you shot yourself. And always make sure to give proper credit when using photos with a link.
- I really like the cover Apple sells for the iPad 2. It provides a nice typing surface when you flip it over at a good angle. If you really need a physical keyboard, the Bluetooth Apple Wireless keyboard works as well I’ve heard some through a USB adapter for the docking port.
- Might wanna think about Photoshop Express for the iPad. Then you can really get the photos you take how you like them.
Video Creation

iMovie for the iPad 2 is surprisingly powerful. I love watching people light up when I show them how to edit everything from sideshows to voiceovers to news packages. I remember the days not ten years ago where you needed insanely expensive equipment that made loud (albeit satisfying) noises as the tapes whirred and clunked to make edits happen. A few words to the wise are important, though.
- Don’t worry about being too fancy. Any editor worth his or her salt will tell you that what you really need are cuts, dissolves, and solid camera work to tell a story, and everything else like funky transitions is usually superfluous noise. Yes, they have themes. And unless you’re trying to be cutesy, stick with something like “Simple.”
- The camera is easily comparable to a vaunted and discontinued flip cam, but one caveat – when it is dark, the picture will start to fall apart. Always go for the outdoor or well lit shot if you can, and this stuff is for online video. I’ve taken a look on larger screens, and the video, although it says HD, isn’t as pretty as Apple advertises. But it does the job.
- Remember, message power over megapixels. In news and social content, most times the best camera is the one you have with you. For quick, live, on the scene media, having all of this in one device is really handy, and videos I’ve shot have gotten thousands of views from the iPad 2. That said, know your limits. For finished productions, things requiring color correction or effects, corporate, and advertising work, you’re gonna wanna stick to your pro cameras and editing gear. People still really do notice. Also, your titling options in iMovie are very limited (but functional).
Uploading your content
Both Blogsy and iMovie have YouTube support. It has been my personal experience that if you want something to really travel, despite the higher visual quality of services like Vimeo, YouTube is where the big community is and that’s where you need to be. If you find the comments too vapid, you can turn them off; however, remember, comments many times drive additional views and you can take the initiative and moderate them.
So there’s a few tips on the iPad 2 as a blogging and video creation tool. What techniques/apps/etc. have you found in your experience?
Postscript: Turns out a major update is coming very soon for Blogsy (thanks to them reaching out and spreading the word). I’ll be sure to grab it as soon as it comes out and give you the skinny.
With a headline like that, you might think I’m going to tell some salacious tale of scandal, where your team is having completely inappropriate conversations and tearing your brand down left and right.
There was a time when one could, to some degree, ignore the power of the people who use online tools. Now, it seems, there is more power in them than ever. In recent weeks, that power has helped grease the wheels to overthrow an Egyptian government. Locally, it’s funded an oft-discussed statue of Robocop, which has opened a passionate Pandora’s box of feelings on both sides of the issue here.



