hi, i have many, many questions. if you could answer at least a couple and let someone else answer others, i would be so grateful! thank you!
i'd like to get an ipad 2. i'm very crippled, disabled, and desperately in need of a *good* tablet. since i am very very poor, it will be nearly impossible for me to do this. first of all, is there any way for someone like me to obtain a new ipad; a contest, a charity, anything like that? i hate to ask, but i'm nearly quadriplegic and will be completely at some point. i've tried some cheap tablet pcs and they were all horrible and returned. i cannot afford the $329 for the cheapest ipad 2, so i surely cannot afford one w/ more storage. i need to know if ipads are equipped w/ removable storage, such as a micro or standard SD card. are they? i would have to get the cheapest ipad 2 which i believe has 16gb of storage. i'd want to be able to store onto an SD (or other) media or i will eventually fill up the space.
i do see that it has bluetooth. can i transfer apple files to a pc via bluetooth? is that possible since my old, old, defunct, barely functional pc is running win7? any pc i'd transfer to would be MS windows. i will always save in a windows compatible format. i just do not know if i can transfer files from apple to pc, as well as if i can transfer via bluetooth from apple to pc?
i'm concerned about having to pay for apps. i live way below the poverty line and have no friends or family to assist w/ anything - not that i would dare ask! i'm on my own and this would be a once in a lifetime purchase that would have to last me "forever". i heard an ipad user say something about the first gen ipad becoming "obsolete" and that you cannot upgrade an ipad; you have to buy a new one. is that correct? if i could get an ipad 2 (i'd *love* the retina display but cannot afford it - so just the standard ipad 2), will it be useless at some point - a few years from now?
are there many *free* apps? such as, can i install a Netflix app to watch on the tablet for free? or listen to a free radio app? or is there a cost for *every* app? forgive me, i have limited use of my neck and cannot hold my head up or use my arms much, so this post is all i can do. i cannot go searching through available apps.
bc of my physical disabilities, i am desperately in need of something extremely lightweight that will last me a very long time. in addition to the cost of apps, are there any other operating costs, other than my internet service, for which i need to be aware of before diving into All Things Apple?
if there are any charities or foundations that assist people, disabled or not, in obtaining an ipad 2, please give me link(s) and/or info. due to my disablities and financial situation, a very good tablet is my only option. i cannot sit up vertically at all sometimes, or if i can, for only a limited time. i cannot turn my head to view a monitor. ergo, i need something that can be used in a very reclined position. that rules out everything but tablets.
i *think* that SIRI would be a good way to do things via voice recognition. i'm not sure of "her" capabilities, however. is there voice recognition accessibility built into iOS? i cannot always use my arms, so i need to be able to speak to do communications. some of my doctors *only* communicate via their secure email service. they will not accept calls to the nurses at all. this is a huge problem for someone that cannot look at the screen due to its position, or type the email. i really need voice recognition so i can communicate! if it's not built into iOS, is it an app? what price?
i would also need the smart cover and a keyboard. i have to have the stand, as i am unable to hold the ipad up - remember that i am in a reclined position at all times. i would likely put the ipad w/ the cover as a stand on my knees (bent and upward), and then need a keyboard on my abdomen. are the keyboards wired or wireless? if wired, how long is the cord? i would need about 2.5-3' in length to do this.
i have an HDTV that was a gift (THANKS!). does the ipad 2 come w/ a standard HDMI or other connection cord to connect directly to the tv? or does one need to purchase "apple tv" or some other type unit to view and use on the tv screen? (in which case, a keyboard w/ cord would not work, would a wireless keyboard work about 8-10' away?).
if my old printer works, i will have to connect it to the old pc - running windows. will i still be able to print w/ airprint, even tho the printer is connected to a windows pc? very much need ability to print, especially for medical and financial concerns. do not have wifi printer and cannot afford one. will it work?
can i use my google account and its settings - will apple sync w/ chrome?
how much is the warranty and for how long may i purchase it for? I would want the longest one. i was able to see that it said you can make 2 warranty claims. is this correct?
can i upgrade iOS? is there a charge for it, as in windows? can i use other programs such as photoscape (freeware vr of photoshop) or another browser (such as dolphin)?
does it have GPS? may i use it at no charge? i'm homebound, so this is not a big issue, but if i survive the many major surgeries, i *hope* i can get out again!
i really need some help. i cannot communicate with people! i'm new to apple and do not know anything about these things. please forgive me for the very lengthy post and so many questions. any and all information would be quite helpful! please remember that i *cannot* go searching around sites to find this information. this post alone has taken over 2 days to write.
thank you again, and i appreciate your time!
tiff TIFFANYDW2 at yahoo dot com
