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Top 20 iPad uses in the sun

The summer is here; kind of... it is definitely trying. For many, the first part of the year was spent patiently waiting for Apple to bring its beloved iPad to the UK's shores. Now everyone and their pets have one, the realisation has dawned that the device is not easy to use in the sun, thanks to glare. So to make sure you don't waste your money or your time, we have put together our top 20 ideas for alternative iPad uses in the sunshine.*

1. Frisbee; the iPad is ergonomically designed to fly through the air longer and faster than your normal, boring circular Frisbee. Get a few friends together and play Ultimate Frisbee.
2. Solarium; make sure you get the perfect glowing tan that will be the envy of everyone, even Jordan! Just place the iPad under your chin and double the power of those healthy vitamin D giving rays.
3. Paddle; when your feet get tired on the pedalo just take out your iPad and start to paddle to shore. Can also be used for dinghy's but you would need to stick a few together if you want to paddle back on the yacht!
4. Thermometer and timer; when condensation appears on the iPad screen, you know it's time to reapply the sunscreen.
5. Spade; dig a hole, dig a make shift swimming pool or dig for china.
6. Sandcastles; Stick 5 together and make your own bucket, get a perfectly symmetrical sandcastle and be the envy of all other beach goers.
7. Umbrella; raise the iPad above your head when those pesky impromptu rain showers threaten to ruin your day.
8. Miniature picnic table; you may not get many around it, but the miniature table is perfect for hosting a tea party for your Chihuahua and all his friends! Don't forget the mini sun hat though; dogs get burnt too!
9. Rounders bat; reminisce about your school days with a game of rounders. Of course, a soft ball is needed, or it'll be likely that not all your chums will get a turn.
10. Sun visor; a fiddly make but well worth it! You will need an Alice band - preferably a wide one. Get a piece of extra strong Velcro and attach it to the head band and the other side to the iPad - then stick on - tada sun visor! For those who want to be the next Lady Gaga, attach the Velcro at a jaunty angle.
11. Fan; simply move your iPad back and forward across any body part that is too hot. Why not live the life of luxury and get a scantily clad model to fan you as you sip mojitos looking out to the crystal clear ocean...Mmmm dreamy.
12. Wakeboard; everyone loves watersports. Find a friend with a fast boat (not pedalo as suggestion 3) then get said friend to pull you along on your iPad, rock out some tricks and watch as passersby stare at shock and enthrallment.
13. Napkin bib; you are at the seaside and you want to eat lobster and rib's but the restaurant doesn't have any bibs left. Do not worry - just rest your iPad under your chin, and slide down a little in your chair and you will be catching those spills in no time.
14. Table tennis; attach a net across and begin the smallest game of table tennis.
15. Flip flops; the beach is well renowned for suddenly turning white hot! Be on your guard and prepared with some string and a couple of iPad's.
16. Tray; making sure you get everyone's orders can be a pain. You only have two hands for goodness sake; "you want a what? Ice lolly, cola and some chips! I can't carry all that" well, now you can, use your iPad to make everyone happy!
17. Shark attack: turn your device diagonally and strap to your back (using some of the string not used on your flip flops) and you will get an instant shark fin. Get your friend to hum the Jaw's theme tune while you swim close to the beach, and you will automatically get the beach to yourself.
18. Card games; by purchasing 52 you can play a whole range of card games, including snap... or.... snap... hours of fun!!
19. BBQ tool; need that burger flipping? No problem... The iPad is large enough to get near the heat while keeping your fingers burn free.
20. Eye Spy; perfect for car journeys, or beach fun. Why not get your buddies to count how many iPads they can see?

*disclaimer; Apple has not approved these uses; if you choose to try any of the above you may void your warranty!

No matter how you choose to use your iPad make sure you get outside and make the most of the sunshine! It will be winter before you know it.

Can Apple get their hardware problems sorted?

Beneath the polished and slick exterior the iPhone has had its fair share of hardware problems; with the advent of the iPhone 4.0 and the iPad will these problems still occur?

The Apple iPhone was originally introduced in 2007. Since then there have been a variety of problems. Complaints have ranged from connectivity issues, to the screen not being flush with the border and dead pixels. Owners whose phones have developed problems have been accused of damaging them and the company has refused to pay for repairs.

The BBC television programme Watchdog recently highlighted the problem of one such hardware problem; the 'liquid contact indicator'. Four are found within the iPhone, two are internal and two of the indicators are clear to see from the outside; one in the headphone jack and one in the charger port.

The indicator works like litmus paper and when the device comes into contact with water it will turn red - which immediately void's the warranty as Apple claim a user would need to immerse the device in water to turn the indicator red. Watchdog took a few of these 'damaged' iPhones and opened them up to discover there was no damage to the mainboard, and only the outside indicators were red.

These phones were taken to various Apple stores, where the staff did not open them up, and commented that the red indicator concluded the warranty was void.

Watchdog's experiment may suggest that Apple's staff are not technically-equipped to deal with hardware issues and, thanks to the disclaimers from Apple, the staff can dismiss most concerns without having to open up the phone.

Further investigation from Watchdog gave the following reasons why the indicators would turn red including, using the phone in the rain, near a shower, in a moist hand or due to condensation!

This is just one of the problems, and after a trawl of Apple Blogs we have found the following, reoccurring problems;

• Adhesive coming off between frame and glass screen
• Dead Pixels
• Dust under screen
• Cracked Housings
• Problems with acoustic-speaker/microphone/receiver
• Short Battery Life
• Will not power on
• Multi-Touch display not responding to touch
• Intermittent service in an area with good coverage
• Wi-Fi issues
• Camera not functioning

Apple has developed some pretty sophisticated pieces of equipment in its time; the Mac, iPod, iTouch, iPhone and iPad which have allowed customers to have the world at their finger tips.

Each iDevice comes in a neat package, with no fiddly bits and no doors that can fall off, but the problem with such a high-tech device is that it takes an expert to fix them.

The average user doesn't want to void their warrantee by getting a tiny screwdriver to find out why their device has mysteriously turned off or the screen doesn't work.

Of course the design makes for simple mass production, but having no removable battery and not being able to see the workings may be the reason why Apple store staff are so unwilling to investigate the real reason for problems.

Apple needs to become more responsible for its products, but without changing the way it builds its devices or training its staff, these issues are unlikely to go away and the question on everyone's lips is "will these issues still be prevalent in the iPhone 4.0, and the iPad?"

Only time will tell!