Planning an overseas trip is exciting, but figuring out your AT&T iPhone/iPad connectivity can be challenging. Here’s what I’ve learned after experiencing this firsthand.  Calling — If you’re traveling outside Canada and Mexico, you can sign up for the AT&T World Traveler plan for $5.99 per month to reduce your calling rates. Even if you don’t plan to make phone calls, consider this an insurance policy if you have to make an emergency call. For calling from Canada and Mexico, there is a $4.99 per month plan and reduced calling rates.   Texting — There are separate messaging plans that start …

  So you’ve got a new iPad (or even an older one)...it’s time to keep it healthy and operating to it’s maximum potential. Here are a few tips: Battery Power. Keep your battery optimized and conserve power when you can. Software Updates. Always update to the latest version of the software. You can do this through Settings > General > Software Update. Your iPad will indicate if you need an update. Manage your screen’s brightness. Auto-Brightness adjusts the screen’s brightness based on ambient lighting conditions. Lowering the brightness in low light situations will extend battery life. You can…

  Last month, I introduced you to a suite of apps to get you started using an iPad for your business. It doesn’t end there! Although these apps are beneficial for many businesses, they are relevant for personal use too.    See previous column: Helpful business apps Are you working on a project and have photos, notes and bookmarks of web sites? Evernote is an app that allows you to organize information and is ideal for remodeling or redecorating projects, real estate listings, event planning and even vacations. There are desktop versions for Mac and Windows which sync to your iPad or iPhone (…

  Everyone knows about Facebook, WordsWithFriends and Kindle apps for your iPhone and iPad. In my previous column, I identified all the starter apps you need. See column: The App Starter Kit But the iPad is more than just fun and games. It’s a great tool to complement your business, whether you’re an independent professional or part of a large corporation. Here are some apps to help you gain productivity as well as that competitive edge you need in today’s environment. Would you like to accept credit card payments but find the fees to establish this service can be prohibitive? There are two …

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and, if you’re doing any cooking, you should take a look at these apps. EPI (Epicurious) and AllRecipes (Cost: free):  Both apps have thousands of recipes and are easy to navigate. Epicurious pulls recipes from Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Self and features renowned chefs and cookbooks. You can search by cuisine or holiday and create a combined recipe shopping list that you can email to yourself. For $1.99, you can sync your recipe box across multiple devices and with the Epicurious web site from your computer. The AllRecipes Pro version ($4.99 iPad/$2.99 …

Paper. It's everywhere. Let these iPad/iPhone apps help you minimize the paper in your life and make your world a little greener.   SignMyPad:  We often get forms to complete via e-mail or to download from the web. First, you print it out. Then you fill it in and scan it to your computer to e-mail back. With SignMyPad there's no need for any of this. This app allows you to add your signature (using your finger or a stylus), add a date, checkbox and text. Recently, I was able to download a W9 from the web, complete it and e-mail it back to the requester all on my iPad. No paper needed. It's …

Since it became available last April, the iPad has been a technological marvel.  Its touch-screen, ease of use and wide-range of apps make it a fun and functional device as well as a productive tool for business. There are over 15 million iPads in use today, according to Steve Jobs' March 2 keynote address. Despite its popularity, the truth is that none of us need an iPad. We just all want one. If you've considered getting one of the new models that came out recently, however, you may have been overwhelmed when you realized there are 18 different options. Here’s a run-down of what models are …