Apple HDTV Rumours - its not TV but really a giant Ipad?

Some interesting possibilities for your household with regards to the rumblings of Apple TVs.  Rumours of Apple making their own TV - essentially a giant ipad for your living room.  It won't be just a TV, but a full IOS installed  display unit.  Remote control can be ipod ipad iphone etc. etc.    to control it  if its got the same software as the AppleTV box you'll probably be able to stream from your device to the TV like you can now.   Complete Syncronicity.

Apps for Newbies with IPads

Here's a quick list of Ipad apps i think should be installed on a brand new Ipad to help a new owner make the most of their shiny new toy.  If the Ipad is to be the replacement for many things in your house i suggest the following so that information can be retrieved almost instantly and also to show off the 'cool' factor for friends and family who haven't seen a tablet yet or just got one.  Make it more than just a Facebook on your computer in the basement replacement.  Make it a minor life altering device.  Everything you need at the touch of button:

• Weather eye  - what's it like out? I don't know give me a second and i'll find out. (no more turning tv on and heading to weather network only to have to see commercials). Just the weather 'maam!
• Global TV - missed your favorite show last night? Want to see what everyone was talking about? This app lets you watch full episodes of tv
• Google earth - so useful.  Want to find that secret beach? Want to re-visit that trip to see where you were? See the house/building up front as well as pics other people have taken? This is a must.
• Kindle books - Yes you can get Itunes books - but Kindle has more access to more books. If reading novels is your thing - get Kindle
• Encylopedia app - yes you can go to Wikipedia via safari - but again - that's too many steps.  And Wikipedia isn't always accurate.
• IMDB app - If you are a movie buff - this is absolutely the app for your.  Can't remember that actor but remember the movie? Want to settle a bet? This is the easiest and most comprehensive movie database out there. Watch trailers, see upcoming movies and movies that are in the works
• Dictionary - still need to be formal or came across a word you don't know? Yes again you can use safari and Google it - but why take all the steps?
• Life - just because you want to show people they can get magazines electronically
• National Geography Photos - just stunning photographs updated daily.

These are just a few recommendations - would love to hear what you think would stun people when they ask 'what can this ipad thing do?"

Activate Ipad Itunes without a credit card

I set up a new Ipad 2 for a friend who insisted on not using his credit card.  This is how i got it to work:

1. Buy an Itunes gift card - any amount.
2. Download itunes to your computer and setup an itunes account.
3. Then when it asks for billing option - do not fill out the credit card info (even though it insists you do) and simply punch the authorization number of the itunes gift card in the second section.  
4. Wait for it to process and when complete you will get the same screen, but you no longer need to provide credit card info - just the billing address at the bottom.

Hope that helps someone.