Flip to Chapter 3 for details about iCloud.
✓ iTunes software: More specifically, you need version 10.7 or later of iTunes – emphasis on the later because by the time you read this, it will be later. After all, iTunes was up to version 12.5.1.21 by the time we were preparing this book.
Apple constantly tweaks iTunes to make it better. You can go to www.itunes.com/download to fetch a copy. Or launch your current version of iTunes and then choose iTunes ⇒ Check for Updates.
The uninitiated might want to know that iTunes is the nifty Apple jukebox software that owners of iPods and iPhones, not to mention PCs and Macs, use to manage music, videos, apps, and more. iTunes is at the core of the iPad as well, because an iPod is built into the iPad, as part of the Music app. You can use iTunes to synchronize a bunch of stuff from your Mac or PC to and from an iPad, including (but not limited to) apps, photos, movies, TV shows, podcasts, iTunes U lectures, and of course, music.
Syncing is such a vital part of this process that we devote an entire chapter (Chapter 3) to the topic.
✓ An Apple ID account: Read Chapter 7 for details on how to set up an account. Like most things Apple, the process isn’t difficult. You’ll want an account to download content from iTunes, the App Store, or to take advantage of iCloud.
✓ Internet access: Your iPad can connect to the Internet in either of two ways: Wi-Fi or cellular (if you bought an iPad with 3G or 4G capabilities). You can connect your iPad to cyberspace via Wi-Fi in your home, office, school, favorite coffeehouse, bookstore, or numerous other spots.
As this book goes to press, data rates (no contract required) are reasonably priced as long as you don’t stream or download a lot of movies or watch tons of videos while connected over 3G or 4G. For as little as $5 in some instances, you can purchase a day pass for data instead of opting for a monthly plan.
Figuring out how much data you need beforehand isn’t always easy, but it’s simple enough to adjust along the way. If you’re streaming a lot of music, T-Mobile for one provides a nice benefit: the capability to stream free on most major services, including Spotify and Apple’s own Apple Music.
The following are some of the offerings from the major US carriers when we published this book. Keep in mind that all the rate plans cited are subject to change and sometimes tied to shareable family plans that include smartphones. In some instances, you must pay activation or other fees. Promotions are also common:
● AT&T: $14.99 a month for 250MB, 3GB for $30, and 5GB for $50
● Sprint: $15 a month for 1GB, 3GB for $35, and 6GB for $50
● T-Mobile: $20 a month for 2GB, 6GB for $35, and 10GB for $50
● Verizon: $20 for 2GB, $30 a month for 4GB, $40 for 6GB.
A friendly warning pops up on your iPad when you get close to your limit. At that point, you can pay more to add to your data bucket or start from scratch next month. Keep in mind that with 4G, you’re likely to consume more data in a hurry. And prices of course are subject to change.
iPads with cellular service may include an Apple SIM card that theoretically allows you to bounce from one carrier to another. The process isn’t always simple, however, because such SIM cards are sometimes locked down, either by Apple or by the carrier from which you buy the tablet. Moreover, the type of SIM card inside your iPad varies. Some models have nano-SIM cards. Others, including most of the early models dating all the way back to the original iPad, have a micro-SIM. On the other hand, a more recent version – the 9.7-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi + Cellular model – has both an embedded Apple SIM and a tray for a nano-SIM card.
If you can’t get your iPad to work with a chosen wireless carrier, check with that carrier for details.
Turning On and Setting Up the iPad
Unless your iPad is brand-spanking new and fresh out of the box, chances are good that you’ve already performed the steps that follow. We cover them here because if you choose to use your iPad computer-free, these steps make up the entire setup process.
Apple has taken the time to partially charge your iPad, so you get some measure of instant gratification and can go ahead and set it up right away by following these steps:
1. After taking your iPad or iPad mini out of the box, press and hold down the sleep/wake button on the upper-right edge.
You’ll see the Apple logo, followed by the word hello and similar greetings in a bunch of other languages. Prior to iOS 10, an arrow appeared near the bottom of the screen, alongside another message in many languages. We’re pretty sure they all read, “Slide to Set Up,” or some variation, because that’s what the English rendition says. Following iOS 10, that message (in English or other languages) reads “Press home to open.”
2. Press Home to open. Or, if you have an iPad with an earlier version of iOS 10, swipe the Slide to Set Up arrow to the right.
3. Tap to choose your language, followed by your country or region preferences.
4. Tap to choose an available Wi-Fi network, provide a password (if necessary), and then tap the blue Join button.
As noted, on certain models you may choose a cellular network, if available, and set up or change your Wi-Fi network later. (If you do wait to set up your Wi-Fi network, turn to Chapter 15 to find out how to do so via Settings.) If Wi-Fi is not available, you can also set up your iPad by connecting it to a computer with iTunes.
It may take a few minutes to activate your iPad. Next, the Location Services screen appears.
5. Tap to enable or disable Location Services.
Location Services is your iPad’s way of knowing where you are geographically. The Maps app, for example, relies on Location Services to determine where in the world you are.
The Touch ID screen appears on compatible models; the passcode key on other models.
6. Do
