Gary Darling: Comparing the iPad 2 with the Kindle Fire

I know what you are thinking... fancy meeting you here again.

I must apologize for the sporadic behavior of my column. Though I am committed (or should be committed) to writing a column every week, sometimes my schedule overwhelms me.

I know, I know, preaching to the choir, but because I am preaching to the proverbial choir, you guys can understand my dilemma.

I mean, these past few months have been tiring, almost coma-inducing at work and at home. Plus, I just bought an iPad 2 from a friend, but I will get into that later.

So how does a person balance all of these things on only 24 hours in a day? Well, in my opinion, you can’t. Most of you probably know that already, but for me, this is a new realization. Hence, this is why my column has been in and out of the opinion column lineup. There was just so many things going on and so many projects that had to be done that my mind was fried when it came time to write my column.

But, I will toughen up and try to get back to my normal, weekly schedule. Well, until the next huge project lands in my lap or my children start going to school... oh wait, that is this year!?*groan*

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So, anyway, I ventured into the world of iOS 5 with my introduction to my first iPad2.

Thanks to a friend, who cut me an incredible deal, I know am the proud owner of a Steve Jobs product. All is now right with the world.

As I sat down to play with my new tool, I couldn’t help but feel that Mr. Jobs was standing over my shoulder, the look of a proud papa, as I ventured into the iPad world.

To compare it with my Kindle Fire would be unfair. It is the whole apples to oranges comparison. But, if I have to, the Kindle Fire is nice but doesn’t hold a candle to a fully functional iPad.

My main complaint about the iPad is venturing into the App store. There is just so much to see and so little time to find something that will function in your lifestyle. Although there is probably an app for that.

Another complaint, though also minor, is the overall weight of the device. After a while, I started to feel like I was back doing wrist curls in high school because, after a while, my arms started to feel crampy and tired.

Minor complaints aside, I really loved my new device. I think what it has to offer me is endless, and I look forward to streamlining the content to fit my needs.

Sometimes, though, I see the Kindle Fire out of the corner of my eye. It sits there, just staring back at me with this sad look upon its face. “Remember all the good times we had, Gary?”?it seems to call out to me. Now, it just sits there. Abandoned –– not really, but I am sure it feels that way.

Will I ever use or need my Kindle Fire now that I have the popular iPad device??Probably not, but it will still be needed on long road trips to sooth the savage beasts in the back of the car.

And with that, I am back. Look forward to chatting with you all again, next week, I?promise.

Gary Darling is the geekiest employee at the Maryville (Mo.) Daily Forum. His online blog address is justanewdad.blogspot.com. His email is gdarling@maryvilledailyforum.com. Drop him a line sometime!