Getting to know and use your iPad takes some time. To shorten the process of utilising the iPad's capacity optimally and effectively, here are a few useful tips for using the iPad.


1. save battery: How to extend the battery life of your iPad
You can switch off functions and programmes that you do not use so that they do not drain the battery unnecessarily. To deactivate Bluetooth, go to "Settings", "General", "Bluetooth".
Receiving emails can also shorten the battery life. Go to "Settings", "Mail", "Data synchronisation". There you can deactivate "Push" and change the frequency with which the iPad checks for new emails. The more often the iPad checks for new emails, the more the battery is drained.
Under "Settings", "Brightness and background", you can lower the brightness of the screen so that the lighting consumes less energy.

2. quit Skype. With the automatic setting, you log in to Skype and then remain logged in continuously as long as the iPad is not shut down. To switch off Skype without having to restart the iPad, go to "Settings", "Apps", "Skype". Under "Go offline" you can set the number of minutes after which you want to automatically switch Skype off.

3. enter email addresses faster: When typing an email address in the address bar in Mail, you can press the dot key for a second until a field with several options appears: e.g. .de, .eu, .net,. edu, .es, -org. Then move your finger over the desired option.

4. security PIN to prevent theft. Anyone who gets hold of your iPad has access to your photos, contacts, personal information and possibly even your address. Prevent unauthorised access to your data by setting a PIN. Go to "Settings", "General", "Code lock". Select "Activate code" and enter a PIN. You can also select automatic data deletion so that your important data is deleted after 10 incorrect entries.

5. restrictions. Under "Restrictions" ("Settings", "General") you can prevent the installation or deletion of certain apps and restrict changes in Mail. This allows you to lend your iPad to friends without having to worry about them changing your apps. You use a security code to activate and deactivate the restrictions.

6. change international keyboards and language. If you frequently type in different languages or occasionally want to change the language of the iPad operating system, you can do this quickly and easily.
Go to "Settings", "General", "Country settings". There you can change the language of the operating system under "Language" and add or select new keyboards under "Keyboards".
Quickly switch between international keyboards: Press the globe button on the keyboard and hold it down for a moment. Select the desired keyboard with your finger in the field that appears.

7. accented letters: Even without changing the keyboard, you can obtain letters with accents (e.g. á, é etc.) while writing by holding down the respective letter for a second. A field appears with various options for the accented letter.

8. fast scrolling back to the top of the page: When reading a web page, for example, you don't need to scroll with your finger if you want to go back to the top of the page. You only need to tap briefly on the thin black border at the top.

9. if an app no longer responds, switch off the iPad and restart it. Press and hold the black button on the edge for a few seconds until the word "Switch off" appears. Swipe and switch on again with the same button.

10. adjust the sound volume. Some songs can be louder than others. To adjust the volume automatically, go to "Settings", "iPod". There you can switch "Adjust volume" on or off.

The tips given refer to iOS 4.2.