One of the great privileges of my job as Editor-in-Chief of The Brag Media is that I get to sit down with some of the greatest minds in entertainment, from film directors, actors, to masterminds behind some of the Rolling Stone-anointed Greatest Albums of All Time.
Often these conversations take place in public settings, in front of a live audience, where the goal to build rapport and trust for a meaningful conversation is put to the test.
In these particular instances — whether its an onstage keynote interview, a panel discussion at a conference, or a podcast in front of an audience — I’ve found one of the biggest breakers of connection is to have your notes be a distraction to the interviewees.
If I’m fumbling with papers, or worse, have a laptop screen acting as a connection barrier between us, the subject is reminded of the fact they’re being questioned as opposed to what these experiences should feel like: an equal exchange of ideas and storytelling.
I recently started using the iPad Air for many of my public-facing engagements. The dynamic shift I noticed when hosting the inaugural Variety Australia and Twilio Live Business Breakfast, or the keynote interview with multi-award-winning actor, filmmaker and producer Richard Roxburgh at Cannes in Cairns was palpable for me.
The latest iPad Air has become an indispensable tool in my arsenal, enabling a natural flow of conversation and maintaining a comfortable environment for me and the subject, leading to richer, more authentic interactions.
Here’s how I leverage the new iPad Air’s cutting-edge features in my role:
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Power and Performance
The new iPad Air is supercharged by the M2 chip, which means phenomenal performance thanks to its 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU ensure — which is great for video editing and AR apps because it’s kind of like having a super-efficient multitasking team inside your device. Also, the chip is nearly 50% faster than the last iPad release.
Audio Capabilities
The iPad Air’s dual-microphones means studio-quality clear and crisp audio while reducing background noise. Any journalist who knows the pain of audio transcribing can understand how crucial this feature is.
Portability and Design
Every now and then, my role has be attending and speaking at conferences, which is fancy-speak for ‘lots of standing and rushing around with a tote bag filled with tech and snacks’. The 11-inch iPad Air is so light and incredibly portable.
For those who need more screen real estate, the new 13-inch model offers 30% more space, but both models feature a brilliant Liquid Retina display with True Tone, P3 wide colour, and an anti-reflective coating, ensuring content looks sharp and vibrant in any lighting condition.
Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard
As far as productivity tools go, the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard have levelled up since the last gen.
The Apple Pencil Pro offers precise control for note-taking, sketching, and marking up documents, with new features like squeeze, barrel roll, and haptic feedback for an even more intuitive experience.
The Magic Keyboard however, with its backlit keys and trackpad, turns the iPad Air into a mini-laptop, providing a comfortable typing experience for drafting scripts, emails, and articles. Can I travel with just the iPad Air, Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard on work trips? Absolutely.
Connectivity
With support for Wi-Fi 6E and 5G (a doubled performance increase than the previous generation), the iPad Air ensures I stay connected on the go.
Whether I’m uploading podcast episodes, editing social clips, conducting live interviews, or accessing cloud-based documents, the fast internet speed means I never experience lag or downtime.
Also, the USB-C port allows for quick charging and easy connection to devices like microphones, cameras, and storage drives.
Security and Privacy
Security and privacy are paramount in my line of work. The iPad Air offers robust security features, including Touch ID, providing quick and secure access to the device.
Verdict
There are two kinds of Apple iPad customers, those who have never owned one and those who want to upgrade. I personally fall into the first category; so you can imagine my sense of overwhelm when Tim Cook announced that the release week for the new suite of iPads was the “biggest week for the iPad since the launch of the iPad”.
Granted, with my AirPods, Apple Watch and 15-inch MacBook Air, I’m well and truly embedded in the Apple ecosystem. Adding the iPad Air into the mix certainly wasn’t a stretch, but the features are nothing if not extensive.
What I did learn through my multiple test drives in different settings and for different uses however, is that the latest lineup is more than just a tablet; for me, its an indispensable device.
