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A super-sleek body that houses a lighting fast processor and dual video cameras, the iPad 2 is perhaps the most coveted tablet around. While technically not as advanced as a Macbook, the iPad is still a gadget that packs several valuable tools and features, most of which are grossly under-utilized. Here are some top tips to maximize your iPad usage.

Multitask Right

Most iPad users may be aware of the multitask bar that displays on tapping the Home button twice. Try swiping the multitasking bar left to right to display frequently used apps or even the iTunes shortcut. The iPadMultitask also displays volume controls and playback icons, and also allows the user to customize the Side Switch settings as well. The Side Switch itself is another great multitasking tool that allows users to lock the screen orientation or even enable and disable alerts. The controls accessible from the side switch are completely customizable from the Settings menu on the Home screen.

Multitasking Gestures support four-finger and five-finger gestures, and this can be activated using the Xcode, purchasable from the Mac App Store. On installation, select your iPad from the Xcode homescreen, and then click the Use for Development option. Select Cancel on the pop-up asking for your developer account credentials, and because Xcode works without developer access your iPad will still recognize gestures with the app activated.

Encryption

To make your iPad safer, set a more complex pass code rather than the four-number sequence that is the default iOS password. Turn the Simple Passcode off on the Passcode Lock option from the Settings panel to enable a full keyboard pass code to lock the iPad. For added security, you could even set an auto-erase in the event that ten consecutive unsuccessful pass code entry attempts. Use the Erase Data option from the Passcode Lock tab under Settings. In addition to securing iPad access, all data backed-up in iTunes can also be encrypted. Access your iPad within iTunes and then select the Encrypt iPad backup checkbox within the Summary tab Options menu.

Speed Typing

Maximize the AutoFill functionality by setting Safari to remember passwords or other pre-saved contact details. To increase your typing speed double tap the spacebar on your keypad and this automatically types out a period followed by a space. Optimize the AutoCorrect using a space or punctuation mark to help make the suggestions more meaningful. Make copy-paste easier by tapping and holding down to select text, or alternatively tap four times to select an entire paragraph of text.

Control Battery Drain

As such managing battery life can be challenging given the power drain of playing an array of media files or accessing Wi-Fi and 3G networks. Still, not many realize that merely lowering screen brightness, much like in a laptop, can actually save battery drain in an iPad too. Begin by setting the intensity to an optimal level from the Settings panel. If you use your iPad as a reader, set the brightness from the iBooks app using the in-built slider, which makes adjusting the intensity up or down much more convenient. Turning off auto-sync and data fetching as new data becomes available can also help conserve power. Customize the Push and Fetch settings within Mail to help limit automatic fetching of e-mail or incoming notifications over a network.

In March, 2011, Apple released the new iPad 2. At that stage, according to The Economist, Apple had already sold over fifteen million iPads.

One of the most remarkable features of the new iPad 2 is that, for a machine so powerful, it is incredibly thin and unbelievably light. It weighs only 601 grams, or 1.33 pounds, and is just 8.8 millimetres, or 0.34 inches in depth. It is hard to imagine that a device of such small dimensions can hold entire books, provide access to movies and surf the internet with a speed to impress the most impatient of users.

The iPad 2 runs on the iOS 5 operating system. Extremely advanced, the iOS 5 has at least two hundred software features not previously released and is able to host any of the 140,000 iPad applications now in existence. As far as mobile devices go, the iOS 5 is about as clever and efficient as it gets.

The dual core A5 chip contained in the iPad 2 is, according to Apple, twice as powerful, in terms of CPU, and seven times as powerful, in terms of GPU, than the A4 chip. You have all this power without facing the inconvenience of short battery life. The A5 and the iOS function mutually to maximize your battery and provide you with ten hours of time from each charge.

The iPad 2 has two cameras – one on the front and one on the back. They record videos and photographs in High Definition and enable you to FaceTime video call your friends and family. Even when you are a long way from home or away from the people you love for an extended period, you can make up for the distance by seeing and hearing them in real time. The screen is LED-backlit and features high-resolution graphics in 9.7 inches.

With iCloud, you can keep all of your well-loved photographs, videos, music, information and documents and, without even a wire, send them to your other related devices, such as your Mac, iPhone and iPod touch. That way you can both back up and access your personally selected content with ease. This capacity to send information wirelessly also applies to printing. With AirPrint, you can send your messages and photos to your printer within moments.

Finally, the iPad 2 enables you to connect through both Wi-Fi and 3G. It contains 802.11n wireless technology, which locates nearby Wi-Fi networks and allows you to connect instantaneously. Plus, 3G means you can join cell phone networks. Wherever you go, the iPad 2 will help you to remain connected.