Now each provider includes a web site with an interactive data calculator where you can use sliders to calculate your iPad usage to figure out which plan will best meet your needs.

AT&T

Verizon

This site also gives you some hints on how to minimize your carrier data needs — like load up on movies before you leave home!

1. Back-up, either to iCloud or iTunes: “Before you reset the iPad, you probably want to back it up and transfer all of your app and media purchases to iTunes.”

2. Do a full reset: “On the device, go to Settings » General » Reset and choose Erase All Content and Settings. You will be asked to enter your passcode lock (if you have one set) and then confirm your choice.”

3.”Even if you are planning to share App Store purchases, each person should have their own iCloud account/Apple ID.”

Be sure and read the other suggestions, including setting up contacts and calendars, in the full article.

“Simply tap to add video and photos, drag to trim clips, and slide to preview your project – you’ll have a four-star short film to share in no time at all.”

You can quickly splice and combine clips and photos, add titles, audio,  and music, and share on your TV or via email. To help you get started, there are a number of good, quick video tutorials on YouTube. The first is a short 4 minute tutorial if you just want the basics. For more extended help, try the 10 minute tutorial or the 16 minute tutorial. You’ll be surprised at how quickly and easily you can put together your own video!

Note that the computer must be a Mac running the OS X Lion operating system, or a PC running Windows System 7 or Vista SP2. For Windows, you need to download the iCloud Control Panel.  For more details on setting up PhotoStream on your PC, see this article.

On a Mac computer, simply go to iCloud in Systems Preferences to enable PhotoStream.  For more information on setting up PhotoStream on a Mac computer, read this article.

With Photo Stream, when you take a picture with your iOS device, the photo will automatically transfer to iCloud and will be stored there for up to 30 days. It will also appear on your other iOS devices and your PhotoStream enabled computers.

Once you start adding images to the folder for uploads on the PC, you’ll see them on other iCloud devices a few minutes later. When you take pictures or screenshots with the iPhone or iPad, they’ll also appear on other devices in a few minutes (as long as you’re connected to WiFi).

In case you are a worrier (like I am), this Reset does not affect any of your data.  If your iPad is frozen in some app, you may lose any information you were entering, but that is all.  This reset merely does a little more thorough power down.  (Note that there is another reset, accessed from the settings app, that does erase data — use it with caution!)

1. This Reset is actually very easy.  Just push and hold down the Sleep/Wake button (located along the upper right edge of the iPad). While you are holding this button down, also push and hold down the Home button (located on the center front of the iPad, just below the screen).

Hold down Sleep/Wake and Home buttons.

2. Continue to hold down both buttons until you see the apple logo. (This may take up to 10 seconds.) Until then ignore any messages that appear on the screen. Once the apple logo appears, release both buttons and wait for the iPad to reboot.  This may take up to 30 seconds. Your normal startup page will appear, and if you don’t do anything, the iPad will go to sleep as usual.  You’re all set!

“Mujjo’s gloves can be used with touchscreens because high-quality silver-coated nylon fibers are knitted right into the fabric of the glove. Those nylon fibers carry the conductive properties of your skin through the glove and onto your touchscreen.”

“Don’t be devastated. Your beloved iPhone, or iPod Touch, is not dead or completely damaged. You can definitely save your iPhone and iPod Touch, or any other cell phone for that matter…”

“The pillow is comprised of two triangular sections connected with a soft hinge. Fold the sections out to the extended position, which is perfect for the floor, a lounge-style chair, or lying in bed.”

INRIX Traffic app

If you travel on busy roads, I recommend that you get the new INRIX Traffic app.  I used it on our Thanksgiving holiday trip along the Northeast coast — a difficult drive in the best of times, and no fun with holiday traffic.  Luckily, we didn’t run into major problems going our direction, but I had a chance to test out the accuracy and timeliness of this traffic app.

It’s free (and no ads) and it provides real-time traffic maps, traffic forecasts, accident and incident reports for every interstate, highway and major arterial and city streets. This review gives more details.

“Reviews of INRIX traffic products are generally positive, because the data they collect is sourced from long-haul trucks, taxis, delivery vans and commercial fleets, along with the usual consumer input and traffic sensors. The app also has predictive technology that analyzes the hard data, and takes factors like day of the week, weather, accidents and road work, and holiday traffic to figure out what is coming, not just what the current situation is.”

“In this Holiday Gift Guide, I’ll give you some advice on how to pick the best iPad model for the lucky recipient on your gift list.”