App Review + Giveaway: Air Display for iPad

Every day, I am amazed at how the iPad is being put to use. It is not just a “big iPod Touch”, as so many skeptics have been saying. The iPad really is creating the tablet market, as we will know it, from now on.

A great app that proves this to me again, is called Air Display. It comes from the Avatron, the creators of Air Sharing, which I’m sure you are familiar with, on your iPhone. Air Display turns your iPad into a wireless monitor for your Mac. It connects your iPad to your Mac, over a WiFi network (or ad-hoc), and allows you to use your iPad as a secondary display. This is was one of the uses I envisioned, when I first heard about the iPad, so I am obviously thrilled with this app. To be able to slide a program, or anything, over to a portable wireless tablet, is something you used to only see in the movies (Minority Report, comes to mind).

It requires the Air Display client running on your Mac (Windows support is on the way). Once it’s installed, start the app on your iPad, then select it from the drop down menu, in the status bar.

On my iMac, I already have a secondary monitor set up, so why not a third? When you connect your iPad as a display, it is completely adjustable, just as if it were connected by VGA cable. I set my main display to the middle, my secondary display to the right, and then my iPad to the left:

You can also set different wallpaper for the iPad, using your Mac’s System Preferences. The resolution is fixed, but will change automatically, with the orientation of the iPad.

Here’s a quick video demonstration of how it works:

This app can do so much more. Here’s part of the description, from the App Store:

Air Display not only gives you a wireless computer screen extender, but also works as a tablet input device. You can use your finger to draw directly on the screen’s surface. Try it with a Mac calculator app, painting tool, or music control surface!

Some great uses for Air Display:

• Fill your iPad screen with your utility apps, like iChat, Mail, iCal, and Calculator.
• Amaze your friends by playing Flash animations on your iPad!
• Graphic design: Make Photoshop and Illustrator usable on your laptop by putting your tool palettes on the iPad screen.
• Music: Use your iPad as the ultimate control surface for Logic or Pro Tools.
• Programming: Use the extra display area for such auxiliary development tools as Console, Terminal, and the Debugger.
• Business: Move all of your iWork and Office palettes and inspector windows onto the iPad, and let your document fill the screen.
• Find your own uses.

Air Display is available now, in the App Store for $9.99, but we have 2 promo codes to give away!! Here’s how you can get one: You have to have a US iTunes account, then simply post a comment below, telling us how you would use your iPad as a secondary display. The winners will be chosen by the end of the day. Don’t forget to include your email or Twitter, so we can contact you!

Don;t forget to follow me on Twitter: @rorypiper