Greg Pierce’s sweet iPad setup
Every week we try to post a new interview with someone about what software they use on their Mac, iPhone, or iPad. We do these interviews because not only are they fun, but a glimpse into what tools someone uses and how they use those tools can spark our imagination and give us an idea or insight into how we can do things better.
New setup interviews are posted every Monday; follow us on RSS or Twitter to stay up to date.
Who are you and what do you do?
I am Greg Pierce — I’m a geek and family guy happily raising three great boys with my lovely wife in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area.
I run an independent software development company called Agile Tortoise out of my home. I do some consulting, but am probably most known for my own iOS apps: Drafts, Phraseology & Terminology.
I also wrote the x-callback-url specification, which is becoming a foundation of a lot of experimentation with automation on iOS.
Which iPad do you have?
iPad Air. Though I briefly experimented with the first generation iPad Mini, the form factor did not work well for the way I use the iPad. I’ve had an iPad 1, 2, 3 and mini before this one though.
How are you using your iPad on a daily basis?
I love my iPad. It’s one of my favorite things. Though I do most of my work on a Mac, my iPad sits on my desk all day and serves as a context switching device. I try to keep up with Social Media, RSS, etc. on the iPad to avoid the distraction of having those apps open all the time on my Mac.
When I’m not at work, the iPad is my primary computing device. I rarely move my MacBook off my desk, so the iPad is my couch/evening/weekend gateway to the Internet, casual gaming device, media hub, and more.
What apps do you use the most, and why?
Naturally, I use my own apps quite a bit — as they all scratched some sort of itch originally — but outside of those, I would say I have several sets of apps that cluster around the activities I do most on the iPad. The rotation of apps changes often, as I love to try out new things. Some of these aren’t my favorite apps, but are the only option for a particular service or function.
I interact with the world through Email, Messages, Tweetbot, Netbot & the Facebook app.
I interact with my house through Rdio, Remote, the Sony TV Sideview app (controls TV + Receiver + DVD player) and the Dish Network app. An AirPlay receiver was a great investment, and I stream almost all my music from the Rdio app to the stereo.
I read content through Instapaper, Reeder, Kindle & iBooks.
I draw, mostly with Procreate, which is an astonishing app.
I work and manage time through OmniFocus, Reminders, Zendesk (my support system), and Evernote.
Which app could you not live without?
Beyond the obvious bundled apps, like Mail & Safari, I’d have to say Tweetbot. Hope they get out an iOS 7 update soon!
There are more Sweet Setup interviews right here.