The Ultimate iPad (and iPhone!) How-To Guide Ver. 1.1

I'm often asked about how to do things on the iPad that are simple to do on a regular PC but elusive on the iPad, so I decided to make this guide.  This is version 1, and as new comments and suggestions come in, I'll be adding them.  If you have any additions, please comment on this post.  Also, if you can't find something, always remember to search the App Store.

How Do I:

[ Section I : Documents, PDF's, Books, Etc. ]

Save PDF's (from email, the web etc.) for later viewing?
Many ways to do it including using iBooks, but I find the Goodreader app best suited.  When viewing the PDF click on the "Open In" box in the upper right corner, then select Goodreader. To save from the web, use the Web Downloads feature in Goodreader, select Browse the Web, then click "Download Linked File" when selecting the PDF.

Print to any printer?

Get the Print N Share app, then use Airprint normally.

View and Save Word, Excel files for later viewing?

Again, it's Goodreader to the rescue. To save then edit, see entries below.

Create, Edit, Share Google Docs Spreadsheets and Docs?

Use Documents To Go. 

Edit Excel, Word files, and I don't care about Google Docs?

Use Pages and Numbers.

Get my own eBooks into iBooks?

Use the free Calibre desktop software to convert your books to ePub format.  Drag into iTunes, then drag into the iPad. Alternatively, you can get the ePub file into iBooks from an email, or other app that stores files like Downloads or DropBox.

Synchronize the page I'm up to in my ebook between my iPhone and iPad?
Get the same exact ePub files onto both devices per instructions above, then make sure to read using iBooks.

[ Section II : Multimedia, Streaming, Remote Connectivity ]

Watch Divx or Xvid video on the iPad?

Get the app Cinexplayer.  To copy movies to it, connect to your computer and in iTunes, click on the iPad on the left pane, and then click the "Apps" tab. Scroll down to the "File Sharing" box and click on Cinexplayer on the left, then copy the videos using the "Documents" box on the right.

See Flash video, or Flash animations, or play Flash games when browsing?  

1. Photon Browser - Best option. Creates a remote session on the fly. Watch vids, play games, etc.
2. SkyFire transcodes videos (only) but it isn't compatible with every site.  
3. SplashTop - remote-connect to a PC (like VPN, RDP) and browse that way. More on SplashTop below.

Download MP3's, videos, or files directly from the internet and save them on the iPad?

Also several ways, but my favorite is the Downloads app. Simply browse from within the app, then when clicking a link it will present you with a "Download" option. After downloading, Downloads will be able to view, or play various files. If it isn't able to (like with, for say an Xvid video) you can choose the "Open In" dialog and open with Cinexplayer if installed.

Watch live TV, or TV Video from websites?

See Photon and Splashtop  references above.

Listen to live radio?

Try TuneIn Radio.

Easily stream all of my music and videos from my desktop to iPad?

1. Try Google Music for music files. They have a great mobile webapp that works really well.
2. Use Orb Live which also handles video.

Connect remotely to my PC?

1. LogMeIn Ignition is best, as long as you're not looking to watch video when logged in.  Otherwise, 
2. Splashtop wins.  
3. For Remote Desktop to a Windows machine, try RDP Lite.

[ Section III : News, RSS, Websites, Productivity ]

Synchronize and read from my Google Reader RSS Feeds?

1. Feedler - Free, and has mobile content view
2. Reeder - Fast, has Readability integration
3. Byline - Will cache even linked content
4. Pulse News - Shows image thumbnails with every article

Read my interests in magazine format on the iPad?

1. Flipboard - integrates and pulls content from Twitter
2. Zite - Creates a custom magazine for you based on interests
3. Editions by AOL - similar to Zite but less content

Synchronize and/or quickly manage files between my desktop and iPad?
Use DropBox on desktop and iPad to copy and share files between the two.

Mark up a document or photo with my own notes?
Use Adobe Ideas, and put the photo in the Photo layer.

[ Section IV : Voice Control, Travel, Etc. ]

Use voice control to email, txt, search, and update status without Siri?

Try Vlingo. All functionality is now free!

Dictate to the iPad and have it transcribe?
Use free Dragon Dictation.

Use GPS for travel?

1. Mapquest - Free, provides turn by turn directions but maps are stored in the cloud (battery drain)
2. MotionX GPS Drive - $20 / year, offers 3d maps, turn by turn and more. Maps stored in cloud
3. Copilot Live USA - $5 - Cheapest option for offline maps, 3D, and turn by turn
4. Navigon USA - $50 - Offline maps, 3D, turn by turn, lane assist, etc

[ Section V: General iPad Usage Tips & Tricks ]

Take a snapshot of what I'm seeing on the screen?
Hold the Home button and press and release the power button. The screen will briefly flash.  The snapshot is now in the Photos app.

Reset the iPad?
Hold the Home and Power buttons simultaneously until you see the Apple logo.

Create a folder and place Apps inside it?
Click and hold any App icon until they wiggle. Drag one app on top of another, and a folder is created.

Quickly Switch between Apps?
Tap the Home button twice.

Have Safari autofill my name, credit card info, etc?
Go to Settings > Safari > Autofill

Prevent the screen from auto-rotating?
Double click Home then swipe right-to-left. Auto-rotate icon located all the way to the left.

Type using a real keyboard?
Get the Apple BT Keyboard, or for a case/keyboard solution, try Zaggmate or Keyfolio.