iCaved

Yep, new iPad. Didn't plan on it - I assumed that I'd buy a used iPad 2 instead, but the used prices haven't fallen like I expected.
"New" iPad 2's are $399, refurbished $349, and used are still $325-$350. I thought that they'd be <$250 (half-price), but no such luck. I think a new iPad is worth the ~$150 premium.

Doing it again! (iPad arbitrage)

About this time last year I caved and bought an iPad. I had resisted, thinking that it was just a giant iPhone, and not necessary since I already had a MacBook Pro for mobile computing. I was totally wrong - the iPad is fantastic, and I am sorry that I did not get one sooner.

Because of my caution last year, I decided to buy a used 1st generation iPad just after iPad 2 was announced. I got a great deal from an early adopter who wanted to sell her 1st generation iPad to make room for an iPad 2. (I paid either $200 or $220.)

Word is that the iPad 3 is coming soon, so I began looking at the aftermarket for iPads. To my amazement, original iPads are still in demand and the market is generally ignorant of the imminent arrival of iPad 3.

I have a Craigslist advert up for my original iPad, and I expect to reap ~$275 for it (for a profit of $55 to $75!) I haven't decided yet whether to use the proceeds for a new iPad 3 or a used iPad 2. I expect, though, that iPad 2 aftermarket prices (~$350-$400) will fall by nearly half after the release of iPad 3. I might just rollover my sale proceeds into an iPad 2 and see if I can make a similar profit this time next year!

Introducing new blog formats

Blogger has enabled new blogging formats perfect for reading via devices with non-traditional form factors (tablets, phones.) CogentPassion can you be viewed using these alternate feeds:

Timeslide
Flipcard (my favorite style, and a great way to get a concise view of many posts. Also perfect if you use Flipboard for the iPad, I expect.)
Mosaic
Sidebar
Snapshot

4 of these 5 styles are very graphic-oriented, which will probably make me want to increase the graphic content of this blog.

Let me know if you have a favorite among these new styles.