Good move! We held out for a long time, until VZ added the iPhone to the list... Best coverage everywhere for us up here, even tho VZ is your major down that way, up here, most is at&t or Sprint.. But VZ does it better..
There is a bit of a learning curve, but lots of folks to ask or help.. My BIL just bought his first iPod nano, as a luddite, he's been having trouble sorting it out, but I think I have him over the hump now.. he was ready to toss it earlier this week, settled him down, he'll get it..
Podcasts, if I'm on a walk on my own, I don't bother with a headset, just leave the phone in my shirt pocket, upside down, hear it fine, no cords to mess with..
Lots of handy things out there as you saw with the iPad.. I have yet to go there yet... needed one instead of my old iBook on that last trip...
enjoy...
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