Before anything else, let me report that I am trying to update using the WordPress app, and it’s not the most stable app in the world. I’m running a couple of very low volume blogs, and this one managed the get sufficiently screwed up on the app that just trying to access the posts resulted in the app crashing. Treating the blog as a brand new one allowed me to rebuild the settings and get access again. We’ll see how long that lasts.

OK, the real point of this post is that I managed to try SkyVoyager in it’s latest incarnation on the iPad, and it’s a dual iPad/iPod release. The full screen display is infinitely better than the cramped iPod display (even expanded using the 2x option), and the expansion pack allows me to see almost as much as I would on the desktop using my old Starry Night application. Since I don’t have a 3G iPad, I couldn’t check out the compass and orientation features but based on the demo from MacWorld 2010 that should be a useful item on the 3G version. I’ll be interested in seeing what a suitably equipped user has to say later in the year. [May 2 – As I found after posting, the compass and orientation can be enabled even on a WiFi iPad, but at least for me, the compass wasn’t accurate enough to be useful]

Another interesting but so far untested feature on offer is Telescope Control. If I can extend myself and pick up Carina’s SkyFI accessory, I would/will be able to run my Losmandy Gemini mount from my iPad, leaving my laptop at home for the evening, using my regular photographic cable timers to grab the imaging shots I want. That’s cool, but also useful, and I just may go for that.