IPad – way to build a simple iPad pen yourself

iOS 6 now has a software feature to block variable parts of the screen and hardware buttons. The feature is called "Guided Access". A PIN is needed to unlock the device afterwards.

How to use Guided Access

I have two ideas for you:

1. There's a UK mobile network called Ovivo, basically, you order a sim with £10 on it once, and you'll have 500MB of mobile broadband for your grandma's iPad forever.

   She'll also be able to use the £10 for additional broadband if she runs out (either by pre-purchasing some — and maybe you could do that online for her), or it'll automatically take from it as credit.

   I think you can top up online with your card and manage everything for her. She'd just have to pop in the sim card.

   Ovivo runs on the Vodafone network as a MVNO — so has good signal.

2. Alternatively, try GiffGaff (runs on O2 network), where you pay £5/month (no contract; you can stop anytime) for £500MB — Ovivo turns out cheaper; or £7.50 for 1GB.

   I think you can set up the actual account online from where you are; she'd just have to pop in the sim card.

Both are good value for money without any contracts, etc. You can stop/cancel at any time.