It's official: Apple iPad capable of running the world

by Stevie Smith - Apr 19 2010, 07:20

For most, the iPad is the perfect companion for gadget lovers looking to enjoy Web surfing and multimedia entertainment while on the move. However, for the leader of Norway, Apple’s new tablet computer is proving to be a valuable portal of a wholly different kind.

More pointedly, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is currently utilising the versatility of his iPad to help govern the country’s day-to-day affairs from New York, where he is presently stranded, unable to return to Norway due to a potentially dangerous volcanic ash cloud crippling most of Europe’s airspace.

Speaking with CNN, Mr. Stoltenberg said he is employing several means of communication to remain in constant contact with the Norwegian government, adding that Apple’s latest device is certainly contributing to the cause.

“It’s very normal for a prime minister to travel abroad, so this not different from the other travels, it’s just lasts some days more than expected,” he commented. “We have the Internet, the mobile phone. I also use an iPad, which is excellent.”

Like thousands of similarly stranded flight passengers currently looking for a way to navigate around the plumes of ash spewing from the Icelandic volcano since early last week, Mr Stoltenberg is hoping to fly into any unaffected European airport (likely in Spain) before then travelling home to Norway overland.

The skies across much of northern Europe remain empty today as aircraft operators continue to wait for weather patterns to change, a shift they hope will alter the ash cloud’s easterly movement and allow flights to resume.

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